ayurvedic lifestyle newsletter
2007

spring - the bridal party spa experience
summer - what is ayurveda ("eye-your-vay-duh")
fall - spa-ing for your pet
winter - spa-ing for the expectant mother

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the bridal party spa experience.

It's your special day, you're getting married, and you want to look drop dead gorgeous. What bride doesn't? So you, or you maid of honor, sign up for a day at the spa. What better way to relax, get pampered, and feel great before you say "I do"!

But, "here comes the bride!" can be a nightmare for spa's. Having worked in one myself for several years, I can tell you that not every bridal party's day at the spa goes smoothly. In fact, some are down right bumpy!

So I would like to give you some tips and pointers on how to work with your spa so that your day will be the perfect one you were hoping for.

I hope this list is helpful, and your bridal party is wonderful and relaxing. With a little organization, and planning ahead, your day should go off splendidly!
And congratulations!

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what is ayurveda? ("eye-your-vay-duh")

Simply put, it's the Eastern Indian version of Chinese medicine. It's been around for 5000 years, and is still practiced today. We have had practitioners here in the United States for approximately the last 25 years. So it's still rather new to us, but it's catching on quick!

Why is this form of healing becoming all the rage?
Ayurveda is a holistic form of healing. As modern medicine continues to fall short in the eyes of many westerners, holistic medicine is seeing a tremendous upsurge in popularity. This means that many different types of holistic healing are finally surfacing. Ayurveda, is at the top of that list.

How does it work?
Ayurveda is one of the Vedic sciences. The science that deals with imbalance in the human body. Translated, it means the "science of life".

Ayurveda believes that the universe is made up of the elements. Earth, air, fire, and water. These elements are not viewed as the physical elements, but rather metaphors for the energies which these elements represent.

These elements, are then divided into three categories, called Doshas.
The Doshas are called Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. It is these categorical energies that are believed to cause the ailments of the human body. In balance, one experiences perfect health and vitality. Out of balance, the human being experiences all manors of illnesses and disease.

Ayurvedic practitioners work to restore balance between the Doshas through diet, herbal remedies, lifestyle changes and cleansing of the body by a method called Panchakarma. (See our article on panchakarma for further explanation)

Ayurveda may well be one of the most effective holistic healing modalities since the emergence of Chinese medicine in America. Its methods may seem a bit strange to the western mind, but the effectiveness of its practices are undeniable.

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spa-ing for your pet

With pet clothing becoming all the rage lately, it's not a far jump to a spa treatment, ala canine of course. After all, our four-legged friends need to de-stress to. And what better way then to give them a day at the pet spa! And don't fret, our feline friends can enjoy this luxury as well!

Yes, you read that right. The pet spa. The latest and greatest in the world of pets. Have your pooch pampered with body scrubs, manicures, pedicures, and yes, even aromatherapy treatments.

Want to know where to find such a place? Well, they may be hard to locate, but we found just such a place in Frisco Texas. The name of the canine and feline friendly retreat is, A Place for Pets - Resort and Spa. You can visit their web site at www.aplaceforpets.us.

Or try The Spa Dog Package at The Spa Dog (www.thespadog.com) in southern california, where your pooch will receive a heated hydrotherapy bath, nail trimming, ear washing, organic shampoo and conditioner, a complete blow dry, aromatherapy spritz, bow or bandana, and of course, playtime with a treat! These lovely packages start at just $90.00. A steal for a day at the spa!

The Spa Dog owner, Steve Ogden says, "I believe with the proper approach Dogs can have a wonderful spa experience. With dogs it's about trust, you gain there trust and they will relax."

Is this a bit excessive? Perhaps, but it just goes to show you that we will stop at nothing for our furry friends.

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spa-ing for the expectant mother

Ok, so this months' topic evolved more out of my own personal interest, than anything else. Being an expectant mother myself, I thought it would be a worthwhile investigation to find out what's healthy for the mom-to-be, and what isn't, when visiting the spa.

