Spa 101
With money tight, it’s oh so easy to stick with the tried and true spa treatments: deep tissue massage, a steam facial, the quick mani/pedi. But there’s ...
As I lay down on the massage table at the Center for Lymphatic Health in Santa Barbara, I fidgeted nervously. Please don’t hurt me, I said under my breath. The ...
When it comes to emotional eating, triggers vary from person to person. Whether the root cause is fatigue, depression, stress, or another strong emotion, the end ...
Massaging the body with the feet is a hallmark of bodywork throughout India, Japan, China, Thailand, Africa, and the Philippines. For those who enjoy deeper forms ...
Living with a family member with a chronic illness means there is often discord and drama afoot. Things crash regularly and it is easy to lose perspective and become ...
Dry brushing supports skin renewal, stimulates the lymphatic system (which positively affects the nervous, immune, and digestive systems), aids in removal of accumulated ...
“In Thai folk medicine, the Circle of Life is a constant flow between three essences,” says Camille Maya Western.
Interpretive Touch Massage utilizes wave motion techniques as well as long, slow strokes and “floating” (or cradling) of your limbs. In addition, says Drummer, ...
Today, the mud bath remains a staple at spas all over the world. It’s a tradition practiced in Japan, California, Europe, and New Zealand—basically, wherever ...
Ignatz von Peczely, a 19th-century Hungarian physician, invented iridology when he observed a dark streak in the iris of a man with a broken leg that reminded him ...
Dear Tanya, What advice would you give to clients trying to make the most of their spa experience?
Dear Tanya, I’ve been recently ill with an acute infection, and my neck and shoulders are tight from fever and bed rest. I’m anxious for a massage but don’t ...
Dear Tanya, I am a frequent international traveler and have become accustomed to receiving massage in the nude. Will spas in the U.S. allow me to decline draping?...
Imagine a delicious ice-cold cup of tea infused with pineapple, strawberry, mango, passion fruit, kiwi, and orange peel—now, imagine enjoying this brew at home. ...
Dear Tanya, I’ve been a client of the same L.M.T. for almost a year now. Recently, I’ve found myself attracted to her and I’m interested in pursuing a relationship ...
Dear Tanya, I want to treat my grandmother to a day at the spa for her 75th birthday. What kinds of treatments would be appropriate?
Dear Tanya, Q: I’m a newcomer to bodywork. How can I get the most from my treatment?
Where would we be without water? Second only to air, water is vital to life and to health. We are instinctively drawn to it, whether as ocean, waterfall or rain. ...
A few weeks ago, I awoke with a wrenching pain radiating through my right shoulder and down the right side of my back. The pain is something that I’m unfortunately ...
Post-shower towels are meant to be warm. Spas have known this for ages and have installed towel heaters in the spa and even in some guest rooms; but at home, all ...
Architect Robert Henry, whose New York-based firm designed the spas at Wynn Las Vegas, and Potion Lounge in Manhattan, is working with Canyon Ranch Living on a ...
Are you a spa addict, forever scouting for new places to be rubbed, scrubbed, and pampered? Then check out spa-addicts.com. This website, launched in January 2004, ...
A: Give yourself a few minutes to breathe deeply and then move slowly as you get off the table and begin to get dressed. Although it would be nice to roll over ...
But before purchasing a gift certificate, we discovered four things spas generally don’t tell you.
A: Unfortunately, this is one of those ‘lose-lose’ situations. You miss your appointment, they miss out on your business. Not knowing the specific details ...
A: Even long time spa-goers are sometimes stumped by the underwear question. The general rule of thumb is to undress to the level of your comfort, whatever that ...
A: Most spa treatments are appropriate for either sex, but in my experience men opt for massage, facials, and pedicures most frequently. If your guy is active ...
Born more than 4,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, thalassotherapy comes from the Greek words for thalasso (sea water) and therapeia (to heal). Thalassa was the Greek ...
A: There are a few important things to keep in mind when it comes to tipping. First, does the spa include gratuity in the price of the treatment? Many destination ...
“Essential oils are the natural by-products of plants and have been proven in various studies to exert uniquely beneficial properties,” says Erich Worster, ...
Historically, TCM and Ayurveda (Sanskrit for “the science of life”) were developed from a quest for wellness, from the desire to treat and prevent disease. ...
Q: I’ve never been to a spa and received a gift certificate for my birthday. What treatment(s) do you recommend? Can I choose my therapist?
