The Spa-cial stress-buster finally arrives at Rockwell

I first went to The Spa 14 years ago upon the invitation of a friend. I didn’t know what to expect back then because frankly, there was no place in Manila like The Spa to compare it with. I was impressed from the moment I stepped into The Spa at Acropolis. The facilities were well-appointed and tastefully designed, the staff was adept and very professional, and the services they provided were top-class. Their pioneering efforts in the wellness industry has made them the best in the business and no other brand has come close to bringing the utmost in total mind and body rejuvenation to the Filipinos than The Spa.

“For almost 15 years now, The Spa has always been dedicated in bringing a unique and personal holistic approach to wellness for our patrons,” says Richard Uy, executive vice president.

I could not agree more. Since that first visit to Acropolis, I have been a fan and a client of The Spa. All throughout the years they have kept their commitment to provide some of the most extravagant and innovative selection of massages, therapies, and body and facial treatments in the most impeccably designed spaces in Metro Manila. Their brand expansion has been carefully planned, with each location strategically selected to cater to markets that understand and appreciate the value of having a quiet, urban retreat in an otherwise chaotic and stressful city environment.

The Spa has seven wellness centers in Metro Manila and each one offers a distinct feel and international vibe that can rival any high-end spa overseas. Greenbelt is Asian-inspired, the Fort is minimalist in aesthetic, Alabang is tropical-themed, TriNoma is safari-designed, and the original Eastwood branch is classic. For their latest first-class facility at Power Plant in Rockwell, the fabulous interior design team of sisters Ivy and Cynthia Almario was tapped to create another unique, exciting look for The Spa.

Modern Glamour at the Spa-Rockwell

Can you spot the pro? The press and trained Barre 3 instructors take a private class from Barre 3 founder Sadie Lincoln.

Plush chrome, crystal, velvet and beige interiors with the finest VIP treatment will greet every guest the minute they walk through the doors of The Spa-Rockwell. The 330-square-meter, glamorous facility offers the perfect one-stop shop for any urbanite to enjoy the finest in relaxation, wellness and fitness under the same roof.

The Spa-Rockwell marries luxury and comfort in each of its eight Premier Suites and Foot Care rooms. All the Premier Suites have their own private shower, steam or bath, heightening the dramatic and exclusive atmosphere of The Spa. While it may be the smallest in size among the seven centers, it carries the full-range of services all the other branches offer — from body massage therapy to facial care, hair and scalp care to wellness treatments. It also houses the fourth Barre 3 exercise studio of The Spa chain.

The Perfect Integration of Three Fitness Disciplines

A two-year-old fitness regimen from America, Barre 3 is the combination of “the grace of ballet, the wisdom of yoga and the strength of Pilates,” according to its founder, Sadie Lincoln.

Confessing to having been an exercise junkie at one point in her life, Lincoln came up with the idea of creating her own fitness program for several reasons. First, she realized that some of the workouts she had tried over the years left her looking hard-bodied and unfeminine. She also felt constantly tired and hungry. Her husband, Chris Lincoln, told us during the launch that when they got married, Sadie was disappointed at “how muscular she looked in her wedding dress.” Second, she wanted a workout program that addressed her need to have a simple, smart, mind-body workout that fit into her busy life as a driven professional, hands-on parent, and mind-body practitioner.

“With her enormous fitness experience, she went in search of developing a program that would bring back the femininity in her body while keeping her strength, tone, and flexibility at the same time,” Chris adds.

She found inspiration in the ballet barre, yoga and Pilates, three of her most favorite disciplines, and designed each class to deliver a neutral posture and a dancer’s long, lean and graceful body.

The result of her efforts is Barre 3, a 60-minute exercise combination improving balance, increasing flexibility and strengthening the core for inch loss, lean and long muscles and better posture. Clients who have taken the classes regularly attest to measuring taller and losing inches around their waist, hips, thighs and upper arms. The workout shapes and lifts the entire body. Even Angel Aquino, who has taken the classes, said, “It is really effective; my shoulders and my arms became more defined and my overall muscle tone improved.”

Angel Aquino gets a massage to relax and de-stress.

“The balance of mind, body and spirit is what the ‘3’ in Barre 3 symbolizes,” explains Tanya Tan, business development manager of The Spa and managing director of Barre 3 in the Philippines.

