Spa for Life

Spa for Life?

What's that supposed to mean?

First of all, (come in close for a whisper) it's not about the Spa.

It's about the attitude. And attitudes change constantly. For example, many spas are catching on to the (sorry about the cliche) "Green Movement" and making changes. Some big, some bigger.

Kinda like life. Sometimes change must be made. Some big. Some bigger.

And when spas encourage conservation initiatives, adopt good neighbor policies within their communities and actively engage in protecting and respecting the environment, we all win.

And by "environment" I include personnel within the spa and how well they are treated. If a spa management team is lax about even the little things (amenities in the lounge, locker room and spa treatment rooms), that portends other lax behavior.

There are some wonderful spas that have all the right things on their menus and brochures and yet, when you arrive you see that the staff is cranky or not communicative. Or too pushy when it comes to "suggesting" follow-up products.

That is a warning sign that you may not have the "perfect spa package" as promised.

Those spas won't succeed, nor should they.


And if you experience a less-than-stellar treatment and/or feel neglected or ignored, you must speak up!


Tell the spa director and I guarantee you that not only will you be rewarded with a MUCH better make-up treatment, you may not even be charged for the unsatisfactory one.

The following spas have joined a year-old network of spas committed to all the "Green" good stuff aforementioned. They are part of the Green Spa Network, (http://www.greenspanetwork.org/) which I urge you to check out for updated information.

Here are some of the spas that "get it" and want their guests to enjoy while being educated. No tests! Just information!

Auberge Resort, Mill Valley, California, http://www.aubergeresorts.com/


Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, Corona, California, http://www.glenivy.com/


Natural Body Spa & Shoppe, Atlanta, Georgia, http://www.naturalbody.com/


Naturopathica Spa, East Hampton, New York, http://www.naturopathica.com/


Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, Freestone, California, http://www.osmosis.com/


Strong House Spa, Quechee, Vermont, http://www.stronghousespa.com/

Check out all the websites and let me know what you think, should you experience a treatment at any. In fact, let me know of ANY spa experiences you may have had, good or bad.


Which brings me to another, seemingly unrelated topic.

Life choices.

Your life "menu" may change from year to year, even day to day. And this is how it's supposed to be.

Speaking from experience, change is hard, like childbirth. It's painful, scary and very upsetting. But somehow, the result is (in a perfect world) a full-fledged new life.

And we must embrace the new life, nurture it and help it grow as best we can.

And that's why the best way to have a "Spa Life" is to keep changing your own menu, tweak the details and labor for your new life.

Without going into details, I've just changed my own menu and adjusting to my own new life.

I highly recommend it, painful as it is.

Should anyone care to continue this particular conversation, feel free to email me or coment:

naomi.serviss@gmail.com

A World Apart

Call me relaxed.





Call me restored.





Call me a healing vessel and you will be right.





I have just returned from possibly the most profound body work treatment I have ever experienced. Yes, it was that good.





And no, this is not a belated April Fool's joke.





On assignment for the magazines Highroads (the AAA's magazine for the SW) my husband and I went to Scottsdale for the annual food festival la-de-dah week. I did my thing and then focused on the Spa of the Hotel Valley Ho. I had read about this amazing young man, Dhargya, a former Tibent monk, who brought his spiritual/physical skills with him when he left the monkhood.



Now he is in top demand at the Hotel (above) which gave me the distinct honor of having been manipulated by this master. Forget Traditional Massage. Using an ineffable ability to sense and eradicate tension, he managed to loosen my meridiens (marma points, whatever you want to call it) and put me in a state of utter bliss.

Even after commenting on my poor circulation (I know! I know!) and responding that's the main reason (among others) why I am always so cold. His vision was accurate and straight-forward, even to the point of telling me to eat more calories and give up on my long-held vegetarianism. How dare he! But how could I not listen to a former Monk? And such a sweet-natured guy who clearly knows what he's doing.

He said some profound things about how we do not go to a restaurant (or a supermarket) with the "intention" of killing a chicken, or whatever. Rather, it is already there waiting to be cooked, and it can be consumed without guilt.

He made me see the light. And I went home and ate chicken. And nothing terrible happened! Maybe I do need more protein. But I digress.

