Many Roads Lead To Wellness!

Working in spas since 15 years, I can certainly talk from experience on this subject, and I am happy to share what is possible and available in the spa world today. The compilation of spa renewal services is meant as a resource guide to improve your well being. You can find out about the highlights of the wellness programs listed below and choose your spa destinations accordingly, depending on your preferences and wellness needs. Let's try something new and be surprised!

1.         Ayurveda
Body Treatments and Massage. ‘Ayur' in Sanskrit means life and ‘veda' means knowledge. ‘Ayurveda' is the wisdom of life, an ancient medical science and body treatments which have been practiced in India since thousands of years. The ‘Shirodhara' hot oil drip, herbal body treatments or ayurvedic massage can be found in India, at the ‘Ananda Spa' in the Himalayas, but also much closer to home at many destination spas or spa resorts in the US including the ‘Chopra Center for Wellbeing' in Carlsbad, California.

2.         Spa Weight Loss
We all know how excruciating it can be to shed these extra pounds and how it seems like an endlessly lingering goal in the distant future. How about now and in the company of likeminded fellow travelers, who are all going through the same struggles? Many destination spas around the world offer lean spa meal menus and most importantly classes to teach you how to prepare those smart meals and lastly how to make it happen at home. Classes in nutrition and healthy lifestyle are often offered as well. Destination spas and holistic retreat centers, which offer those kinds of classes, can be found at spas across the globe. In the US for example there are many to choose from: ‘The Canyon Ranch' in Tucson or Lennox, the ‘Optimum Health Institute' in San Diego, ‘The Oaks at Ojai', ‘The Golden Door' in Southern California, ‘The Red Mountain Spa' in Utah, the 'Green Mountain at Fox Run' in Vermont and many more.

3.         Mother-To-Be-Massage
For women-expecting, pre-natal massage can be the much needed hands-on experience and relaxation. Pregnancy massage is possible during each of the trimesters. It is important though to book it as a pregnancy massage and not as a regular massage or even deep tissue massage, because special pregnancy needs have to be considered. Even for the first trimester, when the female body has not gone through that many obvious changes yet, it is mandatory to mention the pregnancy. Pre-natal massage is offered at most Day Spas and Resort Spas and is usually administered in a side lying position or on special pregnancy pillows.

4.         LomiLomi Massage
This traditional Hawaiian massage technique is for all those who love deep and relaxing body work. In Hawaii, most of the therapists at the well known Hotel and Spa Resorts are trained in this massage, which involves gentle stretches and deep forearm body work, as well as prayer. LomiLomi massage services can also be found in the US, at the ‘Claremont Resort and Spa' in the California Bay Area for example.

5.         The Power Of Water Dance
Watsu and Water Dance are offered at ‘Harbin Hot Springs' near Calistoga in Northern California. Here, domes have been built over serene water pools, which provide a womb like basin for floating in warm water, which can have therapeutic effects. The experience is to be held and pulled through water by a trained professional to encourage relaxation and letting go. Watsu is an underwater massage with gentle movements and stretches intended to deeply relax. Watsu incorporates elements of Zen Shiatsu, such as pressure points. Floating in warm water can help with issues around muscle tightness and chronic pain. Watsu is also offered at the ‘Canyon Ranch' in Tucson Arizona and at the ‘Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa' in California.

6.         Seaweed Body Therapy
Helps with detoxification of the skin, and provides the skin with essential nutrients and therefore increase its elasticity and tone. The algae based ingredients in seaweed body wraps and facials are meant to draw toxins from the skin's tissue and then boost it with essential vitamins, minerals and enzymes, in short: it is nature's complete source of nutrients. Seaweed body wraps and seaweed based facials are offered at many Day Spas, Hotel & Spas Resorts or Destination Spas.

7.         Water Circuits At Spas
Play with hot and cold water and feel like a new person, refreshed and full of vital energy! My first water circuit experience was at the ‘Grand Wailea Resort' in Maui/Hawaii. They are offered at many wellness spas in Germany, known as ‘Therme', and also in the US at the ‘Spa Solage' in Calistoga among others. Water circuits can involve anything to do with hot and cold water experiences, such as sauna followed by an ice cold water plunge, repeated several times and then followed by a resting period. It sounds brutal at first, but after the first, more challenging round, it feels totally natural and easy, providing deep unwinding and restfulness. At the same time your skin feels vibrant and healthy.

8.         Tibetan Sound Massage
Works with the healing powers of sound and vibration and ranks easily as my #1 in deep relaxation and stress reduction. Tibetan bowls are placed on the body's main energy centers, also known as Chakras. After an initial regular massage the bowls are played. The vibration of the singing bowls has a healing effect on the body's tissue and the fluctuating sound of the bowls helps to harmonize the left and right side of the brain, therefore enabling us to achieve a deep dreamless sleep type of state, a delta active mind state, and reduce stress. It sounds goofy but the technique is based on scientific research. Tibetan Bowl massage is offered at the ‘Claremont Resort and Spa' in Berkeley, California. Sound Therapy in general is increasingly found at other spas as well.

9.         Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic Drainage massage is a very light massage on the superficial layers of the muscle's tissue that stimulates the body to get rid of toxins. This technique is used in medical spas to reduce swelling and to improve lymphatic health. You can find this very effective modality in many of the medical spas in Germany as well as at ‘The Spa at Mandarin Oriental' in New York City.

10.       Breath Work
Breathing right helps with sleep dysfunctions, stress, anxiety, back pain and can improve mental clarity. Breath workshops and massages incorporate ‘Prana Breathing',  in which blocks are removed in order to allow Prana to flow. Variations of breath techniques are offered at some spas nowadays. Breath is life, and it is so simple and automatic, that we don't really think about it. However, as a massage therapist and counselor, I encounter many clients every day, who do not know how to breathe correctly. Having attended several breath workshops myself, it has opened up my eyes to how crucial to our health and emotional wellbeing proper breathing really is. Check out the ‘Chopra Center for Wellbeing' in Carlsbad, California or any Spa offering Yoga Classes.