Lincoln further describes Barre 3 as a connection of mental health to physical health.

“Posture, for example, can impact your energy and mood. People who stand tall and proud with ease and have a nice balance between flexibility and strength are likely to be more energetic and positive,” she says.

The beauty about doing a Barre 3 class even with more advanced students is that the teacher is able to teach different levels within the same class.

“It’s almost like affordable personal training within a class,” assured Lincoln, as some of the attendees at the launch contemplated trying the class for the first time.

Music sets the different tones for the three types of Barre 3 classes, and professional DJs prepare the soundtracks. The Foundation Barre 3 classes are more yoga-like, requiring mid-tempo music for a slower and steady pace. The Traditional Barre 3 classes have music ranging from electro-house to pop to reggae to complement the highs and lows of interval training. The Advanced Barre 3 classes have steady, upbeat music for a strong and fast-paced workout. Each class is equally challenging.

Barre 3 is fast gaining popularity with franchises mushrooming worldwide. In the Philippines, The Spa is the exclusive franchise holder of Barre 3. Soon, this new fitness sensation will be featured in Hard Candy Fitness-Mexico City, a health club owned by pop icon Madonna.

The Personal Lowdown on Barre 3

When Sadie Lincoln was introduced at the launch and went up on stage, the first thing I looked at was her legs. I figured if she created the classes, she had to have great gams: And her legs did look strong and sexy, toned but not bulky. The rest of her body was lithe and she moved with grace. Wow, if this is what Barre 3 can do to her body I definitely want in.

Being a serious fitness enthusiast myself, I was curious and eager to try out the Barre 3 class.

Mind you, except for ballet, I have tried yoga and Pilates separately but my experiences were either yawn-inducing or buckets-of-sweat inspiring. I tried the simple form of yoga with the chanting and closing of the eyes but that left me restless, not rested. I attended several Bikram yoga classes but found my weight dropping faster than I could replace the fuel I was losing during classes. I started to look gaunt and unhealthy so I stopped. I tried machine and mat Pilates but neither leaned or lengthened my muscles out. The “Cadillac” simply wasn’t for me. People in my gym think I took ballet when I was young because I am so flexible I need the help of a trainer to stretch me out for maximum effect. So Sadie’s class was intriguing, to say the least. I joined several members of the press and certified Barre 3 trainers in an exclusive class given by Sadie herself. While it was not impossible to follow the class, especially in the beginning when there was a lot of stretching, pushing and pulling of one’s own body weight, it was definitely a challenge to achieve the right form consistently to effectively execute the movements. I found the leg and buttocks exercises particularly tough. The small, precise and repetitive movements made my legs wobbly and left my heart working overtime. I broke into a sweat and felt my body really working. The core exercises were easier since I’ve got pretty strong abdominal muscles (ask my trainer), but overall it was a great one-hour workout that covered all major parts of the body. Barre 3 is a great alternative for people who do not enjoy extreme physical workouts like running or spinning. It is also appropriate for pregnant women, individuals recovering from injuries, or those who have been told to refrain from doing hardcore exercise. Anyone from age 16 up can take Barre 3 provided they have no medical restrictions. Sadie’s oldest client in the US is a 65-year-old lady.

Membership is available and will save you lots of money, especially if you attend numerous times a week, but you may enroll for a session at a time as well. Classes are controlled and only a maximum of 20 students are allowed to join each class, which the studio at The Spa-Rockwell can comfortably take.

Pleasure Comes Afterward

At The Spa-Rockwell, only a few steps away from the Barre 3 studio is a world of rest and relaxation. How does a hot volcanic rock massage to treat aching muscles or Oriental acupressure to heal and reduce tension on your head, shoulders, arms and feet sound? What about a deep-nourishing seaweed vitamin facial to nourish and firm the skin or an aroma facial massage to improve skin tone and stimulate blood circulation? Or are you a Thai foot massage kind of girl just like me?  

Whatever your choice is, if you find yourself yearning for an hour or more of indulgence, head over to The Spa-Rockwell.

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The Spa-Rockwell is located at the R2 level of the Archeology wing, Power Plant Mall. Call 470-6868 and 470-7878.