Baby massage is a great way to bond with an infant, and Sol Day Spa’s Jennifer Dionne is teaching parents how to do it right.

The idea behind baby massage came when one woman was studying in India, Dionne said. She became ill and was given massage treatment. While that was happening, she noticed mothers doing a kind of baby massage on their infants and noticed how calm it kept them despite the conditions many were subject to in their areas.

Practitioners say massage helps babies gain weight, have more stable eating and sleeping habits, increases circulation and gives infants a chance to try out their developing muscles, said Melissa South, founder of Sol Day Spa.

“Touch is so important in the first year,” she said. Such touch helps the parent or caregiver and the infant to bond.

Dionne is the only internationally certified infant massage therapist in Northeast Colorado, and she is offering classes to those who want to bring its benefits to their babies and homes, South said.

In general, infant massage begins with gently massaging the baby’s legs, moving up and down to increase the circulation, using a cream to make it soothing, Dionne said.

She said it is best to start with the legs, because it makes the child most responsive.

From there, the parent moves to the stomach, arms, hands, tush, back and head, she said. That order is used to keep the baby most clothed at most times to keep it warm, she said.

Doing stomach massage can also help with gas or bubbles that bother infants, Dionne said.

Doing the massage in low light is best to keep the baby from becoming overstimulated, since the massage is plenty of stimulation, South said. It is also best to keep the room warm.

Often, doing the massage before nap time or after a bath can work well, Dionne said.

Dionne is originally from Connecticut and learned her techniques in New York City, she said. Becoming certified meant passing a huge exam.

She offers group classes which are extensive or abbreviated classes for individuals or families, and will travel to where people need her, Dionne said.

Dionne started at Sol Day Spa at the beginning of the year, joining South and Michelle Culbert, the other massage therapists.

Sol Day Spa was opened at 17208 Highway 34 at the beginning of December after South found she needed more room for her business and for a partner, which offers a full range of massage and other alternative therapies.

The building is west of where Ehrlich Toyota sits east of Fort Morgan.

Sol Day Spa also offers Swedish, therapeutic, prenatal and post-partum, deep tissue and hot stone massage.

Post-partum massage “is wonderful,” Dionne said, because it helps with the stress on the body.

Prenatal massage is also nice for those experiencing the strain of pregnancy, but must be done very carefully, especially during the first trimester, she said.

Culbert has a specialty in the hot stone technique, which loosens up muscles to make a massage work more easily, she said.

Patrons can also indulge in a Bellanina facelift, which is a relaxing facial massage that helps tone and tighten face muscles, lessening the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, South said.

Sol Day Spa also offers body scrubs with sugar or mud to go along with body wraps, which are meant to make skin smooth and supple and uncover more youthful skin, she said.

A shower room within the massage room gives clients a chance to clean up afterward, South said.

The spa also offers some additional pampering in the form of paraffin dips for hands or feet, aromatherapy, hot oil scalp treatments and foot scrubs.

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Ohio Spa treatments pamper the body, soothe the soul

Can we all agree that this has been one of the most brutal winters in recent memory?  When it wasn’t snowing, the skies were gray and dank. When it wasn’t freezing cold, it was only really cold. Add in the grim economic climate, and the only things more diminished than our spirits are our 401(k) funds.

While we wish we could all be whisked away for a mini break to Florida, the reality of the paragraph above makes that unlikely. Instead, we find balms to our souls — and winter-battered skin — much closer to home, in luxurious treatments at local spas.

Sure, some of these treatments are pricey, but they’re all far cheaper than a beach vacation in March. Some of these are new experiences; some are treasured hours from the past. Like any great getaway, the memories linger.

Charles Scott Spa & Salon in Rocky River.

It would be hard to find a more apt spa treatment with which to greet spring than Chaz’s Choice, named for owner Chaz Henline.

And it is choice.   The treatment, done in the rooms inside the spa sanctuary, lasts more than two hours. But after that, your skin will soft, smooth and pretty much ready to be bared. Or at least it will be after a couple of days of rubbing on self-tanning lotion.

