Am currently attending the ISPA conference in Orlando, Florida. It was an honor to be named their 2012 Visionary Award recipient. While I didn’t have a lot of time to prepare remarks since my trip to India ended on Saturday and ISPA began on Sunday, I did jot down some thoughts and shared them with the audience. It was my first time using a teleprompter (thumbs up on that) and in order to do so I had to write out my remarks. So thought I would share them with you – plus a photo snapped by Sallie Fraenkel right afterward. Here then were my words…. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Peter Ellis
Spa’s Colon Cleansing Program, Yin/Yang Exercise Classes, Luxury Villas and Resident Nature Expert Make Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat Unique
Spa’s Colon Cleansing Program, Yin/Yang Exercise Classes, Luxury Villas and Resident Nature Expert Make Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat Unique
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider
Before leaving the Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat here in Australia, I wanted to share a few more observations. From my previous posts you will notice that I found their program to be quite thoughtful and progressive. Here are some other unique aspects:
1. The detox week I attended included colon cleansing. I immediately thought this would include colonics. To my surprise (and delight), that wasn’t exactly the case. Instead they provided a colon cleansing drink (kind of a chalky taste with a lemon juice chaser) which worked perfectly. I found this to be a smart and simple solution to a colon cleansing program.
2. Exercise classes were divided into yin and yang. The yin classes were the more right brain, creative ones like yoga, Pilates, and dance. The yang classes were more left brain incorporating more vigorous movements such as body pump with weights, or boxing. We were asked to select between yin and yang exercise options each day. People who have more yang (that would be me), probably need to engage in more yin type of exercise. Those who are more yin, could benefit from more yang oriented exercises. A novel way of looking at movement.
3. Gwinganna is building several super luxury villas at the top end of their property, to be completed in September, and I was able to get a sneak peek tour. Trust me, they are fabulous! The views of the ocean and Gold Coast are drop dead gorgeous. The villa design and furnishings are tops.
4. I was told not to miss a morning hike with John, their resident botanist who is known to be a real “man of the land.” He lived up to his reputation. Leading our hike, he pointed out and named all the various plants and animals we encountered. He demonstrated which plants were edible by munching on most everything we walked by, and even drank what looked to me like very muddy water! He reminded me of the guy in the movie Into the Wild except I don’t think John would have died in the end. Later I learned that he had lived outdoors in a tree for 12 years!
Well, onward to Sydney for one final day of spa visits before heading home to New York.
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In the News: New Vagina Spa or Gyno-Spa
In the News: New Vagina Spa or Gyno-Spa
by Susie Ellis
SpaFinder Insider
After all of the buzz about the newly announced Vagina Spa or Gyno-Spa here in New York, I feel compelled to weigh in on the conversation. As I share my thoughts, I am going to try to stay away from all the puns being used on the internet to describe this latest news item. (It isn’t easy, by the way.) I must say the Huffington Post’s blog posts were the most creative.
Your best bet is to read the New York Times article from July 3rd which will explain that Dr. Lauri Romanzi, a board certified gynecologist, is going to be adding to her practice something she calls Phit – which is an acronym for pelvic health integrated techniques.
Here are my thoughts:
1. First let me say that if you are in the spa business (or perhaps have nothing better to do right now), it is an interesting development you might want to know about.
2. Note that Dr. Romanzi did not call it a Vagina Spa or a Gyno Spa. Those terms were coined by others and used by many (including me in the title of my blog) because they do work in terms of getting attention. Another note, Dr. Romanzi was quoted as saying, “It’s the dental floss of feminine fitness” so she is also clearly thinking “sound-bites.”
3. This isn’t the first time I have run across this idea or a related concept. There are, for example Gyno-chairs, at the Juvenex Spa here in Manhattan and they offer Gynotherapy which is a vaginal steam bath. And yes, I tried it several years ago because I thought it was novel and trying out novel spa treatments is something I do all over the world. Wooden chair with large hole…pot of steaming herbs…you get the idea. Anyway, it is a common practice in some cultures – especially after childbirth.
