Spas Massage & Yoga Travel Services

Natural Beauty Through Modern Science

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As human beings, our aging bodies, as well as our spirits, naturally require maintenance due to the daily stresses we must endure.
Z Med Spa offers clinically advanced treatments designed to maintain, restore and optimize your natural beauty as well as recharge your spirit.

We offer medical treatments such as botox, laser hair removal, ultrasonic cellulite reduction, acne photoClearance and tooth whitening as well as spa treatments such as premium quality facials, relaxing massage therapy, rejuvenating body treatments, manicure, pedicure and body waxing. We provide our guests with the elegant and serene ambiance you would only expect at a day spa - however, you'll see that the effectiveness and attention to detail of Z Med Spa treatments far surpasses what is commonly available at a spa or salon.

Our philosophy is simple...provide an oasis in the city of Pasadena, where our guests can enjoy state of the art, soothing rejuvenation treatments in a relaxing and beautiful atmosphere, while experiencing the absolute highest caliber of hospitality and client service.

Med-Spa Clinic

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Med-Spa Clinic, Tunbridge Wells provides all aspects of medical aesthetic skin care and beauty treatments. From non-surgical facelifts and skin laxity treatment, cosmetic dermatology and anti-ageing procedures to Botox, Restylane and all of the Q-Med range of anti-ageing products and other dermal fillers.

Our unsurpassed range of medical Lasers & IPL devices provide extremly effective treatments for unwanted hair, unsightly thread and larger reticular veins, wrinkles, skin lesions, pigmentation, acne, rosacea, cellulite and tattoos.

Dr. Nina Sheffield, Dr. Paul Myers and the Med-Spa team of nurses and therapists have assisted many of our clients to simply recreated themselves achiving results that have amazed and delight our patients.

Younger patients who have been afflicted with Acne or Acne Scarring are now free of this or have it under control. Older patients have seen years roll away from their appearance.

From your first consultation to final after care, your consultant doctor, nurse, or therapist is there to ensure you find the right treatments for you and then to make them both beneficial and enjoyable.

Med-Spa is also a centre of excellence for Colon Hydrotherapy Treatment from our fully qualified staff.

Our unique fully integrated services are listed on the Treatments page.

Our skin experts will use the latests computerised and photographic technology to assess your skin's needs and advise you of the best course of treatment to improve the appearance and health of your skin and deal with your specific and personal issues.

Call us now on 01892 535577 or e-mail on enquiries@med-spa.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you wish to ask Dr. Sheffield a personal question or for advice please e-mail drninasheffield@med-spa.co.ukThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (It may take a little time to answer due to the large demand for this service but every mail is answered).

Med-Spa Clinic is owned and run by Dr Nina Sheffield who, with her team of specialist doctors, nurses and skin therapists are able to provide for all of your needs.

Expand your Medical Practice with a Medical Spa

2008-09-22T07:15:00.000-07:00

Credit the growing baby boomer population with their unquenchable appetite to stop aging and look great. It is really their demands which have spawned the medical spa industry.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, non-surgical procedures in 2006 increased 50 percent from 2003. The big winners are procedures perfect for Medical Spas: Laser skin resurfacing (up 352%), Hylaform/Restylane fillers (up 1,271%), and laser hair removal (up 60%).

This is a very lucrative business, with the potential for impressive cash flow. It is also a business that is capital intensive, and the best way to manage the high startup costs is to utilize the flexible financing available. The MediSpa industry, perhaps more than any other, is one where you must control your capital costs in order to maximize your monthly cash flow.

"The success of a Medical Spa is ultimately determined by your ability to both create and hang onto cash" Jeff Russell, President & CEO MedSpa Financing

MedSpa Financing is the only finance company that specializes in financing Medical Spas and aesthetic medicine practices for physicians. We have financed Medical Spas from California to New York, and everywhere in between. Not only do we understand the industry, we also have detailed knowledge of medical and aesthetic equipment. From SBA loans to working capital to equipment leasing - we have the resources to help you successfully launch a Medical Spa!

What Is Sensual Massage?

2008-09-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

Sensual massage is another way of saying that the massage will include sexual contact. Don’t expect to get a sensual massage at a spa. The massage therapists who work at spas are trained in therapeutic massage, which is based on Swedish massage techniques.

It is a breach of spa etiquette to ask for sex as part of a therapeutic massage. If you do, the massage therapist will explain that is not the purpose of this massage and continue working. If you persist, they will end the massage.

Massage therapists tell me that men usually ask for sex in an indirect fashion by directing them "work higher" when they get to their thighs or "work lower" when they massage their chest. They also ask the therapist to remove the sheet or ask if the therapist does "extras." None of this is appropriate -- or legal -- in a spa setting.

At home, you can incorporate massage techniques into your lovemaking. A very good book for learning massage techniques at home is "The Joy of Sensual Massage," by Jack Hofer. This is a fully illustrated book that teaches you how to give a massage to someone at home. Hofer points out, however, that the main purpose of massage is to relax the body, whereas sex excites it. It's best if you approach massage as an end in itself, not merely as a prelude to lovemaking.

Massage oil is an essential part of your home massage toolkit, but you don't have to spend a lot of money on some special "sensual massage oil." A nice, inexpensive choice is sweet almond oil, which costs just $7 - $8 for sixteen ounces.

What Is Watsu?

2008-09-09T09:18:00.002-07:00

Watsu is a very soothing type of massage that takes place in warm, waist-deep water. Its name comes from a combination of the words “water” and “shiatsu.” It was developed by Harold Dull back in 1980, when he started applying Zen Shiatsu stretches to students floating in the warm pool at Harbin Hot Springs in California.

What Happens During a Watsu Treatment?

A spa has to have a special Watsu pool heated to the exact same temperature as your body. It should be private and quiet, like any other treatment room. Some spas have outdoors Watsu pools surrounded by walls, with cloth panels overhead to create a combination of sunlight and shade.

You and the massage therapist both wear bathing suits. You enter the water and while you sit on a step, she puts floats around your ankles. This helps your buoyancy. During Watsu the therapist literally cradles your body, with one arm supporting your knees, the other your back. One of your arms is wrapped around the therapist’s back, the other floats free.

She then twirls you through in the water, first one way then another, taking your body through a series of passive stretches and twists. Being held in the warm water is deeply relaxing.

What Are the Benefits of Watsu?

Watsu’s gentle stretches have a therapeutic effect on the body. The buoyancy and support of the water allow the spinal column to be moved in ways that aren't possible on land. Many people also find it works on an emotional level as well, promoting trust and connection.

Some people find that the first session is all about learning to trust the fact that someone is there to support you. Others are trying to overcome a fear of water. (If this is you, be sure to tell your therapist.) Others are able to fully relax and find it deeply soothing from the very first session.

Where Can I Get Watsu?

Because of the special pool, it’s still a relatively unusual service. It is easiest to find in California and at resort spas. Here’s a list of major places to get a Watsu treatment.

Watsu in California: Spas in California that offer Watsu include Miramonte Resort Spa in Palm Springs; Two Bunch Palms Resort & Spa in Desert Hot Springs; Sea Spa at Loews Coronado Bay Resort and Spa in Coronado; and Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa and Raindance Spa at The Lodge at Sonoma, both in Sonoma.

Watsu in Arizona:Spas in Arizona that offer Watsu include Canyon Ranch Tucson, Mii Amo at Enchantment Resort in Sedona; Golden Door Spa at The Boulders Resort in Carefree; The Sanctuary Spa at Camelback Mountain and Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms Resort and Spa, both in Phoenix.

Watsu in New Mexico:: In New Mexico, you can get Watsu at SháNah Spa and Wellness Center at Bishops Lodge Resort & Spa in Santa Fe.

Watsu in Florida: Spas in Florida that offer Watsu include Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa on Marco Island, Florida; The Ritz-Carlton in Naples; and Amelia Island Plantation Spa in Amelia Island, Florida.

Watsu in Texas: Spas in Texas that offer Watsu include The Crossings in Austin and the Greenhouse in Arlington.

Watsu in Las Vegas: Spas in Las Vegas that offer Watsu include Aquae Sulis Spa at JW Marriott Las Vegas; Canyon Ranch SpaClub at The Venetian Hotel; and Spa Bellagio at The Bellagio.

Watsu in New York City: New York City recently got its first Watsu facility at the Cornelia Day Resort in Manhattan.

Watsu in Scotland: One Spa and Health Club at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa in Edinburgh, Scotland, offers Watsu.

What Is Reflexology?

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Reflexology is a treatment where the therapist works primarily on your feet. The theory behind reflexology is that there are "reflex points" in the feet, hands and ears that relate to specific organs and glands in the body. Practitioners believe that stimulating those reflex points promotes health in that organ via the body's energetic pathways.

When done by a skilled practitioner, reflexology is deeply relaxing treatment with benefits that can be felt throughout the body. (If they're less skilled, you'll just feel like you've had a very long foot massage.) Reflexology can be a good treatment choice for people who want to keep their clothes on during a massage. It is also a good choice if you are pressed for time and don't want to get oil on your body or in your hair.

Reflexology was first developed in the United States in the early 20th century, and was called "zonal therapy"in its earliest incarnations. It is based on the theory that the body is divided into ten zones running longitudinally from head to toe -- five on each side of the body. Practitioners believe that pressure on reflex points on the foot or hand will affect body organs in the same zone.

In recent years, reflexologists have begun to incorporate the acupressure techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine (T.C.M.) into their work. Although reflexology is based on the theory of "zones" instead of T.C.M.'s theory of "meridians" or energy pathways, both treatments are based on the principle that working on specific points can bring about a therapeutic effect in other parts of the body.

What Is Trigger Point Therapy?

2008-09-09T09:17:00.000-07:00

trigger point is a hyperirritable spot that is painful. It is called a trigger point because it "triggers" a painful response.

But a trigger point is more than a tender nodule. It affects not only the muscle where the trigger point is located, but also causes "referred pain" in tissues supplied by nerves.

Trigger points are located in a taut band of muscles fibers. The trigger point is the most tender point in the band. The therapist will locate and deactivate them using finger pressure. One technique is to pick up the muscle fibers in a pincer grip.

What You Should Know About Trigger Point Therapy

It is used to treat painful trigger points that cause referred pain.

It took a while to get the muscle in that condition, and it will likely take more than one massage to get rid of it.

These points are often areas of chronic "holding" and you need to learn how to move in different ways to keep them from recurring.

It will probably be uncomfortable

What Is Thai Massage?

2008-09-09T09:16:00.000-07:00

Thai Massage is one of the hot “new” massages offered by most spas, but it was actually developed by Buddhist monks in Thailand as a healing modality 2,500 years ago. It uses passive stretching and gentle pressure along the body’s energy lines to increase flexibility, relieve muscle and joint tension and balance the body’s energy systems. It is both deeply relaxing and energizing.

Thai massage takes place on a futon mat on the floor, and you wear loose fitting clothing. Some spas, like The Mandarin Oriental, Miami,, provide you with an outfit to wear. Others may ask you to wear something loose and comfortable, like sweat pants. You start by laying on your back, and the therapist uses gentle compression and stretching techniques to open up your body, beginning with you legs. Some people say Thai massage is a little like doing yoga without any effort, because the therapist will push your body into various positions without any work on your part.

Thai massage is done with all your clothes on, so some people recommend it if you feel uncomfortable with nudity during a Swedish massage . But my personal opinion it is not the best choice for first-time spa-goers. The therapist literally uses her whole body, including her feet, to move your body into various positions, so in some ways it feels more even intimate than a Swedish massage, where you lay on a massage table and are covered with sheets.

Thai massage has its roots in a spiritual tradition, and its purpose is to heal a person physically, emotionally and spiritually. It should not be confused with sensual massage.

What is Shiatsu?

2008-09-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

Shiatsu is a style of bodywork developed in Japan. Its goal is to restore the healthy flow of energy throughout the body.

Shiatsu is similar to acupuncture, but uses finger pressure instead of needles. Its name comes from two Japanese words -- "shi" or finger and "atsu" or pressure.

What Happens During a Shiatsu Massage?

For shiatsu, you wear loose clothing. It is usually performed on a mat on the floor. The practitioner will use their fingers and thumbs to apply pressure to specific points on the body's energy pathways, known as meridiens. They often use other techniques such as rocking, stretches and joint rotations.

Shiatsu treatment is holistic, addressing the whole body rather than focusing on the one area where symptoms are most obvious.

A shiatsu session usually lasts between 45 minutes and an hour.

What Is Sports Massage?

2008-09-09T09:13:00.000-07:00

Sports massage is designed to help atheletes prepare their bodies for optimal performance, recover after a big event, or function well during training.

But you don't have to be in the Olympics to benefit from sports massage. Sports massage is also good for people with injuries, chronic pain or restricted range of motion. This is the type of sports massage that you see in the spa.

What Happens During Sports Massage?

Sports massage is a type of Swedish massage that stimulates circulation of blood and lymph fluids. Some sports massage movements use trigger point therapy to break down adhesions (knots in the muscles) and increase range of motion.

There are four types of sports massages:

* pre-event sports massage -- a short, stimulating massage 15 - 45 minutes before the event. It is directed toward the parts of the body that will be involved in the exertion.

* post-event sports massage -- given within an hour or two of the event, to normalize the body's tissues.

* restorative sports massage -- given during training to allow the athelete to train harder and with less injury.

* rehabilitative sports massage -- aimed at alleviating pain due to injury and returning the body to health.

When Should I Get A Sports Massage At The Spa?

A sports massage is a good choice if you have a specific problem -- a tender knee from running, for instance. It is also be a good idea to see a movement therapist, who can help you identify and correct the movement pattern that might be causing your injury in the first place.

The therapist generally focuses in on the problem area -- a frozen shoulder or pulled hamstring, for instance -- rather than giving you a thorough full body massage.

Sometimes men who are new to the spa are more comfortable getting a sports massage because it sounds more masculine. That's fine, even if they don't have an injury.

No matter what type of massage you choose, the therapist should check in with you about what your needs and expectations are for the massage.

What Is Pregnancy Massage?

2008-09-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

Pregnancy massage promotes relaxation, soothes nerves and relieves strained back and leg muscles in expectant mothers, particularly in the second and third trimesters.

What Happens During Pregnancy Massage?

A pregnancy massage differs from traditional massage in a few different ways. First, the massage therapist will take extra care to make sure your body gets the cushioning and support it needs.

When you’re lying on your back, there will be pillows underneath your knees and shoulders. If you’re far along in your pregnancy, you might be positioned in a semi-reclining position, where you’re looking at the wall instead of the ceiling.

Pregnancy massage also uses special bolsters with a deep cutout in the center so you can lie face-down comfortably. You can also have your back massaged during pregnancy by lying on your side, with pillows under your head and between your legs.

A pregnancy massage should be very soothing and relaxing in style. Deep tissue work and abdominal kneading should be avoided.

Pregnant women should also avoid Jacuzzis, hot springs, mineral springs.

The Health Benefits of Massage

2008-09-09T09:09:00.000-07:00

Are you feeling guilty about getting a massage? Does it seem too self-indulgent? Actually, massage has many important health benefits.

Massage can help you maintain physical, mental and emotional well being, especially when it is part of your wellness routine.

The Health Benefits of Massage

* Massage calms the nervous system and promotes a sense of relaxation and well being.

* Massage reduces tension and anxiety.

* Massage improves blood circulation, which delivers oxygen and nutrients to the cells.

* Massage stimulates the lymphatic system, which carries away the body’s waste products.

* Massage prevents and relieve muscles cramps and spasms.

* Massage therapy can also help with pain management in conditions such as arthritis, sciatica, muscle spasms.

Contraindications For Massage

* You shouldn't get massage if you have a fever, infections, inflammation, osteoporosis and other medical conditions.

* If you have any questions about whether a massage would be right for you because of an existing medical condition, ask to speak to a massage therapist before you make your appointment.

Planning A Romantic Spa Getaway

2008-09-09T09:08:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine planned a romantic spa getaway with her husband but wound up disappointed. Once they checked into the spa, they never saw each other again until it was time to pay the bill!

If you want to make sure you really get the romantic spa experience you're looking for at a resort spa or destination spa , ask these questions BEFORE you make your reservations.

* Do you offer couples massage?

Romantic spas (even day spas ) have special treatment rooms big enough for two people to get a massage at the same time. This service is often a good way to introduce men to massage .

* Do you have a couples suite? What amenities does it have?

The most romantic spas have lavishly equipped couples suites where you get your treatments together and lounge in private for a while afterwards. These suites are packed with amenities like fireplaces, pedicure chairs, steam showers and lounging beds. They can be indoor, outdoor or even have both indoor and outdoor rooms. A good example is the VIP Suite at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York. In smaller spas or day spas the couples suite might just be a large treatment room.

* Can we get massage in our room?

Some spas, like The Watermark in San Antonio, Texas and The Cliff House in Ogunquit, Maine, have oversized rooms or spa suites big enough to bring two massage tables in for couples massage in your room. It’s the ultimate in romantic privacy.

* Does your spa have a co-ed waiting area?

Romantic spas have a co-ed lounge where you can meet in your robes before and after your spa treatments . This is especially romantic if they have a cozy fireplace or Jacuzzi, like the Spa at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York. If the waiting areas are completely separate, you might not see your beloved after you say goodbye at the front desk.

* Do you have any romantic spa packages or services aimed at couples?

Some spas, like The Spa at Harbour Inn in St. Michaels, Maryland have special services aimed at couples. You Order a “Bath Before Bed” – a rose petal bubble bath with candles and a bottle of Champagne -- and enjoy the view by night.

If you’re not sure where you want to go, surprise your loved one with a spa gift certificate.

More Tips For Enjoying a Romantic Spa Stay

If it's your first time at the spa , read up on spa etiquette , spa treatments , different types of spas and saving on your spa vacation.

Spa Travel Tips

2008-09-09T09:07:00.000-07:00

A spa vacation is a significant investment. What can you do to make the most of your spa vacation? Here are some spa travel tips that will help you have a spa vacation that meets all your expectations.

* There are several different types of spas . Make sure you understand the differences between a destination spa , which offers an all-inclusive "immersion" experience, and a resort spa, which allows you to sample as much or as little of the spa experience as you want.

* Find out exactly what the property means by “spa.” You may be thinking a multi-million dollar facility, and they’re thinking a Jacuzzi and one treatment room. Look for photos on their website. Find a description of the facilities, including the number of treatment rooms.

* Book your spa treatments when you make your reservations. Don’t wait until you get there! If you wait, you may not get the times or treatments you want…and on weekends you might have a hard time getting in at all.

* If the spa has lots of classes and programs, check their schedule when you’re making your spa treatment appointments. If there is a lecture or class you really want to attend, make sure there are no scheduling conflicts.

* If you want to get the rest and renewal benefits of a spa vacation, try to stay at least three nights.

* If you’re going to a destination spa like Canyon Ranch, stay at a less expensive b & b or motel the night before, then head over in the morning to get a full day of activities in . They’ll let you stash your bags and use a locker til check-in time. You can use the same strategy on the way out.

* If it’s a destination spa with lots of programming, remember, you can’t do everything. Don’t try. Pick a focus based on what you need – pampering and pleasure; health and wellness; spiritual journey, or fitness – and let that guide your choice of activities.

* Arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled treatment so you don't have to rush. Take advantage of the lavish facilities that most destination spa and resort spas have, including saunas, steam baths, and hot and cold plunge pools.

* If you are pregnant or have any other medical condition, let the spa know so they can suggest proper treatments. Pregnant guests should avoid any treatments that involve heat or otherwise raise body temperature.

* Consider taking a fitness class or getting a good workout prior to having a treatment.

* Leave your cell phone and pager behind when you go to the actual spa. A ringing cell phone in the spa is rude to others and defeats the purpose for you. Try to give yourself a break from the outside world.

Tips For Enjoying Your Massage

2008-09-09T09:06:00.000-07:00

massage is supposed to be a soothing, relaxing experience. So why do so many people arrive at 1:30 for a 1:30 massage? You should be in your robe already! And if you arrive late, in a frenzied state, you might as well have not come. Get there early is the most important tip for enjoying your massage. But there are plenty more. (Hint -- don't eat a big sausage sub right before you get there, and be sure to speak up if you don't like the pressure.

Here are some tips adapted from the American Massage Therapy Association to help you enjoy your massage.

* Be receptive. Don't eat just before a massage session.

* Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it will take longer to relax.

* If you don't want to remove all your clothing, discuss it with the therapist. Wear what you will be comfortable in that will allow the therapist to work on the areas of your body that need it.

* Good communication is very important. Before the session, give accurate health information and let the massage therapist know what you want from the massage. During the massage session, Speak up if you have any feedback on the amount of pressure, speed of movement, room temperature, music volume, or lighting.

* Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. In general you should do whatever you feel like, and the massage therapist will follow your lead.

* Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People often stop breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. If you realize this is happening, remind yourself to breath.

* Try not to tighten up during the massage. Let your massage therapist know if this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique being used. They may also be able to help you relax the affected area.

* If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more "body-centered" and to quiet the mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist and focus on how the touch feels.

* If anything happens during the massage that you dislike or seems improper, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.

* If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

* Drink extra water after a massage.

* Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session if possible. Sometimes one needs a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session or needs some "re-entry" time.

Remember, massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better he or she will feel and the more quickly one’s body will respond. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed, so be prepared to schedule several sessions.

Spa Week's Bargain Spa Treatments

2008-09-09T09:05:00.000-07:00

Spa Week is famous for its $50 spa treatments. Here's what you need to know to get in on it.

What Is Spa Week?
Spa Week is a promotional event where participating spas offer select spa treatments for just $50.

When Is Spa Week?
Spa Week takes place in the spring and the fall in many of the U.S. and Canada's major markets. The next Spa Week is October 15-21,2007 for cities and states outside the West Coast. The West Coast Spa Week took place September 17-23, 2007. You can sign up for my newsletter to make sure you don't miss the next Spa Week in the spring.

Where Is Spa Week?
Spa Week takes place at over 400 spas in 22 markets, including New York City, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Boston, Washington D.C., Virginia, Baltimore, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Austin, Miami, Denver, Minnesota, Toronto, Arizona, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Portland and Seattle.

Can I Get Any Treatment I Want for $50?
No. Each spa chooses the treatment they want to offer. It could be a body polish, a facial, microdermabrasion, or massage.

Why Do Spas Participate in Spa Week?
They want you to try the spa, enjoy your experience, and then come back and pay full price. Sometimes the spa offer treatments like microdermabrasion or light therapy that are best done as a series and they're hoping you will go for the series. Not every spa in your city will participate.

How Do I Get the $50 Spa Treatments?
You have to register at Spaweek.org to get access to the listings. They go up a few weeks before Spa Week is set to begin. Log in, then click on your city or state to see a list of participating spas and the treatments they offer. Once you see a treatment you want, call the spa directly to make your reservation. The spa will ask for your credit card number to secure the reservation.

What If I Cancel?
Cancellation policies vary, so check when you're booking your treatment. If you let them know early that you need to cancel or reschedule, it shouldn't be a problem. If you cancel at the last-minute or don't show up, you will be charged.

Is there a limit to the Number of $50 Spa Treatments I Can Try?
No. You can try as many treatments as you want. But your body has limits. Don't get two facials or two microdermabrasion sessions in one week. It's not good for your skin. Instead, try treatments that complement each other like facial, a body treatment, and a massage.

How Much Should I Tip?
Tip on the full value of the service, not on the $50 you're being charged.

Buying A Spa Gift Certificate

2008-09-09T09:03:00.000-07:00

Spa gift certificates are a great gift idea for many of the biggest holidays. Almost everyone loves to be treated to a luxurious day at the spa. But there are a few things you should know before you buy a spa gift certificate so you don't get burned.

Where can I buy a spa gift certificate?

The easiest solution is to buy SpaFinder gift certificates (Buy Direct) , which can be redeemed at more than 3,500 spas worldwide. SpaFinder gift certificates are transferable and have no expiration date when purchased online.

It's a good last-minute option becuase they let you print out a gift card, and the actual gift certificate arrives a few days later. You can also send an email to announce the spa gift certificate is coming.

If there is one particular spa you want to send your wife, mom or sweetheart to, you can buy as gift certificate directly from the spa. This way you can choose a specific treatment or package instead of a dollar amount.

How much should I give?

The minimum is usually $50 but most people give $100-$150 to make sure the recipient gets one substantial like a massage or facial.

What should I look out for?

Most individuals spas have a one-year expiration date on their spa gift certificates. If an individual spa goes out of business, you're out of luck. Also, just because a spa is listed on SpaFinder's website doesn't mean it accepts the gift certificates. Look at the listing very carefully if there is one spa you have your heart set on.

Should I include a tip on the spa gift certificate?

