I know for a fact there are spa-enthusiasts out there. I hear my friends constantly raving about their latest treatment, comparing notes, making recommendations, talking excitedly about their next appointment—all the while I’m wondering why don’t I go more often? They obviously find the time and have experiences that are so satisfying they can’t stop talking about it! Between work, kids, and some type of guilt-induced exercise, there just doesn’t seem to be any time left for what I perceived as self-indulgence. However, my recent experience at The Rosemary Spa opened my eyes to what can be gained from a world-class spa experience; something far more rewarding and beneficial than I had ever realized.
When you think of a trip to the spa, one typically envisions an environment that provides time for a quiet, reflective experience where only sounds of soothing music or flowing water can be heard. Not being the quiet, reflective type, I happily chatted away with my therapist, Marie. I learned about the changing perceptions of spas and the fact that the typical time between visits has shortened considerably. We also spoke about the exponential growth in male clientele and treatments that have been designed especially for them, as well as the global acceptance that a visit to the spa is not just for a special occasion or the resort vacation experience.
Marie talked about the spa industry as a whole evolving from what was once perceived as a luxury to what is now considered a crucial component to total health, fitness and well-being. Today’s services are less focused on superficial appearance procedures such as peels and injections, and more about a healthy living lifestyle and total body wellness education. Of course beauty is a desired result, but the approach is more focused on the benefits of natural ingredients and restorative techniques such as various therapeutic massages to address; anxiety, stress, sports injury, circulation, and for such specific treatments such as lymphatic drainage. Bear with me on this last one. I had to do a little research to fully understand the how’s and why’s of it. From my way of thinking, it would seem everyone could benefit from this!
“The lymph nodes produce immune cells that fight infection while filtering lymph fluid to remove foreign material. When bacteria or other immune threats are present in lymph, lymph nodes increase production of infection-fighting white blood cells, which can cause the nodes to swell. The lymphatic system has no “pump” of its own to move lymph through the system, as the circulatory system has the heart. Rather, bodily movement and breathing function to move liquid lymph through the vessels and filters of the lymph nodes. For people who get too little exercise and eat too much processed food, the lymphatic system can easily be overtaxed – resulting in a body that is susceptible to infection and disease.” Natural News
I have to admit that I was more than a little enthralled by the feel of the products that were used on my skin during my treatment. The smell alone was transformative. I wanted to bathe in it, carry the fragrance with me wherever I went. I remember my first reaction to the feeling and scent of the oils and lotions as being immensely soothing, and creating an instant mind-body relaxation effect. The Rosemary Spa uses an all-natural product line (Yon-Ka Paris) made from organic Lavender, Geranium, Rosemary, Cypress and Thyme. Each ingredient provides unique healing properties such as; calming, anti-inflammatory, regenerative, toning, nerve-balancing, decongesting and antiseptic, and as I can attest, the combination is sensational.
In fact, I love these products so much I had to take them home with me. The products selected for me were:
- Gel Nettoyant, an all-natural purifying cleanser
- Phyto 52, an anti-aging, firming vitalizing cream (Phytotherapy is the science of the use of fresh or dry plants for therapeutic purposes.)
- Galbol 90, a serum that combines 20 plant extracts to promote firming, regeneration and hydration.
It has been a few months since my visit to The Rosemary Spa. Using these products on a daily basis has noticeably reduced the appearance of fine lines, improved skin tone and texture, and left me with a feeling of firmer, tighter skin. What I once considered as a self-indulgent experience has been both transformative and eye-opening. I can’t wait to go back and discover what the next steps are for me.
I should also note these products have provided a source of entertainment for my family. It seems I am not the only one who can’t get enough of the fresh, soothing fragrance. I find that once I go through my nightly cleansing routine my children always want to smell my face and hands—it is our very own daily aromatherapy session!