4. Whenever medical and spa come together, I think that is generally a good thing. And reading Dr. Romanzi’s bio makes me feel a lot better about what has clearly been a PR home-run for her.
BIO INFO FROM DR. ROMANZI’S WEBSITE:
Board-certified gynecologist, fellowship-trained urogynecologist and reconstructive pelvic surgeon. She founded Urogynics in 1998…is the first surgeon in Manhattan to perform the minimally invasive Tension Free Vaginal Tape procedure for urinary incontinence, and the pioneer of a scar-free, uterus-preserving (no hysterectomy) technique of uterine prolapse repair.
On her list of services: Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery: Uterine prolapsed, vaginal laxity, dropped bladder, rectocele, postpartum rehabilitation, bowel and bladder incontinence, childbirth injury and fistula of the pelvic organs. Sex & Wellbeing Therapy: Bioidentical hormone therapy, kegel exercise routines, treatments that increase libido, energy, mood and bone density, evaluation of medication side effects, supplements for brain health, bones, energy and sexuality, and referral resource for psychological, weight loss and endocrinology consultants.
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If you wish to be put on a list that automatically sends my blog posts to your email, just let dulcy.gregory@spafinder.com know and she will add you to that list. Thanks so much!
Club Spa’s Q&A is For Bloggers Too!
Club Spa’s Q&A; is For Bloggers Too!
By Susie Ellis
SpaFinder sends out an email newsletter, about special discounts and happenings, once a month to all of those who have signed up as Club Spa Members. This year we changed the format of the e-newsletter and begin with a Q & A and “quick Poll,” both of which have already seen some fun results! As a result, I thought I would add the first question and “quick poll” to my blog so people can continue the conversation through comments. So here is January’s Club Spa Question and Answer and quick poll and results:
QUESTION:
We are four girlfriends looking to go to a spa. We are not interested in weight reduction, but do want spa services like massages, facials, haircare, etc. We want an interesting location with nature/outdoor activities, yoga and hiking at a moderate price. Also, we don’t want an Eastern or new age religious experience but would love a Christian experience (although I have never seen this in a spa).
Thanks!
L.D.
ANSWER:
It’s not always easy to find a property that would match all the criteria that someone requests for their spa vacation, but in this case I think I have the perfect spa for you! The popular Hills Health Ranch in British Columbia, Canada, has plenty of outdoor space, wonderful hiking trails and their spa treatments (many with special rose oil made right on property) are wonderfully nurturing. And, since the owners are Christians, they have a chapel on property which is available for anyone to use at any time.
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SURVEY RESULTS:
Some 285 people participated in our survey asking if you take off your underwear when having a massage.
It seems that 80% of you do!
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If you’d like to contribute to the question or quick poll above, click on “Click Here to Comment” at the end of the post (below the labels), type in your comment and chose the “nickname” or “anonymous” identity options (there is no need to sign in with an account). If you have any problems let us know by emailing asksusie@spafinder.com. Feel free to send along your questions as well!
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Using Spas To Stop Aging – At All Costs
Today’s New York Times had a huge story in their Style Section entitled “Beauty Regimens Reach for the Gold Standard.” It was an article written about three women in Beverly Hills describing how much they spend – and what they have done – in terms of their beauty regimes each week. Even I was quite shocked. Not only the money spent but also the time taken!
One woman, Ginger, figures that she spends about 10 hours and $1,000 each week on grooming. (And if you count her personal training and exercise coaching, you would add another $500 per week to that.) Another woman spends about $500 per week on grooming although that doesn’t count the $60,000 she spent this year on liposuction and a face lift. The third woman spends about $225 per week which in comparison looked quite reasonable. That’s still almost $12,000 per year!
It is bittersweet to read these stories. Clearly the demand for these services is part of why our spa industry has such robust growth. On the other hand it is kind of sad to think that the desperation to look young forever is so very important to so many of us – and I do include myself. Perhaps the best solution is for other parts of the spa industry – the part concerned with the body/mind/spirit, community and self-acceptance – to become more successful in helping people reach a healthy outlook on aging gracefully.
We can hope.