It's a nice gesture and easy to do when you're buying from an individual spa. Some spas won't allow SpaFinder gift certificates to be put towards a tip. You can always enclosing an extra 15-20% in cash and indicate it is for tips.

What spa treatments can you get with a spa gift certificate?

Prices vary depending on the spa, but this is typical:

$50 - $75: spa manicure, spa pedicure or waxing.
$75-$125: massage, facial or body treatment.
$125 - $150: Specialty massage like a hot stone massage.
$150-$250 -- Two services at most spas.
$250 and up -- Half and full-day packages

What if she doesn't use the whole amount on spa treatments?

She will get a store credit she can spend on products ranging from nail polish and candles to expensive robes and jewelry. If it's substantial she can come back another time.

Can he get a cash refund?

Spas won't give refunds on gift certificates.

What if I want to buy an expensive overnight stay at the spa as a gift? Can I do that?

Many destination spas and resort spas, including Red Mountain Spa in Utah and Miraval in Arizona, accept SpaFinder gift certificates (Buy Direct) . You can buy a substantial dollar amount and let the person pick which spa they want to go to. If you have a particular spa and length of stay in mind, call that spa and ask how much it would cost.

Be sure and check for limitations. Canyon Ranch Lenox in Massachusetts only lets you use up to $500 of SpaFinder gift certificates towards a stay.

You can also buy the gift certificate directly -- and may have to if you want a particular spa that doesn't participate in SpaFinder like Lake Austin Spa Resort.

What happens if they don't use up the entire amount?

Again, the person will get the unused amount as a credit. For maximum flexibility on a large gift, break the amount into several large gift certificates -- four $500 gift certificates instead of one $2,000, for instance.

What if it gets lost?

If SpaFinder gift certificates are lost, it's like losing cash. This is a fairly common policy at spas, but you can check with an individual spa to see if they have a different policy.

The Hottest Spa Deals Now

2008-09-09T09:02:00.000-07:00

Looking to save on your trip to the spa? Here are the hottest deals going right now at resort spas , destination spas, and day spas. Be sure to check if tax, tip, and meals are included. Also, there might be restrictions and limited availability.

Arizona

- JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix is promoting its new luxury Revive Spa guest rooms with the Escape! Relaxation package. It includes one night's accommodations, four spa treatments, breakfast for two and a Revive Spa CD. From $859 Nov. 20, 2007 - Jan 6, 2008.

- Miraval Resort, the destination spa in Tucson favored by Oprah Winfrey, has a "Relax and Be Merry" package. Stay three nights and get a fourth night free, Mon. - Thurs. through December 31, 2007. Rates start at $595 per person, per night, and include all meals and activities, one spa service or round of golf up to a $110 value per person, per night, and round-trip transportation from Tucson Airport. Book with the code E4THNT.

California

- Silverado Resort in Napa, Ca., has a Spa Girl Package that includes suite accommodations (for double or triple occupancy), a 50-minute spa treatment, breakfast, tennis, Silverado canvas tote and VIP wine tasting at William Hill Estate for $230 per person, per night Mon. - Thurs. and $250 Fri. and Sat.). Includes tax and gratuity. Valid from Nov. 18 through March 31, 2008.

- Four Seasons Silicon Valley at Palo Alto has a "Luxurious Low-Tech Yoga Retreat" the second Friday of each month through December, 2007. The package includes deluxe accommodations, a 60-minute spa treatment, two yoga classes, breakfast at Quattro Restaurant, use of the fitness center and roof-top swimming pool, and late Saturday checkout of 4 p.m. The one-day retreat is $300 (single occupancy).

Nevada

- Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas has rooms from $149 for most dates in December, with a great view of the Strip and access to a 35,000 sq. foot spa.

New York

- Emerson Resort & Spa in Mt. Tremper, New York, has a two-night Ladies of Luxury package for two that includes accommodations, breakfast and dinner (at the new Phoenix Restaurant or the Emerson, massage, facial, body polish and pedicure for $1450 in the Lodge, $1900 in the Inn (double occupancy). Includes all taxes and service fees. Valid Sunday-Thursday only.

- Skana, The Spa at Turning Stone in Verona, New York, offers $200-off per couple when you book an all-inclusive spa package of three nights or more and mention the Spa Magazine discount. Bookings must be made by April 1, 2008, and travel must be completed by Dec. 30, 2008.

Pennsylvania

- The Lodge at Woodloch, a destination spain Hawley, Penn., has a Midweek Retreat where you get a $300 credit per room when you stay two or more nights midweek, Sunday through Thursday. With the Extended Break, stay three nights and get the fourth night free. Midweek rates start at $350 per person (double occupancy) and include all meals and classes.

Texas

- Lake Austin Spa Resort, a destination spaoutside Austin, has a Fall Free Nights Special. Get one additional night free on any three-or four-night package or two additional nights on any five-night or more package until Feb. 8, 2008. Offer is subject to availability and cannot be combined with other offers.

Virginia

- The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va., has a "Spa Escape" for $222 per person, per night with accommodations at The Williamsburg Lodge (double occupancy) and one spa treatment per person. Two-night minimum Fri-Sat. Good through Dec. 31, 2007.

Best Cheap Destination Spas

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Are you looking for a cheap destination spa? There are plenty to choose from, as long as you don't mind modest accommodations.

At these cheap destination spas, prices include meals and classes, which are extra at most resort spas .

Spa treatments are included in some packages at these budget spas, or you can buy them "a la carte". Spa treatment prices are less expensive than at luxury spas because the facilities are more modest. Prices at the cheap destination spas on this list start at $750 per person per week for people who bunk four-to-a-room at Tennessee Fitness Spa in Waynesboro, Tennessee.

Best Cheap Destination Spas

Birdwing Spa in Litchfield, Minnesota. Just 70 miles from Minneapolis, this cheap destination spa is set on 300 acres with a private lake. Lots of hiking, biking and canoeing. Guests stay in a chalet or a converted red barn with guest suites. 320-693-6064

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa, Jesmond, Clinton, British Columbia, Canada. If you like horseback riding, this is the spa for you. This is a working ranch where you can help collect eggs, or go get a Thai treatment. 250- 459-2386

Fitness Ridgeis a weight-loss spa in St. George, Utah, with a serious hiking program on 1,200 calories a day. 20 comfortable motel-style rooms in a brown cinderblock building with an outdoor pool. 888-870-2639.

The Heartland Spa, Gilman, Illinois.. Just ninety miles south of Chicago, this health and fitness retreat is set on a 32-acre in farm country. Features include a spring-fed lake and a High Ropes course. Once a dairy farm, this spa offers quaint accommodations. 815-683-2182

Hills Health Ranch, 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia.. Situated in the middle of 20,000 acres of ranchland, this spa specializes in weight loss, hiking and horsebeack riding. 800-668-2233.

New Age Health Spa, Neversink, New York. This is a friendly, rustic destination spa in the Catskills, just two hours from New York City. 800-682-4348. Read my review of New Age Health Spa.

The Oaks at Ojai, Ojai, California. This is a converted inn right on Ojai's main drag, with a real weight-loss focus. It's about a 90 minute drive from Los Angeles. 800-753-6257

Tennessee Fitness Spa, Waynesboro, Tennessee. . Located 95 miles from Nashville, in the lush woods of Tennessee, this is a small, cheap spa, especially if you bunk four to a room. Everyone gets a fitness evaluation and goes on a 1200-1400 calorie diet. Chalet-style accommodations are simple. Closed December to early March. 800-753-6257

Copperhood Spa, Shandaken, New York. Set right on The Esopus river in the Northern Catskills, near Woodstock, this well-kept inn offers lots of outdoor activities and classes.

Deerfield Spa in the Pocono Mountains in Stroudsburg. Pennsylvania., This small, homey spa on 12 acres in the Pocono Mountains has a weight loss focus. It accommodates just 33 guests at a time. Closed November through early April.

Spa Eastman in Montreal, Canada.Forty-four rooms are spread over seven pavilions It has many packages, including a three-night "naturopathic package" that includes a naturopathic consultation, hot stone massage and body treatments.

What Does A Massage Cost?

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The cost of a massage will vary, depending on three factors:

* where you live.

* whether it's a day spa , resort spa or destination spa and how luxurious the spa is.

* the type of massage you're getting.

Massage Costs Start At $75 an Hour

The cost of a Swedish massage generally starts at $50 for a half-hour and $75 for an hour at a day spa in small cities. The cost is higher in larger cities, generally starting around $90 for a one-hour Swedish massage.

It may be slightly less if you see a massage therapist in their home, or you're in a very small market.

Massage Costs More At Overnight Spas

A massage costs more at destination and resort spas. Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin Texas, for instance, charges $105 for a fifty-minute Swedish massage.

Prices are highest at a luxury hotel spa like The Spa at Mandarin Oriental in New York City, where a Swedish massage lasts eighty minutes and costs $305 plus tax and tip. Remember, however, that part of what you are paying for is access to their luxurious facilities. Take your time and enjoy them!

Specialty Massage Costs More

Specialty massages like aromatherapy or hot stone are generally more expensive than a Swedish massage. Aromatherapy massage generally starts at $90 in a small city and $130 in a large city.

A hot stone massage starts at $115 in a smaller city and can run to $160 or higher at a luxury spa in a major city or at an overnight spa. It usually takes longer, and the therapist has to prepare and sanitize all the stones she uses.

Tax is usually added on top of the price, and it's good [link url=http://spas.about.com/ tip 15 to 20%. You sometimes can save a little money by going to a massage therapist at their home, where you aren't expected to tip. But you won't get to enjoy the spa experience, with robe, slippers, and steam rooms.

Spa Bargains - Keeping Costs Low

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Massages at most spas start at $90 and facials at $75 and higher. Many states have a service tax, and a tip of 15-20% is good spa etiquette. Is there any way to get these services more cheaply?
The biggest savings to be had is by going to a school where massage therapists or aestheticians are trained. A facial might be $25, a massage $40. But it won't offer a "luxury" experience, and their skill level will not be as high as a practiced professional.

Massage therapists and aestheticians who work out of their home usually have lower fees than a full spa. They don't usually charge tax or expect a tip. Again, you won't get luxury amenities that make a spa an "experience".

Destination spas have lower prices in their off-season -- summer in Tucson or winter in Lenox, Mass. Check their web sites for particulars.

How Much Does a Day Spa Cost?

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Prices at the day spa will vary, depending on a number of factors:

* Where do you live? Prices in big cities or major suburbs are usually higher.

* How luxurious is the spa? The more luxurious the amenities, the higher the prices.

* Is it a resort or hotel spa ? Their prices are the highest. Get your money's worth by scheduling time to relax and use the facilties.

Typical Prices At Local Day Spas:

* A one-hour Swedish massage is $75 to $90.

* A specialty massage like hot stone is more expensive, around $115-$125. It may also run a little longer.

* A basic European facial is usually $70 to $90. Adding special masks and serums will make it more expensive.

* A half-hour salt scrub is $55. A longer body wrap will cost $80-$110.

* A spa manicure is $25 - $35. A spa pedicure is $45 - $55. Spa nail services should have extras like scrubs, masks and paraffin dips.

* Spa packages combine more than one service, such as massage and facial. Longer packages often include lunch. Prices typically start at $150-$200 and go up from there.

What To Remember About Day Spa Prices:

* These prices don't include tax or tip.

* A 15-20% tip is appreciated at most day spas.

* Some resort/hotel spas charge service fees of 18-20%. In that case, you are not expected to tip.

* Prices at individual spas may be lower or higher than these typical prices. Check your local day spa's prices before booking an appointment.

Saving on Your Spa Vacation

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Want to save money on your spa vacation? Here are a few tips for getting the best deal.

- Look at the the hottest spa deals to find the best deals I've uncovered right now.

- Make sure you know what type of spayou're staying at and what's included. Is the price just the room, or does it include meals, exercise classes and a credit toward spa treatments?

- Travel off-season. In the Northeast, rates are lower in the winter, higher in the summer. It’s the reverse in the Southwest and Florida.

- Stay mid-week for the lowest rates. Destination spas usually have a three-night minimum. A Thursday night arrival will cost more than a Sunday night arrival.

- Look for special packages like Girlfriend Getaways, but add up the costs a la carte to make sure you're really getting a good deal. Sometimes it's just another way to package things at "rack rate."

- If there is a particular spa you want to experience, visit its website. It will let you know about any special savings programs.

- Look at destination spas that are known for good value, like the Tennessee Fitness Spa in Waynesboro, Tenn., or the New Age Health Spa in Neversink, NY. They are rustic, but offer a healthy holiday at an affordable price.

- Some spas are copying the airlines with “frequent spa-er” programs. Lake Austin Spa Resort's Monarch Club lets you earn credits towards future stays.

- Deals are always changing. Go to Spa Finder Best Buys to find some of the deals offered through its member spas – everything from free spa treatments to discounted rooms to additional nights.

What A Spa Trip Costs

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Just because you're staying at a spa doesn't mean you have to spend a lot of money. There's a huge range in the pricing at overnight spas.

A week-long stay in a room for four costs $750 per person at Tennessee Fitness Spa, one of many budget destination spas.

At the ultra-luxurious Golden Door near San Diego, a week-long stay would set you back nearly $8,000. And you can find spas at every price between.

Here are the factors that will affect how much you spend on your spa trip:

- How far am I traveling? Spas are so popular now that there's usually one within reach. Take a weekend spa getaway near home and save on travel. If you want to have a more unusual experience half-way across the country, airfare adds to the cost.

- How long do I plan to stay? Most destination spas have a minimum stay of two or three nights and it might go up to a week.

- What's included in my package? Most destination spa rates include meals, exercise classes and sometimes spa treatments. Most resort spas are a la carte -- you pay for room, meals, classes and treatments separately. Some add daily resort fees or fees for access to spa facilities.

- How much luxury do I need? If you're willing to share a bare bones room that you won't be in much anyway, the price goes way down. Motel-style rooms and rustic settings will be cheaper than plasma TVs and Frette linenes.

- What part of the country am I in? The places that aren't considered great spa meccas, like Maine, Michigan and Ohio, tend to have spas with more competitive prices.

- Do I want to make my spa vist on weekends in peak season? You can always get a better rate if you can time your stay mid-week in low season. Look for hot spa deals.

- Am I traveling in a group? If there are enough of you, you can probably negotiate a group rate.

- How many spa treatments do I want? Spa treatments are more expensive at destination and resort spas than your average day spa, so budget accordingly. And you may want more services than are included in your package. If you want more, book them before you go.

- Do I want extra services like medical evaluations or smoking cessation, available at spas like Canyon Ranch Lenox? These highly specialized services will drive your bill up considerably.

Spa Code of Conduct

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When you walk through the doors of your favorite spa, sit down in the massaging pedicure chair and stick your feet into the water that isn't quite the right temperature, do you say anything to your therapist?

What about if you walk into a treatment room for your hot stone massage and the music is too loud? If the stones are too hot, do you just lie on the table and grin and bear it?

You should speak up and communicate your preferences in all these situations, according to A Spa "Code of Conduct" developed by The International SPA Association and Resort Hotel Association.

The Spa Code of Conduct spells our you rights and responsibilities as a spa guest so you have a more satisfying spa experience.

Here is the Spa Code of Conduct:

As a Spa Guest, it is your responsibility to:

- Communicate your preferences, expectations and concerns
- Communicate complete and accurate health information and reasons for your visit
- Treat staff and other guests with courtesy and respect
- Use products, equipment and therapies as directed
- Engage in efforts to preserve the environment
- Adhere to the spa's published policies and procedures

As a Spa Guest, you have the right to:

- A clean, safe and comfortable environment
- Stop a treatment at any time, for any reason
- Be treated with consideration, dignity and respect
- Confidential treatment of your disclosed health information
- Trained staff who respectfully conduct treatments according to treatment protocols and the spa's policies and procedures
- Ask questions about your spa experience
- Information regarding staff training, licensing and certification

Spa Etiquette: Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid To Ask

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First-time spa-goers have a lot of anxiety -- especially about getting undressed in front of a stranger. The staff is there to make you comfortable and guide you through the experience. And most people enjoy it so much they come back. But here are a few tips and answers to questions about going to the spa.

First, get there early. Arrive at least 15 minutes early so you can change into your robe...longer if you want to enjoy the facilities.

Will you have to take off all your clothes for a massage? For a traditional Swedish massage, the answer is usually yes, but modesty is always protected. And there are forms of massage where you stay clothed

Will men get aroused? The therapist uses a non-sexual form of touch called therapeutic massage, and it should be deeply relaxing, not arousing.

What if it hurts? The therapist is there to give your body what it needs. If the pressure is too much-- or too little -- speak up.

How long can I lie on the table after the treatment? Usually they need the room for the next person, so you should be up within five minutes. There's usually a lounge or meditation room if you need more quiet time.

If you're getting a facial, you will be asked about your home care routine and products will be recommended. Don't feel pressured to buy.

How much should I tip? A tip of 15 to 20% for good service is appreciated. If there was a problem, let the desk know. If you have a spa gift certificate, ask if the tip was included. If not, leave a cash tip.

It's great if you can make massage and facials a regular part of your life. If you really like the experience, consider scheduling another appointment.

Ten Things Not To Do At The Spa

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*Don't arrive for a 2 p.m. spa appointment at 2 p.m. Arrive at least 20 minutes early to check in, change and relax, or earlier if you want to enjoy the steambath and sauna.

* Don't spend your spa treatment talking about your problems at work, with your husband, your kids. You're just stressing yourself out.

*Don't work out and then show up for your massage all sweaty. It's not nice for you or the therapist.

* Don't hop into the Jacuzzi and then go straight to your massage or facial. Rinse the chlorine off right away. It's not good for your skin.

*Don't talk on your cell phone in the meditation room (or locker room, or anywhere in the spa.) It disturbs others and keeps you from relaxing.

* Don't treat the staff like they're servants and you're the Queen. You won't get their best work.

* Don't expect miracles. You won't permanently get rid of all your muscle tension in one massage.

* Don't rush off right after your treatment. To get the most out of it, you need time to rest afterwards.

* Don't forget to tip.

* Don't go have a big heavy dinner with wine right after a massage. Take it easy and drink plenty of water.

What Is Sensual Massage?

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Will Massage Hurt?

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One of the most common questions newcomers have about massage is: "Will massage hurt?"

The important thing to remember is that, as the client, you're in control of the pressure. Most massage therapists will ask at the beginning of the massage what kind of pressure you like, and you can indicate then that you want a relatively light touch. If the massage is painful, ask for less pressure.

But some people have the idea that if it hurts, it must be "good for them." In fact, pressure that is too intense can cause the body to stiffen and resist, while some gentle styles of massage like craniosacral therapy can produce profound release and realignment in the body.

If you're afraid of pain, get a Swedish massage and ask for light pressure. Other gentle types of massage include lymphatic drainage, reflexology, and cranio-sacral therapy. Energy-based work like Reiki and Polarity Therapy uses extremely gentle touch.

However, some people enjoy the more intense pressure of a deep tissue massage. And if a massage therapist is trying to undo long-term problems and using trigger point therapy , there might be some discomfort. Other types of massage that might involve some discomfort include myofacial release, Shiatsu, and Rolfing. Even if you choose these "deeper" therapies, speak up if the sensation is too intense.

Choosing A Massage Therapist: Male vs. Female

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When you make an appointment for a massage at a spa, the receptionist will usually ask if you prefer a male or female therapist.

No matter what sex they are, massage therapists are highly trained professionals who set clear boundaries in the treatment room. This includes maintaining a professional demeanor and using draping techniques, where only the part of the body that is being worked on is exposed.

Both men and women, however, tend to prefer female therapists. Since male therapists aren't as popular, anyone who doesn't have a preference will likely get booked with a male. Some of the reasons people prefer female therapists include:

- People feel vulnerable with their clothes off, and want the option that feels "safest."

- Women think their bodies aren't perfect, and fear a male therapist might be judging them.

- People are worried the massage will be sexualized. Men are afraid the male therapist is gay, and women are worried he isn't.

- Many hetereosexual men find a woman's touch pleasant -- even when it's not sexual -- and find it easier to relax.

However, many experienced spa-goers don't care whether the therapist is male or female. They're already comfortable with the routine, and know the most important factor is the skill of the therapist, not their gender.

In addition, some experienced spa-goers actually prefer male therapists. Male therapists often have more strength, which can be helpful with deep tissue massage, which helps break up longstanding muscle tension.

Tips For Enjoying Your Massage

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A massage is supposed to be a soothing, relaxing experience. So why do so many people arrive at 1:30 for a 1:30 massage? You should be in your robe already! And if you arrive late, in a frenzied state, you might as well have not come. Get there early is the most important tip for enjoying your massage. But there are plenty more. (Hint -- don't eat a big sausage sub right before you get there, and be sure to speak up if you don't like the pressure.

Here are some tips adapted from the American Massage Therapy Association to help you enjoy your massage.

* Be receptive. Don't eat just before a massage session.

* Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it will take longer to relax.

* If you don't want to remove all your clothing, discuss it with the therapist. Wear what you will be comfortable in that will allow the therapist to work on the areas of your body that need it.

* Good communication is very important. Before the session, give accurate health information and let the massage therapist know what you want from the massage. During the massage session, Speak up if you have any feedback on the amount of pressure, speed of movement, room temperature, music volume, or lighting.

* Some people like to talk during a massage session, while others remain silent. In general you should do whatever you feel like, and the massage therapist will follow your lead.

* Breathing helps to facilitate relaxation. People often stop breathing when they feel anxious or a sensitive area is massaged. If you realize this is happening, remind yourself to breath.

* Try not to tighten up during the massage. Let your massage therapist know if this is happening. They may need to adjust the massage technique being used. They may also be able to help you relax the affected area.

* If you find your thoughts are racing during the massage, one way to be more "body-centered" and to quiet the mind is to follow the hands of the massage therapist and focus on how the touch feels.

* If anything happens during the massage that you dislike or seems improper, you have the right to ask the massage therapist to stop. If necessary, you also have the right to end the session.

* If you are dizzy or light headed after the massage, do not get off the table too fast.

* Drink extra water after a massage.

* Allow for some open, quiet time after your massage session if possible. Sometimes one needs a little time to integrate or absorb the results of the massage session or needs some "re-entry" time.

Remember, massage has its greatest benefits over time. The therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative, so the more often a person gets a massage, the better he or she will feel and the more quickly one’s body will respond. If you are getting massage to address chronic muscular tension or recovery from a soft tissue injury, more than one session is usually needed, so be prepared to schedule several sessions.

Nudity and the Spa

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First-time spagoers are often anxious about taking their clothes off for a massage. So, what's the story with nudity at the spa?

* You change into a robe and slippers in the locker room. Sometimes there are private changing rooms, and sometimes not.

* Many spas have steam, sauna, and hot tubs in the women and men's changing areas. You can go nude, wrap yourself in a towel, or wear a swimsuit.

* When it's time for your spa treatment, the therapist picks you up in the "meditation room" and takes you to the treatment room. The therapist leaves the room, giving you time to hang up and your robe and slip between the sheets on the massage table. The therapist will knock before entering.

* You are nude during the massage, but always covered with sheets. Only the part being massaged is exposed.

* You can wear underwear if you want to.

* European spas, like the spas in Germany are more relaxed about nudity. They don't use elaborate draping techniques, and men and women typically take steam and sauna baths together, nude.

* There are styles of massage like Thai Massage or reflexology where you stay fully clothed.

*If you're uneasy about nudity at the spa, think twice about getting a body treatment like a salt glow or a Vichy shower . You are more likely to be exposed at some point.

* Many spas offer disposable panties for the body treatment. Sometimes they're optional, and sometimes the spa requests you wear them.

* Some spas request you wear a swimsuit during hydrotherapy treatments.

Spa Etiquette: Stripping and Tipping At the Spa

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Here are some spa etiquette tips to help you make the most of your visit to the spa.

• Turn off your cell phone when you arrive.

• Arrive at least 20 minutes before your spa appointment so you have time to check in, change into your robe and slippers, and relax.

• Get there even sooner if the spa has a steam room, sauna or hot tub. It will help relax you before your massage. Shower off the hot tub's chlorinated water before your spa treatment.

• A hot shower can also relax you before your spa treatment and make it more enjoyable.

• Massage is usually done nude, but you are covered with a sheet at all times in American spas. Only the part being massaged is exposed.

If you’re more comfortable keeping your underwear on, that’s fine. You can also try Thai Massage or reflexology , where you stay fully clothed.

• If you schedule two treatments together, get a massage before your facial. , A body treatment should go before your massage.

• If you’re uncomfortable with anything during your treatment – the pressure, the music, the temperature -- speak up. The therapist will make an adjustment.

• You can talk during the treatment or stay quiet, as you choose. The therapist will follow your lead.

* If the therapist says, "Take your time getting up," that usually means a few minutes. It's not an invitation to take a nap.

