Relax. Get healthy. Feel like a new person. The curative powers of the spa are ancient in origin and increasingly popular today. Historically, spa services involved mineral soaks and botanical treatments as a means of renewal. Today, they usually include some type of moisturizing treatment and/or bodywork, such as massage therapy with oil or lotion. Spa services can be performed by professionals or by yourself at home. Begin practicing relaxation by incorporating these rejuvenation treatments into your life: Try a mind-and-body release through lomilomi massage therapy. Make your own salt scrubs to add zip to your skin. Buy a professional facial for better skin health and a total lift to your spirits.
Bodywork
While every form of massage therapy is holistic in nature, Hawaiian lomilomi (that's "massage" in Hawaiian) involves much more than physical well-being. Lomilomi uses the power of touch, plus guided energy, to promote healing and inner peace.
Traditional Huna culture holds that our mental states, past and present, inform our physical health and personal relationships. Therefore, anxiety and rigidity of thinking produce muscle tension and stress. As a remedy, lomilomi practitioners attend to your body's needs from a focused and caring perspective as they work. They use long, wavelike strokes on your muscles and soft tissue, perhaps encouraging stretching or deep breathing. Their fresh energy weakens your physical and mental blocks, washing away your body stress. Lomilomi rejuvenation treatments are available at many day spas.
Detox
Like massage therapy, periodic salt scrubs can help your body shed toxins that build up and affect your health. In a salt scrub, sea salts are blended with a skin-loving carrier oil, such as jojoba or almond. Other ingredients may include a natural exfoliant, such as ground seeds or beans, and essential oils. Tea tree oil, an effective detoxifying agent and astringent, is popular, along with other aromatics and mood enhancers.
Salt scrubs are included among spa services because they impart a natural glow to skin while improving your circulation. The aromatherapy is stimulating, and the moisturizing oil luxurious on the skin. This rejuvenation treatment is almost as satisfying at home as it is at the spa. You can buy prepared salt scrubs.
Skin Care
A professional facial offers similar holistic health benefits as other spa services, and it makes you look great. Visit a skilled esthetitian to enjoy a professional skin analysis, facial massage and high-quality cosmetic products. A facial also provides a restful time-out for mind and body.
Facial rejuvenation treatments may be geared toward relaxation or specific skin issues, but most combine cleansing, exfoliation and skin nourishment. Hot, moist towels may be used to open skin pores and a cool toner to close them. Nourishing masques range from moisturizing aloe vera to oil-absorbing kaolin clay. A variety of aromatherapy products may also be employed for cosmetic and mood enhancement.
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