Archive for October, 2008

One in a million

Friday, October 17th, 2008

Well almost! Last month our fabulous Four Seasons competition had almost 3000 entrants, but there could only be one winner, and that lucky Wahanda citizen was Aj7722. Picked at random, our extremely excited winner – who’s never been to a Four Seasons resort before - has bagged herself a prize package worth £700, even we’re jealous! Including full use of the facilities, our Wahanda winner plus one will get treated to foot therapies, E’SPA scrubs and body rituals, as well as a bite to eat when they need to take a break from pampering. And if they fancy forty winks, they’ll have the option of heading to a relaxation area, or trotting on up to their Four Seasons bedroom because this prize lasts more than 24 hours. Oh yes, it’s a mini spa break, and what a perfect time to re-boot – just as the nights draw in, who doesn’t need a little TLC?

Already a lover of spas, Aj7722 last visited Spa 6 near Cirencester and top of her treatment list is a back, neck and head massage – we couldn’t agree more – is there a better way to unwind? But that’s not to say she wouldn’t like to try out a few new treatments and high up on her wishlist is laser hair removal or an eye treatment of some sort so she’s left bright eyed and bushy tailed (well maybe not that bushy tailed after all that hair removal)!

We can’t wait to see what our winner has to say about Four Seasons, but if you’re feeling blue that you’re not the champ, chin up - we have a super-duper spa competition every month. This month it’s packages and prizes from The Sanctuary whilst November will bring you tempting treats from health farm hero’s Champneys- watch this space…!

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Animal magic

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

It’s imperative we keep our ear firmly to the ground when it comes to new treatments and we’ve just unearthed two crazy-but-true therapies that might make your stomach turn (you have been warned)!

Leaving us feeling positively queasy, the first of our discoveries was none other than a snake massage. Yes, you heard us – forget a four-hand massage, why not let a slippery snake do the work instead? Already causing quite a stir in spa circles (understandably), this reptilian form of relaxation is the brainchild of a small Israeli spa in the village of Talmey El’Azar. Located on the eccentrically named Ada Barak’s Carnivorous Plant Farm, the snakes were originally used to feed the carnivorous plants, but were put to work massaging clients when the farm owner realised what a big a hit they were with people visiting the farm.

So how do you get from snake to spa? Once you’ve stripped off, a tangled mass of non-venomous snakes (California, corn, milk and Florida snakes) are placed on the body and left to squirm, but don’t worry about any escapees, the snakes are all braided to prevent an easy getaway – how reassuring! At $80 a pop, Ada (the farm owner) believes the snakes could hold some therapeutic value and that as soon as you get over any initial misgivings, you’ll find physical contact with the creatures soothing. However while we openly admit we’re no Indiana Jones when it comes to snakes, the thought of a writhing mass of reptiles slithering all over our body is still one step too far.

But one man’s poison is another man’s pleasure and there’s no stopping people in their quest for eternal beauty and flawless features. Enter the bird dropping facial – our second insane find. Revealed as Victoria Beckham’s secret to sexy skin, the £100 facials use a paste made from nightingale excrements to combat problem pimples. Packed full of guanine – a healing amino acid, the droppings are mixed with Japanese white clay, spread over the skin then you’re left under a UV light to strip away any bacteria. Also known as a geisha facial, (they use it to remove make-up and brighten their skin), it’s now an everyday therapy in Japan. New York salons have also started to catch on to the healing properties and we wouldn’t be surprised if the new facial fad flew into the UK someday soon!

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Detox at Stoke Park Club

Wednesday, October 8th, 2008

It’s more than likely that the start of October isn’t exactly the time of year your thoughts will be turning to detoxing - after all, they’re usually saved for New Year resolutions or pre-holiday preparations. However SPA SPC at Stoke Park Club have gone against the grain and have decided to hold their first ever luxury Detox weekend between 10th and 12th October, with another one already booked in for 23rd - 25th January if you need a few months to get used to the idea of a good old detox!

Just the tonic if you’re suffering from IBS, digestive problems, fluid retention, muscle ache, dry skin, cellulite, poor circulation, insomnia or depression, Stoke Park have put all their efforts into focusing on the luxury aspect of the weekend as much as the detox side of things - who wants to get bogged down with all the bad bits?

Led by detox guru Jane Scrivner – author of ‘Detox Yourself’, guests can expect 5-course gourmet dinners brimming with healthy food, cookery demonstrations, lifestyle consultations, yoga classes as well as the more indulgent pampering experiences SPA SFC is famed for.

The Detox break consists of…

For more information on SPA SPC and what treatments and facilities they have on offer, simply visit their full listing on Wahanda.

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Alexander Technique Week is here!

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

We’re big advocates of complementary therapies here at Wahanda and have tried more than our fair share of fandangled therapies. But it’s not all about us - we like to encourage our Wahanda warriors to try something different too, and what better excuse than as part of ‘International Alexander Awareness Week’, running from 6th to 12th October. Actually the Alexander Technique is not at all new - just fairly unknown. However we foresee a change in the air, as the Technique is given an international platform this week to get the good word out there.

Loved by musicians and actors alike, the Alexander Technique has long been used as a tool to improve posture, movement and breathing technique in the Dramatic Arts. Created in the late 19th century by an obscure Tasmanian actor F.M Alexander, to cure himself of an inexplicable complaint (he lost his voice every time he went on stage) its use has been prolific in stage and ballet schools around the world, including The Julliard School of Performing Arts in New York and RADA in London.

The end of August 2008 saw a study released in The British Medical Journal, suggesting the Alexander Technique is a more effective treatment for long-term back pain than painkillers, physiotherapy or exercise alone. So if your back is acting up, why not try out a little complementary magic. You’ll be following in the esteemed footsteps of a host of celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney, Kevin Kline, Jeremy Irons, Dame Julie Andrews and the King and Queen of suppleness and all things holisitc and yogatastic themselves, Sting and our ‘Lady’ Madonna.

For such a little known therapy there are a surprising number of teachers in the UK, a whooping 900 in fact! You can source out one of these therapeutic maestros by looking online, alternatively, selected branches of Neal’s Yard Therapy Rooms offer workshops in the Technique as do all of Champneys destination spa’s. For other listed spas in London that offer this posture correcting therapy check out Wahanda’s ever growing list.

And remember, the better your posture the taller you look, and aren’t we all looking for a little elevation in life?

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