First, your skin is dry brushed, which loosens the dead skin but also revs up your circulation. That’s followed by a sugar scrub (sugar with a little oil, which is less harsh on the skin than sea salt). You know how good it feels when you have that done during a pedicure? Multiply by 10.

Then, you lie on a special bed and a warm shower from multiple heads rains down on you. It’s like a warm, powerful rain that goes on and on until your whole body is cleansed of the grainy sugar.

Then, you dry off, put on a robe and go to another room, in which your esthetician covers you with a special detoxifying mud. You’ll be wrapped in a Mylar blanket for about 20 minutes (she’ll check on you after 10 minutes to make sure you’re feeling OK).

Then, she’ll help you rinse off with a shower hose, and you’ll dry off again, go to another room and be massaged for 30 minutes with a super-moisturizing cream. You won’t shower after that, because you’ll want that moisture on all day.

After this treatment, you’ll feel soft and renewed, with a fresh glow — and the bad memory of your itchy winter skin will be only that.

Details: Chaz’s Choice, $170, doesn’t including styling and blow-dry. 

 Sacred Hour Massage & Skincare, Lakewood

For regular devotees of pampering on a budget, there’s always a tough choice: Do I get a nice facial that involves some half-hearted massage, or do I go for the deep-tissue massage and say to heck with all those clogged pores?

Thanks to Tabitha Ainsley at Sacred Hour, that’s no longer an issue. Ainsley, well-known on the West Side for the most pleasurably intense massages ever, is also a fully licensed esthetician now with a full range of skin-care and waxing options on her menu.

Ms. Stressed Out, meet Ms. Chill.

At Sacred Hour, you’re invited to leave your shoes — and your worries — in the lobby. There, Ainsley quietly asks about any specific areas of concern, because talking is politely discouraged inside the darkened corridors.

Inside an antechamber, a footbath with scented oils awaits, and you’re invited to sip water or tea as your feet soak. You’re soon ushered into a candlelit massage room, where you undress and lie face down on the heated table.

The scent of peppermint oil fills the air as Ainsley begins the massage, done at your favored level of intensity. She starts with the feet and ends at the aching shoulder muscles, cramped from long hours at the keyboard.

At Ainsley’s hushed request, the now half-asleep subject flips over and Ainsley begins the facial process. She uses Norabloom Botanicals, a line of paraben-, petroleum- and fragrance-free skin-care products including the most heavenly, gentle sugar scrub, followed by a moisturizing mask.

As the mask works, Ainsley does, too, completing the full body massage, ending with an invigorating scalp massage.

Before she exits, she gives one final stroke to the face and says, “Relax, take your time.”

Wait, we have to leave?

Details: $135 for 105 minutes. 

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Aveda’s Green Science Facial, Bella Capelli Sanctuario, Westlake

Aveda’s Green Science facial, which makes use of “green” ingredients, is an intense and fabulous splurge especially fitting for spring.

The Green Science facial, which just debuted last year, is available at Bella Capelli as well as some other full-service Aveda salons. You should allow about two hours for this intensive treatment.

First is a deep, exfoliating organic enzyme peel derived from cactus (this is Aveda’s answer to more abrasive glycolic peels). In fact, all the products used in this treatment get their power from plants. The aroma of lavender and ylang-ylang is part of the sensory treat.

The cleansing is followed by the company’s trademarked line-minimizing stimulation, which you experience as a soothing massage of the face. Then, a mask is applied and stays on for 20 minutes.

The facial’s signature is that it’s all about “high-touch skin therapy.” So besides having your face massaged, you also get a blissful massage of the feet, hands, arms and upper body, and then a hydrating cream is applied.

While that’s going on, you’ll get an application of the Green Science anti-aging skin-repair system, which is made to reduce fine lines and the appearance of age spots.

You’ll walk out of the salon with a definite glow: partly from the treatment, and partly from the psychic benefits of pampering.

Details: $175, though discount packages are available. 