• Don’t forget to tip 15%-20%. If you were given a gift certificate , ask if the tip was included.

First Time At The Spa

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Is it your first time at the spa? Relax! This article will walk you through the basics.

If going to a spa for the first time makes you nervous, you're not alone. Many people have their first spa experience when they get a gift certificate to a day spa . Some people don't even use the gift certificates because they're anxious about what will happen and the finer points of spa etiquette !

The biggest area of concern is taking your clothes off for a massage. Don't worry! Modesty is always preserved during massage . You can keep your clothes on for certain types of massage, like reflexology . And the truly shy can always get a facial or a spa manicure and pedicure.

When It's Your First Time At the Spa

* Ask for a tour before you book an appointment. The spa may or not be able to accommodate you, but it's fair to ask. Here's how you can tell if it's a good spa.

* When you book your appointment, tell them it's your first spa visit. They should take time to answer any questions you have.

* Feel free to ask questions about which spa treatments would be right for you. The most popular are massage, facials, body treatments and spa manicures and pedicures.

* When booking your spa treatment, they will ask if you have a preference for a

What Happens At The Spa

* Arrive at least 15 minutes earlier, more if you want to enjoy facilities like hot tubs and steam rooms.

* Check in at the front desk and remind them it's your first time.

* You should be shown where your locker is and how it works. This should have a lock on it. If they haven't already given you a robe and slippers, they are inside.

* Change and enjoy facilities that help you relax for your treatment, like the steam shower, sauna or hot tub.

* A hot shower before your massage is always a good idea. It's essential if you've had a dip in the hot tub. (You need to shower off the chlorine.)

* Go to the waiting room (sometimes called a meditation room) a few minutes before your treatment is scheduled to start.

* The therapist will come and pick you up when your appointment is scheduled to begin and escort you to the treatment room.

* In the room, the therapist will instruct you in how to get on the table -- face up or face down -- and leave the room.

* If you're getting a massage, you will take off your robe, hang it on a hook, and get underneath the towel or sheets.

* The therapist will knock before reentering. Here is more about what happens during the massage, and how to get the most from your massage.

* At the end of the treatment the therapist will leave the room while you put your robe back on, and wait outside for you to emerge.

* You can return to the meditation lounge to rest, or proceed to your next treatment.

Types of Spas

There are several different types of spas . The most common is the day spa . Here are tips on how to choose the right day spa for you and make the most of your trip to the day spa .

Other first-time spa-goers have their first spa experience on vacation, at a resort/hotel spas . Resort/hotel spas come in a wide range of sizes and styles, from small private inns like The Harbour Inn in St. Michaels, Maryland, to the lavish, sprawling resort spas in Hawaii.

People who are interested in weight loss or jump-starting a health lifestyle often choose destination spas that offer an all-encompassing spa experience. Examples are Lake Austin Spa Resort or Canyon Ranch.

Saving At The Spa

Spas provide wonderful, nuturing experiences, but they aren't usually cheap. Here are articles on what you can expect to pay at the spa and how you can save on your spa vacation. Here are a few more thoughts on finding bargains at the spa. And there are many affordable destination spas.

Spa Safety and Sanitation

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How can you tell if a spa provides a safe, sanitary environment? One of the best ways to take a tour. (Just ask politely.) Keep your eyes open for “red flags” that indicate unsanitary conditions in the spa.

* Look at drains in wetrooms and showers. They should be clean and free of hair.

* Look to see how implements are cleaned between uses.

* Look at wet rooms and body treatment rooms. If a facility is not scrupulous in cleaning, these rooms that will show it.

* Make sure all wraps being used are disposable or completely sanitized after each use.

* Ask if pedicure equipment and hydrotherapy tubs are self-sanitizing or find out how they are sanitized.

* Look for double dipping – a real no-no. This means that the technician uses an implement to take product out of a container, puts it on the client, then sticks it back in the container. This contaminates the product.

* Make sure hand and foot bowls are being cleaned between uses.

* Make sure wax pots are clean and watch for double-dipping. A new spatula should be used each time more wax is taken out of the pot.

In evaluating a spa, feel free to ask the right questions before you book an appointment. And it’s also important to observe how you and other customers are treated, which will indicate whether you will have a good spa experience.

These are among the guidelines The Spa Association in Fort Collins, Colo., uses to license spas. Spas with the “Spa Secure” logo have been inspected to see that they meet the highest health and safety standards.

Choosing A Spa: Destination Spa Vs. Resort Spa

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When you're taking a spa vacation, the most important choice is between a destination spa and a resort spa.

Destination spas are a select group of spas where the whole emphasis is on wellness and personal growth. Spa purists love destination spas.

Resort spas are far more common. The resort spa is an amenity alongside traditional vacation pleasures like rich food and wine, golfing, even gambling. It's good for the casual spa-goer, family vacations, weddings or business meetings.

Go to a destination spa if you want:

- An all-encompassing spa environment where the whole emphasis is on getting healthy, finding new energy and getting inspired.
- An adult environment.
- A sense of camaraderie and an atmosphere where it’s easy to get to know people.
- A supportive environment for recovering from major life events.
- Lots of programming, including exercise classes, hikes, meditation, and lectures on health and personal growth.
- Healthy food. Most don't serve alcohol and some don't serve caffeine.
- Pricing that includes room, meals, classes, lectures and usually some spa treatments.

Examples of great destination spas include Golden Door in California, Red Mountain Spa in Utah, Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas and The Lodge at Woodloch in Pennsylvania.

Some resort spas like The Spa at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona and Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in California are becoming more like destination spas by offering hiking and exercise classes without charging extra. But typically resort spas charge for classes, and don't have nearly as much programming. Spa treatments are an "a la carte" amenity to your larger vacation.

Go to a resort spa if you want:

- Spa treatments as part of your overall vacation experience.
- To spend time with your family.
- A particular vacation spot, like Hawaii or Scottsdale.
- To spend just one-two nights. Most destination spas have two-three night minimums.
- Particular amenities such as golfing, tennis, or lots of swimming pools.
- To drink, eat rich food or gamble.
- To go to the spa while your partner, mate or kids do something different.
- To relax instead of taking lots of classes.

Examples of great resort spas include The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia, The Spa at Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvana, and The Watermark Hotel & Spa in San Antonio, Texas.

How To Choose A Destination Spa

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At destination spas, the whole environment is geared towards fitness, healthy eating, relaxation and renewal. But destination spas come in a wide range of prices and personalities.

Canyon Ranch Lenox is a sprawling resort with fabulous facilities and more programs and classes than you could possibly attend. The Cal-A-Vie in Vista, California, is a small luxurious inn. The New Age Health Spa in upstate New York is rustic and modest but has a gorgeous yoga studio.

It's important think about what you're looking for in terms of facilities, price, amenities, and special programming.

Questions To Think About When You're Choosing A Destination Spa

- Do you have a special interest or goal like losing weight, detoxing, or revving up your fitness routine? Do you want to go on yoga retreat, learn how to meditate, spend lots of time hiking, or just hang out with a friend and get some relaxing spa treatments? Thinking about what you want will help you narrow down the right spa for you.

- Do you want a restricted calorie environment or all you can eat? Do you want alcoholic beverages or caffeine? Not every destination spa serves them. Find out their policy before you go.

- Do you have a medical issue you want to address? Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass. or Tucson are unparalled in terms of their medical programs.

- Do you want an outdoors experience, with hiking and rock climbing? Try The Red Mountain Spa in Ivins, Utah.

- How important is the educational aspect? Find out how many lectures they have and what the qualifications of the speaker are.

- Do you want an intimate atmosphere where it's easy to meet people or is a larger setting acceptable?
Do you want to be in town or in the country? Photos can be deceiving. Find out exactly where the facility is located.
How long do you want to stay? The minimum stay can range from two nights to a week.

- How important is a luxurious room? Some destination spas have basic rooms, on the theory that no one is going to be hanging out there much.

- How important is a luxurious spa facility? Less expensive spas might be somewhat basic. Remember to find out if spa treatments like massage, facials and body treatments are included in the package. You might also want more treatments than the package allows for.

Resources to Help You Choose A Destination Spa

Here are my picks for the best destination spas and the best affordable destination spas. To make the most of your spa vacation, read these spa travel tips.

The Destination Spa Group, made up of more than twenty spas, has three resources to help you choose the right spa for you.

* Call 888-772-4363, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, and discuss what you’re looking for in terms of price, atmosphere and part of the country.

“Destination Spa Vacations” is a glossy travel guide to each of its 25 member Destination Spas for $5.95.

The group also has a website, www.destinationspas.com with photographs, rates, general information, direct links and telephone numbers for all member spas.

Day Spa vs. Spa Vacations

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Day spas are growing so rapidly that there are good ones within driving distance of just about everyone. Many people see the day spa as an integral part of their health and beauty routine. They get a manicure every week, a massage every other week, a facial once a month.

For other people, it's a new experience, a special luxury, a rare treat. Many have their first taste of the spa when they get a gift certificate. Either way, the day spa is the place to go for one or two treatments. It's a mini-getaway when all you can take is a few hours.

The destination spa is an all-encompassing experience, and a much bigger investment. It's a great way to jumpstart a diet or make a major lifestyle change in a supportive environment. Major destination spas have nutrional counseling, exercise physiologist to craft a cusomtized program, even smoking cessation programs.

Women are the most enthusiastic spa customers. A destination spa is a great place for mothers and daughters, sisters, girlfriends to go together.

But more spas are aiming programs at men. Destination spas with medical facilities attract them in higher numbers.

If the man in unenthusiastic about the spa experience, The resort spa is also a good choice. He can skip the spa and head for the golf course.

And don't forget the home spa. There are a lot of things you can do to make wellness part of your everyday routine.

Enjoying Your Day Spa Visit

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Don't have time to go on a whole spa vacation? A day spa can give you a chance to relax and enjoy some treatments without packing your bags. Here are some ways to make sure you enjoy your time at the day spa.

1. Take care in choosing a day spa. Look for:

* Friendly, nurturing staff, from the person at the front desk to the massage therapists, estheticians, nail technicians, and make-up artists. All therapists should be licensed.

* A quiet, relaxing, well-designed environment. It will usually have soothing music, low lighting, and pleasant aromas.

* Equipment such as hydrotherapy tubs, whirlpool tubs, steam rooms, sauna, steam cabinets, Vichy shower, etc.

* A clean, sanitary environment.

* A menu that explains the treatments and staff that can answer any questions in detail.

* A request for you to complete a medical disclosure questionnaire.

2. Select your spa treatments.

The basic spa treatments are massage, facial, body treatment, manicure and pedicure. A massage will help you relax and get rid of muscle tension. (A Swedish massage is a good place for beginners.) A facial is a deep cleansing of your face, and a body treatment exfoliates and soften the skin on your body. Most spas offers manicures and pedicures, but some small spas don't. You can also combine services -- a massage and a body treatment is a good combination (get the body treatment first) or a massage and a facial (get the massage first.)

3. Choose your therapist.

The quality of the therapist determines the quality of the treatment. Get a personal reference if you can. Also, think about whether you prefer a male or female therapist.

4. Prepare for your spa experience before you go.

* Drink plenty of water before and after services to enhance the benefits of your treatments.

* Don't eat for at least an hour before or after your massage.

* Arrive early so you have time to enjoy the sauna, steam or whirlpool before your treatment. If you get in a whirlpool, shower to get rid of the chlorine before a massage.

* Allow your mind to calm down before your treatment. Most spas have a meditation room that lets you quiet down.

* Although most spas have lockers that lock, you might want to leave valuables at home.

5. Enjoy your spa experience.

* You generally remove your clothes for massage and body treatments, but you are draped with sheets or large towels. (Read more about nudity and the spa.)

* Relax. Take slow, deep breaths before your treatment begins. Envision every muscle in your body relaxing.

* Be open to the experience.

* Communicate with your therapist. If you have any feedback on the temperature or amount of pressure, let them know.

* You can talk or not, as you prefer. The therapist usually follows your lead.

6. Be appreciative.

* When the treatment is over, take time to slowly reintegrate, rather than rushing off.

* A tip of 15% is appropriate.

7. Extend the spa experience at home.

Take care of yourself at home. Most spas sell the products they use. Don't feel pressured to buy, but it's a good idea to get into a skin care routine at home.

Choosing A Day Spa

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When choosing a day spa, there's a lot to be said for convenience. Find the day spas in your area, and go pick up a menu of services to see what it offers and its prices. While you're there, ask for a tour. You should be able to look at the changing rooms, though treatment rooms might be off limits.

Observe how you and other customers are treated, which will indicate whether you'll have a good spa experience. Look in the changing rooms to make sure the spa has safe, sanitary conditions.. Hair in the drain? That's a no-no.

Another factor in choosing a day spa is size and atmosphere. Day spas can be as homey as a bed and breakfast or a multi-million dollar facility. See if the spa’s style (and prices) suits you.

Look at the menu of services. Day-spas tend to offer as many services as possible, sometimes small day spas overreach. If you're interested in specialities like Ayurveda or Thai Massage, ask what kind of training the therapists have had. (Preferably more than a weekend seminar.)

If the facility is a medical spa, is it run by a physician? Is there always a physician or registered nurse at the facility? Ask what type of training the technicians have been given to do advanced procedures like laser hair removal or chemical facial peels.

The most important component is the quality of the personnel. A good massage therapist or aesthetician should be able to put you at ease from the start. Some people are more gifted and committed than others. I can feel the difference between the people who are going through the motions and the people who love what they do, and I rebook with the people who do the best work.

Questions To Ask When Choosing A Day Spa

* How long have you been in business?

* Are you licensed by the state? Are all the therapists and technicians licensed?

* What are the benefits of the treatments?

* Are any contraindications to the treatments you are interested in?

* Look over the spa’s intake form. Is it comprehensive?

The Spa Association in Fort Collins, Colo., uses these questions in its spa licensing program. Spas with the “Spa Secure” logo have been inspected to see that they meet the highest health and safety standards.

What To Look For In a Good Spa Experience

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How can you tell if you’re going to get a good spa experience? One way is to observe how customers are treated when you take a tour of the spa. Look around to make sure all employees are treating their clients with respect.

*Here are some other things to look out for:

*The therapist should be professional, courteous, pleasant and cleanly dressed.

*The treatment should start on time.

*Therapists should follow your lead in terms of how much talk occurs during the session. They should not discuss their personal problems with you. good but less expensive substitutes. Ask which products are the highest priority.

*Massage therapists should be sensitive to the kind of touch you want in terms of pressure. There should never be a sexual quality to their touch.

*You should not be left alone during body wraps, facial steaming, or hydrotherapy baths. Some spas do this, but the best practice is for the therapist to be with the client at all times, enhancing the service and ensuring your safety.

*Estheticians should ask about your home skin-care routine, but should not make you feel pressured to buy products.

You should feel free to ask questions before, during and after your treatment. And before you book a treatment, you can ask to take a tour to make sure the spa is clean, pleasant and follows good sanitation.

What is Aromatherapy Massage?

2008-09-09T08:36:00.001-07:00

Aromatherapy uses essential oils from plants to heal, alleviate pain and regulate mood. Essential oils are a volatile, highly concentrated plant extracts, derived from leaves, bark, roots, seeds resins and flowers. Aromatherapy massage uses these essential oils, but they can also be used in hydrotherapy baths, facials and body treatments.

In aromatherapy massage, essential oils are usually mixed with a carrier oil like sweet almond, apricot kernel, or grapeseed oil. The therapist use up to five oils in a mixture, and chooses the oils based on what you need. A relaxing aromatherapy massage, for instance, might have lavender or bergamot, while a massage for sore muscles might include peppermint and eucalyptus.

Aromatherapy should not be confused with fragrances or perfume oils. Fragrances are often made from chemicals, and lack the therapuetic properties of essential oils. So remember, just because someone lights a scented candle doesn't make it aromatherapy!

What Is Hot Stone Massage?

2008-09-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

Hot stone massage is a specialty massage that uses smooth, heated stones. They are often basalt, a black volcanic rock that absorbs and retains heat well.

It is a deeply soothing, relaxing form of massage. The heat helps tight muscles release.

What Happens During a Hot Stone Massage?

*Before you arrive, the massage therapist sanitizes the stones and heats them in 120 and 150 degree water.

* The therapist uses traditional strokes of Swedish massage while holding a heated stone. As the stone cools, the therapist replaces it with another.

* The therapist might also leave heated stones in specific points along your spine, or in the palms of your hand, or even between your toes to improve the flow of energy in your body.

* If you have inflammation or muscle injury, cold stones are sometimes used.

How Much Does a Hot Stone Massage Cost?

A hot stone massage is more expensive than a basic Swedish massage because it requires more preparation and usually runs longer. A typical hot stone massage is $125, but the price can go higher.

What You Need To Know About Hot Stone Massage:

* The therapist uses many stones of various shapes and sizes.

* The heat of the stones helps muscles release more quickly than in traditional massage.

* You should speak up if the stones are too warm or the pressure too intense.

* Technique is very important. Less experienced practitioners sometimes use too much pressure.

* Small local day spas might have less experienced therapists. If you have any doubts, ask where the therapist learned hot stone massage, and how long she has done it.

*Hot stone massage was invented in 1993 by Mary Hannigan, a native of Tucson, Arizona. She has trademarked her particular style and calls it LaStone Therapy, but most spas offer their own versions.

Is Couples Massage Right For You?

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One of the hottest services at the spa is couples massage. Two people are massaged in the same room, at the same time, by two different therapists. This can be a romantically involved couple, but girlfriends and moms and daughters sometimes like to spend their treatment time together.

What Happens During Couples Massage?

Couples massage is a massage that takes place in a couples suite. At the very least this is a room large enough for two massage tables. Some spas, especially big resort and hotel spas have elaborate amenities for couples with fireplaces, pedicure chairs, steam showers and lounging beds where you can relax together after your treatments. See the couples suite at The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York.

Not every spa, especially smaller day spas , will offer couples massage.

What Are the Benefits of Couples Massage?

Couples massage is a great way to introduce men to massage. Some men are apprehensive about being nude during massage. To have their first massage in the presence of a wife or girlfriend makes it a Ã¢â‚¬Å“safeÃ¢â‚¬ï¿½ experience.

Men usually discover that therapeutic touch is very relaxing and restorative. Once they experience a couples massage, they are more willing to book a massage on their own.

It can also be a good choice if you're traveling with someone you don't get to see often enough -- a sister, girlfriend, mom or best friends -- and you want to spend as much time together as possible.

How Much Does Couples Massage Cost?

The price of couples massage depends on the spa where you get it and is usually double the price of an individual massage. It is at least double the cost of a regular massage. It will start at $200+ at a day spa and can go much higher if you are getting the use of special indoor/outdoor facilities at resort and hotel spas. Tipping at the spa is extra.

Is There Any Downside To Couples Massage?

Some experienced spa-goers find it distracting to be in the same room at the same time with anyone else during a massage. They prefer to get their massage alone and then meet up afterwards.

The potential problems come if you have different expectations and needs during a massage, particularly if one person wants to zone out and the other likes to talk.

It helps if you know how much the other person likes to talk during a massage -- a lot, a little, or not at all -- and whether it's a good match for you.

What Is Deep Tissue Massage?

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Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is also a more focused type of massage, as the therapist works to release chronic muscle tension or knots (also known as "adhesions.")

Will A Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?

It shouldn't hurt, but it's likely to be a bit more uncomfortable than a classic Swedish massage. You should always feel free to speak up if the pressure is too much for you.

How Fast Will I Get Results With A Deep Tissue Massage?

It's important to be realistic about what one massage can achieve. Many people ask for more pressure, thinking that if the therapist just pushes hard enough, they can get rid of all their knots in an hour. This just won't happen. In fact, undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime is best achieved with an integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and ways of moving, relaxation techniques and a regular program of massage.

Finally, while deep tissue is certainly valuable, you should be aware that gentle styles of massage like craniosacral therapy can also produce profound release and realignment in the body.

What Is Swedish Massage?

2008-09-09T08:31:00.001-07:00

Swedish massage is the most commonly offered and best known type of massage. It was developed by a Swedish physiologist, Henri Peter Ling at the University of Stockholm in 1812. It uses a firm but gentle pressue to improve the circulation, ease muscle aches and tension, improve flexibility and create relaxation.

Swedish massage employs five different movements:

* long, gliding strokes

* kneading of individual muscles

* friction

* hacking or tapping

* vibration

The therapist generally uses massage oil to facilitate making long, smooth strokes over the body. Swedish massage is done with the person covered by a sheet, a technique called "draping". One part of the body uncovered, massaged, and then covered up before moving on to another part of the body.

Swedish massage is the foundation for other types of Western massage, including sports, deep tissue and aromatherapy

Indigenous Treatments At the Spa

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Indigenous treatments are a spa trend that highlight local ingredients and therapeutic traditions -- ruby grapefruit scrubs in Texas, blueberry wraps in Maine, Lomi Lomi massage in Hawaii.

Spas use a lot of creativity to come up with these indigenous treatments. At their best, indigenous treatments are deeply authentic, giving you experiences you couldn't have anywhere else, like a highly skilled Lomi Lomi massage by a skilled Hawaiian practitioner. Sometimes they're a little gimmicky, but still fun.

Here are a few examples of indigenous treatments:

* The Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa offers a Cactus Flower Wrap that uses prickly pear cactus extract to soften your skin, and a Sedona Mud Wrap that uses local mud to detoxify your body and nourish your skin.

* Hawaiian spas offer Lomi Lomi, a healing type of Hawaiian massage derived from ancient Polynesian traditions. It usually begins with a blessing, and the massage is given with very fluid motions using the forearms.

* Mohonk Mountain House in upstate New York has a Mohonk Red massage that uses towels infused with a witchhazel that only grows in the Shawangunk Mountains.

* The Cliff House in Maine has a Blueberry Body Wrap and Blueberry Smoothie Pedicure and offers hot stone massage with stones it collected from its own beach.

The Cotton House in the Caribbean island of Mustique uses tropical fruits in its Lime and Pineapple Extravanza. Fresh lime is mixed with sea salt for a body scrub, followed by a pineapple, yogurt and honey wrap to soothe and soften the skin.

What Is A Body Wrap?

2008-09-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

Originally a body wrap was a treatment where Ace bandages or plastic wrap was tightly wrapped around the body to cause quick weight loss through vasodilation. Now a body wrap is more likely to be treatment where you’re slathered with a body mask made of algae, seaweed, mud, clay, lotion or cream, depending on the treatment, then wrapped for 20 minutes to keep you warm. Later the product is rinsed off. The body wrap usually ends with application of lotion. This treatment is sometimes called a body cocoon or body mask.

What are the Benefits of a Body Wrap?

Body wraps that use algae, seaweed, mud or clay are detox treatments that help rid the body of toxins through metabolic stimulation. Body wraps using shea butter and rich lotions are hydrating treatments geared towards softening the skin.

What Happens During A Body Wrap?

Often a body wrap begins with exfoliation through dry brushing or a salt scrub. You down on whatever you will eventually be wrapped in – often plastic or mylar, but sometimes towels or sheets. I think it’s best when a massage therapist does the body wrap, because they naturally incorporate massage techniques as they apply the product. (An esthetician, on the other hand, is simply rubbing product on the skin.) Once the product is on, you’re wrapped to stay warm, usually for 20 minutes. Oftentimes the therapist leaves the room, but sometimes they stay and give you a scalp massage (much better, in my opinion!)

When the time is up, you’re unwrapped and the body mask has to come off. This is why they often take place in wet rooms, equipped with a shower, wet table, or Vichy shower. You might either jump in a shower or the therapist will rinse you off with a handheld shower or a special Vichy shower that feels absolutely fabulous. It’s like taking a shower lying down. Then you dry off, and there’s usually an application of lotion to moisturize your skin.

Things To Watch Out For With a Body Wrap

* Don’t expect a body wrap to be a massage. You can get both treatments – body wrap and massage -- or look for signature treatments that include scrub, body wrap and massage.

* If you have claustrophobia, this may not be the right treatment for you.

* You might be left alone during the treatment. If that bothers you, ask before you book the service.

What Is a Salt Glow?

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A salt glow (also known as a salt scrub or sea salt scrub) is the most popular body treatment at the spa. The primary purpose of a salt glow is to exfoliate your skin.

A salt glow also hydrates your skin because the salt is combined with oil and usually some aromatic like lemon, lavender, or even figs. (Spas can get very creative here.) The salt glow is followed by a shower and an application of body lotion, and leaves your skin feeling very soft and fragrant.

What Happens During a Salt Glow?

A salt glow usually takes place in a wet room. Depending on the spa, you might be laying on a massage table covered with a towel or sheet or a thin piece of plastic, or you might be lying on a wet table. You might be offered a pair of disposable underwear.

