A tale of two treatments

Hit by the ‘Holidaze’ (if it were ever written) would certainly be my theme song as we move towards the end of 2012. November found my sched spinning a bit out of control with early shopping requirements, early Christmas parties (yes, really) and balikbayan friend who wanted to come home, yes, early, to celebrate the Yuletide. At some point, even with regular exercise and a more (sometimes less) healthy diet, I felt on the verge of near collapse. Late nights out resulted in interrupted sleep and all I could think of was having a little time to myself to rejuvenate. A massage seemed to be on the menu so I called up Neo Spa in Fort Bonifacio to see what they had that was new. I have nothing against at-home massages, I just feel going into a spa allows the “disconnect” you need from the daily grind. A Saturday slot was open for me to try the Baborganic Snowflakes and Candletouch Ritual for 90 minutes, which included a mild body scrub and a massage using the warm wax from a Baborganic wellness candle followed by deeper pressure involving quartz crystal wands. The scrub was indeed quite gentle and soothing and when the wax from the candle was then dripped on me and rubbed into my skin I fell asleep within minutes. Later on, I felt the quartz candles being pressed on pressure points on my body, unblocking trapped energy (caused by stress and lack of sleep) giving me improved energy flow. I think I fell asleep again, and when I went home later that evening I had my first uninterrupted slumber for the week. The treatment I later found out was called such because it used Babor Organic products, which contain natural extracts of certified organic ingredients. This means there are no synthetic colorants, perfume substances, animal raw materials, petroleum-based ingredients and irradiated raw materials. I shy away from strong scents — which is the biggest turnoff for me at any spa — so maybe this is why I was able to sleep without sneezing. Also the next day, I found my skin to be rather soft and supple and my face look “fresher” and more relaxed. As party season preps up, I look to this scrub-and-rub session as a good way to grab some extra zzzz’s.

Better than candy cane: Improve circulation and reduce the holiday bloat with Toning Bamboo Revival, a silhouette-targeted treatment at The Spa.

Hours of high heels, heavy shopping bags plus meals on the go (mainly involving fast-food fare) are necessary evils one goes through during the Christmas (c)rush resulting in less energy and a rather achy body. I found myself close to exhaustion after a harried morning in High Street, Fort Bonifacio and checked myself into The Spa. The treatment of choice, The Toning Bamboo Revival, was part slimming and part invigorating, perfect for me since it was still mid-day and I still had the rest of the afternoon plus evening obligations to attend to. My 90-minute escape would involve a scrub, a wrap and a massage using bamboo canes and Spanish brand, Selvert Thermal products. In the villa that was provided I treated myself to a steam and a few more minutes decompressing in the Jacuzzi and silently hoped that time would stop and let me enjoy this quiet for as long as possible. The scrub was done in a strong, circulatory manner that initially kneaded out the tightened muscles and joints, especially on my overworked calves. Anti-cellulite cream combined with Spice Powder was further rubbed into my skin to help reduce bloating and to improve my circulation. After the scrub I was wrapped to further absorb the creams and moisturizers for about ten minutes. What followed next was the masseuse working on me with bamboo canes of different densities. I felt like pizza dough, with her rolling the canes over my body, in longish strokes. My shoulders and neck were the main focus as they felt so stiff, I could barely turn my head all the way to the right. I could feel the familiar “pop” of muscles loosening and even if I didn’t fall asleep I knew my body was getting the recharge it needed because of the intensity of the massage.

When I was done, I continued on with a meeting, a dinner and a movie premiere, and survived, with head-turning function back to normal! The best part of this was, the next morning, my skinny jeans fit better. It may have been the combination of everything I did in that villa, but no complaints, I got the boost and the de-bloating that I desired.  

Whether it is to soothe and sleep or slim down and step out, a scrub and a massage is a definite “love yourself” way to self-gift, whether it’s Christmas or not.

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Baborganic Snowflakes and Candletouch Ritual, around P2,950, Neo Spa. For more info, e-mail bonifacioglobalcity@neo.ph or call 815-8233, 815-6948 or 0921-4779999.

Toning Bamboo Revival, P1,900 (regular room) or P2,600 for a private suite or villa, The Spa. Visit www.thespa.com.ph to find out which branches offer this treatment or call 856-5858 or 856-6868 (Fort Branch).

For more Soul Train visit: www.thesoultrain.net.