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Chocolate Polish and Body Wrap, Jack Arra’s Salon & Spa, Concord Township

We’ve heard raves about the body polishes and moisturizing treatments at this Concord hot spot.

In the Body Polish and Moisturizing package ($50), the skin is exfoliated using micronized seaweed to eliminate dead skin cells and toxins. Which sounds just great until you hear about the Chocolate Polish option.

In this package, the body is first exfoliated and buffed, then a chocolate mousse mask is applied before you are gently wrapped in a blanket. Later, a wonderfully thick butter- cream moisturizer is applied before you rise and dress again. Turns out your spirits can rise just like a chocolate souffle.

For an additional $7, friends recommend adding the Aromatic Sinus Steam Canopy to the body wrap or especially the massages on offer at Jack Arra’s. This a combination of hot steam and essential oils to soothe those overworked sinuses.

Details: $130

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Coco MojiToes Pedicure, Natural Beauty Salon & Spa, Twinsburg

Natural Beauty is carrying a great new line of spa treatments all based on a wonderfully aromatic blend of fresh coconut and tangy lime. The two fruits are touted for the significant amounts of lauric acid, polyphenols, and tocotrienols they contain, which are said to be good for the skin.

We recently indulged in spa pedicure, cockeyed optimists that we are — with the warm weather over the weekend, can sandal weather be far away?

First the feet are soaked in a steaming, pulsating bath of scented water. After the toenails are shaped and cuticles cared for, the feet are exfoliated with a lime-coconut scrub and vigorously massaged. The polish of your choice is then applied.

The salon is offering a special for March and April — purchase a Coco MojiToes pedicure, and get a Coco Lime Resurfacing Facial for $45.

The only thing that would make this deal better? An actual mojito.

Details: Pedicure cost is $48

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Too much stress during pregnancy can result in pre-term birth or low birth weight, both of which moms-to-be want to avoid. Judith Nolte, Editor-in-Chief of American Baby Magazine, has some tips for keeping stress at bay.

With the economy in a slump, many mothers-to-be are feeling the stress of planning for a baby on a tight budget. Normal, everyday stress is okay, but if you’re having trouble sleeping or are constantly worrying, you’ll need to take steps to relax a little more. Nolte mentions that crisis situations, such as a death in the family, severe financial instability or divorce, can potentially harm your baby. High stress situations can lead to premature birth or low birth weight. It’s important to keep stress in check, both for you and for your baby.

If you or someone you know are in a severe financial crisis, have lost your job or are struggling to pay your bills, there are organizations that help pregnant women in need. Women, Infants and Children is a group that provides federal grants to states so they can provide food, healthcare and other important prenatal skills to moms-to-be who are struggling financially. To find out if you qualify for help, click here to visit the Women, Infants and Children.

In addition to financial help, there are ways to reduce stress. Be sure to talk to your doctor about what’s right for you, but Nolte offers some ideas to start with.

First, she suggests creating a support system for yourself. “You need friends, family, people online… to talk to other people who’ll be there for you, primarily who have been through it before and can help you and give you tips,” says Nolte. AmericanBaby.com offers several chat rooms on a wide range of topics for new moms to discuss what they’re feeling and how they’re coping with the demands of motherhood. “You’ll always find somebody who’s going through the same thing at the same time,” says Nolte.

Also, try exercising throughout your pregnancy. Just as a good workout could relieve stress before you got pregnant, hitting the gym or yoga studio during pregnancy can help keep things in perspective during pregnancy, too. “[Yoga] is good for your breathing, it’s good for your muscles,” says Nolte. “The more you exercise, the better it’s going to be to get through delivery.” Be sure to consult your doctor to find a fitness routine that will work for you. Certain exercises shouldn’t be performed during pregnancy, so check with your doctor before hitting the gym.

Massage is another great stress reliever. “If you find a masseuse who does pregnancy massage in particular, it’s a good idea,” Nolte adds. “Ask your doctor if it’s okay.”

Even on your busiest days, though, be sure to take a short break to clear your head. Slow down! “Do something simple,” says Nolte. “Take a walk, read a book, listen to your iPod.” Find an activity that helps your mind focus on something other than the stress in your life. Even a ten minute break can do wonders. This is great practice for once your baby is born, too.