As you lay on your stomach, the therapist rubs a mixture of sea salt, oil, and aromatics like lemon or lavender into your skin. Then you turn over and she does the other side. Usually, you are draped with a towel, and only the part she is working on is exposed.

When she’s finished, you’ll step into a shower to rinse off all the salt. Don’t use shower gel – it’s good to keep the oil and aromatics on your skin. If the spa is doing the treatment on a special wet table, the therapist will either rinse you off with a hand-held shower, or turn on a Vichy shower, a special six-headed shower that is parallel to the table. There is something very wonderful about getting a shower laying down, or having someone bath you, and I highly recommend it. Both of these feel fabulous!

You can get a salt glow on its own, but often it’s the first step in a body wrap , often a seaweed or mud wrap. That’s because exfoliation prepares the skin for products like seaweed or algae that detoxify the body by stimulating circulation through vasodilation of blood capillaries.

You can also combine a salt glow with a massage. I recommend getting the salt glow first because it is stimulating, whereas the massage calms you down. Sometimes spas have signature treatments that combine both services – salt glow and massage.

Sea salt is fairly abrasive, and some therapists have a heavier hand than others. Individuals also differ in their skin sensitivity. If it feels too harsh, be sure and speak up.

What Is A Body Treatment?

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Body treatments are essentially a facial for your whole body. It is just as important to cleanse, exfoliate, and hydrate the skin on your body as it is the skin of your face.

The most popular body treatment is a salt glow or sea-salt scrub. This is an exfoliating treatment that takes place on a massage table covered with a sheet and a large, thin piece of plastic.

As you lay on your stomach, the massage therapist rubs a mixture of sea salt, oil, and aromatics like lemon into your skin. This exfoliates the skin and leaves it feeling velvety soft.

Once your whole body is scrubbed, which takes maybe ten or fifteen minutes, you shower it all off without soap, leaving a nice coating of oil. It's an invigorating treatment, and it's a good idea to get your scrub before your massage if you're having both.

Variations can come from the essential oils or scrub materials: you might get an orange blossom/peppermint salt glow or a cucumber salt glow, or a body scrub done with coffee grounds, finely ground pecan shells or Napa Valley grape seeds.

A body mask and body wrap often takes place after a scrub. After you rinse off the salt you return to the treatment table. If you're slathered with mud, algae, or seaweed and wrapped in a thermal blanket, it's a "detoxifying" treatment that stimulates your metabolic system, speeding its ability to carry away waste products. If the product is cream or lotion, it's a "hydrating" treatment.

A body wrap can also be a wrapping treatment used to treat cellulite. It sometimes has a diuretic effect that aids in temporary weight reduction.

What Is A Facial?

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A facial cleans, exfoliates and nourishes the skin to promote clear, well-hydrated skin. A facial is the second most popular spa service after massage.

The Basic Steps of a Facial

A facial involves a few basic steps:

- cleansing
- skin analysis, where the esthetician puts eyepads over your eyes and looks at your skin through a brightly lit magnifying lamp
- exfoliation, usually while a steam vapor is directed at your face.
- extraction of blackheads if you want it and it's suitable for your skin type. (It can cause broken capillaries.)
- facial massage to relax you and stimulate your skin and facial muscles
- a mask targeted to your skin type (dry, oily, combination, sensitive, mature.)
- application of toners and protective creams
- advice on home skin care

Who Gives A Facial?

A facial is given by a licensed esthetician with special training in skin care.

How Much Does a Facial Cost?

A facial usually starts around $75 at a day spa in a smaller city. Prices will be higher at destination spas, resort and hotel spas. Special masks and serums also make the price go higher

How Often Should I Get A Facial?

Ideally, get a facial every four to six weeks because that's how long it takes the skin to regenerate. Try to have a facial at least four times a year, as the season changes. You may need it more frequently if you are trying to clear up a case of acne, especially at the beginning.

Variations on the Classic European Facial

Variations on the classic European facial include the "mini-facial" (cleansing without extractions) and specialty facials. Add vitamin C, and you have an "age defense" facial. It's an "oxygen facial" when a mist of pure oxygen is part of the treatment, and a "collagen facial" when special collagen sheets are placed on the skin. An acne facial will pay special attention to extractions.

What Is Massage?

2008-09-09T08:24:00.001-07:00

Massage has been around for thousands of years. The word “massage” comes from the Greek root “masso" -- to touch. Today it is the most popular spa treatment.

Swedish massage best for beginners

Swedish massage is the most popular style of massage in the U.S. It is very relaxing and a good choice for first-time spagoers.

A basic Swedish massage is 50-60 minutes long. It involves the stroking of skin and kneading of muscles. It is performed by a licensed massage therapist, who uses oil to lubricate the skin. You are usually nude but covered by sheets.

The cost of massage varies, depending on geographic location and how luxurious the spa is.

Other types of massage

There are many different types of massage, including deep tissue, sports massage, hot stone , aromatherapy , lymphatic drainage, trigger point therapy ,craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular therapy and myofascial release, watsu Rolfing, reflexology , Shiatsu, Thai Massage and Ayurvedic massage like abhyanga.

Many people consider massage a pampering experience, but it has important health benefits. In fact, you get the greatest benefit when it is part of your regular wellness routine.

What Is A Spa Treatment?

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Spa treatments are the services that a spa provides.

The most popular spa treatment in the United States and a good place to start is massage. It has been around for thousands of years and has a number of health benefits.

Other popular spa treatments include facials and body treatments like salt glows and body wraps.

Most spas have a nail salon offering spa manicures and spa pedicures . Spas with salons offer hair cutting and styling services.

Once you've tried the basic spa treatments, you might want to branch out to different types of massage like Thai massage , hot stone massage or reflexology. You should talk to your esthetician about what facial services or body treatments would be most appropriate for your skin type.

Remember, the most important thing you can do to enjoy your trip to the spa is arrive at least 15 minutes before your treatment is scheduled to begin. That way you can check in, change into your robe, and start to relax. If the spa has facilities like a sauna, steam bath, or hot tub, arrive even earlier.

Spa History - A Little Spa History

2008-09-09T08:21:00.002-07:00

No one know exactly where the word spa comes from, but there are two main theories. One is that spa is an acronym for the Latin phrase, "salus per aquae," or "health through water."

Others believe the origin of the word "spa" comes from the Belgian town of Spa, known since Roman times for its baths. They speculate that the town was so prominent that the very word spa became synonymous in the English language with a place to be restored and pampered.

Modern spas have their roots in ancient towns famed for the healing powers of their mineral waters and hot springs. Travelers would come to "take the waters" and restore their health.

The practice of bathing in hot springs and mineral waters dates at least to the Babylonians and Greeks, and knowing people, probably much sooner!

In the 19th century, Europe's great spas were destinations for the wealthy, who went there to "take the waters." Water treatments are still considered the heart of the spa experience in Europe. Today massages and facials are by far the most popular spa treatments in America.

What is a Mineral Springs Spa?

2008-09-09T08:21:00.001-07:00

A mineral springs spa has a source of natural mineral water that you can soak in. Mineral springs have been valued for thousands of years for their power to ease joint pain, arthritis, and other physical ailments.

Mineral springs may come out of the earth at a tepid temperature and then be heated for bathing. If there is a lot of geo-thermal activity, the mineral water is literally heated by the earth and is called a hot springs. Sometimes the water is so hot it has to be cooled.

Mineral springs have naturally occurring minerals and trace elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, iron, manganese, sulphur, iodine, and bromine. The exact makeup of the water vares from spring to spring, and many spas post the exact chemical make-up. Different waters are considered beneficial for different ailments.

Mineral springs spas vary greatly in the degree of luxury and amenities they offer. Some are historic bathhouses where you go to soak for 20 or 30 minutes in a private room that may be very simple. Usually you can get a massage. There might be communal outdoor pools. But some of the world's most lavish hotels and resorts were built on the site of mineral springs.

Some of the world's great spa cities rose up because of mineral springs, include Baden-Baden in Germany, Spa in Belgium and Bath in England. The U.S. has its share of historic spa cities that sprang up in the 18th and 19th centuries, including Berkeley Springs, Virginia, Calistoga, California and Hot Springs, Arkansas.

In the 18th and 19th centuries drink the mineral waters was an important part of the cure. This was a time when the wealthy classes went to spas to mingle, and the sipping pavillon provided the perfect opportunity. Today most people prefer a good soak to drinking the pungent, odd-tasting waters.

What is a Medical Spa?

2008-09-09T08:20:00.001-07:00

A medical spa is a facility whose medical program is run under the supervision of a licensed healthcare professional, according to The International Medical Spa Association.

Medical spas utilize lasers and intense pulsed light technology as well as medical microdermabrasion, photofacials, Botox and Restylene injections, medical peels and other medical beauty procedures. You can get also get traditional spa services like facials, massages, and body treatments.

Regulations vary from state to state. A doctor generally has to oversee the procedures performed in a Medical Spa, but this does not mean he is always on the premises.

What Is A Day Spa?

2008-09-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

A day spa is someplace you go for the day to get massage, facials, and body treatments, like sea salt scrubs and mud wraps. They’re called day spas because, unlike destination spas , you don’t spend the night.

Day spas come in a huge range of styles and personalities, from small village spas to 35,000 square foot extravaganzas with the latest equipment. In addition, some resort spas are open to locals on a day basis.

What Day Spas Should Offer:

* a quiet, peaceful atmosphere

* robes and slippers

* a full menu of massage, facials, and body treatments

* professional massage therapists and estheticians

* private treatment rooms with fresh linens

* professional spa products

* a relaxation room with tea

* a scrupulously clean facility

* in large spas, secure lockers, steam room and sauna

Good to Know About Day Spas

* Some hair salons call themselves a "spa" when all they have is one massage room off a noisy salon. If you have any doubts, drop in for a tour first.

* Not all spas give manicures and pedicures.

* Medical spas are day spas that perform high-tech treatments like laser resurfacing, photo facials and Botox alongside traditional spa services.

* Very small spas won't have steam, sauna and Jacuzzis. Think about whether that's important for your spa experience.

What is A Resort Spa?

2008-09-09T08:18:00.000-07:00

A spa is the new "must-have" amenity at resorts and hotels. But make sure you know what you're getting into before you book.

Resort/hotel spas come in a wide range of sizes and styles, from small private inns like The Harbour Inn in St. Michaels, Maryland, to the lavish, sprawling resort spas in Hawaii.

Resort spas are different from destination spas like Lake Austin Spa Resort . Destination spas offer a total wellness experience. Meals, classes and some spa treatments are usually part of the price.

At a resort spa, you buy your spa treatments a la carte. You usually have to pay extra for yoga and other classes. The restaurants will offer spa cuisine -- but also burgers and fries.

What You Need To Know About Resort/Hotel Spas

* Large resort spas will have a wide range of activities, including golf, swimming, tennis, and sometimes water sports, horseback riding and skiing. Some also have kids' camps.

A hotel spa is in an urban setting. It can range from the splashy, over-the-top spas in Las Vegas to elegant, sophisticated spas like The Mandarin Oriental in New York City.

* Resort spas do not include meals. Destination spas include meals. Keep that in mind when you compare prices.

* You may have to pay anywhere from $10 to $20 for yoga or other exercise classes. Classes at destination spas are included.

* Many resorts have kids' camps. Destination spas don't allow children.

* Beware: some resorts and hotels say they have a spa when it's just one treatment room off the gym. Don't take their word for it. Do your research before you go.

Resort Spas Are A Good Choice If:

* One wants to golf, the other to spa

* You want to eat -- and drink -- whatever you want.

* You have children

* You're a business traveler who needs a massage.

Destination Spas Are Good Choice If You:

* want to jumpstart a diet or healthy lifestyle

* want to be with like-minded people

* are traveling alone

* need to address specific health issues

* want to be nurtured after a loss

What Is A Destination Spa?

2008-09-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

A destination spa is a place whose sole purpose is to help individuals develop a healthy lifestyle through:

- healthy spa cuisine that emphasizes whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and nutritional education
- a full program of fitness and stress reduction classes
- therapeutic spa treatments including massage
- educational lectures that teach you how to bring your healthy habits back home

Destination spas usually require that you stay at least two or three nights to get the full benefit. Some require a longer stay. Prices at destination spas usually include all meals, classes and some spa treatments.

How Destination Spas Differ From Resort Spas:

Traditionally, resort spas offer spa treatments alongside leisure activities like golf and tennis. They offer some spa cuisine menu options and limited health and wellness classes, usually at extra charge.

Recently, though, the lines have been blurring. Some resorts and inns are calling themselves “destination spas” even though they don't match all the traditional criteria, like extensive fitness programming and education. Other resort spas are taking on the characteristics of destination spas, like offering classes at no extra charge. Your best bet is to decide what you're looking for and see who offers it.

The Food At Destination Spas:

Destination spas serve healthy food exclusively, but there are different philosophies. Some destination spas are geared towards weight loss, with restricted calories and strict portion control. Others have an all-you-can-eat philosophy. Many don't serve alcohol, while others serve wine with dinner. While destination spas emphasize healthy, whole foods, it might not necessarily be organic.

The People At Destination Spas:

Destination spas have a spirit of camaraderie. You’re with like-minded people who share your interest in health. Many have a small number of guests at any one time and you can get to know people even if you go by yourself. Small groups go on hikes, take exercise classes, and share tables together. There is usually a high staff-to-guest ratio, and staff is enthusiastic.

Destination Spa Personalities:

Destination spas have different personalities and vary widely in size, price, setting and programming. They can accommodate anywhere from 8 to 250 guests, with an average around 60. They come in a wide variety of prices, from most budget spas that are a few hundred dollars a night to $8,000 a week. Some are restricted calorie and others are all-you-can-eat. Here’s more information on how to choose a destination spa.

Day, Destination or Resort Spa?

2008-09-09T08:15:00.000-07:00

A spa is a place where you can get spa treatments like massage , facials, and body treatments . Spas are devoted to enhancing your overall well-being. But there are many different types of spas:

* Day Spa. It offers spa treatments on a day-use basis. Many also offer salon services.

* Destination Spa. Its sole purpose is to help you lead a healthier lifestyle through spa treatments, exercise, and educational programming. You stay at least two nights. Some have minimum stays of three or seven nights. Spa cuisine is served exclusively.

* Resort/Hotel Spa. It is located within a resort or hotel. It offers spa services, fitness classes and spa cuisine alongside less health choices like steaks and burgers. It's a good choice when one person wants spa and the other golf. It also works for business travelers and families.

* Medical Spa. It offers treatments that require a doctor's supervision, such as laser resurfacing and Botox injections. It also offers spa treatments.

* Mineral Springs Spa. It has natural mineral, thermal or seawater that is used in hydrotherapy treatments.

* Club Spa. A day spa located in a fitness facility or health club.

* Cruise Ship Spa Aboard a cruise ship that provides spa treatments, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.

* Airport Spa It is located in an airport and specializes in short treatments aimed at the traveler, like 15-minute chair massage and oxygen therapy. Some also offer longer treatments.

Best Spas In Scottsdale, Arizona

2008-09-09T08:13:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a day spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, you're in luck. It's home to some of the best resort spas in the country. Some of these spas are open to the public on a day-use basis. Prices will be higher than a normal day spa, but you get access to the unusually fabulous facilities. Here's a list of list of the best day spas in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Willow Stream at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Willow Stream Spa is 55,000 square feet of spa with countless amenities. You can wait for your appointment in an aromatherapy room, a cozy and cushioned seating area dedicated to fragrance-induced snoozing. Or head to the outdoors Havasupai Waterfall, which gives you a rare chance to plop your head back into running water and get an unusual spa experience (and a massage to boot!). Carve out your entire schedule for Willow Stream; the gym is fully equipped and makes a wonderful way to start the day, bento can be ordered for lunch service in the courtyard, and the roof top pool makes the perfect end-of-the-day lounge. A sixty minute therapuetic massage is $139.

Contact info: Willow Stream at The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess , 7575 E Princess Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85255-5802 (480) 585-2732

Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain

Tucked away in a secluded Camelback Mountain niche, the spa is elegantly understated and known for zen-induced bliss. The intimate indoor-outdoor facility features Asian-inspired treatments, a Meditation Garden, 14 treatment rooms, a Sanctum, and a unique indoor-outdoor treatment suite. Youâ€™ll have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center and movement studio, a 25-yard lap pool, and a shop with fun boutique finds youâ€™ll want (no, need) to snatch up. Treatments include Reiki, acupuncture, tarot card reading, and table Thai massage. They also offer Watsu, a gentle modality that is good for moms-to-be. A sixty-minute Swedish massage is $130.

Contact info: Sanctuary Spa at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain , 5700 E Mcdonald Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253-5218 (480) 948-2100

Golden Door Spa at The Boulders

Golden Door Spa at The Boulders is wonderfully intimate and warm, abundant with places to roam, amenities to try and treatments to go ga-ga over. The entrywayâ€™s brook and curvaceous architecture envelops visitors into a home-away-from-homeâ€”and is a nod to the spaâ€™s flagship facility in Escondido. There are many thoughtful touches throughout the facility, including an exotic and inspiring yoga room and an assortment of niches perfectly suited for the cat-napper in all of us. The Labyrinth is an easy-to-miss amenity that is worth seeking out. Utilizing a centripetal walking path for meditation, Golden Door Spa at The Boulders presents a rare opportunity to experience this age-old meditation tool. A fifty-minute Golden Door massage is $130.

Contact info: Golden Door Spa at The Boulders 34631 N Tom Darlington Dr, Carefree, AZ 85377 (480) 488-9009

Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician

Open since 1998, The Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician offers the classic experience in Valley relaxation and rejuvenation. This luxury resort rising majestically from the spectacular Sonoran Desert at the base of Camelback Mountain in Scottsdale, Arizona. The spa embodies the spirit and vitality of the Southwest in its landscaping, architecture, and extraordinary art collection. ]With friends in tow, The Centre for Well-Being offers the perfect full-day retreat. Start with fruit cocktail and juice or tea in the waiting room, then pop over for guided meditation in the atrium, ease into a little whirlpool action in the locker room, head for poolside lunch and drinks, and cap it all off with a treatment a shower, and some primping. End the day with fine dining at Mary Elaineâ€™s). A fifty minute Swedish massageis $135.

Contact info: Centre for Well-Being at The Phoenician 6000 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251-1949 (480) 423-2452

The Spa at Marriott's Camelback Inn

The Spa at Marriottâ€™s Camelback Inn captured the hearts of valley residents and visitors well before spa-going was popular. The award-winning and recently renovated 32,000 square-foot facility blends the indulgences of a full-service destination spa within a spectacular resort, offering the ambiance and magic of the Sonoran Desert. Donâ€™t miss Scottsdaleâ€™s only full-service in-spa restaurant, Sprouts (yes, wine is served!). A sixty minute Swedish massage is $100. Guests include Oprah Winfrey, singer Jessica Simpson, and Food Network chef Bobby Flay who filmed an episode â€œFood Nationâ€ here.

Contact info: The Spa at Marriott's Camelback Inn 5402 E Lincoln Dr, Scottsdale, AZ 85253-4118 (480) 596-7040

Agave, The Arizona Spa at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa

The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa captures the essence of Arizona, beautifully intertwining a zen meets desert feel throughout everything from the treatments to the architecture.

full service fitness center, fun lobby and catchy spa boutique greet visitors with energy and vibrancy. But once you walk though the spa doors, itâ€™s down to relaxation business, complete with lush amenities and indulgent treatments. A fifty minute Swedish massage is $120.

Leave your troubles at the door: One of the most endearing elements of Agave, The Arizona Spa, are the handmade Apache Woven Baskets. With one hung at the entrance of every treatment room, guests are asked to place their thoughts, to-lists and worries in the basket so their mind is clear and available to enjoy the benefits of the treatment.

Best Day Spas in Los Angeles

2008-09-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

There are countless day spas in Los Angeles. How do you tell which spas are the best? These are my picks for the best day spas in Los Angeles, ranging from the affordable to the super-luxe.

Best Day Spas In Los Angeles

The Beverly Hills Hotel Spa by La Prairie, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills. The famed "Pink Lady" has a luxe but pricey spa that appeals to the older Beverly Hills crowd. A sixty-minute Swedish massage is $145 and a sixty minute facial is $160. One of the best spas in California. 310-887-2505

Four Seasons Hotel, Los Angeles at Beverly Hills Spa, 300 South Doheny Dr. , Beverly Hills. This is one of the most elegant spas in Los Angeles, but you may have a hard time getting in between guests and the celebrity client list. One of the best spas in California. 310-273-2222

Glen Ivy Hot Springs ,25000 Glen Ivy Road Corona. Bargain hunters alert! You can spend a day at the Glen Ivy hot springs for $35 Monday through Thursday, $48 Friday through Sunday. If you want a massage or facial, make reservations well in advance. 1-800-CLUB-MUD. Glen Ivy also has a day spa at the Brea Mall in Brea. 1-866-IVY-BREA.

Kara, Park Hyatt Los Angeles, 2151 Ave. of the Stars, Century City. It's known for its "spa villas," each with its own patio. A one-hour Swedish massage is $125. 310-552-0425

Kinara, 656 N. Robertson Blvd. Los Angeles. This combination skin care clinic, spa and cafe opened in 2002 and has quickly become one of the trendiest spas in LA. It offers ten different facials, a milk bath, and body scrubs using Hawaiian brown sugar. A 50-minute massage is $115. 310-657-9188

Le Petite Retreat Day Spa, 331 N. Larchmont Blvd., Los Angeles. This is a 2,000 square foot neighborhood spa near Paramount Studios. A sixty-minute deep tissue massage is $95. 323-466-1028

Murad Medical Spa, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., El Segundo. Dr. Murad is known for his skin care line, sold through infomercials. This is his flagship spa location, with a range of spa treatments, including massage and energy work. 310-726-0470

Spa Mystique,The Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Spa,10220 Constellation Ave., Los Angeles. This 35,000 square foot spa draws on Eastern traditions, and has two Japanese furo pools. It has 27 indoor treatment rooms and four outdoor cabanas. Named a three-star hotel spa by Mobil Travel Guide. 310-551-3251, 877-544-2256

Ona Spa,7373 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. This Asian-inspired medical spa offers Botox, collagen, laser hair removal and Brite Smile treatments in addition to massage, facials and Ayurveda treatments. On Beverly Boulevard between La Brea and Martel. 323-931-4442

Ole Henrikson Face/Body, 8622A W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles. Celebrity skin care specialist Ole Henriksen, whose client list includes Renee Zellweger and Charlize Theron, is known for his elaborate facials and body treatments. A one-hour Swedish massage is $90. 310-854-7700

One Spa at Shutters on the Beach, One Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. This 7,000 square foot spa is right on the beach and features treatments are designed by celebrity skin care specialist Ole Henriksen. Read my review of One Spa at Shutters on the Beach 310-587-1712

The Peninsula Spa The Peninsula Beverly Hills, 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. One of the best spas in California. Right now The Peninsula Spa is in the midst of a $5 million renovation, scheduled for completion in October, 2005. 800-462 7899

The Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa, 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena. This hotel has been a landmark since 1907, and has a gorgeous 12,000 square foot spa. A fifty minute aromatherapy massage is $135. 626-568-3900, 800-784-3748

The Spa Le Merigot Le Merigot Beach Hotel & Spa, 1740 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. This is a beachfront hotel with relatively affordable spa prices. A full session of Swedish massage is $105. 310-395-9700

Thibiant Beverly Hills Day Spa, 449 N. Cañon Dr., Beverly Hills. Aida Thibiant's spa has been around for 30 years, and got a big update recently. A fifty minute Swedish massage is $80, and 80 minutes is $130. 310-278-7565, 800-8252517

Trilogy Spa,1301 Manhattan Ave., Hermosa Beach. An hour of Swedish massage is $85. 310-318-3511

Top 10 Best Day Spas in Vancouver

2008-09-09T08:10:00.000-07:00

Although Vancouver, BC is a three-hour drive from my home in Washington state, I venture up there every six weeks or so for hair care at Ian Daburn Salon and to indulge in one of my favorite day spas. Here are my top ten day spas (listed alphabetically) in the vibrant Canadian city of Vancouver. Divine, indeed!

1. Absolute Spa

Absolute Spa has two downtown locations: Century Plaza Hotel at 1015 Burrard St. and the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver at 900 W. Georgia St. Call 604-248-2772 for appointments at both. The spa at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is Vancouver’s “first spa for men,” and features a 75-minute Gentleman’s Facial ($125 CDN). But the spa is women friendly, too.

2. EvelineCharles Spa and Salon

EvelineCharles Spa and Salon, 1495 W. 11th, 604-678-566. This is a sleekly whitewashed second story haven located in the shopping-friendly South Granville Rise area. Get down and dirty with the Mud Slide ($245 CDN), a soothing treatment that includes a mud bath, mud wrap, massage and moisturizer. Mmmm!