The first rule is: Tell everyone you are pregnant! Tell the person who books the appointment, and tell your technician. Any spa employee worth their paycheck knows that there are certain accommodations for women who are pregnant. You want to be sure that they will do these things for you.

For a mom-to-be in her first trimester, you should pretty much avoid the spa all together. There are many pressure points that can be massaged during a service that can actually trigger a miscarriage. There are also many herbs that can do the same. Also, if you're lucky enough to have a husband who massages your hands, legs, and/or feet, give him a break from this duty during the first three months. These areas are particularly full of pressure points that can affect your entire body.

Keep in mind, that if you do go into the spa for a manicure or pedicure, your technician would be wise to avoid any massage altogether. Just have them do the basic nail care to make your fingers and toes look good.

Once you hit your second trimester (week 14 to be safe), things become considerably safer in the pampering department. Pregnancy massage is a wonderful way to relieve stress and worry. I highly recommend it. However, when booking this appointment, inquire about the experience and training of the massage therapist. It's wonderful if they have studied all over the world, but if they haven't studied pregnancy massage specifically, you may want to find another technician. Pregnancy massage is a very specific type of massage. You want somebody who knows what they are doing. Also, avoid any deep tissue work. This will not benefit you at this time.

If you are one of those women who experiences morning sickness beyond the first trimester, I would fist like to say that my prayers are with you, and I hope it will be over soon! I would also recommend that you inform your technician about this condition. You may want to ask that the door be left open just a bit for ventilation, or that certain products with a strong fragrance be avoided.

As you approach the end, (yes, at some point your body will be yours again!) massage in any type of service can be a gift from the heavens above. Your body aches, sleep is limited, and the restless waiting has begun.

In this phase, a stronger massage stroke is fine. However, do avoid deep tissue massage. Some women like to have a stronger massage if they have past their due date. A deeper massage can sometimes stimulate and encourage labor. But discuss that with your doctor first to make sure its ok. Again, any technician worth their beauty school diploma will ask to see a doctors note in this case.

And last, but not least, here are some general rules covering the entire pregnancy.

If your spa offers spas, saunas or hot baths, avoid them at all costs. While the heat may feel good temporarily, you are likely to overheat very quickly, and the higher temperatures are not good for baby.
Avoid any spa services with technicians who are not trained in the care of pregnant women. Remember, it's ok to ask a million questions when you book your appointment. The spa wants you to leave them being happy AND healthy, and you will feel better knowing you are in capable hands.
In regards to manicures/pedicures:

Avoid a manicure or pedicure in a place that has a strong acrylic smell. We all know what that smells like. All those little nail shops reek of the stuff. While these places may be cheaper than a spa, keep in mind that you are not the only one inhaling the acrylic that is in the air. Your baby is to. Best to avoid these places until you are done breast feeding, as these chemicals can also be given to your baby through your breast milk.

Having been a manicurist myself, I can tell you that if you are smelling it, it's because the product is hanging in the air. There are many studies on technicians who never wore masks while doing these types of nail services. The results are not pretty. You body cannot process these chemicals. The acrylic builds up in their lungs, and sits there, causing lung cancer, and who knows what else.

If you absolutely MUST have your nail extensions done during your pregnancy, at the very least, take a mask to wear during the service. Also, try to find a shop that is well ventilated. But again, it's best to avoid these places all together.

One last note on manicures:
A lot of technicians have small fans at their tables. Ask that this be turned on while the technician is painting your nails. Position the fan so that the fumes from the polish are blowing away from you.
Some herbs to avoid during pregnancy - barberry root bark, cascara sagrada, feverfew, juniper berries, mugwort, pennyroyal, pokeroot, rue, senna, southernwood, tansy, thuja and wormwood. All of those herbs can increase a risk for miscarriage. (Please remember this is NOT a complete list. Consult your doctor for more information.)

I hope I haven't scared any expectant mothers off of going to the spa. It can be a very healing and nurturing experience if it's done right. Just go in, knowing what you need, and communicate those ideas clearly. You will find that most spas are very happy to accommodate you.
Enjoy!