UNWINDING FOR TWO
My husband, a filmmaker, came home late one night dead tired
and physically drained after 3 consecutive days of shooting a documentary. His
schedule has been erratic lately because he is juggling two projects and both
require a big chunk of his time. So, on that particular night, he was
complaining of pain on his lower back and legs plus a throbbing headache. I
felt sorry for him and decided that we spend quality time together in the spa by availing of the Couple's Room. Use of the Couple's Room includes a full body massage, aroma facial massage and scalp treatment for two.
Embraced by heat
When he finally had two days off from his busy schedule, I
booked us a room right away at Body Tune in Market! Market!. Once there, we
were warmly greeted by the receptionist and she ushered us into one of the
dimly-lit rooms. The room is sparse except for two massage tables and two
separate lockers to secure our belongings. She gave us fresh towels, soap, keys
to the locker, robes and loose shorts. After changing, we were led to the
restroom at the back where the sauna room is located. We were given the option
to shower first before the sauna but we opted to bathe after the sauna instead.
The therapist gave us iced tea to sip while inside the room.
All four corners of the sauna room are lined with thick
slabs of wood and it can comfortably fit 2 people. There is a box in one corner
containing heated coal and a big bowl of water. When we grew accustomed to the
heat, my husband scooped water from the container using a ladle and poured it
to the live coal for it to release more heat. The initial wave of intense but
bearable heat caught me by surprise but, the longer we stayed there, the more I
got used to the warmth. It also helped that we were sipping the cold tea.
Hanging on the wood-covered wall beside me is a sand timer indicating
the time spent inside. Next to this is a set of guidelines on the use of the
room. It showed the various ways you can position yourself in the cubicle – you
can sit on the wooden bench or you can use it as a shelf to prop your leg up. I
also learned that you can only stay inside for a maximum of 15 minutes at a
time. Before showering, you also have to rest for a few minutes outside of the
cubicle to allow your body to acclimatize to the room temperature.
After 10 minutes, my husband went to the men’s room while I
stayed at the ladies room to take a shower. The cold water was a welcome relief
because I was already soaked in sweat. After bathing, we went back to the room
to begin the relaxing session.
Holistic Approach
We were asked to lie face down on the massage table then we
were asked what our massage preference
was. Choices were Holistic, Swedish or
Shiatsu. Holistic is an ancient method of healing that clears the lymphatic
drainage system and releases toxins from the body. It is a light form of
massage with a little stretching at the end. Swedish uses a variety of
techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them
against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow
of blood to increase oxygen and release toxins from the muscles. While Shiatsu
which is a dry massage uses finger and palm pressure, stretches and other
massage techniques for relaxation and to ease muscle pain, nausea, anxiety and
depression. My husband chose Holistic but with stronger pressure. He wanted the
combination of a deep muscle massage with the soothing stretch at the end.
was. Choices were Holistic, Swedish or
Shiatsu. Holistic is an ancient method of healing that clears the lymphatic
drainage system and releases toxins from the body. It is a light form of
massage with a little stretching at the end. Swedish uses a variety of
techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them
against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow
of blood to increase oxygen and release toxins from the muscles. While Shiatsu
which is a dry massage uses finger and palm pressure, stretches and other
massage techniques for relaxation and to ease muscle pain, nausea, anxiety and
depression. My husband chose Holistic but with stronger pressure. He wanted the
combination of a deep muscle massage with the soothing stretch at the end.
My therapist, Rose, was courteous enough to ask if I was
comfortable with the pressure she was administering. I wanted to fully
experience and utilize the lymphatic drainage benefits of this type of massage
so I said yes. After that I realized that I should have settled for the lighter
version since I am more used to this approach.
Relaxing from the neck down
The therapist first applied pressure on my back, buttocks
and legs by pressing those areas with her knuckles. I read that this is usually
done to physically and psychologically prepare the client for the massage. Then
she rubbed oil on my legs while massaging it. I literally felt the tension
being eased out as she pressed every aching muscle especially when she kneaded
my foot. She pressed the soles and stretched each toe. Then she gently twisted
my ankle and rotated my foot to facilitate better circulation.
Next was the buttocks. Massaging this mostly ignored body
part eases muscle and joint pain around the lower back. This also helps reduce
fat deposits, unpleasant cellulite appearance and firms butt muscles.
Then the therapist moved to my back paying close attention
to my shoulder blades. Perhaps she felt the tension in that area. I did feel a
little pain when she pressed and kneaded the muscles there. I soon realized
that it is that part of my body where I store the most tension whenever I am
stressed. When muscles are tense, we deprive it of sufficient oxygen creating
blockages that can eventually lead to pain and discomfort. I should start
moving or rotating my shoulders more when I’m emotionally overwhelmed to help
ease the tension.
Then she concentrated on my arms. Those were given the same
kind of attention as my foot. My palms were also pressed and each finger
stretched. My hands were also moved in a circular manner to remove any
stiffness that can clog proper circulation. She stretched my arms and folded it
at the back till my fingers touched my lower shoulder blades. This surprisingly
felt soothing. Our hands and feet take a
beating everyday so it is fitting that these two body parts receive ample care.
After thoroughly pampering my whole back, the therapist
asked me to turn so I was facing her. And the whole procedure was done again to
drain my body of toxins from my legs up to my shoulders. But this time my belly,
upper chest and neck were gently rubbed as well.
Head Massage
By the time the therapist reached my head, I was feeling
drowsy. Using the balls of her fingers, the therapist, massaged my scalp to
ease the tension around this area. Massaging the scalp has the same benefits as
a body massage, it increases the production of certain chemicals such as
endorphins and serotonin. These are known mood alleviators improving our
emotional state by reducing stress, producing feelings of euphoria and calmness.
This affects not only our mood but our sleep patterns and appetite as well. It
is also known to relieve pain by improving circulation and removing muscle
tension. This type of massage is helpful for those who are suffering from
migraine and headache including stiff neck since head massage also includes the
neck and shoulders.
About face
The most sleep-inducing procedure was the Aroma Facial
Massage. I was close to actually falling asleep when Rose started massaging my
face. The face is full of nerves and pleasure points so facial massage can
greatly improve one’s mood. This also helps to relax tight and drawn muscles,
relieve sinus congestion and improve circulation.
She lightly massaged my forehead, the area around my eyes,
nose, cheeks and chin using a balancing oil to facilitate a smooth massage routine.
Stimulating facial skin improves oxygen circulation bringing a soft pinkish
glow to the cheeks.
Night cap
When the whole procedure regretfully came to an end, my husband
and I were surprised that the massage took almost 2 hours to finish. We barely
noticed the time especially my husband who drifted in and out of sleep.
Before changing back to our street clothes, the therapist
asked us what beverage we wanted and I was given a cup of tea while my husband
had coffee. We decided to go home right away to rest. Our plans of capping the
night with a sumptuous meal in a fine dining establishment was put on hold
because we would rather relax and call it a night.
My husband was humming a tune while driving home and he
didn’t even complain about the pain in his back and legs. We both slept soundly which is unusual for
him because he is an insomniac. He woke up early the next day refreshed and
ready to face another challenging day.
I finally found the solution to his insomnia and bouts with
extreme fatigue. Availing of the Couple's Room is truly worth it. Thanks Body Tune!