3. Miraj Hammam Spa

Miraj Hammam Spa, 1495 W. 6th, 604-733-5151. Middle Eastern treatments are featured here, including the Hammam and Gommage, an exotic steam and exfoliation process, followed by a 30-minute massage ($125 CDN). Luxuriate afterwards In the Sultana Lounge with tea and sweet cakes.

4. Breathe Spa

Breathe Spa, 325 Howe St., Suite 501, 604-688-4769. This sanctuary is tucked away in the fifth floor of the Pacific Coast Building in the heart of the city. Indulge in the “Out of This World” package ($215 CDN) that includes a two-hour Breathe Facial followed by a two-hour Hot Stone Therapy Massage.

5. Skoah

Skoah, 1011 Hamilton Street, 604-642-0200. This is the spot to get the skinny on skin. Featuring its own product lines, the small menu of facials includes everything from a “quickie facial” ($30 CDN) to the more intense “face, peepers and pout” treatment ($100 CDN). Located in trendy Yaletown and just a few flip-flops away from the Opus Hotel, by far the hippest hotel in the ‘hood.

6. SpaEthos

SpaEthos, 2200 West 4th, 604-733-5007. In the kicky Kitsilano area of Vancouver is SpaEthos, housed in a former Bank of Montreal building. The 75-minute Warm Stone Thermotherapy Massage ($145 CDN) is heavenly. Take a steam before your treatment and afterwards relax in the Intention Room with a cup of tea by the fire.

7. Spa Utopia & Salon

Spa Utopia & Salon, Pan Pacific Hotel, 999 Canada Place, 604-641-1351. The “VIP Suite Romance” package ($846 CDN) includes treatments for two in your own spa suite with private changing room, heated floors, fireplace and waterfall shower. You’ll enjoy 30 minutes in a jetted tub, 60-minute massages, luxurious facials and beverages and fruit. You even get to take your robes home!

8. Spruce Body Lab

Spruce Body Lab, 1128 Richards St., 604-683-3220. This is one cool and sleek spa, featuring white Corbusier chairs in the waiting room and staff sporting lab coats. The skin and body care menu includes massages, reflexology, facials, waxing, microdermabrasion, botox and acupuncture. A 60-minute massage is $85 CDN.

9. Vida Wellness Spa

Vida Wellness Spa, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, 1088 Burrard St. and Sutton Place Hotel, 845 Burrard St. 604.682.8432 for appointments at both. Indulge yourself for two hours with the Ayurvedic Swedana ($220 CDN) that includes a massage, relaxation in a handcrafted West Coast cedar cabinet and a dry flour exfoliation.

10. Spa at the Wedgewood Hotel

Spa at the Wedgewood Hotel, 845 Horby Street, 604-608-5340. This jewel box of a spa is diminuitive yet elegant. Featuring classic body and facial treatments and the Epicuren Discovery skin product line. Combine the Chai Soy Anti-Stress Back Treatment ($140 CDN) with the Wedgewood Classic Facial ($120 CDN). Then enjoy afternoon tea at the hotel’s lovely Bacchus restaurant and lounge.

Best Hotel Spas in Washington D.C - New York City

2008-08-24T23:00:00.001-07:00

Best Spas in Washington D.C.

Spa at Mandarin Oriental Wash. D.C. Set in the heart of Washington D.C., near the Washington Mall and Smithsonian Institution.

Spa at The Willard,Washington D.C.

There are countless day spas in New York City. How do you tell which spas are the best? This list will help. I've complied a list of the best day spas in New York City, ranging from relatively affordable spas like Oasis to super-luxury urban hotel spas like The Spa at Mandarin Oriental.

If you're interested in buying a spa gift certificate at a day spa in New York City, here's what you need to know and look out for.

Best Day Spas In New York City

Ajune, 1294 Third Ave. 212-628-0044. This is an elegant medical spa on the Upper East Side that offers everything from basic Swedish massage ($105 for sixty minutes) to medical microdermabrasion and laser hair removal.

Babor at Takashimaya, 693 Fifth Ave., 212-350-0119. This is an exquisite little spa tucked away on the 6th floor of Takashimaya, the luxury Japanese department store. Read a review of Babor at Takashimaya

Bliss Soho , 568 Broadway, Second Fl. 888-243-8825. This is the original Bliss location started by Marcia Kilgore in the mid-90s. Sleek and modern, but some customers think they push products a little too much during facials. There are two other locations: Bliss 57at 19 E. 57th St., Third Fl. and Bliss 49 in the W. Hotel.

Cornelia Day Resort , 663 Fifth Ave. 8th Floor, 212-871-3050, 866-663-1700. Cornelia Zicu was a star esthetician at Peninsula Hotel and now has her own luxurious place in Midtown -- the first in New York City to have a watsu pool for a very soothing water massage.

Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa,691 Fifth Avenue at 54th St. 212-546-0200 This was one of the originals and still has a large loyal following. A fifty minute aromatherapy massage is $110. It has also added Botox to its menu of services.

Great Jones Spa, 29 Great Jones St., 212-505-3185. Located in downtown Manhattan, this spa is knows for it "wet lounge solarium" with hot tubs, cold plunge pools and saunas, available to all guests up to two hours prior to and one hour following spa treatments. A sixty minuteSwedish massage is $130.

Haven , 150 Mercer St., 212-343-3515. A serene neighborhood spa with nice facilities. A sixty minute Swedish massage is $115.

Juva , 60 E 56th St,(212) 421-9501 This is a medical spa offering therapies that lighten sun spots and treat acne. This is a place to go for results rather than mere pampering.

Juvenex , 25 West 32nd St., 5th floor, 646-733-1330. This spa offers unusual saunas, steam rooms and plunge pools, including the Jade Igloo, made from 20 tons of semi-precious stones. It is clothing optional for women only from 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Men and women are allowed from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., but bring your bathing suits. It also has a full menu of spa services, like a hot stone massage ($125 for 60 minutes).

La Prairie at The Ritz-Carlton Spa , The Ritz-Carlton New York Central Park, 50 Central Park S., 212-308-9100. This is a small but elegant spa with just six treatment rooms. It has an emphasis on anti-aging treatments.

The Mezzanine Spa , 62 Crosby St., 212-431-1600. This is a medical spa in Soho that offers both Western and Eastern treatments.

Millefleurs Spa, 3 E. 17th St. 212-966-3656, This Morrocan-themed spa at Park Avenue and Fifth specializes in a 2 1/2 hour herbal steam wrap. It is also open until midnight -- nice for hard-working Manhattanites.

Oasis Day Spa , 1 Park Ave., 212-254-7722. Oasis has three Manhattan locations: Park Avenue at 33rd., Union Square, and the Affinia Dumont Hotel at 34th and Lexington. It also has an airport spa at JFK.

Spa at The Four Seasons,57 East 57th, 212-758-5700. A small but exquisite luxury spa in mid-town Manhattan, right on Central Park. This is also one of the best hotel spas in New York.

Spa at Mandarin Oriental , New York, 80 Columbus Circle at 60th St. 212-805 8800, 866-801-8880. This is a gorgeous but pricey spa with great views of Central Park and fabulous amenities like the "Heat Experience" rooms for men and women. It's one of the best hotel spas in New York. Read my review of The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York.

Top 10 Best Spas in Virginia

2008-08-24T22:58:00.000-07:00

Virginia is one of the original spa destinations in America, with hot springs that attracted the likes of Thomas Jefferson. Today historic Virginia spas maintain their traditions, while new resort spas and intimate inn spas have opened, many with family-friendly spa policies.

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Virginia (in no particular order). It includes resort spas, urban hotel spas, inn spas, and a spiritual yoga retreat. Remember, many resort spas welcome clients on a day spa basis.

1. The Homestead

Set in the scenic Allegheny Mountains, The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, is one of America's oldest spas. The stately red brick and white columned 496-room resort was founded in 1766. Thomas Jefferson bathed in the hot springs here and you can, too, inside a round barn-like structure known as The Jefferson Pools. (You don't have to stay at the resort to visit the 98-degree hot springs.) The lavish new spa has a Spa Suite where whole families can gather. Address: 1766 Homestead Drive, Hot Springs, Virginia. Phone: 800- 838-1766 or 540-839-1766.

2. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg Lodge has a new 20,000 foot, colonial-style spa, with brick floors and colonial prints. It uses five centuries of wellness as its inspiration, including hot stone massage inspired by Native Americans, European-style "water cures," African rootworks and powders, and herbal treatments from the garden. The Williamsburg Lodge is just a short walk from Colonial Williamsburg, which brings to life America in the 1700s. Address: Williamsburg Lodge, 310 South England Street, Williamsburg, Virginia, 23185. Phone: 800-447-8679 or 757-229-1000.

3. Wintergarden Spa at Wintergreen Resort

Set on 11,000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Wintergreen Resort is a four-season, 300-room mountain retreat best known for its skiing and 45 holes of championship golf. The modern new 12,000 square-foot spa is set at the highest point of the resort, offering beautiful views of the mountains and valley below. The family-friendly spa includes treatments aimed at teenagers and pregnancy massage . Address: Route 664, Wintergreen, Virginia, 22958. Phone: 800-266-2444 or 434-325-2200.

4. The Martha Washington Inn Spa

Originally built in 1832, red brick Martha Washington Inn & Spa is located in the historic district of Abingdon in the Blue Ridge Highlands. Its 51 rooms and 11 suites are individually decorated with handsome antiques. The spa has a beautiful new saltwater pool and sundeck, and offers spa treatments for children and teens. Address: 150 West Main Street, Abingdon, Virginia, 24210. Phone: 800-999-8078 or 276-628-3161

5. Poplar Springs, The Inn Spa

Just fifty miles from Washington D.C., this intimate, romantic getaway on 200 acres in the county has 22 individually furnished rooms. The spa is small but tasteful, with a full menu of services, a salon, and a nice outdoor pool and patio in warm weather. Address: 9245 Rogues Road, Casanova, Virginia, 20139. Phone: 800-490-7747 or 540-788-4600.

6. Landsdowne Resort's Spa Minerale

This full-service resort with 305 rooms is eight miles from Washington Dulles International airport and 35 miles from Washington, DC., in scenic Hunt Country, Loudoun County. Spa Minerale is a new 12,000-square-foot spa with 13 treatment rooms, including a couples suite. Address: 44050 Woodridge Pkwy, Lansdowne, Virginia, 20176. Phone: 877-509-8400 or 703-729-8400

7. Kingsmill Resort & Spa

This family-friendly resort is a great base for exploring Colonial Williamsburg and theme park Busch Gardens. Its 425 one, two and three-bedroom suites are located in villas that are part of a gated residential community on 2,900 acres. Amenities include 63 holes of championship golf, a 15-court tennis center, a marina on the James River, and the Spa at Kingsmill. The resort is owned by beer giant Anheuser-Busch, so its signature massage uses hops, a beer ingredient, in the oil. Address: 1010 Kingsmill Road Williamsburg, VA 23185. Phone: 800-832-5665 or 757-253-1703.

8. The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner

This is an urban hotel spa in the heart of the legendary shopping in Northern Virginia's Tyson Corners. Convenient to both major D.C. airports, The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corners has 365 rooms, 30 suites and 3 luxury suites. The Ritz-Carlton is famous for its impeccable service, which you can expect at this small but elegant spa. Signature treatments include reiki and four-hands massage. Address: 1700 Tysons Boulevard McLean, Virginia, 22102. Phone: 703-506-4300

9. Yogaville

This ashram, or spiritual community, is set on 750 acres in the beautiful James River Valley near Charlottesville. Yogaville teaches yoga and mediation classes and specializes in a style called Integral Yoga that develops body, mind and spirit. You can come for the day, as a guest, or for teacher training. Accommodations include campsites, dormitories, and private rooms in a guest house, and meals are vegetarian. The dramatic Lotus Shrine is right on the river. Address: 108 Yogaville Way, Buckingham, Virginia, 23921. Phone: 800-858-9642 or 434.969.2048

10. The Founders Inn and Spa

Centrally located to Virginia Beach, Norfolk and Williamsburg, The Founders Inn and Spas has 240 guest rooms and suites on 26 acres. Its $5 million, 10,000 square-foot Flowering Almond Spa is the only resort spa in the Southside Hampton Roads region, and just a short distance from one of the best beaches in the mid-Atlantic. The spa has six treatment rooms, including a room for couples massage . Services include caviar facials. Address: 5641 Indian River Road Virginia Beach, Virginia, 23464. Phone: 800-926-4466 or 757-424-5511

Best Spas in Vermont

2008-08-24T22:57:00.002-07:00

Vermont is one of New England's most beloved destinations year-round. It has gorgeous summers, great fall foliage, and a long ski season. It's also a growing hot spot for spas.

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Vermont. It includes both hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want, and destination spas, which offer a complete immersion experience with an emphasis on transformation and self-improvement. Many resort spas welcome clients on a day spa basis.

Best Spas in Vermont

Avanyu Spa at The Equinox , Manchester, Vermont. Set on 2,300 acres between the Green and Taconic Mountains, The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont, was a famous resort throughout the 19th century and has been restored to its former glory. Type: resort spa

Topnotch Resort and Spa, Stowe. Located near the charming ski village of Stowe, Topnotch is Vermont's largest and most luxurious spas. Some medical spa treatments offered. Golf and one of the country's top tennis academies.Type: resort spa

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa Type: resort spa

New Life Hiking Spa, Killington. A no-frills health and fitness spa that operates from May - Oct. at the Inn of the Six Mountains. Limited to 23 people. Type: destination spa

Green Mountain At Fox Run , Ludlow. A weight-loss program for women that focuses on healthy eating. Type: destination spa

Best Spas in Pennsylvania

2008-08-24T22:57:00.001-07:00

Pennsylvania has two of the best resort spas in the country, including the wildly popular Spa at The Hotel Hershey , with chocolate-inspired massages and body treatments .

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Pennsylvania. It includes both hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want, and destination spas, which offer a complete immersion experience with an emphasis on transformation and self-improvement. Many resort spas welcome clients on a day spa basis.

Best Spas in Pennsylvania

Woodlands Spa at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa, Farmington. Type: resort spa

The Spa at The Hotel Hershey, Hershey. Type: resort spa

The Lodge At Woodloch A 58-room luxury property with a 40,000 sq. foot spa.

The Deerfield Spa, East Stroudsburg. A small affordable destination spa in the Poconos. Type: destination spa

Best Spas in North Carolina

2008-08-24T22:56:00.000-07:00

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in North Carolina. It includes resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want.

Best Spas in North Carolina

The Spa at Pinehurst, Pinehurst Resort, Pinehurst. One of the great golfing destinations in the country, with 8 world-class golf courses and a 31,000 sq. foot spa. Type: resort spa

Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Asheville. Panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a 40,000 sq. foot spa. Type: resort spa

Old Edwards Inn Spa , Highlands. Intimate lodge with 29 guestrooms and lavish 25,000 square-foot spa. Type: inn spa.

Best Spas in New York

2008-08-24T22:55:00.000-07:00

New York is getting more and better spas to serve the population of New York and New Jersey, eager for spa getaways. But some of the best getaways are right in the city!
This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in New York.

It includes luxury urban hotel spas, resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want, intimate inn spas, and destination spas, which offer a complete immersion experience with an emphasis on transformation and self-improvement.

Best Spas in New York

The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, New York, New York City. This luxurious, romantic spa is located on the 35th floor of the Time Warner center on Central Park at Columbus Circle. Fabulous shopping and the world's best chefs are just an elevator ride away. One of my top ten romantic spas. Type: urban hotel spa

Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New York, New York City. Type: urban hotel spa

The Peninsula Spa, The Peninsula New York, New York City. Type: urban hotel spa

Spa Mirbeau, Skeneateles. Located in New York's Finger Lakes Wine Country, Mirbeau evokes a French country inn. One of my top ten romantic spas. Type: inn spa

Mohonk Mountain House , New Paltz. A 19th century mountain house with a spa that caters to couples. Type:resort spa

Skana, The Spa at Turning Stone Resort & Casino , Verona. Owned by the Oneida tribe with an emphasis on Native American traditions, including a sweat lodge made with buffalo hide and red willow. Type: resort spa

Emerson Resort & Spa Victorian-style inn with luxury suites for couples only and a lodge for families. Type: inn spa

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa Lake Placid's only four-diamond resort in the heart of the Adirondacks. Type: inn spa. New Age Health Spa Rustic and affordable spa in Sullivan County. Type: destination spa

The Copperhood Inn & Spa. A European-style inn in the heart of the Catskills, right on the Esopus River. Type: destination spa

If you live in New York City, you can also have a mini-holiday by going to one of the best day spas in New York City. You can also look to Lenox, Massachusetts, which is rich in spas -- Canyon Ranch, Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club and the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.

Best Spas in New Jersey

2008-08-24T22:54:00.000-07:00

New Jersey has a lot of great day spas , but is still short on overnight spas. In part that's because so many people from New Jersey find it easy to travel to the best spas in New York.

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in New Jersey. It includes hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want.

Spa Toccare at the Borgata Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. This ultra-glitzy pleasure palace of a spa lets you indulge your fantasies. The spa suite has a private whirlpool and a plasma TV for those who can't turn off.

New Jersey has lots of up-to-date, luxurious day spas. Here's a selection of some of the best day spas in New Jersey.

If you're interested in buying a spa gift certificate at a day spa in New Jersey, here's what you need to know and look out for.

The Fountain European Spa, Hackensack, NJ

This 12,500 square-foot spa is located in Bergen County's most lavish, upscale mall, The Shops at Riverside. Fountain Spa has 20 treatment rooms, including two marble couple suites with a whirlpool bath for two and room for side-by-side massage. 201-327-5155

DePasquale, The Spa , Morris Plains, NJ

DePasquale, the Spa is a beautiful complex -- spa, salon, separate children's salon and retail area – complete with fireplace and waterfall. The "DePasquale Experience" combines a dip in a Japanese steeping tub with a massage and an Italian rainwater shower. Located in Powder Mill Plaza, on Route 10 East in Morris Plains, NJ. 973-538-3811.

The Elements Spa , Vernon, NJ

The Elements Spa is part of the Crystal Spring Golf and Spa Resort, and offers special golfer-friendly massages and pedicures. The signature treatment is the "Elemental Journey," a salt scrub followed by a lounge in a soaking tub with its own little waterfall -- and it's big enough for two. The spa has all the amnenties of a large resort, including a nearby fitness center and seven heated indoor and outdoor regular pools. The spa also offers consultations with plastic surgeons on request. 100G Port Royal Drive, Vernon, NJ. 973-827-5996. [/link]

The Spa at Short Hills, Short Hills, NJ

The Spa at Short Hills is centered on a Romanesque indoor pool which looks out through glass walls onto trees. The Spa is located in the Hilton Short Hills so if you go in for a spa treatment you get free use of the pool and Jacuzzi that day. For an extra $20 you get access to the extensive fitness center. Only hotel guests can book treatments on weekends. Located at 41 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, NJ. 973-912-7956.

The Beyond Day Spa Hackensack, NJ

Located inside a hospital, this Asian-themed spa has a tea garden where you can meditate to the sound of an indoor waterfall. The treatments are also Asian-inspired, with a green tea salt rub and a lemongrass toning body wrap. Located within the Hackensack Medical Center, 20 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, NJ. 201-996-4500

On the Side Spa , Westfield, NJ

On the Side Spa is a combination of a spa, yoga and Pilates studio and health food restaurant. Treatments include the "Aromatic Hot Towel Infusion" massage, where you’re wrapped steaming hot towels. It’s a great place to spend the day. 740 South Ave. West, Westfield, NJ. 908-232-6595

Avanti Salon and Spa , Manalapan, NJ

Avanti Salon and Spa offers all kinds of unusual treatments, including photo-rejuvenation facials. In the "Razul Room” you cover yourself with therapuetic mud and are are spritzed off by a misty rainfall fragrant with aromatherapy oils. The experience is topped off by a massage on a bed of natural hay. 345 Route 9 South, Manalapan, NJ. 732-780-0222

The Dieci Lifestyle Spa, Livingston, NJ

It may look like an office building, but The Dieci Lifestyle Spa is an Italianate retreat with valet parking. A specialty is maternity massages, offered on specially designed tables. Facials are built around alpha-hydroxy acids, vitamin C and other high-performance ingredients. familiar from a dermatologist's office. A full-service salon is attached to the spa. 90 W. Mount Pleasant Ave., Livingston, NJ. 973-716-0101

Best Spas In New England

2008-08-24T22:53:00.002-07:00

New England’s beautiful landscapes, rich history, and charming villages make it a favorite with travelers. Lately the six states of New England – Connecticut, Masschusetts, Maine, New Hampsire, Rhode Island and Vermont -- are getting more great destination and resort spas. Here’s a list of the best spas in New England.

Canyon Ranch , Lenox, Mass. One of the country’s best destination spas and the perfect place to jumpstart a healthier lifestyle.

The Equinox Resort & Spa , Manchester Village, Vt. A historic inn in the heart of one of New England’s most charming villages. Good for golfers.

Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa , Stowe, Vt. A luxury resort backed by Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. Good for golf in the summer and skiing in the winter.

The Cliff House Resort & Spa Ogunquit, Maine. A relatively affordable spa set on 70 acres of outstanding oceanfront property, and a seaside labyrinth made with white stone.

The Mayflower Inn , Washington, Ct. This highly regarded luxury inn operates as a destination spa during the week, with all the spa treatments you want included in the price.

Cranwell Resort, Spa and Golf Club . Lenox, Mass. Set in the heart of the Berkshires, this spa is a good choice when there’s a golfer in the family.

The Spa at Norwich Inn Norwich, Ct. The rooms here are quintessentially New England, but Yankee reserve is gone as people wander around outside in their robes.

Stillwater Spa at Hyatt Regency Newport , Rhode Island. This has a great seaside location and offers outdoor treatments on a spa deck in summer.

Best Spas in Illinois

2008-08-24T22:53:00.001-07:00

Not surprisingly, the best overnight spas in Illinois are luxury hotel spas in Chicago. Many people from the city looking for a resort spa or destination spastravel north to Wisconsin.
This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Illinois. It includes both urban hotel spas and a destination spa, which offers a complete immersion experience with an emphasis on transformation and self-improvement.

Best Spas in Illinois

The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Chicago

The Spa at The Carlton Club, The Ritz-Carlton Chicago, A Four Seasons Hotel

The Heartland Spa, an affordable destination spa about ninety minutes from Chicago.

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Best Spas in Georgia

2008-08-24T22:52:00.000-07:00

Georgia is a great spa destination in the winter months, when snowbirds head south.
This list is my top picks for the best overnight spas in Georgia. It includes hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want

Best Spas in Georgia

The Spa at Sea Island This new 65,000 square-foot spa at The Cloister, a historic Spanish-style grand dame, is located on a barrier island along the coast of Georgia. It's known for its big Victorian bathing tubs. Type: resort spa

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro. A relaxed country house surrounded by private residential development. Oriented towards golf, tennis and boating. Type: resort spa

Best Spas in Colorado

2008-08-24T22:51:00.002-07:00

Colorado is an up and coming spot for hotel and resort spas, with ski resorts now adding them. This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Colorado. It includes hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want. Many resort spas welcome clients on a day spa basis.

Best Spas in Colorado

The Spa at the Broadmoor Colorado Springs, Colorado. Type: resort spa

The Ritz-Carlton Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch. Type: resort spa

Allegria Spa at Park Hyatt Beaver Creek, Avon. Type: resort spa

The Lodge & Spa at Cordillera, A Rock Resort[/link], Vail Valley. Type: resort spa

Best Spas in Texas

2008-08-24T22:51:00.001-07:00

Texas has been making a splash lately with great new hotel and resort spas.

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Texas. It includes both hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want, and destination spas, which offer a complete immersion experience with an emphasis on transformation and self-improvement. Many resort spas welcome clients on a day spa basis.

Best Spas in Texas
Lake Austin Spa Resort , Austin. It's on my list of best destination spas in the country. With just 40 rooms it's easy to meet people, but the spa is lavish and open to locals as a day spa.

Type: destination spa

Watermark Spa, Watermark Hotel & Spa, San Antonio. Type: urban hotel spa.

Trellis, The Spa at The Houstonian, Houston. Type: urban hotel spa.

The Spa at The Crescent, Hotel Crescent Court, Dallas. Type: urban hotel spa.

The Crossings, Austin. Affordable but gorgeous wellness center on 210 acres of Balcones Cayonlands Preserve.

The Greenhouse A luxury weight-loss spa serving women since 1965. Type: destination spa

Best Spas in Oregon

2008-08-24T22:49:00.002-07:00

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Oregon. It includes hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want.

