Homey massage

By Serena GelbPhilippine Daily InquirerLast updated 18:32:00 01/29/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Whenever I get stressed or overworked, I turn to massage. Massage is not only relaxing, it is beneficial to the health as well.
A massage increases blood flow through your body, improving circulation. That means it circulates fresh oxygen to your organs, including the brain!
It also improves muscle and skintone, and digestion. Therapeutic massage has been known to even improve self-esteem. You feel so good after a massage that you feel you can do anything.
But most people are concerned about the cost of a massage. In a luxury spa or a hotel, a massage costs P2,000 upward.
But my family has discovered a way to enjoy the relaxing benefits of massage without the prohibitive price. There are now several home-service massage outfits that send their staff directly to your home and pick them up later. They are literally just a phone call away. No need to fight traffic to go to your favorite spa.
The service is quite budget-friendly. At P250 per hour, the service may be offered to the whole family.
The massage outfits are on my speed dial, and whenever I have a tough day at school, I just dial their number and here they come!
I have found the staff to be very friendly, clean and cooperative. They work according to the client’s individual needs. For instance, when my feet are sore from running up and down the stairs in Phys Ed, I ask them for pure reflexology. When I need a rest, I lie on my stomach for a deep, relaxing back massage.
Equipment
When “ordering” a massage at home, all you need is a chair to recline in or a bed.
In spas, however, they often have massage tables or chairs. Chair massages are more common in public spots, airports and malls.
They are convenient if you don’t have much time to spare, and the masseuse can concentrate on particular areas in the neck, shoulder and upper body regions where most people store their tension.
Massage tables are bulkier and heavier, with more spare parts such as the head rest, but they allow the “patient” to lie completely flat for an all-around massage experience.
At home, massage junkies that we are, we keep to portable massage tables folded in our closet ready to use any time.
The massage is now everywhere. I have come across airports around the world offering massage services to tired travelers.
At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, chair massages are available; in Bali and Hong Kong, they offer foot reflexology.
The most curious massage offering at an airport I have come across with is the “water massage” machine at the San Francisco Airport.
Out of curiosity, I tried it. It was the strangest massage experience of my life. I lay inside a high-tech capsule, fully clothed and water-shielded by a plastic sac beat on my back. I could hear the roar of the surging water around me. I felt like a pair of jeans inside a washing machine.
Oils
A word about massage oils. Most therapists use oil to massage. I allow only natural oils that come from plants to touch my skin.
Why? The skin is the largest organ of the human body. I want my skin to absorb nourishing vitamins and minerals.
I always read the label of the oils I purchase to make sure they don’t have artificial scents, preservatives or colors. These ingredients may make the oil in the bottle prettier, more marketable and have a longer shelf life; but they are not healthful. They may cause allergic reactions.
There are many vegetable oils to choose from: almond oil, peanut oil, sesame seed oil, even the olive or corn oil in your kitchen.
My favorite oil is local coconut oil, which is affordable, nourishing and has no strong scent. I always choose cold-pressed oil—it is extracted using no heat to damage its natural nutrients.
It is also the most absorbable since heating makes oil thicker and more sticky. I never use mineral oil because it is a petroleum-derivative. Petrol is more suited to car engines.
How nice that the health benefits of massage in the safety and comfort of our own home is simply a phone call away!

Call Massage at Home at 7421829 and 843 7686; Dial A Massage at 7237157.