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Learn More about Spa Treatments during pregnancy

Massage, Maternity Massage, Stress Relief Maternity Massage, Pregnancy and Spa Treatments

FEW things in this world are better than a spa weekend. Think of it — mineral baths, deep massages, delicious food — and then think what a great gift it would be for your spouse or partner.

Perhaps something like the two-night Spectacular Spa Getaway at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, N.Y.: all meals, afternoon tea, an 80-minute massage, use of steam rooms and saunas, yoga or other classes, guided nature walks or hikes, ice-skating and other activities. Rates begin at $609 a person for the two nights, double occupancy.

Yet a possibly even more memorable spa weekend for your spouse or partner could be at your own second home. You may not be able to mimic the architecture or the romantic location of Mohonk, but you can create your own little spa focused on one very important client.

Here’s what you need to do:

DINING Lay in a supply of easy-to-prepare “luxury” foods, maybe a couple of lobsters, a pound of crabmeat for salads, smoked salmon, good breads, cheeses, chocolates and Champagne (but have something less expensive, like prosecco, to mix with orange juice for those essential Sunday morning mimosas). Set the table with new cloth napkins. If you don’t have flutes, buy them.

AMBIENCE If there’s a fireplace, have starter logs and plenty of wood. Put on some spa music, whatever you think your partner would like, but not too loud. And don’t forget candles; votives in glass cups save you from having to clean up wax drips. Verbena, lavender and almond are more spalike than spice scents.

AMENITIES If the towels and other linens at your second home are, well, seconds, upgrade. Pick up a couple of bath sheets (very large terry-cloth bath towels) and other rich-feeling towels and washcloths at a discounter like Marshalls. Don’t forget new sheets and pillowcases. If you’re not going to spring for silk, at least get cotton with a high thread count. A new bathrobe and slippers would be good, too.

YOGA Set aside time for yoga or some other exercise. It will make everything that comes afterward, especially the massage, better. Look for yoga instructional Yoga For Beginners, Premium Skidless Yoga Mat – Purple
and other supplies.

BATHING Give your partner a relaxing bath. Scented bath salts double the pleasure, combining aromatherapy with the stress-relief effect of salt. Rosemary Mint Zen Bath Salt is $11.95 for 16 ounces at the San Francisco Bath Salt Company.

MASSAGE If you’ve had a professional massage, you know how good it can feel. You want your partner to feel that good, too, so you need to know some techniques. There is instruction at www.wonderhowto.com (click on diet and health), and at www.videojug.com and www.metacafe.com (search for massage).

Or look for The Massage Book: 25th Anniversary Edition , originally published in 1972 and now out in a 25th-anniversary edition. You’re also likely to find a bunch of books on sensual massage. Massage can be done on a mat or a bed, but it’s best on a OneTouch Elite Series Portable Massage Table Luxury Pad Teal 4S , along with massage oils.

SKIN TREATMENTS Exfoliation is really little more than a good scrubbing, usually with an abrasive cloth or sponge or a soluble material like
The All NEW Seacret Ocean Sea Salt Scrub – 24oz
. A variety of products to cleanse, detoxify, moisturize and otherwise make one’s skin feel and/or look great are available at any drugstore. Some may not be recommended for right after a salt scrub, so be sure to read the labels.

That’s it. You arrive Friday evening, dine on chilled lobster and Champagne and sleep between new sheets. Saturday starts with a light breakfast, maybe a walk outside, then yoga, a long soak in the tub, a massage and perhaps a salt scrub.

On Sunday, when the spa weekend ends, accept your partner’s thanks gracefully — and point out that next time it’s your turn to get the spa treatment.

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Balancing Your Life, Massage, Stress Relief

Faceology: A Treatment Less Ordinary

Is your favorite part of a massage the end when the therapist gently caresses the pressure points on your face before finishing with a scrumptious scalp massage? If so, have we got the perfect treatment for you.