Best Spas in Oregon

Avalon Spa, The Avalon Hotel, Portland. A modern luxury boutique hotel in the Waterfront District. Type: hotel spa

Sage Springs Club and Spa, Sunriver Resort, Sunriver. Located between the high desert and the Cascade Mountains of Central Oregon. Type: resort spa

Best Spas in Utah

2008-08-24T22:49:00.001-07:00

Utah spas are a great choice is you love the great outdoors and hiking. Two of the country's best spa hiking programs are located in Utah.

My top picks for the best overnight spas in Utah includes both hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want, and destination spas, which offer a complete immersion experience with an emphasis on transformation and self-improvement.

Red Mountain Spa , Ivins. If you love adventure and are inspired by Southwestern scenery, this is the spa for you. Try rock climbing, go kayaking or mountain bike through rugged terrain. Type: destination spa

Green Valley Spa, St. George. This spa is just a few miles from Red Mountain Spa and has a reputation of being a little more luxurious and pampering. Right on the edge of both town and public lands, it has an extensive hiking program. Type: destination spa

The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park City. A luxury lodge with an intimate European spa. Type: resort spa

Top 7 Best Spas in New Mexico

2008-08-24T22:45:00.000-07:00

New Mexico has all makings of a great spa destination -- sunshine, natural beauty, spirituality and a deep sense of place. New Mexico spas tend to cluster around Santa Fe, the historic town that is the state's cultural center.

There's a strong tradition of hot springs in New Mexico, including the plain (but delightfully inexpensive) Jemez Bathhouse west of Santa Fe. These are my picks (in no particular order) for the best spas in New Mexico.

1. El Monte Sagrado Living Resort & Spa, Taos, New Mexico

El Monte Sagrado is set on four acres just a short walk from the shopping and gallery-filled historic town of Taos. Its 36 suites are inspired by Navajo culture and local artists, and the resort as a whole is known for its commitment to sustainability. The spa includes traditional services as well as special offerings like sound and vibrational therapy, rapid eye technology, and spiritual cleansings.

Address: 317 Kit Carson Rd., Taos, New Mexico, 87571. Phone: 800-828-8267 or 505-737-9886

2. Bishops Lodge Sha'Nah Spa and Wellness Center, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Just three miles from Santa Fe’s historic Plaza, Bishop’s Lodge is set on 450 pristine acres surrounded by the Sangre de Cristos. The family-friendly adobe-style retreat has 111 rooms in 15 different lodges. Sha’Nah means "vitality and energy" in Navajo, and the Sha’Nah Spa and Wellness Center has six indoor treatment rooms and two outdoor private treatment gardens. You can get your massage in an authentic Native American Teepee or enjoy watsu at the mountain's base.

Address: 1297 Bishop's Lodge Rd., Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501. Phone: 800-419-0492 or 505-819-4000

3. Ten Thousand Waves, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ten Thousand Waves is a Japanese-style bathhouse with outdoor cedar tubs, clothing optional tubs, including communal (co-ed), women’s baths, and private baths. It is primarily a day retreat, but there are thirteen luxurious overnight suites designed in a Japanese-adobe esthetic. The spa offers massage, body treatments and a Japanese nightingale facial that uses the geisha’s secret – nightingale droppings (sanitized, of course.)

Address: PO Box 10200, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87504. Phone: 505-982-9304

4. Avanyu Spa at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa, Santa Fe, New Mexico

La Posada is located on six lush acres just two blocks from the historic Plaza in downtown Santa Fe. The historic adobe hotel has 157-rooms, many with kiva fireplaces and patios. The 4,500 square foot Avanyu Spa has eight treatment rooms and a roof-top terrace with cabanas for outdoor treatments. Indigenous treatments include a stimulating chocolate-chile body wrap and a remineralizing adobe mud wrap.

Address: 330 E. Palace Ave. Santa Fe, NM 87501. Phone: 866-331-7625 or 505-954-9631

5. Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, Ojo Caliente, New Mexico

An hour north of Santa Fe, Ojo Caliente is a beloved destination in New Mexico and the only place in the world that combines four distinct geothermal mineral waters (also known as hot springs). Ancient Indians built their Pueblo over these hot springs, whose name means “hot eye.” Today at Ojo Caliente you can stay in the historic (and affordable) 1916 hotel, cottages, luxury suites,private homes or even a round barn. Spa treatments include watsu , Thai massage and hot stone massage.

Address: PO Box 68, Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, 87549. Phone: 505-583-2233

6. Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico

This pueblo-style resort between Albuquerque and Santa Fe has 350 rooms and fabulous views of the Sandia Mountains. It offers golf, horseback riding, and tennis, and native-inspired spa treatments like "Ancient Drumming," a body wrap that uses mud from the Jemez Mountains infused with New Mexico red chili. The therapist gently "drums" the stress away using flaxseed-filled muslin bags that have been dipped in pinon-scented oil.

1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, 87004. Phone: 505-867-1234

7. Jemez Springs Bath House, Jemez Springs, New Mexico

This simple 100+ year-old-bathhouse in the spectacular Jemez Mountains west of Santa Fe is a true old-fashioned spa experience -- and a state historical site. You recline in a large concrete tub behind a curtain and enjoy the benefits of the hot mineral water. An outdoor cedar tub is available for groups of up to six. Don't expect luxury, but it's a great destination for spa and hot springs enthusiasts. And you'll love the old-fashioned prices -- $10 for a half-hour soak. The bathhouse has no accommodations, but there are inns and B&Bs nearby.

Jemez Springs Bathhouse, NM 87025. Phone: 866-204-8303 or 505-829-3303

Best Spas By Specialty

2008-08-24T22:42:00.002-07:00

Here are lists of the best spas for romance, for hiking, for detoxing, and more.

Best Spas For Hiking

Looking for a spa with great hiking? These spas won’t disappoint. Not only will their guided hikes pump up your heart rate, they’ll take you through some gorgeous countryside.

Red Mountain Spa , Ivins, Utah. Located at the entrance to Snow Canyon state park, Red Mountain Spa offers more than 60 hikes on 40 trails, making it the most extensive hiking program in the Southwest. Choose from three different levels every morning – trekker one, two and three – with the speed, climb and distance becoming more difficult.

Green Valley , St. George, Utah. Green Valley is right next to huge swaths of gorgeous federal lands in southwestern Utah. Choose from three hikes that leave every morning– trail, fitness or strenuous – and last a few hours.

The Ashram , Calabasas, Ca. This rigorous weight-loss spa accommodates just 13 people at a time for a one week program. It includes 10-15 miles of compulsory hiking each day in the Santa Monica Mountains, much of it uphill. Thank goodness for daily massages!

Canyon Ranch , Lenox, Mass. From leisurely nature walks to all-day 16 mile treks, Canyon Ranch Lenox accommodates all fitness levels. The rolling Berkshire Mountains provide a gorgeous backdrop for the four or five hikes that are scheduled daily.

Golden Door , Escondido, Calif. An ultra-exclusive destination spa secluded on 377 acres in northern San Diego county, Golden Door offers a range of hikes every morning. The hikes are customized to suit the client, ranging from a short flat meadow hike for someone with hip troubles to an eight-mile mountain climb for the super-fit. There’s one afternoon hike as well. 1-800-424-0777.

Rancho La Puerta , Tecate, Mexico. This spa has five different hikes that go out every day, including the popular Organic Garden Breakfast Hike, a hike to the garden, with a tour and breakfast. The challenging hike up Mount Kuchumaa includes an 800-foot climb that will leave you breathless, as will the dazzling views. 1-800-443-7565.

Miraval, Life in Balance, Catalina, Arizona. Located in the lush Sonoran Desert, Miraval offers two guided hikes (beginner and intermediate/advanced) every morning. Some hikes leave from the property and some you drive to. You can also use a spa credit towards a private guided hike customized to your fitness level and scenery desires. 1-800-232-3969

Best Detox Spas

Detoxing the body through fasting, colonics, and specialized diets and spa treatments can be done at some spas that have special staff and programs.

Our body’s natural detoxification system is designed to support our health by eliminating waste products and some doctors believe it benefits from periodic rest and support. Here's what you need to know before you detox and my picks for the best detox spas:

1. The Raj

The Raj is located in Maharishi Vedic City, Iowa, started by the Maharishi who taught the Beatles how to meditate in the sixties. The fairly luxurious spa offers a shortened version of the classic Ayurvedic detox called panchakarma, which in India takes 14- 28 days. Just 18 people stay at the spa, which serves organic vegetarian meals of lentil soup, grains, vegetables and stewed fruits. The program detoxes the body through diet and specialized treatments like Abhyanga.

2. Elemental Embrace

This Canadian wellness retreat offers the best of East and West detox – colonic hydrotherapy and 7 to 21 day Ayurvedic panchakarma programs. It’s a family run wellness center in apple orchard country 90 miles east of Toronto. The food is mostly Indian and caters to vegans and vegetarians, but meat eaters can enjoy chicken and fish. It takes only 20 people at a time so you get a lot of individual attention. People tend to wander around – even eat dinner -- in their robes.

3. We Care Spa

is the classic California detox, where guests go on a liquid fast and get daily colonics to further flush out toxins. It’s relatively small and modest spa but in the beautiful setting of Desert Hot Springs. You can get detoxing spa treatments like lymphatic massage and they have yoga, meditation, and dance classes. It has a very loyal following with celebrities and the LA crowd.

4. Sanoviv Medical Institute

This holistic hospital about an hour south of San Diego in Rosarito, Mexico, offers a one or two-week detoxification and regeneration programs overseen by a medical doctor, nutritionist and detoxification specialist. A lot of people who come here have serious health issues like cancer, MS, lyme disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome, but anyone who wants to get healthier can go. You can get colonics, massage, and hydrotherapy, with fitness classes that are more spa than hospital.

5. Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center

This spiritual community in the Arizona desert south of Tucson is purposefully undeveloped – no TV, no phones, and minimal artificial lighting. You can do a 10, 17 or 24 day detox programs. The 10-day program starts with 7 days of 100% organic green juice, followed by three days of organic raw food. You can fast with a group or on your own. It’s do-it-yourself on the colonics front -- the “fasting pack” they recommend you buy has an enema bag. Guests also meditate, do yoga and get lymphatic drainage massage.

6. Hippocrates Health Institute

Bring your pen, paper and tape recorder. This health-oriented spa in West Palm Beach, Florida believes in healing the body through raw food and there are lots of lectures to make the case. Guests stay at least one week and up to three weeks, eating raw foods, taking spa treatments, meditating and exercising. This is about changing the way you eat, not a short-term cleanse. The Oasis Therapy Center offers colon hydrotherapy and a lot of different therapies aimed at detoxifying or rebalancing the body and mind.

7. New Age Health Spa

Neversink, NY. This all-inclusive destination spa with a rustic, bungalow colony feel has periodic five-night group juice fasts so you aren’t the only one at the table drinking raw juice and potassium broth. You can do your own self-guided juice fast anytime. The colon hydrotherapist is so cheerful you won’t mind what’s going on, and once a month, May through November you can purify at the Indian sweat lodge. Loyalists love it for being life-changing – and affordable. Read my review of New Age Health Spa.

8. Red Mountain Spa

Once a month this adventure destination spa in Ivins, Utah offers a seven-night Detoxification Program. It's detox light – no fasting, no colonics. It does cut out red meat, refined sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and allergens like corn, wheat and soy, and guests drink smoothies that aid in liver detoxification. There are lectures, cooking classes, yoga classes with detoxing twists, detox spa treatments like body wraps, and nutritional products to complete a full 28-day detox. Read my review of Red Mountain Spa.

9. Regency House Natural Health Spa

This seaside vegan spa near Fort Lauderdale lets you can do your own detox under the direction of Dr. Frank Sabatino, a chiropractor and nutritionist. It offers water and juice fasting year-round but you don’t do it in a group with other people. There is yoga and meditation – spa standards that are great for detoxing – and a popular water aerobics in the pool. But no colonics.

10. The Greenhouse

This super-pampering destination spa in Dallas has a luxury detox for the ladies who lunch. Its Fat Flush Residental Plan is built around breakfast in bed, poolside lunches and candlelit dinners with low glycemic index foods like lean protein and organic fruits and vegetables. It is designed to help you change your eating habits, lose weight, and gently detox through herbal body wraps and Swedish massage. No colonics here! Options run from two to 11 days.

Best Spas With Lakes

There are people who love lakes, and people who love spas – and often they’re the same people. Lakes naturally have the spirit-soothing properties that spas cultivate through beautiful design, calming music and the healing power of touch.

Here are the best spas on lakes:

1) Lake Austin Spa Resort
This Texas destination spa is one of the best in the country, with great food and classes, a friendly atmosphere, and a lavish Lakehouse Spa. It’s set right on a long, skinny (and cold) lake created by damming the Colorado River. Enjoy waterskiing, paddleboat workouts, kayaking, yoga on the boat dock, and pontoon boat birdwatching tours.

2) Mohonk Mountain House
This historic 19th century mountain house in the midst of a wilderness is just 90 miles from New York City. A magical fairy castle set on a tiny mountaintop lake, Mohonk has a new $13 million Victorian-style spa that looks like it's been here forever, complete with wicker porch furniture and plenty of fireplaces. Lake activities include swimming, canoeing, and kayaking, but most people hit the trails, too – 85 miles of hiking from the doorstep.

3) Ritz-Carlton at Lake Las Vegas
Just half-hour from the Strip, the Ritz Carlton at Lake Las Vegas is literally built over the lake, where celebrities including Celine Dion have built homes. Everything here is Tuscan-themed, including The Spa Vita di Lago with plenty of sun-filled balconies where you can basking in your own fantasies of being on a Mediterranean holiday. Lake activities include gondola rides (where you’ll be serenaded), kayaking, dinner cruises.

4)Spa Moulay at Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Casino
Lake Las Vegas is the only lake in the county with two spas. Spa Moulay is inspired by Morocco, and signature treatment Harem's Blend Wrap features fresh spices, citrus, oatmeal and essential oils. Poolside massage in cabanas lakelasvegas.hyatt.com [/link]

5) The Abbey Resort
This 1960s-era resort on Lake Geneva in Fontana, Wisconsin, one of Chicago’s favorite summer vacation spots, has been restored to its former glory with a $40 million facelift. The 35,000 square foot spa has a real Swiss shower --16 head-to-toe shower nozzles, all shooting a wall of warm water from four corners. With 26 miles of shoreline, this lake offers waterskiing, parasailing, motor and pontoon boat rentals, sailing, dinner cruises and terrific boat tours past historic homes.

6) The Lodge of Four Seasons
This 1960s-era resort on 2,500 acres is set on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, one of the Midwest’s top destinations for boating and bass fishing. Spa Shiki is an Asian-themed 15,000 square foot spa with a combination of Eastern and Western treatments. Lake activities include motor and pontoon boat rentals, parasailing, scenic cruises and fishing guides.

Top 10 Romantic Spas

Are you looking for a romantic spa? A little corner of paradise for a sexy weekend getaway? Here are the top ten romantic spas in the United States. They range from big cities to island getaways, but all the spas have an intimate scale, a sense of privacy, and sensual surroundings to inspire romance.

If none of these spas are near you, here are the five questions you have to ask when you're planning a romantic spa getaway.

1. Calistoga Ranch, Calistoga, California
Secluded in a forest just east of the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley, Calistoga Ranch is a sleek, sexy hideway for lovers. Private cedar-shingle guest lodges on a 157-acre compound were built to disturb with nature as little as possible. The Ranch Bathhouse overlooks Lake Lommel and offers buttermilk baths, mud baths, outdoor massages with walnut oil and a natural thermal mineral pool.

2. Royal Palms Resort & Spa, Phoenix, Arizona
The Royal Palms Resort & Spa is a Spanish Mediterranean estate with an original 1929 mansion and 117 casitas and guestrooms decorated in jewel-tones. The Alvadora Spa has fountains, fireplaces, a Watsu massage pool, and a seductive, spacious indoor/outdoor Acqua Dolce couples’ compound.

3. Spa at The Mandarin Oriental, New York City
Located on the 35th floor of the luxurious Time Warner center, The Mandarin Oriental in New York City is just an elevator ride away from world class restaurants and shopping. The soothing rooms are very sexy. So is the seductive couples suite with an antique Chinese bed, private steam shower and fireplace, tucked away in the Asian-inspired spa.

4. One & Only Spa Palmilla, Los Cabos, Mexico
One & Only Palmilla is a 172-room resort in Los Cabos that can arrange a Latin guitar trio to serenade you on the beach. Or in the Casa Gardenia suite, a personal butler serves dinner on the moon-lit patio. A favorite of celebrities, couples and honeymooners. The 22,000-sq. ft. spa features 13 spa villas that are the ultimate in privacy and intimacy.

5. The Inn at Palmetto Bluff, Bluffton, South Carolina
Designed in charming Low Country style, the Inn at Palmetto Bluff has 42 large, comfy cottage rooms with water views, fireplaces and porches. The Spa treatment rooms have verandas and even outdoor baths. The Golf Course darts in and out along the May River shoreline.

6. Mauna Lani Spa at Mana Lani Resort, Big Island, Hawaii
Mauna Lani Resort has just 335 rooms, most overlooking the ocean. But for complete privacy, try one of five butler-serviced bungalows just a short walk from the beach. The spa is a small village of thatched roof huts, with exotic treatments like the Ginger Honey Body Therapy and an open-air lava sauna.

7. Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Arizona
Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain is small and intimate, with sleek modern rooms. The spa features The Sanctum, a stone-wall hideaway couples can rent for the hour or half-day and enjoy the vitality pool, deluge shower and fire pit.

8. Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, Florida.
Little Palm Island is a hidden treasure in the Florida Keys, accessible only by boat or seaplane. Just 28 private bungalows decorate in English Colonial style look out to sea through leafy palms. Kids club? Forget it. The resort draws the line at 16 years. Canoeing, diving, sailing and fishing await the adventuresome, and Spa Terre specializes in luxurious Indonesian treatments.

9. MacArthur Place Inn & Spa, Sonoma, California
MacArthur Place Inn & Spa is a Victorian inn on 300 acres with its own gardens and orchards. Suites and cottages offer two-person hydrotherapy tubs, fireplaces, sitting areas, and patios or balconies overlooking the gardens. The Garden Spa features treatments inspired by wine country, like grapeseed scrubs.

10. Mirbeau Inn & Spa, Skaneateles, New York
Mirbeau has 34 chateau-style rooms overlooking gardens, each with a fireplace and a bath big enough for two. Located in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York, this intimate retreat has treatments like the Orange parfait – a milk

Top 10 Destination Spas

Destination spas are a select group of spas that immerse you in healthy living. All-inclusive prices include rooms, meals, classes, lectures and sometimes treatments. Prices range from $250 per person, per day, (double) at the Red Mountain Spa in Ivins, Utah, to $8,000 per week at The Golden Door in Escondido, Ca. For budget travel, check out best cheap destination spas. Destination spas have minimum stays of two or three nights, and a few require you stay a week.

1. Canyon Ranch Tucson
Canyon Ranch Tucson is the ultimate “wellness spa” where people jumpstart a healthy new lifestyle. The staff and programming is unparalled, with medical doctors, exercise physiologists, movement therapists, etc. It also has fabulous facilities and outdoor programs. The Tucson, Arizona property accommodates 240 guests in adobe cottages on 150 acres in the foothills of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

2. Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires
Canyon Ranch in Lenox serves the East Coast with the same commitment to wellness and healthy living as the Tucson property. Set on 120 woodland acres in Western Massachusetts, Canyon Ranch Lenox accommodates 200 guests in 126 newly remodeled guest rooms and suites.

3. Golden Door
Golden Door in Escondido, Calif., is a women-only spa that serves no more than 40 guests. Wooden walkways link a series of serene garden courtyards inspired by the ancient inns of Japan. It has 377 acres of Japanese gardens, orchards and waterfalls and a Japanese bathhouse. This spa emphasizes individualized service and guiding guests toward a balance of mind, body and spirit. Men are welcome during men-only weeks.

4. Miraval Life in Balance
Set on 135 acres at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains in , Catalina, Arizona, Miraval has 106 adobe-style casitas, most with private patios. buildings and great views. While it offers spa cuisine, it also serves alcohol and wine. Its signature programs is the “Equine Experience,” where working with a horse gives you insight into how you deal with people -- and life.

5. Mii Amo
Bordering a national forest two hours from Phoenix, Mii Amo in Sedona is a village of six adobe casitas near the Spa, within walking distance of the larger Enchantment Resort. The hottest service here is an “Aura-Soma” reading of your life based on the colored bottles you choose from more than 100. Read a review of Mii Amo .

6. Lake Austin Spa Resort
The food is so good at this spa on a lake outside Austin you'll have a hard time believing the calorie counts. With just 40 rooms it's easy to meet people, but the spa is lavish. Outdoor treatment spaces with screened porches, garden tents, poolside cabanas and a private couple's suite. Separate men's and women's wet areas, two swimming pools, native gardens, cascading streams and fountains, and more than 100 spa treatments. Read a review of Lake Austin Spa Resort

7. Red Mountain Spa
If you love adventure and are inspired by Southwestern scenery, Red Mountain Spa in Ivins, Utah, is for you. Try rock climbing, go kayaking or mountain bike through rugged terrain. The heart of the spa is its hiking program and outstanding outdoors guides. It’s also a beautifully designed resort, with unusually good spa cuisine and a wine list. And it's one of the most affordable spas in the Top Ten. Read a review of Red Mountain Spa

8. Green Valley Spa, St. George, Utah.
This spa is just a few miles from Red Mountain Spa and has a reputation of being a little more luxurious and pampering. Right on the edge of both town and public lands, it has an extensive hiking program. It also offers Tennis College on its 15 outdoor and four indoor courts, and has a Golf Learning Center. You can play on any of six nearby courses.

9. Cal-a-Vie, Vista, California.
This elegant weight-loss spa is set on 200 rolling acres north of San Diego. Its 24 guest cottages are decorated in elegant European style. Most people come to stay for an entire week and eat spa cuisine and follow a highly programmed exercise agenda, but shorter stays are possible It has both co-ed and women-only weeks throughout the year.

10. Mayflower Inn & Spa
One of New EnglandÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s most opulent inns, The Mayflower in Washington, Connecticut, has reinvented itself as an destination spa -- from Monday through Friday. It accommodates just 28 women at any one time in a super-luxurious atmosphere. There are co-ed and menÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s weeks during the year.

Best Cheap Destination Spas

Are you looking for a cheap destination spa? There are plenty to choose from, as long as you don't mind modest accommodations.

At these cheap destination spas, prices include meals and classes, which are extra at most resort spas .

Spa treatments are included in some packages at these budget spas, or you can buy them "a la carte". Spa treatment prices are less expensive than at luxury spas because the facilities are more modest. Prices at the cheap destination spas on this list start at $750 per person per week for people who bunk four-to-a-room at Tennessee Fitness Spa in Waynesboro, Tennessee.

Best Cheap Destination Spas

Birdwing Spa in Litchfield, Minnesota. Just 70 miles from Minneapolis, this cheap destination spa is set on 300 acres with a private lake. Lots of hiking, biking and canoeing. Guests stay in a chalet or a converted red barn with guest suites. 320-693-6064

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa, Jesmond, Clinton, British Columbia, Canada. If you like horseback riding, this is the spa for you. This is a working ranch where you can help collect eggs, or go get a Thai treatment. 250- 459-2386

Fitness Ridgeis a weight-loss spa in St. George, Utah, with a serious hiking program on 1,200 calories a day. 20 comfortable motel-style rooms in a brown cinderblock building with an outdoor pool. 888-870-2639.

The Heartland Spa, Gilman, Illinois.. Just ninety miles south of Chicago, this health and fitness retreat is set on a 32-acre in farm country. Features include a spring-fed lake and a High Ropes course. Once a dairy farm, this spa offers quaint accommodations. 815-683-2182

Hills Health Ranch, 108 Mile Ranch, British Columbia.. Situated in the middle of 20,000 acres of ranchland, this spa specializes in weight loss, hiking and horsebeack riding. 800-668-2233.

New Age Health Spa, Neversink, New York. This is a friendly, rustic destination spa in the Catskills, just two hours from New York City. 800-682-4348. Read my review of New Age Health Spa.

The Oaks at Ojai, Ojai, California. This is a converted inn right on Ojai's main drag, with a real weight-loss focus. It's about a 90 minute drive from Los Angeles. 800-753-6257

Tennessee Fitness Spa, Waynesboro, Tennessee. . Located 95 miles from Nashville, in the lush woods of Tennessee, this is a small, cheap spa, especially if you bunk four to a room. Everyone gets a fitness evaluation and goes on a 1200-1400 calorie diet. Chalet-style accommodations are simple. Closed December to early March. 800-753-6257

Copperhood Spa, Shandaken, New York. Set right on The Esopus river in the Northern Catskills, near Woodstock, this well-kept inn offers lots of outdoor activities and classes.

