I am sometimes tempted to go relax at a fancy spa somewhere glamourous. But so far my experience has been varied enough to alert my readers to some of the issues.
Of course the dream is of relaxing, in surroundings that calm the soul, offering services that allow for renewal and re-energizing of the body, mind and, if possible, the spirit. To achieve these amazing goals a few things should be checked out first. Where, when, who, how much, and personal support available if necessary.
If you are like me and only indulge in dreaming of such luxury, with just a couple of forays into the spa experience, you may want to take notes of my comments below.
Where?
Of course we don’t want just a massage on a folding table in the family room. If we are really going to do the full spa experience then all of the senses should be involved if possible. And that usually means going out of home to somewhere secluded in a pleasant environment. It is not necessary to go to Thailand, although that would be very nice. Just find a place that is peaceful, deep in the natural environment, with either the sounds and smells of nature or the gentle music of meditation, good food that is good for you, and plenty of reading material.
When?
Pick your season, if you have the choice. There is no point in a Winter-loving person going to a spa in Cairns in high Summer! Similarly, and this applies to me, a warm blooded Summer-loving person heading to Alaska. The tropics can be tricky if you don’t like running with perspiration, but in an air conditioned spa premises there is no problem.
Who?
There are lots of wanna-be massage persons, some of which are excellent. Alas, they are not always so. Be sure that the massage person has plenty of experience and knows what they are doing. Too afraid to ask? When you make the booking, ask who will be doing the massage and where they trained. Merely asking the question will be enough to alert the facility that you mean business and they are unlikely to palm you off on the junior person. It is quite acceptable to ask for a male or female massage person according to your preferences. But you should ask clearly whether the massage is ‘appropriate’ or implies sex services as well. You don’t want to be lying there, relaxed and dreamy and find yourself being encouraged into your erogenous zones!
How much?
There are lots of places in Australia but it is often less expensive overseas, but don’t forget the air fare factor. I find the really expensive spa’s services are counter productive as I am feeling ripped off and that prevents relaxation. Ask the cost of all the services you may need and cut your cloth….
Personal support?
At a particularly troubled time I was recommended to go to a wonderful retreat in Southern NSW run by some gentle Anglican nuns. The name escapes me. The surroundings were delightful, trees, birds, silence, a chapel if that was what you wanted, but no expectations. Everything was great. Except I was in no fit state mentally to be left alone in silence with the demons of the day! There were some nuns around but as they were a silent order there was no light chit-chat to distract me. As good and beautiful as they were, those lovely women and their convent were not the place for me at that time. So if you are seeking the peace of a spa be sure you can cope with meeting yourself while you are there.
This only applies if you are extremely stressed. In that case you would be better advised to have a massage locally, with facial and whatever indulgences you can afford without adding to your stress, and leave the glam spa for a weekend when you are feeling more together.
The concept of a retreat or a weekend or week at a spa is wonderful as an escape from the everyday dramas. But just remember mind-body medicine is a complex area, poorly understood by most doctors, never mind the general public. As an example, merely changing the words you use to describe someone or something can alter your perception and feelings about that person or thing, without any other intervention. The practitioners of Neurolo-linguistic Programming (NLP) know this very well. So if you can easily let go of your feelings and just subside into the relaxation experience, then, bingo! Spas are for you!
If you have not been able to relax recently, or you have some depression, then some caution might be necessary before you are alone with your demons. An old Chinese proverb says: when you are alone, be afraid of your self.
Now that I have thoroughly canned the spas and retreats, may I also say that deep tissue relaxation is very good for you. I attend a therapist who uses Bowen techniques of muscle relaxation. After an hour in there I am so relaxed I can hardly put the kettle on for a cuppa! And there are no accommodation or airfare costs involved. Just a hint….
Cheers to Bowen therapists everywhere! (An Australian discovery!)