At Amrit Davaa Wellness Center (located inside Golden Bridge Yoga), Kristi Marie Jones has created a truly unique treatment called Faceology.

She combines elements of reflexology, Reiki, aromatherapy and a facial, and the end result is oh-so-much-more than the sum of its parts.

Kristi began by massaging her very own handcrafted Narayan Sole Food shea butter into the feet, and then pulled gently on our legs as we took deep breaths, letting the tension and anxiety drift away with each exhale. She used Reiki energy and her gift of intuition to help us identify, work through and release our worries and preoccupations so that we could fully experience and enjoy our treatment. (This was our second visit with Kristi, and much like our first, we found it as effective as a therapy session, but with the bonus of yummy smells and much pampering.)

Of course, this treatment is about nourishing the skin as well as the soul. To that end, Kristi applied an exfoliating scrub to the face, followed by her Narayan Affirmation Serum – a blend of pumpkin seed oil, grapefruit seed extract, aloe, jojoba, and a bunch of other good stuff. (True story: We use this product every night and it makes our skin look and feel fantastic.)

The most crazy-cool part of our session was when Kristi used a crystal to tap the pressure points of the face, thereby releasing built-up tension; it’s amazing how much we carry in our facial muscles. We were positively beaming by the time she was done, and walked out of Golden Bridge on light feet. Forget about Botox – just let Kristi wave your creases (and worries) away with her crystal wand!

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Understanding Ayurvedic Spa Treatments – A Brief Overview

Pampering ayurvedic spa treatments are an individualized way to realize your full beauty and potential.  Ayurveda is the an ancient holistic art that began in India and is one of the oldest bodies of information about healing.  Also known as the “Science of Life” this natural medicine was first described in around 3,500 BC and promotes a balance life in harmony physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally.

Ayurveda focuses on three energies within each of us, which are called doshas.  The three doshas, called Pitta, Vata and Kapha, are related to the five universal elements of space, earth, water, air and fire.  As our health, stress levels and circumstances in life change, our doshas fluctuate and may become unbalanced.  Ayurvedic spa techniques combine aromatherapy and massage with fine essential oils and herbal powders.  Various massage techniques and aromas are used to create a better level of balance of your doshas.  Body massage, facial massage, foot massage and marma point massage are some of the Ayurvedic spa treatments that give you a feeling of relaxation that you have never had before.

The holistic art of ayurveda can ease pain, relieve stress and even help chronic rheumatoid discomfort and offers a myriad of health benefits.  Try a beautifying, holistic ayurvedic spa treatment to look and feel great today.

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Increasingly, Men Are Enjoying Spa Treatments

Pedicures are among the gentlemenly attractions at the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, outside London.

Sir, please take off clothes,” said the masseur.

The diminutive young Indian man ushered me into a dark room at the Ayushman Ayurveda Center. I had booked a rejuvenation massage. If one were ever to try an Ayurvedic treatment, I reasoned, where better than in Kerala, India, where the ancient Hindu-linked health philosophy is most deeply rooted?

Dropping my clothes onto a chair, I pondered my gut, my less-than-taut thighs. Meanwhile, the masseur wrapped an XXL plastic smock onto his XXS frame. He was humorless yet not unfriendly. I had no idea how intimate our relationship was about to become.

It’s no secret that spas are on the upswing, in the United States and abroad. Less known is that men are a growing segment of spa-goers. The International Spa Association (ISPA) reports that men now comprise 31 percent of spa patrons, up from 29 percent in 2003.

In the past, spa has been seen as pampering, lotions and potions that appeal to women,” says Jim Root, chairman of ISPA. Root proposes that “spa” stands for salus per aquam, Latin for health through water. “If you look at Russian and Scandinavian cultures, their health came about through bathing. Spa is a lifestyle; it’s an umbrella word for all things health-, fitness- and wellness-related.”

Yet in India, being bathed in warm oil by another man did not seem like the most obvious path to wellness.

“Sir, please sit on table,” said the demure masseur.

