|
|
It's not easy
to define exactly what a "spa" is. Some say that a business
is only a spa if they have water treatments - vichy shower, hydrotherapy
tubs, whirlpools, steam and sauna. I don't happen to agree with
this. I think "spa" has more to do with effective treatments
that have a focus on wellness and healing, the atmosphere of a
place, how the staff treats you, how well your expectations are
met, and how you feel when you leave. While spas certainly have
their roots in "taking the waters," I have been to a
number of self-described spas that had hydrotherapy tubs, steam
rooms and showers that certainly did not give me what I consider
to be a "spa experience." The rooms were cold and clinical
and the employees rushed and unfriendly. On the other hand, I
have been to places that did not offer water treatments and experienced
an excellent "spa experience." Case in point: The Massage
Center in Wilmington, Delaware.
Owner
Rob Eppes,
LMT, NCTMB
does not call The Massage Center a spa. He describes it as a place
that
attracts people from all professions and backgrounds who have
all made themselves a higher priority in their own lives. According
to Rob, "The Massage Center is often a meaningful step for
our clients who are seeking some relief, some solace, some refuge,
some encouragement, some peace. Our services range from medical
intervention to pampering. But even our pampering is genuine."
Whatever they come for, Rob says The Massage Center can help them
meet their needs. Hmmm...sounds a lot like my idea of a spa.
While The Massage
Center does not offer body treatments (wraps, scrubs, etc.), facials,
manicures or pedicures, it does offer a variety of massage therapy
modalities (Swedish, maternity, intention, shiatsu, hot stone,
aromatherapy, soft-fascia release & cranio-sacral rhythm),
energy treatments (energy balancing, sound energy dynamics) and
ear candling. The therapists are all highly qualified, skilled
and caring.
I had the opportunity
to visit The Massage Center on three different occasions to try
three different therapies. Before I describe them, I want to point
out one definite difference between The Massage Center and most
spas. Most spas create a menu of spa services then extensively
train their staff to perform a treatment the same way. The goal
is for the treatment experience to be the same for the client
regardless of who performs it. Consistency from therapist to therapist
is of prime importance. In contrast, The Massage Center has created
its treatment menu around the therapists' special skills, talent
and training. The Massage Center celebrates their unique abilities.
In fact, The Massage Center encourages its clients to try different
therapists to experience their different styles.
My first treatment
at The Massage Center was Soft-fascia Release & Cranio-Sacral
Rhythm with Ronni Yaskin. Ronni invited me to relax on the treatment
table in Treatment Room 4. She explained that the treatment
combined Craniosacral Therapy and Soft Fascia Release. The craniosacral
system is a self-contained hydraulic system that consists of the
bones of the skull, neck, spine and tailbone, plus the cerebrospinal
fluid. It has a rhythm with a frequency between the rate of the
heartbeat and the breath. With gentle touch, Ronni can sense,
follow and at times direct this rhythm, so it can become more
vibrant and harmonious. The result of this fluid rebalancing is
better health and a stronger, more resilient body. Soft Fascia
Release is another gentle, light touch with a deep, profound impact
on the rest of the body. Fascia is a 3-dimensional web that surrounds
all tissue in the body. It is a medium for transmission of electrical
impulses and information throughout the body. When a part of this
web becomes constricted, the effects can be felt a distance away
from the original site. When the constrictions released through
this gentle touch, electrical impulses, and other types of nourishment
flow more quickly and with more strength throughout the body.
This treatment did not require me to undress and there were no
oils used. Ronni applied light pressure on my head and body. I
found the whole experience to be quite relaxing.
My second treatment
at The Massage Center was Energy Balancing with Kathleen MacKenzie.
Kathleen invited me to sit in Treatment Room 1. We spent a few
minutes talking about what was going on in my life at the moment.
Kathleen explained that Energy Balancing is five energetic healing
modalities (Therapeutic Touch, Magnified Healing, Reiki, Intuitive
Healing and Hands on Healing) and is particularly helpful to those
going through any major change in their lives. Energy work is
a subtle, yet effective, way to achieve balance. By working
with the human energy field, parts of an individual that have
been neglected or ignored due to stress or disease can be accessed.
Areas that hold blocks in the field can manifest in different
ways, affecting the client physically, mentally, emotionally or
spiritually. Practitioners, having learned to attune to
the universal field through a conscious intent, help clients assimilate
energy by releasing congestion and balancing areas where the flow
has become disordered. The end result can be a feeling of connection,
peace and a calmer mind and spirit. I got on the treatment
table fully clothed and began to relax. Kathleen placed her hands
over or gently touched various parts of my body. When she was
done, we again sat and talked. She discussed what she felt during
the treatment - which areas she found had energy blocks. Most
of it related to the discussion we had before the treatment, and
I found it quite moving. One of the "tools" she suggested
I use to "protect" my energy is the following visualization:
- Take a deep
breath and visualize bright, white light entering the top of
your head and going right through you.
- Exhale and
visualize that light's energy spreading throughout your entire
body and filling you to the skin.
- Take another
deep breath and visualize bright, white light entering the top
of your head and going right through you.
- Exhale and
visualize the light's energy extending through your skin and
surrounding your entire body like a bubble.
- Take a final
deep breath and visualize bright, white light entering the top
of your head and going right through you.
- Exhale and
visualize the light's energy creating a protective coating around
the energy field you have created around your body.
I have actually
used this visualization a number of times since my session with
Kathleen and have found it very helpful. (I took an Energy Basics
class from Kathleen three years ago
and learned
the basic principles and some
techniques of
energy balancing)
My third treatment
at The Massage Center was a Full-Body Massage with Helen Baker.
Helen escorted me to Treatment Room 3 and instructed me to undress
and get on the massage table face-up with my legs elevated on
the high foam block while she left the room. The block was quite
comfortable, and I liked it better than the usual pillows or bolsters.
It was, of course, removed when I turned on my stomach. The massage
that followed was excellent. Helen used a combination of aromatherapy,
Swedish, neuromuscular, deep tissue, reflexology and craniosacral
therapy (and possibly more modalities - those were the ones I
recognized). Helen also applied Biofeeze to my neck and shoulders
that gave a lingering feeling of hot and cold.
Whether The
Massage Center is technically a "spa" or not, I certainly
had three very good "spa experiences" there.
|
$50-
