Sharonah Rapseik's Spa Holistica is an intimate one-room, one-therapist spa located on the east side of Midtown, just minutes from Grand Central Station and Rockefeller Center. This is the first article I've written about a spa in which I did not include a street address. This omission was done intentionally since the clientele, who include celebrities, guard their privacy. All services are private, one-on-one and by appointment only.

Sharonah combines natural skin care with herbal medicine, aromatherapy, energy, healing and nutritional therapy to balance, support and function in harmony with the body's and skin's healing ability. She is a licensed skin care therapist and a certified holistic health counselor. She helps her clients gain relief from a host of difficult and chronic skin disorders such as premature aging, cystic acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea and hyper-pigmentation. Sharonah is a graduate of the Institute of  the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and is completing her Ph.D. in Natural Health from Clayton College.

Sharonah offers treatments using Dr. Hauschka Skin Care products. She chose them because they are made with natural, organic ingredients that combine to benefit all skin types. The line focuses on the interrelationship between the human being, the skin and the plants. In fact, Sharonah is one of only about 250 Dr. Hauschka Skin Care Certified Estheticians practicing in the United States.

From Dr. Hauschka's web site: "The skin reflects and reacts to your entire being – physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual. If you eat well, exercise regularly, sleep adequately and find ways to alleviate the stress in your life, your skin will reflect this healthy lifestyle.

"A dynamic, complex system of interweaving processes, the skin reflects the body's internal health and, as the largest organ of perception, it responds to external influences such as hot or cold temperatures. A large percentage of a person's T-cells, the cells of immunity, are found within its layers. The skin helps us to eliminate toxins and defend our body from bacteria.

"Dr. Rudolf Hauschka's holistic approach to skin care recognizes all the elements that play a role in achieving healthy, balanced skin. Our products address skin care problems rather than dealing with symptoms. They encourage the skin to achieve balance and harmony by stimulating the skin's ability to take care of itself and overcome its weaknesses. Dr. Hauschka Skin Care offers long-term solutions, revealing the natural beauty of the skin, allowing inner beauty to shine forth."

I checked in with the doorman and took the elevator to Spa Holistica. Sharona was waiting for me as I got off and escorted me to her cozy treatment room. The walls were covered with dreamy Maxfield Parrish prints. She invited me to sit at the table and we talked for a bit about my skin. Afterwards, she instructed me to disrobe and get under the covers of the treatment table, while she got things ready for my facial. The treatment for my face began with my feet. Sharonah massaged lavender essential oil on each foot to ground and relax me. Lavender's antiseptic and calming properties would also enhance the overall treatment. Rosemary essential oil was massaged on my arms and shoulders to stimulate circulation and awaken the senses. I can't remember all the step to the actual facial. I zoned out pretty quickly as all the tension in my mind and body just melted away. I do remember warm towels, many different oils being massaged into my face, steam, a little extraction, warm stones on my breastbone, hands and toes and my legs and arms being massaged during the steam and masks. Massage is central to any Dr. Hauschka treatment. Using rhythmical sweeping brush strokes and gentle hand movements, the lymph fluid is gently stimulated, purifying and strengthening the immune system. When the facial was over, Sharona invited me to relax in the rocking chair and offered me tea. We chatted a bit more before I headed back into the streets of Manhattan feeling relaxed with skin that glowed. 

Treatments at Spa Holistica include:

• Classic Dr. Hauschka Facial - Begins with a warm sage foot soak, refreshing aroma therapy compresses, purifying clay, lymph stimulation, nourishing herbal masks (2 hours)
• Dr. Hauschkaa Deep Cleansing Facial - For oily and acne skins, blackheads are extracted, followed by a soothing clay mask (2 hours)
• Introductory Facial - Healing facial includes a skin analysis, herbal compresses, a steam bath, deep cleansing, a custom mask application and home care recommendations. This treatment is recommended for your first Dr.Hauschka Facial.(1 1/2hours)
• Basic Facial - Maintenance facial to keep your skin in balance. (1 hour)
• Dr. Hauschka Facial Gymnastics Program - Strengthen and train your facial muscles to achieve their best possible condition. In three 1 hour sessions the Facial Gymnastics Program teaches you exercises to keep your skin in optimum condition and prevent the signs of aging.
• Eyebrow Design
• Eyebrow Maintenance
• Makeup Lesson
• Makeup Application