Naked, I perched clumsily on the table’s edge. It looked like a giant wooden breakfast tray, an upturned lip around its perimeter and a drain at one end. A bucket sat on the floor under the drain.

As I sat upright, the masseur poured sesame oil into his cupped hand and began to knead the liquid vigorously into my scalp. He poured some more oil, rubbing it into my ears. Another handful was slathered onto my face.

“Sir, please lie down.”

I rolled face-down onto the wood surface. Handful after handful of oil followed, along with a rub comprised of long, brisk strokes. Little pressure was applied, but there was lots and lots of oil, 30 minutes of lathering in all. What oil didn’t adhere to my body dripped off and oozed to the drain and drizzled into the bucket.

“Sir, please sit up.”

The rubdown was over, and the masseur helped me onto the floor. The soles of my feet were so heavily lubricated that I clung anxiously to his arm as he guided me to a steam room where I sat and ripened for 15 minutes. Then the masseur collected me, still clad in his smock, and escorted me to the shower where he sprinkled a powder across my skin.

“To remove oil, sir.”

I could barely stand without sliding, and I was being supported naked in a shower by a solemn man half my size, adorned in an oversized white plastic smock.

I did not feel rejuvenated. I felt 97 years old.

Stress Reduction

My experiences at spas have not generally been this extreme. Actually, I’ve learned that a great spa treatment tends to be a reliable way to relieve the ache of jet lag, or to cure the stress I sometimes feel at the end of a grueling travel itinerary. Swedish, lomilomi, reflexology, or even a men’s facial: I’m not monogamous about the type of treatment, as long as it’s handled by a pro who lures me into switching off physical or mental tension.

“Spa has moved beyond the pampering component and become mainstream,” says Root. But the industry has done little to encourage male role models, as evidenced by most spa brochures, which almost always exhibit women undergoing treatments. “The spa world hasn’t always made it comfortable for men. Without a guide, it’s been an unknown.”

Common obstacles for men include a concern over intimacy, anxiety over body parts, or discomfort entering what has traditionally been thought of as a women’s environment. “They are concerned about their appearance, maybe they’re ashamed of their feet,” says Root, who adds that the social aspect in a spa is foreign to many men. “You can put a group of strange women in a room and they wind up being best friends. Men aren’t the same way about socialization.”

“Men want the real deal. They don’t want to be pandered to.”

Hotel Hampshire

But they do line up for spa treatments at the Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire, a 133-room country retreat 40 minutes west of London’s Heathrow airport. Situated on storied grounds where Henry VIII met his first wife Catherine of Aragon, the hotel caters to weekend guests from London as well as day visitors for its much-lauded spa. Actor Ewan McGregor and family were in residence during my visit.

At the risk of gliding into a cross-pond cultural fender-bender, I’ll posit that the English tend to be a tad more prudish than Americans. Where better than the English countryside to find experts who might know how to coddle an uneasy clientele?

Ian Mackie, the hotel’s senior spa director, confirmed that English men can be a bit reserved about spa treatments but also that his business is on the upswing, with men comprising about 40 percent of the spa’s guests on weekends. He also notes that men are more likely than women to buy spa products after their treatment.

“Spa has been perceived as very feminine,” says Mackie. “But we are working to make men feel more welcome.”

This means designing the hotel’s 27,000-square-foot spa — which occupies an 18th-century stable block — with a masculine color scheme and lots of wood accents, installing a proper gym, adding a 66-foot lap pool within an airy conservatory, and stocking the men’s relaxation area with business and sports magazines. It also means instituting a line of treatments for men, including a golfer’s massage and a sports massage, and day packages utilizing men’s products created by the British skin care line ESPA.

“For massage, we’ve had to train therapists to give men the pressure they want,” said Mackie. “And our men’s facial is devised specifically for them. For instance, men like hotter towels on their face. Golfers complain they have terrible feet, but they love having a foot massage or pedicure.”

Excess love handles, a trio of corns on the sole of my left foot: I wish I were completely comfortable with the state of my own body.

