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OKEANOS
Julie Register visited this Russian day spa in New York City
in July, 2006
A day in banya is a day without aging.
~Russian Proverb
 The
thermostat was set at 168 degrees F. Hmmm...most saunas I've been
in are around 120. "Yes," said Sam, my Platza master, "This
is much hotter. It can get up to 175 on the top bench." Sam instructed
me to sit in the sauna, OKEANOS' authentic cedar wood Russian banya,
while he prepared for my Platza treatment outside. If I got too hot,
he told me that I could come out and have a drink of ice water, cool
off in the shower or get an iced washcloth. For the next 15 minutes
or so, I did all of the above. I could tolerate the heat for 5 minutes
on the lowest bench then have to step out for some relief. It was
so hot, I did not want to open my eyes. I could feel the heat in the
back of my throat. I breathed slowly and cautiously. My sinuses felt
completely dried out. There was a wooden bucket filled with water
and a wooden ladle inside the sauna. I did not see the usual heater
with hot rocks on it. I asked Sam if the water was for me to use.
"No", he said, "It is to increase the humidity of the
sauna." Inside, he opened a shoulder-height, small metal door
on the brick wall across from the benches. He scooped a ladle full
of water and threw it in the door. Steam immediately exploded out
of the door. Clearly, whatever was through the door was the heat source.
Finally, Sam said I was ready to begin the Platza.
He put on a white wool cap (an interesting accessory to his swim
trunks) and spread two towels on the highest bench in the sauna.
He gave me a hand up and instructed me to lie face down. The treatment
started with a wet, icy towel being placed over my head. Then
Sam started to fan bunches of oak leaves over me, pushing the
hottest air from the top of the room to just above my back and
legs. I could feel heat drive into my skin. Then the leaves slapped
down on my back and were dragged to my feet. There was no pain,
just heat. This was repeated three of four times, and then Sam
said it was time for a break. He helped me down, and I gladly
left the sauna. He instructed me to drink water, step into the
shower and pull the large ring. Cold water poured down. It felt
great! Sam led me down the hallway to the OKEANOS Lounge.
Here, I drank more water and relaxed. The contrasting
hot and cold were already having an effect on me. It was invigorating.
Soon it was time to return and have the treatment on the other side.
When it was all over, I felt wonderful - full of energy! I thanked
Sam and asked him how many Platzas he performed a day. As hot as
I was, I know the energetic moves he made must have made him hotter.
He said he would be doing eight that day. He said he is also a massage
therapist. I hope he gets to switch off most days. The banya was
great, but I wouldn't want to spend all day in there!
Back in the Lounge, I relaxed for a few minutes. Before
long, Nicole came to collect me for my next therapy, a half-hour
Russian Sports Massage. She showed me to a lovely room completely
tiled with small squares of slate. She left and I got out of my
wet bathing suit and climbed on the massage table.
*Massage
Treatment Room at OKEANOS
Since this would be a short treatment, we decided
to have Nicole work on my shoulders and neck. The combination of
already being warmed by the banya and Nicole's skill resulted in
a terrific and efficient massage. Fantastic!
When the massage was over, I again relaxed for a bit
in the Lounge then changed in the Women's Locker Room and sampled
the exclusive Molton Brown products on the vanity.
My final treat at OKEANOS was lunch in the Lounge
- caviar, smoked salmon and blini from Petrossian. A light berry
pastry topped it off. Wonderful! Other Russian luxuries available
at the OKEANOS Lounge are ZYR Russian Vodka and Heidsieck &
Co. Monopole Champagne.
OKEANOS was created by Andre Izrailov and Simon
Mirzokan, both of the former USSR, combining their enjoyment of
Banya in Russia and their experiences as European spa-goers. "We
wanted to combine the Russian therapies we believe are critical
to maintaining good health and well-being - banya and platza -
with spa treatments that are relevant to lifestyles of people
like us."
OKEANOS was named after the titan of the great earth-encircling
river Okeanos, the primal font of all the earth's fresh water.
The interior of the spa is meant to impart the feeling of being
on a luxurious Russian steamship with rich woods, rough-hewn stone
tiles, portholes and other nautical accoutrements. The facility
consists of separate men's and women's locker rooms complete with
personal lockers, spa robes and personal care amenities and comfort;
the Russian banya, OKEANOS Lounge, a cigar room, a Vichy Suite
with a multi-head rainbar, six massage and skin care treatment
rooms, a private men's barber suite (offering barber, shaving
and grooming basics including manicure and pedicure - buffing,
no polish) and the OKEANOS Spa Boutique with products from Molton
Brown, Hommage, ê-shave and Comfort Zone.
OKEANOS offers both men and women the unique opportunity
to enjoy BANYA and PLATZA and other treatments to provide relaxation
including:
Banya
Platza
Massage Therapies
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Invigorating OKEANOS
Massage
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Exfoliating Black
Sea Scrub
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Hydro-Massage Wrap
with Pure Performance Quick Facial
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OKEANOS Over
the Top Pedicure
Waxing
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- Quick Trim
- Pure Performance Express Facial
- Back Relief Massage
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- Shave Ceremony
- Hair Cut
- Hair Trim
- Beard and Mustache Trim
- Neck, Ear and Nose Trim
Packages
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- Complete Retreat
- Executive Jet Lag Remedy
The Molton Brown Spa Journey at
OKEANOS
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Warming Eucalyptus
Detoxifying Body Cocoon & Massage
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Equilibrium Facial
for Men
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Regenerating Facial
for Men
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Primal-Radiance Contouring
Eye Therapy Enhancement
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FYI
•
Reservations: All
services are by appointment. Male or female therapists
available, please specify.
Although grooming services
are for men only, men and women are welcome to enjoy
banya, platza, massage and skincare therapies.
•Check-in
- Please arrive 15 to 30 minutes prior to your scheduled
appointment at the Spa. This allows time to change
into your OKEANOS robe and slippers, as well as
to relax and enjoy time in the banya prior to your
treatment.
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Cellular Phones/Pagers
- For your relaxation and the relaxation of other
guests, we ask that you turn off your cellular phone
and pagers when you arrive at OKEANOS.
• Spa Attire - OKEANOS
guests are provided robes and slippers and assigned
a personal locker in men's and women's lounges prior
to appointments. Bathing suits are required for
banya use.
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Hydrotherapy Treatments
- Careful draping protocols
are observed at all times. Swimwear is optional.
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If you have a history of high
or low blood pressure problems, heart conditions
or you are pregnant, please consult your physician
prior to the use of steam, sauna or whirlpool.
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Late Arrivals -At
times, something prevents a guest from arriving
on time. OKEANOS will do its best to accommodate
you within this shorter time frame.
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Cancellation Policy
- Should you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment,
please notify OKEANOS at least 24 hours in advance.
Any cancellations within 24 hours, as well as no
shows, will be responsible for 75% of the cost of
the reserved treatment.
• Gift Certificates
may be purchased for all OKEANOS therapies and for
spa gifts available in the OKEANOS boutique.
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photos copyright Julie Register 2006
except those marked * which are provided by OKEANOS
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http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=*EJTVpauQ/0&offerid=61746.10000013&subid=0&type=4
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$50-
