The days when devotees of beauty and well being visited a spa for treatments such as Swedish massage, mud therapy or, for those in the know, a session of thalassotherapy, seem to be dying out.
Because these places that pay homage to specialist treatments dedicated to physical beauty, mental tranquility and spiritual balance are these days relying on ever more exotic therapies to achieve the promises made by the more traditional treatments. These alternatives are as varied as their clients’ tastes and range from facial treatments made from bird excrement, to massages using creams incorporating precious stones such as diamonds and emeralds. VB has selected five of the most original treatments for its readers.
Treatment No. 1: The Geisha Facial
What is it? The treatment is based on an ancient practice adopted by Japanese Geishas, which gave it its name. The treatment uses an ingredient known as “ugnisu no fun”, which is nothing more than the excrement of a bird commonly known as the Nightingale. This “raw material” is sterilized and mixed with a fine white powder into a mask that is applied to the face.
What does it do? Restores the balance and tone of damaged skin suffering from the effects of acne and the sun.
Where is it available? In the Shizuka Spa, New York: 6th floor, 7 West 51st Street. Telephone: (212) 6447400. www.shizukany.com.
Treatment No. 2. Metaphysical Spa
What is it? The people who provide this treatment say that their techniques go beyond the physical world to address the body’s energy and to revitalize it from the inside out. The therapy includes reiki, chacra balancing, psychic massage, astrology, numerology, reading auras, shamanism and even includes a tarot reading.
What does it do? Perfect for alleviating the stress of everyday life you can encounter your real self, embark on a spiritual journey or find answers to questions about your life direction. Reiki will balance your body’s energy, bringing about a more centered and grounded feeling. Reading your aura helps you to understand your feelings and gives you knowledge for particular circumstances.
Where is it available? Mii AmoSpa in Sedona, Arizona. Telephone: (888) 7492137. www.miiamo.com
Treatment No. 3: Indigenous Therapy
What is it? Indigenous treatments combine elements taken from the earth with ancient traditional therapies, guaranteeing an experience like you have never had in your life before. These include therapies where the body is wrapped in a type of blanket made from cactus flowers, and a massage using a strange plant that only grows in the Shawanguk Mountains near New York.
What does it do? The cactus flower therapy softens and feeds the skin, while also detoxifying the body. The massage, known as Mohonk Red, revitalizes and relaxes the body.
Where is it available? For the cactus flower therapy you have to visit the Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa. 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85016. Telephone: (800) 9502575. www.arizonabiltmore.com. The Mohonk Red massage is available at the Mohonk Mountain House, close to New York. Telephone: (800) 7726646. www.mohonk.com.
Treatment No. 4: Massage using precious stones
What is it? Based in ancient knowledge of the curative and restorative properties of products from the earth, this therapy has been developed using precious stones. It consists of massages using oils incorporating diamonds, emeralds or sapphires, offering those wishing to try out their benefits a sumptuous and costly opportunity to do just that.
What does it do? Diamonds help to relax skin that has been under stress, as well as reducing stretch marks and scars. Emeralds give you pleasurable dreams and a good balance between body and spirit. Sapphires bring tranquility, relaxation and inner peace.
Where is it available? In the Peninsula Spa at the Hotel Peninsula in Beverly Hills. 9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, United States of America. Telephone: (310) 5512888. www.beverlyhills.peninsula.com.
Treatment No. 5: Leech therapy
What is it?: Anyone who has watched a movie from the Far East will certainly remember how they draw blood from sick people by applying leeches to their necks so they can suck the blood directly from the patient’s body. This therapy uses the same principle. The therapist places a number of leeches on the subject’s body so they can suck blood for a period of one hour. As soon as the creatures have had their fill, they detach themselves without needing to be removed.
What does it do? This is used as a treatment to reduce swelling and for illnesses such as osteoarthritis. Demi Moore also uses it to detoxify.
Where is it available? Continuum Center for Health and Healing. 2nd floor, 245 Fifth Avenue, New York. Telephone: (646) 9352259. www.healthandhealingny.org. |
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