REMEMBERING TO BREATHE: Experience Spa Culture in the North Bay
For me, yesterday was one of those days you know are inevitable on life's journey but try not to dwell on and just hope that you are up for when the challenge presents itself. I got a phone call from my Dad just before lunch informing me that he had taken my Mom to the emergency room with chest pain and dizziness and they were running tests to see if it was in fact a heart attack. This news hits anyone hard but my Mom and Dad are young (early 50's) especially in comparison to the the parents of most people my age (nearly 30) and I wasn't really ready for that phone call.
Thankfully, my Mom is OK. It wasn't a heart attack. Her symptoms were most likely caused by her oh-so-stressful job of being an elementary school principal. We hope some rest and changes in the way she handles stress will help her weather her present situation...not to mention prolong her life.
This got me thinking about my own stress factors, how they effect my health and what I can do to not follow down the same path as my way-too-stressed-out Mom.
It seems a no brainer that if something compromises your health to the point that you are admitted to the hospital that you would naturally refrain from that something. However, this is not always practical in our society where it often feels like it's 'eat or be eaten' and most employers are more beholden to their bottom line than the well-being of their staff.
Stress is something that is present in all of our lives. The difference lays in the reaction we choose to have when it rears its ugly head.
Yes, I said 'choose'...don't freak out just yet...hear me out first and if you feel the need afterwards, freak out all you want...but that's your choice. See what I mean?
Besides writing about the lovely area I have the privilege of living in, I am an artist and energy healer. I should be aware of stress and how to deal with it, as that is what I help my clients with on a day to day basis. But even I need to be reminded once in a while for my own well-being. You know the old saying, "Healer heal thy self!"
Whether you believe in the legitimacy of energy work, for this or other purposes, doesn't really matter here. The fact is that all of the people who have come in search of my services have been in need of new and healthier ways of handling their stress, and that is what I offer. (You can learn more about the healing work I do on my web site.) What I often find myself suggesting to people is: take more time to nurture yourself, care for your body, mind and spirit. Duh...right? Perhaps, but it seems that hearing this from someone other than ourselves is like getting permission and helps us get past our guilt or feelings of weakness at needing a break. Luckily for me and my clients, as well as for California visitors as a whole, there are lots of options locally available for one to do this. A whole industry and culture flourishes here based on the idea that self nurturing is important. What is this industry? You guessed it...spas! If you are coming to California to visit can you afford to not experience the abundant spa culture?
In my opinion, this belief we hold, whether consciously or otherwise, that we are only worth as much as we can produce, is as much an affliction on society as disease, all the ism's (racism, sexism, ageism, etc) or poverty. Loving and balanced care for the self is in the interest of society. A balanced and grounded person ultimately is more healthy and productive and contributes more to the highest good of all.
Ask almost anyone in the California Bay Area about their favorite place for some pampering and self nurturing and you will get a recommendation for a different spa, practitioner or activity from each one. Today I am going to tell you about my favorite 'place of nurture', Osmosis Day Spa in Freestone, CA, and how I came to find it.
Osmosis came into my consciousness through word of mouth. I have always found word of mouth suggestions to be more reliable than any paid-for advertisement and this was no exception. In 2001 my husband and I moved from the metro-Detroit area to the California South Bay. I literally was straight out of college, having attended my graduation ceremony the day before getting on the plane, and my husband had only been out of school for a year. We were young, not only in years but in experience as well, and facing a life as newly weds in a place thousands of miles from any family or friends. My husband had secured a job out here, that's what perpetuated the move, but I had not done so yet. We were starting at square one. The future was both exciting and scary.
The first couple of months were a whirlwind adventure, revolving around finding a place to live and learning about our new environment, not to mention adjusting to the culture shock (aka the price of living out here). Though I wasn't yet employed I had no lack of work setting up house, finding new doctors, the best grocery store, things to do, etc... Soon all of those things were taken care of and it was time for me to find work. My first couple of jobs were, well, I'll just call them learning experiences. After being out here a year my husband and I were in need of some self nurturing. At the time I was teaching children's art classes at my local community center. One of the other teachers, who has since become a dear friend, suggested we check out Osmosis. I visited the web site and made our reservations the very next day for an upcoming weekend.