At the Four Seasons, I am prepared to disclose my defects to spa therapist Charlotte Ansell before she starts my hot stone massage. Perhaps sensing my anxiety, she addresses the intimacy she confronts at work as I settle onto the padded massage bed.

“Like a doctor, we see lots and lots of bodies every day,” Ansell says. “But as a therapist, you learn to look beneath the skin, to the muscles and what you’re working with.”

And with that, a heated basalt stone is placed at the top of my spine, where it immediately transmits warmth below the skin. Charlotte uses the rounded volcanic rock to massage my shoulder blades, to smooth muscles, to provide rigid force where needed. And as the stone starts to cool and my jet lag begins to melt away, Charlotte slides the stone down one arm and into my open palm. It feels like I have been delivered a secret gift. The idle stone is a gentle weight that anchors my body to the table while my mind floats away.

This time, when I leave the massage table an hour later, I feel a decade younger.

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Pamper me, please
Spas pop up to cater to customers seeking personal attention

Sandra Fry enjoys her first ever facial treatment Thursday morning at A Touch of Heaven Salon and Spa in St Joesph, Missouri. After the facial, Ms. Fry remarked that she’ll be getting one every month from now on.

People will pay big bucks to be pampered.
Professionals are taking notice and several salon owners are opening spas to cash in.
“It’s a smart business move because you can keep it all together,” said Janis Roades, a master stylist at A Touch of Heaven Salon and Spa. The business opened recently in St. Joseph

Spas typically offer facials, massages, mud scrubs and body wraps to add to the resume of hair and nails.
In the movies, spas are portrayed as playgrounds for socialites where the rich and famous walk around in robes, sipping champagne and munching on strawberries with cucumbers over their eyes.
Yet more and more businesses catering to everyday people are popping up in St. Joseph.
Sandy Wilson said about 10 percent of students come through the doors looking to work in a spa after graduation from Vatterott’s Cosmetology program.

“They see it as the higher dollar ticket,” she said. “Most already have a vision.”
There’s several variations of an explanation for the trend. But they all have a common theme.
“Women are wanting to spend more and more time together and on themselves,” Ms. Roades said. “Me time.”
The St. Joseph spa experience is slightly different than what you might see elsewhere. The environment brings together the smells of perms, acrylic nail solution and eucalyptus oil. Customers would enter a hair and nail salon but be escorted back to secluded, private rooms to be pampered via massage. Once inside the sounds of hair dryers and gossip soon fade.

Nina Grossman said she wonders if it isn’t the increase in the baby boomer generation hitting that transitional point in the battle with age. Ms. Grossman, St. Joseph, doesn’t think women are more vain than before, just that society has become more obsessed with external beauty.

“We’re not our grandmother,” Ms. Roades said. “Baby boomers have never followed suit. We look 10 years younger and we’re gonna keep it that way.” And the competition is fierce. At least four new spas have opened this year alone, according to business license records from the city of St. Joseph.

“You’ve got to offer everything,” Ms. Roades said. “If you don’t, somebody else is going to.”
There are differences in the world of massage, though.

Until Terry Landess came to Vatterott as the director of education, the massage therapy program was geared mostly toward spas. He has pushed to make the profession more health related by changing the curriculum.
“Yet someone coming out of (Vatterott) can work in both places,” Mr. Landess said of spas and doctor’s offices.
“

It’s a very lucrative profession,” said Bob Taylor, an instructor of massage therapy at Vatterott. “But it takes years to build it up.”
Mr. Taylor has seen a lot of changes and trends in the industry since he first started 38 years ago.
“This is Missouri,” he said. “We’ll always be 40 years behind.”

Mr. Taylor said that spas in the area are different from those in Los Angeles or New York City.
Ms. Grossman lived in Santa Rosa, Calif., for nearly 25 years before moving to St. Joseph to live with her cousin. She said that while the local salon and spas may not be as exquisite as the ones she’s been to on the West Coast, they still offer a good experience.

“It’s more affordable and there’s the convenience of being able to get more than one service at a time,” said Maxine Sousley, a master stylist at Serenity Salon and Spa.