Deerfield Spa in the Pocono Mountains in Stroudsburg. Pennsylvania., This small, homey spa on 12 acres in the Pocono Mountains has a weight loss focus. It accommodates just 33 guests at a time. Closed November through early April.

Spa Eastman in Montreal, Canada.Forty-four rooms are spread over seven pavilions It has many packages, including a three-night "naturopathic package" that includes a naturopathic consultation, hot stone massage and body treatments.

Best Spas in Canada

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Canada has lots of great hotel and resort spas.

This list represents my top picks for the best overnight spas in Canada. It includes both hotel and resort spas, where you can sample as little or as much of the spa experience as you want, and destination spas, which offer a complete immersion experience with an emphasis on transformation and self-improvement. Many resort spas welcome clients on a day spa basis.

Best Hotel and Resort Spas In Canada

Ancient Cedars Spa, Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino, British Columbia

Stillwater Spa at Park Hyatt Toronto, Toronto, Ontario

Willow Stream the Spa, Fairmont Banff Springs Resort, Banff, Alberta

The Avello Spa at The Westin Resort & Spa, Whistler, British Columbia

Yoga Retreats & Yoga Vacations with Health Habitravels

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YOGA ENHANCED LUXURY ADVENTURE TRAVEL, ECOTOURS, CULTURAL TOURS, HEALTH SPA VACATIONS AND YOGA RETREATS

Yoga is an ancient movement practice that balances, strengthens and stretches body, mind and spirit. It can be purely physical, or go deeper to include meditation, and explore the metaphysical and spiritual aspects of existence.

In the 1960s a smattering of free thinkers, following the lead of super stars like The Beatles, went to ashrams in remote places in the Far East to study Yoga with gurus. Now there are Yoga studios on every street corner across America, and over 30 million people in the USA alone practice Yoga.

Unique Yoga Vacations & Yoga Retreats with HHT

There are different types of Yoga, and elements of Yoga are often incorporated into Pilates, strength training and dance classes. Sound Yogas such as chanting and drumming are additional branches of the ancient practice.

Accessible Yoga forms are included in Health Habitravels (HHT) adventure travels, ecotours, cultural tours, health spa vacations and retreats. If you're new to Yoga, what better place to discover this life enhancing healing tool than on holiday. If you already have an on going Yoga practice, the varied types of mind-body sessions offered by HHT may expose you to aspects of Yoga you have never explored.

Depending on which of our spa vacations, health and wellness retreats, luxury adventure travels, ecotours or cultural tours selected, the following various unique Yoga movement options may be available, taught by Tannis as well as other experts:

GYROKINESIS®: Known originally as "Yoga for dancers", these classes include acu-Yoga (self-massage) - Kundalini Yoga - pranayama (breath work), elements of Qi Gong, and Sufi trance-dance.

SOUND HEALING: Meditation and chanting led by expert sound healers using ancient instruments such as Tibet bowls, Peruvian healing vessels, chimes, flutes and chanting.

DRUM CIRCLES: A communal form of sound Yoga, led by an expert facilitator, and recognized by the American Heart Association as a wonderful heart illness healer.

WALKING MEDITATIONS: Guided hikes either silent or with focused intention, or walking labyrinths and mazes.

SWEAT LODGE: A safe place to learn about and experience the healing ceremonial practices of indigenous peoples of many destinations visited.

SACRED CEREMONIES: A chance to participate in ancient Earth honoring ceremonies at sacred sites.

PARTNER STRETCH: Partners and singles welcome - Release tensions through isometrics and partner stretches. Alternating isometric pressure with release alleviates pent up stress. This session we'll go for the extra stretch by using available hard surfaces (floor, chairs, tables etc.), as well as our own resistance - AND include partner stretch/releases with other attendees.

MOVEMENT CLINIC: A place to work on specific problems and goals. We will move, but also talk through each individual's issues and needs so bring paper and pencil and be ready to take notes.

GENTLE YOGA: A 30-60 minutes soothing mix of stress-reducing deep breathing and basic Hatha Yoga asanas that increase flexibility and open and balance the chakras, ending with a restful meditation that's guaranteed to send you floating out of the studio.

STANDING CORE: An inside-out tone and sculpt energy blast that melds Pilates mat principles with Yoga balance poses. Thera-bands, Yoga blocks and isometric resistance add challenges to this Pilates/Yoga fusion.

OUR YOGA RETREATS: We believe mind-body practices add immensely to any travel BUT we do not travel to distant destinations intent on devoting many hours a day to Yoga practice. If you are seeking a classic Yoga retreat that isolates you from the outside world in order to help you deepen your Yoga practice, then our programs will not meet your needs. We do "retreat" on shorter getaways, and a portion of our longer vacation adventures may be dedicated to inner-explorations in beautiful venues such as renovated monasteries and convents, temples, and remote retreat centers.

Health Habitravels specializes in unique vacation travel programs with mind-body practices that are harmoniously woven into environmentally conscious adventure travels, ecotours, and cultural tours infused with the comfort of luxury amenities.

Essential Yoga

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Yoga exercises are one of the best low-impact exercises for power, endurance training and balance. It’s also true that variety poses can control the health, organs ands different body systems.
There are thirty essential yoga poses, which can be done in a class or at home, available in book form or DVD. Here are just a few.

Downward Facing Dog Pose: Downward facing dog is best known vital yoga poses it is a rejuvenating stretch that helps the brain to calm down and get relieve stress and alleviate mild depression. Along with it, it stretches the calves, shoulders, arches, hamstrings, and the hands. It also strengthens the arms and legs.

Cobra Pose: This yoga pose helps in stretching the chest, shoulders, lungs and abdomen, which fits down the spine and firms the buttocks. It’s therapeutic for people suffering from asthma as it helps to relieve stress and fatigue and stimulates your abdominal organs.

Child’s Pose: The child yoga pose calmly stretches the thighs, hips and ankles. It gives peace to the brain and also lowers down stress. It is one of the most well known pose for getting relieve from neck and back pain.

Lotus Pose: The lotus pose is tough to master. It is very beneficial pose but for it one must do regular practice and requires flexible hips. This yoga poses lower menstrual discomfort, ease childbirth and calm the brain.

The main goal of yoga is to cleanse the mind and body. However, nowadays many people are starting yoga not just for the spiritual benefits, but also because they know that it’s a good way of improving overall body conditioning as well.
Some of the benefits of yoga include:

1. Strengthens muscle tone
2. Your energy levels increase
3. Increased flexibility
4. You get more endurance
5. Overweight people usually experience some weight loss

If you’re just starting out with yoga, it can be helpful to learn a few simple yoga poses, which can help you with your everyday health. People with certain injuries or illnesses, should consult their doctor first.

Here are some yoga accessories you will need in your regular practices.

Yoga mats

A Yoga mat is an essential accessory for Yoga practice, whether it is a standard non- slip mat, ultra sticky or even an Indian Yoga rug mat. This is because it is essential to have a good surface that supports posture and is safe to work on. By far the most popular style is the sticky-mat. It is so called because it grips the floor and does not slide. Yoga mats are useful accessories, but not absolutely essential.

The good thing about having your own mat is that just by laying down on it, you get attuned and immersed into your own personal yoga space. It sharpens the focus and awareness and also helps create the right mental state for a session.

Yoga blocks

Yoga blocks are simple tools that help you ease into difficult poses, by aligning, stretching and strengthening your body without strain.

Yoga straps

Yoga straps help you grasp your limbs that are normally out of reach. They also help you hold poses longer, and greatly increase flexibility.

Fitness and yoga

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During the past few years the image of yoga has changed gradually. While in earlier days, when one would think about the term yoga one would think of a group of people in white, sometimes standing on their heads and at other times doing strong breathing. Now, since there is a change in the image and more number of socially known people of the society including celebrities have started giving importance to fitness and yoga, we think of well shaped figures of the icons we fantasize of.

If you want to remain fit by practicing yoga you need to the basic types of it. Yoga, since it is very ancient, most of the types contain the same old postures. What varies from one type to the other is the point of focus. The various reasons for which people practice yoga vary. While some want to increase the strength of the body other may want to increase the flexibility. Depending on these requirements the various types of yoga change their focus. Some of the yoga types also focus mainly on breathing, relaxation and meditation to have fitness thru yoga.

Specifically talking about the west, most of their yoga styles, followed by the people believing in fitness and yoga, have been derived from a type of yoga called Hatha yoga. Being a general term, Hatha yoga actually refers to one of the branches of ancient philosophy of India. The Hatha yoga uses a combination of moral discipline and physical exercises to help people achieve control and maintain balance between mind and body. The hatha yoga includes many aspects of yoga like postures called asanas, breathing and meditation. However the people in the west were able to adopt only the physical parts and could not practice the moral disciplines and even the breathing and meditation. Since each yoga style is meant to focus on different aspects, without following all the basic principles of hatha yoga it is not possible to attain the mental balance just by practicing physical exercises.

One of the styles of yoga is called Asthanga yoga. Those who believe that fitness and yoga are to increase strength, stamina and flexibility of the body should practice Asthanga yoga. However this style is not recommended for beginners because the participants are required to jump from one asana to other. Also if they find it very demanding, the difficult level might discourage them. For those who are not new to yoga and want to concentrate on increasing strength, flexibility and stamina, Asthanga yoga is the best option. They should however be ready for one hour of jumping from one posture to another.

One of the American developments of Ashtanga yoga is also called power yoga. This yoga also contains some parts from outside Ashtanga yoga as well. Power yoga is said to be good for athletes and those who want to tone up their body.

Another type of yoga made of 26 Hatha yoga asanas is called Bikram yoga. Since it is practiced in a heated room, it is also called hot yoga. Because of the heat it is possible for the participants to go into deeper poses in safer manner.

Hatha Yoga

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The main aim of Hatha yoga is to attain a good physical health by following its disciplines thru the control of the mind. Here controlling the mind to follow the disciplines is more important than attaining a superior muscular physique. By reaching the state of heightened awareness Hatha yoga can help to move towards a better health and a calm mind. This state of our body helps us to remain away from stress and solve our personal problems more efficiently and effectively.

There are many other options for a better physical health like swimming, weight lifting, dancing, sports including athletics and many others. All these exercises help us to attain a good physique and strengthen our muscles. But these are all physical. These have nothing for your mind. Hatha yoga has a lot more to provide. Hatha yoga may not be and easy and fast way for physical culture but it helps us to have a much better control over the body by awakening the mind and the spirit.

Also, because they involve fast physical movement, it goes beyond the capacity of those who are aged or lame or physically frail. Where as Hatha yoga being a static science does not have these kinds of limitations for them. In yoga the body is kept in a posture or asana for a longer period of time. The focus is to give stress to specific organs and muscles of our body. Movement in Hatha yoga is very gentle, slow and graceful. So it is possible for any one to take the benefits of Hatha yoga irrespective of their age, sex, religion, or any walk of life. It is a science, universally known.

Our physical health is given a lot of importance by the philosophy of Lord Buddha. His philosophy is based on those Vedas on which the yoga depends. A perfect physical health, according to him is the first step on the way of spiritual freedom. On the way of learning and practicing Hatha yoga you will come across people who might try to drag you against this by saying that standing upside down or sitting in various posture by twisting your body will not help you to reach a state of heightened consciousness. Don’t worry because you have science with you to understand and explain. An impure blood would make a negative effect on the brain, the nerves, the psycho-spiritual life and even the thoughts. If the body is not pure and healthy it is not possible to control the mind.

A good and correct knowledge of yoga once collected and implemented will start affecting every part of your daily life. You will find a change in the way you behave with people around yourself, i.e. the way you sit, talk, walk, sleep, breathe and eat. When we talk about eating, it is important to state that even the most hardcore meat eaters have been influenced by the yoga’s doctrine of non-violence. It has made them to think about vegetarian diet as the experiences during yoga makes them distasteful of all forms of killings and violence.

Kriya yoga

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A kundalini oriented yoga and a meditation technique, kriya yoga also teaches certain spiritual and esoteric principles. It is more popular among those people who wish to go for a deeper, more spiritual relationship with their lives. Kriya yoga emphasizes on the need of a guru i.e. a master and unlike other such disciplines it follows the principle that your power lies outside yourself.

The aim with which Kriya yoga is practiced is very appealing and promising. It focuses on removing the obstructions and obstacles from the mind and the body of the individual practicing it. It is further more interesting because the obstructions and obstacles are not the same globally. While something might be an obstacle or obstruction for one may not be the same for the other. The whole process explains the importance of maintaining your own sovereignty in mind and action.

The credit of bringing Kriya yoga to the west goes to Yoganand. He initiated in 1920’s by giving importance to self realization by addressing both the spiritual as well as physical aspects.

The six main kriyas called the shat karma include – Kapalbhati i.e. cleansing of brain and lungs, Trataka – cleansing and controlling eyes, Cleansing of intestinal and abdominal parts is called Nauli, Washing of nostrils with water is called Neti. Washing the stomach with water is Dhauti and the last is the cleaning of the rectum and colon called Basti, some also call it vasti.

Karma yoga, Bhakti yoga and Jnana yoga are the three streams of yoga from which the techniques of Kriya yoga have been derived. Movement of the soul inside and outside the mind is the aspect focused on by Karma yoga. Bhakti yoga concentrates on bringing people together by spreading love and coming to terms with the people around. The Jnana yoga talks about the freedom of mind. The objective of self realization can be achieved most quickly thru Kriya yoga when compared to any other method of doing the same.

The basic purpose behind combining the body and the soul is purification. Kriya yoga begins with preparing the body, which is done in more than one ways. Some find Hatha yoga as one of the best ways as a preparatory exercises although it may not be a good option for those who find themselves less flexible. There are other alternatives available for them.

Then, comes the preparation of mind. It is very essential for the mind to be focused correctly. By doing all this techniques used in Kriya yoga ensure over all wellness, purity and cleanliness of mind and body and to quite an extent it includes the principles of metaphysics. The later part along with the former in a sense refines the brain and the nervous system.

To experience the depth of meditation the Kriya yoga techniques also teach the mantras. Here the tuning of the body is done using the sound technology. It might not sound convincing to the beginners but the sound technology actually works. But the direction in which it tunes the body depends on the type of music we play.

Kundalini Yoga

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Kundalini yoga is one of the common spiritual types of Yoga. Kundalini yoga is a physical and meditative control, including a set of simple techniques. It uses the mind, senses and body to create a communication between mind and body. Generally Kundalini Yoga is known as the yoga of prana. Prana is the life energy we have inside our body. In Kundalini Yoga people wants to harness this incredible power through concentration and meditation.

The basic meaning of Kundalini in Sanskrit language is coiled-up, that refers to a hidden force in our body, which is the important thing for all forms of self-healing, higher cognition, and creative genius. Though labels vary, spiritual methodologies from many cultures recognize and revere this same energy of spirit.

To practice Kundalini yoga one has to take the maximum care. This Kundalini yoga is advisable for people to practice under the proper guidance of a holy teacher. The powers of Kundalini yoga can easily be misused causing a lot of problems for the seeker. Kundalini yoga mainly focuses on psycho-spiritual growth and the body's potential for maturation. It also gives particular consideration to the function of the spine and the endocrine system in the understanding of yogic awakening.

Kundalini Yoga generally involves a grouping of other types of yoga such as Laya, Raja, Mantra, Tantra, and Hatha. The main aim of this yoga is to activate and balance the seven chakras in the body, the Kundalini energy found in the spine. Kundalini yoga is a technology from this yoga you can access energy gracefully. This system acts as a recompense for the pressures of life so one can feel healthy and happy.

It is a dynamic system combining various activities such as inhalation, movement, stretching meditation, the use of sound and rhythm, relaxation and meditation. Each and every yoga class commonly involves spinal column and flexibility warm-ups, a specific sequence for the energy or day at hand, and a relaxation and meditation. Kundalini yoga has literally thousands of exercise sets and meditations. This yoga recognizes that a nervous system, and healthy glandular systems are essential to live a life of discipline and happiness.

Kundalini yoga style focuses on the spiritual aspects of yoga such as mind, body, and soul connection with the goal of taking the yoga participant to a place beyond just the physical body. Performing breathing, mantras, body locks and meditation etc awakens different parts of the body and brain. Kundalini yoga is good for everyone who is looking to take his or her yoga practice beyond the physical attachment. Kundalini yoga is more beneficial in dealing with addictions, and many people find it a natural way of releasing endorphins just by breathing and doing the poses.

Benefits of Kundalini Yoga are: This type of yoga reduces the stress and increases physical strength, flexibility, energy level and lung capacity for better health.

It strengthens the nervous system and immune system in your body.
It is very useful in balance of emotions.
Kundalini encourages mental clarity and sense of peace.
It enlivens sense of awareness.
Kundalini yoga supports and encourages personal transformation and growth.

Light Yoga

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Light yoga is a healing discipline and transformational. It is a practice of healing discipline for body and mind. It is enormous compilation of spiritual skills and practices where all destined at integrating body, mind and spirit by attaining a state of enlightenment with the creation. It makes body relaxed and to feel good, strong, toned, graceful and flexible. In order to get all the requirements commitment of light yoga is required. It makes the body relief and exhaustion, tone the body that improves posture, flexibility and concentration, cures the respiratory and digestion disorders such as bronchitis and asthma.

Light yoga includes physical exercise generally known as asanas or postures that are designed to balance the body both mentally and physically. Its asanas energizes both body spirit and mind and it is the best remedy for despair, insomnia and nervousness. These asanas are considered to open channels of body so that energy can flow freely. Light yoga is a very effective physical exercise for athletics where it helps to improve body balance, flexibility, core strength and endurance. Many styles of yoga ranges from dynamic, active, movements that link one posture to another.

Light yoga is for every individual who just want to get relief from stress or a specific physical condition. Many practices of yoga asanas can relieve aches and pains that boost the body immune system that brings sense of happiness and internal harmony. Yoga asanas like postures, meditation and optimistic thinking and relaxation methods helps to generate body constancy and harmony in individual lives. Meditation is one of the most practices of yoga where it creates inner serenity and a pleasant outlook with peaceful mind.

Light yoga works on all the areas of body such as it improves body and mind connectivity, increases mental focus, it improves posture, breathing and digestion, completely alleviates stress from severe back pain, hyper tension, arthritis, Rheumatic pains, heart diseases and other muscular injuries. Increases the blood circulation, body stamina, muscle toning, energy, strength and conditioning, helps to built spiritual or deeper aspect of individual and improves concentration and awareness, helps to manage insomnia, worries and depression.

Many different asanas in light yoga focus on different parts of body to make them active and energetic. The asanas, sadhanas and postures of light yoga are simply various techniques and approaches that all lead to the purpose of illumination and unification. Light yoga is not a religious belief but it’s a spiritual practice of asanas and meditation, which does not require any particular belief system to participate.

Various practices of yoga are simply different approaches and methods that all lead to the same goal of unification and enlightenment. The physical practices of light yoga such as breathing, gentle stretching and meditation release body and mind tensions and it helps to control the emotions and nervous system. It gives complete concentration and attention. The practice of Light yoga exercises gives relaxation and healing benefits and it also daily rejuvenation and sustenance of the body and mind spirit.

Meditation and Yoga

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Considered to be an art as well as a science meditation and yoga together are practiced to coordinate and integrate all the aspects of our lives so that we continue to directly deal with consciousness by systematically observing accepting understanding every level of our being.

Yoga itself being meditation, today yoga and meditation are actually not two separate parts. However, some believe that yoga is only about physical postures called asanas there are others who think yoga meditation as one complete activity which has very little to do with our physical body.

As per the Himalayan tradition, practicing the combination of meditation and yoga means systematic workout of body, breath and various levels of mind beyond consciousness. According to them, the whole science of meditation and yoga is divided into various small parts each with a unique system of meditation has been given a separate name. In addition to having broad range of systematic practices at all levels meditation and yoga as per Himalayan tradition is holistic as well.

Meditation is process that has many stages. To begin with one requires something to focus on. The point of focus can be a religious symbol or visualization of some image of a God, just your breath or some of your internal part. This object of focus is required to concentrate upon. Initially a person starts with concentrating on an object and then the focus is shifted to the constructs of the object. The next level is the meaning of the construct or the object and going further deep comes the existence of ones own self. The approach is to move the focus from the external most to the inner till one reaches the core, step by step.

Then comes contemplation. It can be in one of the various forms like a reflection, and inspiring sacred text or as it is said in Himalayan tradition – Mahavakyas. The stages included in contemplation are – Thought, Reflection, Intuition and Knowing. The process is similar to meditation as it also moves from the outside to the inside.

Prayers might be different for people of different religion and culture but as per the tradition they are standardized and repetitive. Relationship shifts from verbal to inner spontaneous. Feeling of love and devotion develops deeper. And the last is communion. Prayers for strength and spiritual awakening, gradually move to completion again from external to the very core.

Mantra in particular is of religious significance. They may be in the form of short phrase or a spiritual language like Sanskrit. Steps of practicing Mantra move from Speaking to Hearing, Feeling and finally moving on to Pervasive awareness. Just like Meditation, contemplation and prayer mantra also is practiced by moving inwards.

Yoga actually is derived from the word “Yug” which means bringing together. What is being brought together? All, the aspects of yourself out. They were never actually divided first of all. Although some people like it with certain religions but it is not true because it is more of a science and science does not have any thing to do with a particular religion.

Nassau Yoga

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Yoga is becoming increasingly popular because people are finding it extremely beneficial both for their mind and their body. This has resulted in a combination of mental and physical harmony. Yoga has gained wide popularity in the past decade.

Being somewhat versed in the various branches of yoga, One finds that Nassau yoga is not a type of yoga at all, but rather seems to refer to a place that offers yoga training, or a series of places, if you wish to look at only domestic locations in the United States.

Yoga Schools In Nassau

One particular place of note is a school of yoga in Nassau, on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. This school, known as Sivananda Ashram Yoga Retreat, seems to be centered mainly around the training of teachers so that they might earn their certification and go on to leave Nassau and teach yoga wherever they like. Courses seem to be available throughout the first half of the year and it appears that anyone who can afford the tuition fee is welcome to the school to take the course and earn their certification.

The curriculum sounds expensive, covering a wide variety of topics under the proverbial yoga umbrella, and looks to be absolutely fascinating for anyone wishing to learn more about both the physical and the spiritual inner workings of yoga. This school of yoga near Nassau in the Bahamas not only evokes images of exotic and gorgeous scenery, but verily screams of a vigorous and enthralling usage of time that could be time very well spent.

Yoga in Nassau County, New York seems a little sparse; there is a scattering of studios and clubs available for the yoga enthusiast to join in classes or possibly seek out a personal trainer if they don't have the time or inclination to join a regular class.

In Florida's Nassau County yoga is sure to be found as well, what with the booming popularity of yoga amongst all age groups recently. Considering at least part of Nassau County's border is along the northern coastline of Florida there is a very good chance you will find at least one or two yoga locations where you can meditate to the sound of the ocean waves lapping at the sand and be able to smell the salty sea air as opposed to simply settling for a recording of the sound being played.

All in all, depending on how far you wish to travel, checking out a Nassau location for yoga could provide an interesting adventure, or at least a decent vacation.

For this yoga Sivananda Ashram is known as the best Nassau yoga center for the people who wants to learn this yoga, they are providing detailed training on the subjects of yoga teachers training, Yoga Certification Courses, Yoga healing Courses, Ayurvedic and Nutrition courses and also Yoga specialized Accreditation. The other famous school for Nassau yoga is Matrix Fitness Club, which is providing high quality of yoga training for the people while maintaining the conventional art. Additionally, you can pause any position when you please to study it more cautiously.

Natural Rubber Yoga

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Yoga mats and proper clothing are among the basic items to be considered while planning to practice yoga on a regular basis. Comfortable clothes that breathe well are recommended. The various poses required to be formed make our heads go below our hips. To select from among the range of textures available some super-slick lycra-type pants may allow you to form most of the poses comfortably. Shorts or pants meant for doing the exercise may do the job. Yoga can be practiced in bare feet in any room at home so bulky athletic shoes are not a requirement. As it is most of the yoga places may ask you to keep the shoes outside.

The floor on which we perform yoga is also important. Some of the mats used are specially meant for practicing yoga. The mats that remain stick to the floor are said to be good. This is important because they should not pose slipping problem at the time of yoga. It is also possible to define your personal space by using mat while practicing in a group.