Osmosis is a true Japanese-style day spa. They do not have over-night accommodations. However, they do have a list of links to many fabulous places to stay on their site. They specialize in Enzyme Baths. In fact, Osmosis is the only spa in the US that offers this authentic ancient Japanese treatment for nurturing the body, mind and spirit and have been written about in numerous prominent life-style magazines like Yoga Journal and other popular publications such as the New York Times.
What is an enzyme bath you ask? Well, it's not like any bath you've ever had before...I promise you that! It's not even like what I normally think of when I hear the word 'bath'. You are actually buried up to your neck in a fine mulch like material that is saturated with natural plant enzymes. The idea is that the enzymes help to 'cleanse' or detoxify and relax your body. The deeper you are buried in the mulch the hotter (temperature-wise) the experience is. It is super soothing to sore muscles and joints. Each time I have had an enzyme bath (4 or 5 over the past few years) I have also experienced a pleasant tingling all over my body while in the bath and gone through a detox for the following couple of days, finding myself in the bathroom more frequently and having increased energy. The benefits of the bath, as claimed by Osmosis and others having had an enzyme bath, are varied and listed on the Osmosis web site. I've enjoyed numerous enzyme baths and will probably enjoy numerous more as they have always brought about a general feeling of relaxation and well being for me. They have helped me, if nothing else, to remember to slow down and breathe. What else can you do when you're buried up to your neck?
So, what is a visit to Osmosis like? There are many options for self nurturing at Osmosis. The enzyme bath is only one. Osmosis also offers a menu of different massages, facials and combo-packages for their clients to choose from. I have never had a facial at Osmosis, but have indulged in a massage each time. During warmer months I highly recommend upgrading your massage to a 'Pagoda Massage'. This simply means that your massage takes place in a pagoda-like structure out on the beautifully landscaped grounds of Osmosis as opposed to inside the main building. It enhances the whole experience to be out in nature, hearing birds sing and the leaves of the trees rustle while being rubbed into a worry-free blob.
Other notable aspects of a visit to Osmosis include: the enzyme tea ceremony before your enzyme bath, which is said to help jump start your detox, the incredible relaxation garden and grounds, friendly staff and gift shop where you can purchase relaxation accessories like incense, music CDs, robes, slippers, Japanese tea sets and even bottles of the famed enzymes for an enzyme experience at home. For those who live here or are staying in the area for a prolonged period of time Osmosis also hosts other events throughout the year like concerts and meditation group in the meditation garden. My husband and I attended the meditation group for a couple moths on a weekly basis a while back. The sessions are led by knowledgeable nurturing people and were something we always looked forward to. One morning, as we sat waiting for group to begin, a giant downy white egret landed in the koi pond in the center of the meditation garden. We were concerned for the school of giant koi who call the pond home, but the egret ended up passing on the buffet and simply graced us with its elegant presence. In addition to the magic that Osmosis fosters in all its offerings it is also a Green Business. So, you can rest even easier knowing that your pleasurable experience is not at the expense of the environment.
The town of Freestone, where Osmosis is located, is very tiny and just off of Highway 12. If you blink you will miss it, but they always have signs out on the road to make sure that you know where it is. Nearly all of the buildings in Freestone are historical landmarks calling attention to long-held local traditions and a simpler way of life. The surrounding scenery includes rolling pastures and ancient oak trees and has attracted residents like Bonnie Raitt and some of the surviving members of the Grateful Dead, or so I've heard. Also...don't miss Wild Flour Bakery just across the street from Osmosis where you can get a steaming cup of joe and a loaf of the most delicious organic brick-oven-baked artisan bread. Don't worry about not knowing which bread to choose. They offer free tastes at the counter.
My visits to Osmosis are what coaxed me to get to know the North Bay better and eventually lead my husband and I to move here. When ever I visit Osmosis, or even pass it on my way somewhere else, I am reminded to breathe and relax, no matter what life is throwing at me. I am reminded that I can choose to slow down. I can choose to find healing for myself...as well as for others.
