Feel Great Now!
All-natural, all-over ways to destress, detoxify, and retune
By Laura CassidyWith contribution from Katie Cornell, Matthew Halverson, Andrew Matson, Jessica Voelker, Jill Watanabe, Christopher Werner, Steve Wiecking, and Katie Zipper
Beauty Sleep
Treatment Plan Nidra Sleep Treatment. After determining your dosha, or Ayurvedic body type, Vida Spa massage therapists trained in the Indian healing practice target your head, neck, and torso, using aromatherapy oils and low-pressure rhythmic strokes to put you in touch with your inner snoozer. Feel-Good Factor Massage pro Cassandra Strunk is also a certified Ayurvedic practitioner, but that gentle, soothing voice and calm ability to convey ancient wisdom seem innate. Lucky for you, she makes house calls. A key benefit to relaxing at the South Lake Union spa, however: the steam-free, direct radiant energy of the infrared sauna. $130 for 60 minutes (in-room or at-home services are extra) at Vida Spa, 2200 Westlake Ave, South Lake Union, 206-972-2663; 206-223-2073; www.vidawellness.com
Wrappers Delight
Treatment Plan Rejuvenating Mud Wrap. Practically weightless Australian clay clings to your skin under hot towels tucked tightly into all the right places. As a Penterra massage therapist eases the silky earth away from your skin, its natural toxin-absorbing properties take impurities with it. Feel-Good Factor Equal parts earthly healing ritual and heavenly rest, this aromatic cocooning combines essential oils (mixed with clay) to soothe your spirit and a head and scalp massage—the gentle hair-tugging is exquisite—to ease your stressed-out psyche. $140 for 60 minutes at Penterra at the Heathman Hotel, 220 Kirkland Ave, Kirkland, 425-284-5855; www.heathmankirkland.com
Yes, Honey
Treatment Plan Salt scrub and scalp massage at Banya 5. A rubdown with honey, sea salts, essential oils, and cocoa butter sloughs away sapped skin and moisturizes what’s underneath. The cranium rub—naked fingers on a nearly naked head; no honey, no salt—calms what’s really underneath. Feel-Good Factor Yes, it’s actually honey. You can eat it. You’ll want to. If you’re a furry it’ll tug at you at first, but soon enough the potent treatment smooths out all the rough edges. Insider Tip Go early for several rounds of the breathtaking dry-sauna-cold-water-plunge experience: You’ll feel wondrously awake yet never more at peace. $75 for 50 minutes at Banya 5, 217 Ninth Ave N, South Lake Union, 206-262-1234; www.banya5.com
Face Time
Treatment Plan Urban Signature Facial at the brand new Urban Yoga Spa. In the soothing inner sanctum of this slick, white-on-white downtown space, aestheticians apply warm mud to your back to remove built-up toxins, then pamper eyes with an injection-free collagen treatment before applying a customized facial mask. Feel-Good Factor It’s like a one-stop wellness shop: Begin your experience with an invigorating vinyasa or hatha yoga class in a heated studio, move on to an om-my-God delicious raw lunch—eggplant lasagna, coconut “noodle” pad thai—(food must be ordered ahead, see Web site for details), and finish up with this restorative face saver. $125 for 90 minutes at Urban Yoga Spa, 1900 Fourth Ave, Downtown, 206-420-0222; www.urbanyogaspa.com
Just for Gents: Top-to-toe tune-ups for the urban male
Published: May 2009