Ms. Sousley’s salon features massage sweats, pilates, yoga and a gym on top of the traditional salon set up.
“People are getting really excited,” she said. “We’re attracting (clients) in their 30s, 40s and older.”
Serenity also offers a lunch-hour pedicure. “It’s a little escape for an hour.”
“It’s such a busy life and we want ‘me’ time,” Ms. Wilson said.

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Laura’s Wellness may have best facial

For more than 20 years, Laura Bischoff has been helping people put their best face forward.
Bischoff and her husband Brad own Laura’s Wellness Spa in Redlands. Specializing in facials and body facials using Epicuren Discovery products, she is was recently nominated by the MyFoxLA Web site for best facial in the Riverside area.

“I have been going to Laura for a few years now, and I have seen great improvements regarding my skin and its health,” client Olga Granillo said. “I appreciate that she is able to customize her treatment depending on my skin’s needs.

“Not only does Laura help me take care of my skin, but with her positive energy and genuine kindness, she takes care of my soul and spirit while I am there.”

Bischoff received her graduate degree from the Lancome Institute DeBeaute in Paris, then managed the Lancome Institute and Harris’ Day Spa in Redlands for more than 17 years. She fulfilled her dream of owning her own wellness spa six years ago, when Laura’s Wellness Spa opened for business.

“Her charisma, love of people and professional skills are no doubt what has spurred her spa’s tremendous growth,” client Ron Squier said. “As a physical therapist, I have always appreciated and enjoyed her wonderful facials, massages and professional advice.”

Through her spa, Bischoff has brought specialty items out of Los Angeles and into the Inland Empire, such as Epicuren products, Sage Machado essential oil perfumes and Youngblood mineral makeup.
“Epicuren products are intensive but results are immediate and lasting,” she said. “I like that Epicuren believes that your best cosmetic should be your skin.”

Bischoff said she is determined to give services that focus on the each client individually. She gives nutritional counseling when necessary, and customizes each facial or body treatment.
“What I love about Laura and the spa is the personalized, caring environment,” client Shelly Almgren said. “I feel refreshed after her facials.

Laura is committed to total body wellness, which has definitely been a blessing to me.”
Recently, Bischoff expanded her services to include private and semi-private yoga sessions in the Nepenthe Yoga room. “Nepenthe” is translated as “the one that chases pain and sorrow away,” and that’s Bischoff’s goal for clients.

“It came about from noticing my own posture was changing and not for the better,” she said. “Then I realized exercise is a huge factor in how healthy your skin is. These things need to be co-existing for good skincare.”

The four types of yoga – offered by Bischoff and two additional instructors – are ashtanga, power vinyasa flow, intro to yoga and Thai yoga.
“Some key benefits from the yoga sessions offered include improved posture, stress reduction and overall improved quality of life,” Bischoff said.

Through the Nepenthe Yoga Room, which is decorated with mirrors in the shape of the sun and Swarovski crystals, she has opened up the world of yoga to many who otherwise wouldn’t have taken a class.
“I was very excited when she started offering yoga classes, because I had never done yoga before,” client Helen Gaglia said. “Laura helped me to not feel intimidated or embarrassed.”

While Laura takes care of the health side of the spa, Brad manages the technical and financial tasks and designed and maintains the spa’s website . On the side, he is a musician and leads worship at The Packinghouse church in Redlands.

The pair’s diverse interests have led to a unique service at the spa.
“We’re currently offering a `Multi-Task Wellness’ special,” Bischoff said.
“Linking the spa with your computer’s wellness, you can now pamper yourself and solve most of your PC problems in just one visit.

When you call for your appointment, mention what you need done to your PC. Then just bring your computer or laptop with you when you come in for your spa treatment and he’ll get it working in no time.”
For the spa’s clients, having these extra services is icing on the cake.

“When I go to Laura’s Wellness Spa, it is like entering a new world, one that is filled with peace and tranquility,” Gaglia said. “Laura is the sweetest, cleanest and most thorough esthetician I have ever been to. She makes me feel like I’m the most important person when she is working on me.”

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