Posted by : Massage Therapy Adelaide - http://knead.net.au

$6 million spa launches at Hotel Galvez

Galveston, Texas (Feb. 13, 2008) - Gracing the Texas Gulf Coast since 1911, Hotel Galvez - A Wyndham Historic Hotel is proud to announce the March 15, 2008 opening of its $6 million, 9,736 square foot Spa at Hotel Galvez, with accompanying salon and fitness center.
Visitors of the Mediterranean-inspired spa will experience treatments in one of seven ocean-themed rooms that will promote nature and wellness, indulge in signature spa cuisine and unwind post-treatment in the tranquil oases of the Spa's Relaxation Room or Meditation and Water Wall Garden.
Dedicated to total well-being, the Spa at Hotel Galvez will go beyond the "pampering experience" to offer a full sampling of treatments that provide a variety of healing benefits. Services will range from massages and facials to body therapy treatments, manicures and pedicures. The signature Galvez Stone Massage will combine the elements of massage with the therapeutic qualities of hot and cold stones to stimulate and detoxify the skin while promoting healing through muscle pain alleviation and body awakening.
The tagline "A Coastal Sanctuary for the Senses" suggests that the focus of the spa will be to restore balance and exceed guests' expectations through providing a quality level of service in a soothing atmosphere. Combining Phytomer's 104 trace seawater minerals with warm essential oils, an aromatic body gel will replenish moisture and nutrients to spagoers' skin during a Remineralizing Body Wrap. The spa will feature France-based Phytomer and Yon-Ka spa products.
"The Spa at Hotel Galvez is intended to serve as an integral piece of the historic hotel and enhance its reputation as a premier Gulf Coast property," says Spa Director, Vanessa Harris. "The newly-conceived spa will be unlike anything else available on Galveston Island. It will capitalize on the growing demand for more closely-integrated spa amenities throughout the luxury hotel and resort segment."
Executive Chef Jerry Helminski will present a spa cuisine menu that creates a balance of health and decadence. Spa guests will have the chance to indulge through a tempting range of creations, including inside-out cous cous rolls, curried shrimp cappuccino and a dessert course that begs the question, "Is chocolate a sin?" Like the spa, the cuisine will be inspired by the ocean, with courses like "The Cure" incorporating various sea salts and "Revitalize," featuring pan roasted sea bass, served with blue lip mussels and roasted beet puree.
Post-treatment, a Spa Meditation Garden will be available for spa guests, featuring chaise lounge chairs, a rock garden, water wall and juice and smoothie bar. Group yoga and meditation instruction will also be offered in the garden. For those opting to stay indoors, a large, softly-lit Relaxation Room will provide individual seating and music selection, using sheer curtains to allow the utmost privacy and reflection.
As Hotel Galvez is a premier wedding venue on Galveston Island, the spa has designed bridal packages to meet the needs of brides and offers a private lounge for intimate bridal parties. Special events coordinators will be available to assist in planning and executing all group events at the spa.
Half-day and full-day spa packages will also be available for visitors interested in an extended retreat. The Galvez Oasis full-day package will feature five hours of treatments including: a relaxing bath, Grand Classique facial, Vichy body polish, Galvez manicure and raw earth pedicure and touch of color application.
A six-station hair salon will offer Bumble & Bumble hair products and La Bella Donna cosmetics. Four pedicure chairs and a three-station manicure bar will complete the salon. A retail boutique and lobby will be located on the main level of the spa, as well as a full-service fitness center, equipped with Precor® machines, mp3 and i-Pod docking stations and flat screen televisions.
The AAA four-diamond Hotel Galvez defines seaside luxury and historic elegance. The hotel showcases 224 guestrooms and seven distinctive suites, Bernardo's Restaurant with celebrated Sunday Champagne Brunch, 13,000 square feet of function space and tropical pool with swim-up bar and hot tub. For additional information about Hotel Galvez, call 409-765-7721, 800-WYNDHAM or visit www.wyndhamhotelgalvez.com.
For more information on the Spa at Hotel Galvez, please contact Vanessa Harris at Hotel Galvez at (409) 765-7721 ext. 2161.
The hotel is operated by Wyndham Hotel Management Company. Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, a subsidiary of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), offers upscale hotel and resort accommodations throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. All hotels are either franchised or managed by Wyndham Hotels and Resorts or an affiliate.
For more information about Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, visit the company's Web site at www.wyndham.com.
CONTACT: Michelle Kelly or Melanie Vigliotti/ The Zimmerman Agency/ 850.668.2222/ mkelly@zimmerman.com

Feb 20, 2008
H&MM Week In Review

Posted by : Massage Therapists Adelaide - http://knead.net.au