Natural rubber yoga mats are good as there is some amount of cushioning available with them irrespective of however hard they are. Because of the kind of surface they have these mats do not pose slipping problem even if you feel a little sweaty. The surface on both the sides is good for use. The lower lets the natural rubber yoga mat stick to the ground and i.e. the one in contact with the ground and the upper surface is good as it provides the required friction. Natural rubber yoga mats when compared to the ones made of standard rubber are also better in terms of thickness, toughness and denseness. These mats are also environment friendly as they are made of renewable resource. Since the rubber is obtained from the rubber trees most of these are biodegradable and do not normally contain any substance that is harmful to our ozone layer.

You can have an access to natural rubber yoga mats either by buying them for the market of if you have joined some yoga course most of them provide it on rent. The advantage of taking on rent is that you are not required to carry the mat along with you every time you go to the classes. However there can be some disadvantages as well. If you are planning to remain regular for a long time buying a natural rubber yoga mat will be more cost effective when compared to the rented one. Also in case of rented mats, since people other than you will also use them, they might smell bad between washings. And for the carrying problem, nylon and canvas bags are available. You can purchase them along with the natural rubber yoga mat. In addition to carry the mat, the pockets that come with the bag can also be used to store your wallets, keys, etc. Over a period of time as you continue to use them However, most of the classes will allow you to store your mat there if you are going to continue with them for a long time.

One more common item is a blanket. Most of the yoga classes have it with them for their regular visitors so that they can use them during the practice sessions.

Nidra Yoga

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Nidra is a Sanskrit term, which means ‘Sleep’. Nidra yoga is a means of complete relaxation. Nidra yoga is gaining importance at a speed with which the world is becoming more and more materialistic. It is basically thru the process of taking a chance of looking inside ourselves and the beauty there in. By practicing this popular form of yoga you can help yourselves to escape from the external materialistic tensions. The experience of full relaxation makes people enjoy the whole process.

The basic difference between the ordinary sleep and Nidra yoga is consciousness. Nidra yoga is conscious sleep. While practicing Nidra yoga you can be conscious and at the same time experience what you do at the time of sleeping. This actually allows us to scan thru all the aspects of our mind without making any physical efforts. In addition to this we also visualize the different parts of our body one after the other in a cyclic manner.

In the conscious state of our mind, when the two hemispheres of our nervous system are joined together, our reflexes work when ever we touch something very hot by mistake or when a mosquito bytes. The action is over even before we are able to think and understand what has happened. But this is said to the conscious state of mind because the moment we sense something our body responds.

If we go to sleep in a disturbed state of mind we tend to dream negative and continue to remain uncomfortable. Because of the discomfort through out the night, we are not fresh when we get up in the morning. There lies the difference between the ordinary sleep and Nidra yoga. In Nidra yoga since we consciously drive our thoughts we separate the connection between the two hemispheres of the nervous system. Separating the two hemisphere frees the mind from the physical problems of the body. By doing this our mind can go thru experiencing many different environment without actually creating those environment physically. We actually need to be prepared to experience these new things otherwise they can surprise us to the extent of frightening. Whether we try to meditate thru mantra or by concentrating on our breathe or otherwise these experiences can take us all the way away form what we are practicing.

According to the fifth chapter of the Bhagvad Gita that discusses about our nervous system, the brain of a main is like an inverted tree with its roots at the top and the branched and leaves below. Founded and designed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati, nidra yoga has been derived from tantric mode of worship.

The first state of meditation called Pratyahara is also the same in nidra yoga so the practice of nidra yoga in a sense is a way to prepare ourselves. Pratharya is a state of the nervous system when the mind is free from it. This state can not be experienced in the conscious state of mind. If we consider sleeping to be a slow process then the in between stage i.e. before falling asleep and after the state of consciousness is the stage of nidra yoga.

Pregnancy Yoga

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Pregnancy yoga, obviously meant for pregnant women is not only for physical health. It gives good support emotionally and at spiritual levels as well. The physical exercises practiced during pregnancy yoga are planned to make your muscles more flexible keeping in mind the labor at the time of birth. The exercises are so powerful that they take care of the changes taking place in your body. Women who have not tried pregnancy yoga often feel discomfort because of their disability of not being able to do certain things that they had been doing earlier. Anxiety, tiredness, backache, headache, etc. are few of the problems that the pregnant women suffer from. Pregnancy yoga is one of the best cures to these problems, especially because you can remain away from consuming unwanted medicines unnecessarily.

The relaxation and breathing techniques learnt at the time of pregnancy yoga helps a lot during labor and birth. It makes the experience of your motherhood more pleasant. In addition to the breathing techniques, stretching into different postures generates flexibility and power in your body in such a way that you become more aware of your body.

During the phase of pregnancy the body of women undergoes many changes physically and this brings in lot of changes in her emotions as well. Practicing pregnancy yoga helps to adapt to these changes gradually and smoothly. It gives time and space to get connected back to ones own self in this fast working world.

The breathing exercise is used rhythmically to get a regular and natural flow. Inhaling and exhaling the breathe with keeping eyes closed allows you to focus into your inner self. Your own inner feelings become the center of focus.

The techniques of visualization learnt during pregnancy yoga help you to connect to our own thoughts and images in the memory. The way your body reacts to the happenings of the real world, the same way the mind reacts to your thoughts in your memory while visualizing. Once this process starts on a conscious basis you are able to avoid and neglect the negative thoughts and start remembering the positive things in your mind. Positive thoughts make positive impact on the experience at the time of labor and birth.

If you happen to meet other women in the similar stages of their lives, in the pregnancy yoga classes, sharing each other’s experiences will also help you and them. The yoga teacher also helps to create a friendly environment that supports the progress towards your motherhood and the motherhood of all the women that come together.

Because of the changes that take place during pregnancy, the women are required to being changes in their priority and life style. By attending the pregnancy yoga classes, the knowledge you gain about precan help you towards a gradual and effortless change over. There is a new life inside you. You are able to enjoy and get connect to it thru deep breathe. This also tunes your body as per your needs and the needs of the miracle happening in your body.

Prenatal Yoga

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Prenatal Yoga really helps to improve the experience of pregnancy; by helping the body to handle the strain of hormonal changes and also weight problems. Many expectant mothers report that prenatal yoga is very much helpful to reduce some common problems like aches and discomforts which are related with pregnancy. Weekly two 30-minute sessions are required for a pregnant woman.

Prenatal yoga is considered to be the most amazing facts, that the science of yoga has positive effect on pregnancy for the mother and her child. In the period of pregnancy woman can change her mind to give birth to her child in full awareness, with maximum practice of prenatal yoga.

Prenatal yoga is the part of vast and very old sciences of yoga, which mainly includes the proper usage of the postures, movement and breathing system, along with the meditation from the conventional art of other types of yoga such as Kundalini yoga and Hatha yoga. It is a technical and disciplined mode of synchronizing the actions, postures and breathing system, helping in easy delivery, if possible, in full consciousness along with reducing the chances of post delivery difficulties.

These Prenatal yoga classes involving moderate yoga practice are particularly designed for pregnant women. These practices are more useful to create strength, flexibility and consciousness for the expectant mothers under a harmless and positive atmosphere by refreshing the minds of the mothers.

Advantages of this System

Similar to other subjects of yoga, it is blessed with a various components, which are really helpful for expectant mothers in spite of of their age. Prenatal yoga usually include a safe and gentle actions that help maintain good health of the mothers-to-be and with the development of their patience, the system also increases the body’s strength and flexibility along with maintaining the proper functioning of the various organs in the body.

Regular practice of prenatal yoga maintains the proper tone of your muscles and also helpful for proper functioning of the lungs by increasing it’s breathing capacity. This prenatal yoga practice has a positive impact on pregnant women to reduce mental stress problems due to pregnancy and it also focuses on physical strength and emotional preparation for childbirth.

This yoga system helps to increase the general consciousness regarding the delivery time and parenting the child, and at the same time it also moderates the problems associated with pregnancy.

Prenatal Yoga Classes

People who are attending prenatal yoga classes should tell their instructor about their previous injuries or present problems. The scholars should reveal all the relevant facts about health and injuries and they should attend the class in free and very comfortable clothing, which would help her to breath very easily and perform the necessary postures at ease.

These yoga classes are generally held in the rooms, which may have hard wooden floors, so it is suggested that the learners should bring mats for their yoga practice. If learners take maximum care and concentrate more on practice, they and their children can get expected results.
Prenatal Yoga classes have been catching on, within some hospitals, clinics, and Yoga studios, but there are surprising number of Yoga teachers and students, who take risks due to lack of awareness about the potential hazards.

Raja Yoga

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The art of yoga is divided into six branches; of which Raja Yoga depicts the yoga of meditation. The other five branches comprise of Karma Yoga, the yoga of action, Bhakti Yoga the yoga of faith and love in the Divine, Tantra Yoga, the yoga of ceremony, Jnana Yoga, the yoga of knowledge and Hatha Yoga, the yoga of exercise. Each of these branches of yoga caters for people of different temperaments.

While pursuing Raja Yoga, the aspirant tends to strive for enlightment through meditation. This is the right form of yoga for those of contemplative nature as meditation is a great means of stilling the mind and opening it to cosmic energy. This is yoga that comprises of the repetition of mantra through a series of sounds having spiritual power.

It was Patanjali who declared Raja Yoga about 5,000 years ago which concentrates on stilling the mind to permit Cosmic openness. This can be attained by sitting cross legged while repeating a mantra, word or words with spiritual power. It could be the ‘Om’ to the ‘Hare Ram, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Hare, Hare’ to the Gayathri mantra, which runs a few lines.

When first practicing Raja Yoga, you may be aware of all other thoughts in the mind; however once you stop getting attached to them, and avoid concentrating on them while concentrating on the mantra, you find that your mind becomes less engrossed with other thoughts and lets only the mantra occupy the mind. This is the point where you become detached and are able to watch other thoughts that grow in the mind, but not get attached to them. This is when you find that the thoughts get stilled and tend to feel the first glimmerings of being with the Creator.

Raja Yoga is a branch of yoga that concentrates on the modification and control of the mind. The mind exists in five states of mind that ranges from the material to the spiritual states. The Kshipta state is when the mind isn’t centered only in the present, but deals with the past and future as well. The Mudha state is when the mind is less unsettled but is forgetful and foolish.

The Vikshipta state is the state when the mind gets distracted while trying to meditate. The Ekagra state is when the mind becomes one-pointed through repeated practice of concentration. And the Niruddha state is when the mind is under complete control and when spiritual enlightment, Samadhi, is reached. This is when one feels as if there is unity with the Creator.

The purpose of Raja Yoga is to reach Niruddha state where the practical benefits of the material world are experienced through greater mind control. It is possible to work with better efficiency through concentration with Raja Yoga. With Raja Yoga, life becomes better as thoughts are more centered on here and now, and less on the future and past. With Raja Yoga, you tend to reach a state of final and ultimate liberation.

Sahaja Yoga

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Yoga is a beautiful means of meditation and relaxation and is found divided into numerous branches and methods. One unique method of yoga is Sahaja Yoga which is based on self realization. It combines some aspects of Tantra Yoga in it, and is something every one should practice and use in their lives.

Several processes are used to create inner transformation through Sahaja Yoga where you become united, balanced and integrated on the overall. People who have pride and respect all religions and their founders are the people who practice Sahaja Yoga. These people think that they are a part of the single tree of life. Once Sahaja Yoga is started, you are sure to find immediate benefits like stress relief and a feeling of peace and contentment.

Sahaja Yoga not only offers you mental benefits, but also physical benefits like the alleviation, prevention and cure of numerous illnesses. It is the perfect means to attain balance and the highest level of enlightenment. Sahaja Yoga aims at helping you give up self destructive habits of life like smoking, drugs, drinking and overeating. This then helps you live a healthy, balanced and normal lifestyle.

Sahaja Yoga is predicted to be a type of yoga which proves to be beneficial in creating a both a world and society that is peace loving. This is because Sahaja Yoga provides people with an authentic and true means of attaining personal and spiritual growth. There are on negative aspects in Sahaja Yoga and only aims at making people feel better. And to make Sahaja Yoga accessible to all, there is no need of paying for its classes. This way, everyone, regardless of their financial situation, can take up Sahaja classes. Neither do conductors of Sahaja Yoga classes have any funding from charitable sources of governmental agencies for the running of the classes. This is basically because there is no need of any support to conduct classes in Sahaja Yoga.

Sahaja Yoga is considered to be a different type of Yoga as it begins with self realization instead of making it the unobtainable dream of a distant goal. With the help of Sahaja Yoga, it is possible to meditate faster, without going through penances while living with families and in your society. This is because with the self realization that Sahaja Yoga offers you, you become your own gurus or guides.

You tend to become collectively conscious through Sahaja Yoga and become one with the pure Spirit. With self realization established, it is nourished through attention and regular meditation through which it is possible to find out why you are here, and what you consider to be the destiny of your life.

There are no restrictions in practicing Sahaja Yoga. People of all castes, races, religions, nationalities, age or sex can practice Sahaja Yoga to enjoy its physical, mental, spiritual and emotional benefits. Practice it and you are sure to enjoy and realize its benefits of Self Realization and feel how it changes your life and your attitude and perspective to life.

Tantra Yoga

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Yoga is such a big subject of study that one might spend the whole life and still continue to be a student. It is more so with Tantra yoga. Information available about tantra yoga is many times misleading and distorted. Since this stream of yoga has migrated thru the whole of Asia there are lots of mysteries related to it. It is too complex to be generalized. People practicing Tantra yoga on a regular basis come to know so much new about it every day that they always find themselves to be beginners.

Being more of a practical subject than theoretical much of its vast exposure cannot be understood just by reading books. As far as practicing it is concerned it is a must to have a competent teacher of Tantra yoga who can keep us away from the myths, false beliefs and partial truths existing, related to this subject. Some of the misinformation is as follows.

First of all there are two schools of thoughts The Dakshinachara and the Vamachara Path. People of western culture following Dakshinachara path also call it the right-handed path. It is not a usual practice to follow ritualized sex in Tantra yoga schools. The genuine spiritual followers of Tantra yoga worship Shiva. The Dakshinacharya path teaches tolerance to move towards constructive aspects of life. Tantra yoga is divided into 4 branches that include – Bhakti yoga, Kundalini yoga, Mantra yoga and Yantra yoga.

Much different from this is the Vamachara Path also called the Left Handed path. The followers of this path of Tantra yoga indulge in ritual sex. They consume intoxicants like alcohol etc. They believe in eating meat and sacrificing animals.

Although there are a very few followers of Tantra yoga, but the followers of the present times practice it with out a proper teacher and hence they are direction less. There attempt to include magic and witchcraft into this new age Tantra yoga can be dangerous, especially without any proper guidance. Although most of these new age Tantra yogis and yoginis prefer to remain isolated, there are others who do not mind going public using the services of Internet with an objective to find different sex partners.

Because of some wrong concepts spreading today, individuals and couples having sexual problems refer to Tantra yoga teacher instead of seeking help from qualified professionals of the subject. All of us need to understand that the Tantra yoga teachers are not qualified sex doctors or therapist. Receiving incorrect counseling from non-professional sources can magnify the problem instead. In fact if you happen to come across a sex professional who calls himself a Tantra teacher, it is better to get confirm information about him before subscribing to his services.

The religious fundamentalists and orthodox Hindus do not favor Vamachara Path. They always look at suspiciously like they do for Hatha yoga.

The spiritual experiences of Tantra yoga although raise many questions about the nature of reality and experience but helps us to find our own unique path to the divine. Shiv and Shakti are the divine tantric couple in the tantric cosmology.

Yoga Apparel

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Due to the hectic urban life styles in the whole world, most of the people nowadays, suffer from stress and fatigue. Besides medication the healthcare advisor recommend practicing Yoga for coming out such physical and mental conditions. Performing Yoga involves doing different kinds of physical postures, varying from delicate poses to more complex postures. This is the basic reason why it is most important to considering the types of Yoga Apparels to be worn while practicing Yoga so that you can attain the most benefit out of practicing it. There is no need of getting really puzzled in choosing the appropriate clothing for the Yoga performance. You can consider the following clues for selecting the right Yoga Apparels for your Yoga practice.

1. One of the foremost concepts in selecting your Yoga Apparels is the body comfort. The chosen clothes should allow you to make trouble free movements of your body. Else they would obstruct the circulation of blood in the body. Insist on wearing the loose clothing or clothes made from super fine elastic materials such as spandex. Besides, Yoga, you can even use such clothing during other exercises like meditation practice too.

2. If possible you should use shorts during the Yoga practice, as it will enable you check whether your knees, ankles and feet are properly aligned while performing Yoga Asana.

3. For the women performing Yoga it is suggested to wear the sports bra, if possible.

4. Though, conventionally, the Yoga is supposed to be performed on bare feet, but due to hygiene sake, if anybody likes he can wear sock or put on even shoes, provided it is permitted by the Yoga instructor you are following to. It is better to pre-hand ensure about the same before initiating the Yoga classes.

5. Another important factor is sweat absorption which is required to be looked in properly in the Yoga Apparels. It is advisable to wear the shirt made from organic cotton as that fabric is said to be absorbing the sweat easily and faster. It also provides the optimal comfort levels and helps to breathe very normal and easy.

6. Also before attending the Yoga session, try to rehearse a few of the postures with your outfit for ensuring its fittings and comfort levels, so that you can make the alterations, if any, required to perform the Yoga comfortably.

7. Your personality or get up in the Yoga Apparels is also equally important as the feeling of looking really good will boost your morale for attaining Yoga satisfactorily.

8. Avoid wearing any types of jewellery during the Yoga performance.

Based on the above tips you can perhaps easily select the appropriate Yoga Apparel for your Yoga practicing. Properly adherence to them may help you enjoy your Yoga sessions pleasantly; as we all know that properly performed Yoga will definitely lead you to rather healthier and meaningful life ahead.

Instead of roaming around in the nearby apparel stores, it is suggested to log on to some good internet websites to check out the best bargains and close the deal sitting right within your cozy homes, isn’t it great? Then just click and get going.

Yoga Ball

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Majority of the people living in the urban areas have been noticed of passing very active and frantic lives due to one or the other reasons such as managing their day to day necessities or doing jobs. At the end of the day each of them appear literally exhausted or squeezed by the entire day’s work loads. That is why; perhaps they need to practice some Yoga for relaxing their body and soul. In addition to prescribing some medications for relaxation to the exhausted patients, practicing Yoga is also recommended by most of the physicians all over the world since it is considered as one of the best balanced exercise for both the body and the soul. Regular practice of Yoga is believed to be giving the definite results. Though Yoga is performed under some specific postures and ‘asana’, the objects such as the Yoga Ball is also equally effective.

One can easily notice and well enjoy the advantages of such Yoga Balls if added to their daily or routine Yoga practicing. The Yoga Ball is one of the most adaptable properties for various Yoga postures, depending on the diameter size of the typical Yoga Ball you use in your Yoga practice. These Yoga Balls are usually developed from the most durable vinyl or elastic rubber substance and are so effective to help you gain balancing and support that are required in many of the Yoga postures.

The balls being used as the Yoga Balls are mostly produced from the best quality vinyl or the elastic rubber materials in the different sizes ranging from 55 cm to 85 cm or say 22 inch to 34 inches in its diameters. The Yoga Balls are widely used in different physical therapies as well as physical exercises all over the world nowadays. The Exercise Ball, The Gym Ball, The Pilates Ball, The Sport Ball, The Fit or Fitness Ball, The Stability Ball, The Therapy Ball, The Balance Ball or The Body Ball are all the virtual synonyms of the vinyl of elastic rubber material Yoga Ball and are widely being used in various exercises mostly as per the names given to them. The Yoga Ball is of course larger yet lighter than medicine ball, anyways. However, before all such names the ball was popularly known as the Swiss Ball.

One of the basic advantages of exercising with such a Ball or whatever name you may call it with, as compared to exercising directly on the hard floors or harder flat surfaces, is that the body responds to the flexibility of these balls for remaining balanced as well as attracting much more muscles to do follow the same. After regular such practicing the muscles get stronger over a period of time and manage maintaining balance thereafter. Very often the interior body muscles such as the abdominal muscles or the back muscles are the focus of the exercise ball fitness programs. The Yoga Balls are regularly used as a part of various physical therapy projects especially for the patients suffering from the lower back pain problems.

Yoga Certification

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The Yoga is not a term that requires defining any more these days. Almost all the countries in the world have widely adopted this wonderful exercise pattern for their physical as well as psychological health and peace. The Yoga are said to relax both the body and the soul to the optimal state. But performing Yoga is no way a matter of jokes anyways. It has to be conducted strictly under the supervision of the qualified Yoga instructor only. Yoga, if performed without following appropriate methods may end up in the adverse affects on various muscles or tissues. Always insist on performing Yoga under guidance of the authentically certified Yoga Instructor only.

There are some specific and bona fide organizations or societies who regularly conduct different Yoga Certificate course programs and grants authentic Yoga Certificates to both an individual as well as the Yoga teacher. The basic requirements of qualifying for such Yoga Certificate course programs is complying with the minimum educational standards norms as set by the particular society or the organization. You can review various internet websites for locating such authenticated or registered with bona fide Yoga Certification teachers and schools who regularly organize or conduct Yoga performing sessions. You may get almost all the required information and application forms etc related to registering your membership or overall general information about such organization or the society, on such websites. You should not hesitate to contact the administrative offices of any of such sites as and when required.

The basic idea of developing the Yoga Certification is to rendering the bon fide and standard Yoga course programs to the intending individuals. The authorized persons having proper or valid Yoga Certification issued by the recognized and renowned society or organization, for conducting the Yoga courses, may be able to set standard, encourage reliability, provide resources as well as sustain teachings of Yoga. One of the most renowned and recognized Yoga Certification organization is Yoga Fitness AFPA Instructor Certificate program that accentuates safe, effectual and exciting training methods which train the teachers to be positive and proficient enough for conducting Yoga courses independently. They literally provide excellent teaching skills, how to properly plan out your course programs, the best way of developing confidence in the students as well as how and exactly when to provide posture corrections.

This Yoga Certification program also offers instructions regarding how to lead the Yogic lifestyle by improving the personal health and self confidence together with self centeredness with the help of Yoga. The Yoga Fitness Instructor AFPA Certificate program is especially designed for educating participants about various Yoga techniques and the guidelines for incorporating them into individual as well as group settings. The course, in short, will enable you to formulate typically your independent teaching styles. There are some minimum basic requirements for attempting these programs, like: the applicant has to be 18 years of age, having cleared High School / diploma or equivalent is necessary or else basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, yogic philosophy and asana.

Yoga Class

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Though Yoga has been developed as the spiritual practice in India, the Western countries have adopted the Yoga in the form of completely the physical exercises. Some of the people in the Western culture are said to have absolutely no concern regarding the spirituality or the Hinduism at all, as they simply treat it as the way to keep the body healthy and fit. This totally differs from the conventionally Eastern view of the Yoga. Anyways, instead of differentiating these controversies, it is advisable to proceed to know about the Yoga Classes. Yoga as an exercise program has been developed into various sub categories and variations.

Most of the Yoga classes being conducted in the United States usually consist of the combination of various physical exercises, different breathing exercises as well as meditation. Such features in the Yoga make it the significantly beneficial sort of exercises especially for the people having some specific health conditions that incorporate heart disease, hypertension, asthma and different back related problems. The various studies on the benefits of Yoga, conducted for the people with various heart related disorders, have shown to have helped such people irrespective of their age groups. Especially, Yoga seems to have been promoting heart health in many ways, such as reducing the high blood pressure levels and enhancing the resistance to psychological exertion.

However, for the persons having different back related problems, have greatly been benefited in terms of strength, flexibility as well as endurance, by the different Yoga postures. It is also admitted that Yoga helps generating relaxation through breathing and various techniques applied for meditation have shown positive results towards having helped people enhanced proactively manage the consistent pain problems like back pains. According to the Hindu philosophy, Yoga is one of the six schools which is thoroughly focusing on meditation. Yoga is considered as the best medium for both physiological as well as spiritual mastery, in India; however, the Yoga has basically become associated with the practice of asanas or the Yoga postures of Hatha Yoga, outside India. For over 5000 years, Yoga has been in wide use as the form of an alternative medication therapy which has the most perfect combination of breathing exercises, physical postures or asanas and meditation.

In the Hindu terminology for the devoted practioner of Yoga is well recognized as the Yogi for masculine genders and Yogini for the feminine genders. Yoga as the medium of spiritual attainments is considered the most sacred act in Hindu religious families and has influenced other religious and spiritual practices through out the world. According to the great Hindu belief there are four basic categories of the sacred Yoga, such as: Karma Yoga, Gyana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Raja Yoga. There is a very interesting history of Yoga.

According to the seal from way back in the Indus Valley Civilization, a figure or image is depicted in meditation posture of Lord Shiva Pashupati by the archaeologists who had discovered it. The images of over 5000 years back from the Indus Valley Civilization shows a Yogi sitting in the meditation posture.