This treatment was mindful and respectful, whose positive effects I am still feeling.

I was stretched beyond which I have ever been stretched, and in utter relaxation. Except when I thought I was about to split apart like a wishbone. But he worked on my chronic nerve pain points, opened up my balance and helped my ailing self feel reconstituted, like water had been added to a powdered drink.

Here's the explanation on this treatment from the hotel site:


Tibetan Yoginic Massage:

Based upon an early form of Tibetan medicine, Yoginic Massage focuses on opening up specific muscles using trigger point release and accupressure on specific nerves, your limbs are gently stretched to their maximum potential for greater effectiveness. After this treatment, you will find yourself completely relaxed and with increased mobility. Our practicioner was raised as a Tibetan Monk and has been practicing massage since the age of 7. This is the deepest and most intense muscle work offered at the VH Spa...a life-changing experience.90min $190120min $260




This man is a genius and I was told from staffers, that people from all over the world are regular clients. This is not your girlfriends' massage. This unnamed, sacred treatment is one you will never ever forget. This is a cleansing of the heart, mind spirit and body. Tell him I sent you.



And check out the website, where you'll find more explanation. Then just do it! Amazing and life-affirming.








Oh yeah, the chicken I had at home tasted even more delicious than I had remembered chicken ever had a right to taste.





Namaste.

Quick Peek at Some Cool Earthy Spas

A shortie.



While April is apparently "Earth Day" month, it behooves me to remind you guys that everyday is (or should be) Earth Day. 'Cuz, as Janis Joplin once famously shouted, "It's all the same day, man!"



End of lecture.



That said. Here are some cool new spas that are taking the tree-hugging philisopophy seriously, doing good stuff and being conservative with water, organic materials and other health-oriented practices.



Check out the links:



http://www.hotelterrajacksonhole.com/





http://www.bluemarblespa.com/ and



http://www.grailsprings.com/



Also, next week I'm off to a cool Culinary Festival in Scottsdale where I'll be sampling and writing (for AAA's Highroads Magazine) and will definitely let you know how much weight I've gained in the line of duty.



And while there, I'll be staying at the chi-chi boutique hotel Valley Ho, recently renovated, which has an AMAZING spa, and is very green-conscious.



So I'm psyched! Next posting will have lots of info, but check out the sites now or soon, if you have a sec.



Take good care of yourselves.





And listen to your heart when you take those deep, cleansing breaths. Time is valuable and children turn quickly into butterflies...a thought we should all remember.

Ta.

Now Where Was I?

Oh yes.

Last Month. March kind of nailed me in too many ways to recapitulate. But I'll be succinct and try:

Flu bug from Hell. Three weeks.

Shame Spiral. Four weeks.

A little depression, a smattering of insecurity. Pity party galore. Priceless. Or worthless.

Regardless, my health is on an uptick, my spirit is healing and my words seem to work again without ending up in a crying jag. Anyone else ever get this wacky? No names please, unless you want.

So, the best place for me would have been a nurturing spa (or Funny Farm) instead of where I typically found myself: in bed.

But that was then and this is now. Which brings me to the point of all this.

We all go through major upheavals, disruptions and interruptions of life and through doing so (and when we get through it) we learn to grow. Hopefully.

Growing pains.

So, I've been experiencing my own growth spurt of sorts and have simply isolated myself to heal. Like a wounded creature in the woods.


And now I'm back among the living, I thought I'd touch base and make sure all two of you know that I'm still here (Stritch!) and plan on seeing many more ups and downs, as is life.

Reading alot. About personal growth, kinda Oprah-stuff, but why not?

And making some possible literary connections, more of which will be unfolded if it comes to pass.

So this is not a treatise on one of my favorite spas (Fairmont Banff? Mii amo? Lake Austin?) the last of which just received top accolades in the travel awards industry, by the way. And I still haven't been there yet. Oh the shame!

It's merely a reminder that there is indeed a human being behind these postings. Like the Wizard behind the green curtain. Sometimes one who needs a little nurturing (thank you family, you know who you are), understanding and compassion.

And that's the lesson for today. Take care of yourself. Be kind. And be here now.