Hotels By City: Cheap Hotels, Hotel Guides & Hotel Blogs

The first yoga class I ever went to was at Yoga 101 in Palo Alto. It was a Bikram Yoga class that had a starting rate of 10 classes for $10. Not knowing what Bikram was, I went to the class with sweatpants. Big mistake, the yoga studio was heated to 105°F and packed with Stanford’s heavy breathing football team. By the end of the 90 ...

While there are many fine day spas in San Francisco including La Belle, Spa Radiance and Relax Now, the true diamond in the rough is Burke Williams... although you may have to hock some of your diamonds to be able to afford their exquisite services.

You'll have to do some hunting to find this fine establishment, which is sandwiched between a Borders book store and the AMC movie theater inside the ...

Imagine being able to spend an entire day at a Napa Valley spa for $75.  We did it.  And we'll do it again!  A friend of mine had just turned 30, and we wanted a girls outing but we didn't all have $200-$600 to blow on something as unessential as a spa day.  So being the genius' we are, we ...

When traveling it's tempting to leave your gym routine behind; those hotel workout rooms are often cramped and stinky. But if you're in San Francisco and you can make it to the Marina district, you'll find one of the most intense toning, stretching, and tightening workouts around, and you can drop in for a one-hour class for just $20.

The Bar Method classes, all taught by lithe, enthusiastic instructors, are ...

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?

A true local gem, Osento day spa, is a woman only retreat in the heart of the Mission.  This no frills Japanese style bath includes a hot tub, two barrel saunas, an outdoor cold plunge, and a redwood deck for meditating.   After an hour and a half of Osento you feel like a you've been massaged for six.

Disguised in a Victorian era duplex at 955 Valencia, Osento is unpretentious ...

If you are in San Francisco to pamper yourself, look no further than Kabuki Springs and Spa, located in Japan Center. Kabuki offers a wide range of body treatments and massage modalities for a relaxing, renewing experience in a beautiful atmosphere. Both men and women can enjoy the offerings at Kabuki whether they are looking for body healing, fresh skin, or simple relaxation. Treat yourself while enjoying the city to ...