Mind/Body/Heart

Some people go to spas for a good massage. Others for "miracle" facials. Me? I try and find those that address not only the touchy-feely-in-the-moment need, but go beyond the pale.

Meaning what, exactly?

Well, there are myriad spas out there that do the basics really, really well. Great massage therapists, sweet-smelling surroundings, cool snacks and teas and amazing vistas for all your Kodak moments. You could come up with an impressive list just by "Googling" the word spa.

And those are usually fine. Except when stones get dropped on your head, unisex "relaxation" lounges reveal more than necessary and air temperatures make all your little hairs stand on end. But I digress.

Let's just say it's not always satisfying to have a "good enough" experience.

Sometimes, the heart needs healing too.

When worries and stress threaten to destroy any semblance of "balance" you've managed to cultivate. Or when chronic pain throws you into a bottomless pit of sad.

You name it, we've all got baggage. I've got luggage galore, usually well-packed when it isn't being ripped apart by over-zealous TSA handlers.

And for those needs I seek unusual spas that meld compassionate healing hands with programs that challenge, nurture and encourage wellness.

Some in the industry deem them "Medi-Spas" or "Wellness Facilities" or something similarly trendy. But Caveat Emperor--you know, buyer beware. Because some of these facilities are so identity-confused, they fail to truly reveal their true purpose and thousands of dollars later, the spa-seeker is still adrift with major neck pain.

So how to figure out this confusing quandry? For one thing, if you opt for a "Medi Spa" or wellness destination, do your homework. Ask questions about philosophy (sometimes found on websites) and scour the menu of programs and activities that best suit your needs. And find out WHERE the place is located. Nothing gets ruined faster than strolling the grounds and discovering the resort is in a suburban neighborhood!

I once visited a VERY famous spa (with a few locations) that offered treatments up the wazoo. Not literally, I might add. But some will offer quasi-medi advice for conditions you didn't know you had. Or sign you up for a foot evaluation from staff who ALSO try to sell you sneakers (!) or a session with a shrink because, well, they thought it would be good for you. Sometimes, less is more. A lesson some spas could take to the next policy meeting.

Just keep in mind that your needs will change each time you visit a spa, because YOU will have changed. Things happen. People change. Needs change. A fantastic spa visit years ago may not necessarily evoke the same reaction when you return.

It's like going back to the old neighborhood as an adult. Everything's smaller and disappointing, no matter how much you try to rationalize it. This analogy doesn't mean every return visit to a spa will be a disappointment. But be prepared to encounter changes, especially if new owners are on the scene and/or renovations are taking place.

That kind of disruption generally results in staff turnover and sometimes it takes awhile for a spa to get its "soul" back.

For example, I visited one of my hands-down favorite spa, Mii amo, about a year ago. It was a glorious time. A freak snowstorm, gorgeous red mountains, a much-needed healing environment and incredible staff resulted in one the most wonderfully memorable experiences I've ever had.

If I could have moved to Sedona right then and there, I would have.

And I have a feeling that Mii amo would deliver exactly the same qualities if I re-visited anytime soon. Because Sedona (in my Tucson backyard) is one of those magical places where everything simply feels right.

It's a destination that oozes other-worldliness and serenity. Picture a "town" of such utter beauty that you could cry when the sun sets. (Guilty!)

And this amazing spa is engaged in a symbiotic dance augmented by gorgeous natural visions and a healing agenda centered on wellness.

Even with programs that may sound a little silly (toe-reading?) and eye-rolling (color-reading?) this is a destination you can't help but feel healed by. Long considered a sacred spot by Native Americans, displaced hippies, artists and creators, Sedona
speaks to my soul (forgive my '60s-speak) and was a powerful antidote to major stressors that needed to be dealt with last year.

And maybe it's time for a tune-up.

As for other "Medi-Spas" and the like, tread very, very carefully and do your homework. Or I'll do it for you.