Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Organic Spa Magazine

Posted: 19 May 2020 01:47 PM PDT

Retreats that will give us what we need now more than ever

Amanzoe, Porto Heli, Greece

The Peloponnese, a peninsula in southern Greece, connects to the north by the Isthmus of Corinth. Though notably steeped in antiquity, and achingly beautiful, it is the road less traveled, a part of the country that is not quite as trampled by tourists as the rest of Greece.

That seclusion makes it a perfect spot for Amanzoe, an Aman Resort perched above the Peloponnesean coast, with the Ionian sea to the west, and the Aegean to the east. Whichever way you look, sunlight sparkles on the bright azure and topaz-blue waters of Porto Heli Bay. The sea is spotted with small islands, some perfect for hiking. Jagged limestone hills, olive groves, sandy beaches and vineyards surround the region, along with the UNESCO-protected ancient ruins of Epidaurus and Mycenae. And the hotel itself looks like a perfect modern version of the classics: commodious marble villas (with private plunge pools) that nod to the Parthenon, a gorgeous 31,000-square-foot spa bolstered by majestic colonnades, black amphorae in an elegant portico.

Amanzoe, Greece - Hero Image, Main Terrace_High Res_6805 copy

Amanzoe just launched Aman's first Individual Wellness Immersions outside Asia, a series of three multiday programs expertly calibrated to fulfill guests' unique and specific wellness goals. The offerings—Weight Management & Transformation, Detox & Cleansing and Mindfulness & Stress Management—are overseen by Zoe Nash, an internationally renowned wellness expert, certified Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, Yin Yoga teacher trainer, and expert Myofascial Release specialist, with over 10 years' experience.

Nash is a kind and caring soul who is also not afraid to resolutely nudge you in the right direction, if need be. Better still, she will provide the tools and guidance needed to help you motivate yourself. She takes a holistic approach to health, incorporating East-Meets-West practices that serve to integrate mind, body and soul.

For my visit, I chose Mindfulness & Stress Management. We consulted ahead of time via email, and when I arrived I found a menu in my room, with a list of food and drink that would be most beneficial to fulfilling my wellness goals. A few, like the Green Smoothie, made with almond milk, spinach, kale, avocado and ginger, and the Blood Cleanser, with lemon, beetroot, carrot, green apple, celery and ginger, became favorites. The Traditional Greek Salad was a standout, along with fresh fish pulled from the pristine local waters. I ate every meal outdoors, overlooking the magnificent hilltop pool with breathtaking views of the coast. For my own good, I was asked to refrain from coffee, which wasn't easy, but I did.

The program begins with the first of several consultations with Nash, and incorporates private yoga and meditation, acupuncture and multiple visits to the breathtaking spa for prescribed treatments. The fitness center and library are good places to get lost in, and, a short drive away, lies an exquisite private beach club. In the evening, guests gather on a vast circular terrace to watch the sun paint the sky with a passion-fruit palette. Other than that, the sense of stillness and seclusion is all-encompassing. "Bring in space, bring in intentional pauses to come back to yourself," says Nash. "Walk around, listen to the birds, breathe. That space is always available, you just need to tap into it."

There are enough elements of a true vacation on offer so as not to feel deprived, if what you need is a relaxing break. In fact, you will come away feeling all of those "R" words: relaxed, refreshed, renewed, restored, recharged and, ultimately, relieved that you have given yourself this great gift of self-awareness and care.

aman.com/resorts/amanzoe

—Rona Berg

The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman

Stingray City may sound like a Coachella headliner, but it's actually a bastion of peace and quiet. Not far off the shore of Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, graceful sea creatures converge on this sandbar, gliding past awed visitors, as they carefully float off the ladders of upscale catamarans.

That opportunity for authentic experience and communion with nature—plus a prevailing spirit of benevolence and calm—is part of what inspired the powers-that-be to launch an inaugural wellness retreat at the Ritz-Carlton property here, kicking off an annual event. After all, this part of the Caribbean has long drawn divers with its unspoiled turquoise water and thriving reefs. Why shouldn't it attract zen seekers too?

The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman's wellness retreat concept is inspired by "rejuvenation," which means a focus on everything from nutrition and fitness to brain health and skincare. "Rejuvenation is all about feeling good and restoring the mind, body and spirit, while exploring a deeper connection to oneself," says General Manager Marc Langevin. "We want to give guests the tools to embark on a journey of self-love—to feel transformed by their journey and find ways to be their most whole and well selves."

The idea—whenever possible—is to combine a sense of place (a paradise with impeccable service) with a lesson in or an act of self-care. For instance, celebrity trainer and former Radio City Rockette, Amanda Kloots, held her first strength-training class outdoors under the morning sun. "I felt like the luckiest girl on the planet when I got an email asking if I'd like to be part of the first 'Cayman Rejuvenate' retreat at the Ritz-Carlton; I was being asked to teach in one of my favorite places in the world!" she said, adding that she knew exactly what she would teach first. "I've done enough retreats to know that people want to enjoy the beauty of where they are, so I suggested a water aerobics class to get people in the beautiful pool."

At this retreat, the more experiential the experience, the better, as when Dr. Will Cole—a functional medicine doctor and author of The Inflammation Spectrum—talked about his largely plant-based approach to the Keto diet. As he discussed core concepts, attendees were served a luncheon that followed his protocol—think salad with kale, basil, strawberries, avocado and shredded coconut.

Recharging before the hectic holiday season was also a theme: Yoga and Pilates instructor/influencer, Riva Gdanski, was heavily influenced by seasonal themes. "To me, 'rejuvenation' means renewal or reawakening. It serves as a reminder to turn inward and take care of ourselves—something we often forget to do when life gets too hectic," she explains. "This idea fit in perfectly with my autumn-themed vinyasa yoga flow class, as I was inspired to help infuse a renewal of grounding energy, strength, calm and focus."

Even on non-retreat weeks, The Ritz offers a sunset yoga meditation—followed by champagne—for interested parties. Guests blink open their eyes after a restorative Shavasana to see brilliant colors streaking the sky above the horizon, a warm breeze caressing their skin. What's more rejuvenating than that?

ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/caribbean/grand-cayman

—Nora Zelevansky

The post Wellness Immersions appeared first on Organic Spa Magazine.

DAYSPA Magazine

Returning to the Spa: Elite Beauty Society’s Complete Checklist

Posted: 19 May 2020 11:10 AM PDT

The last few weeks—maybe months, for some of us—have been hard to handle. As estheticians and spa professionals, it's in our nature to be there for our clients when they're stressed, scared, or need something—but with the coronavirus pandemic in full tilt, we've been unable to reach out and do what we do best, provide our clients with top-notch services.

But now, several states and cities have decided to begin reopening, granting us the opportunity to reconnect with our clients and get back to doing what we love—being estheticians.

That being said, our return to the spa is likely going to feel far from normal. Why? Because even though the restrictions are easing up, the actual virus itself has not—it's still out there, it's still contagious, and it can still be extremely dangerous.

That's why it's more important than ever for us—as estheticians, spa owners, and more—to do everything within our control to keep ourselves, our clients, our staff, and everyone around us as safe and healthy as possible.

How? We're glad you asked. Before you go back to your salon, we suggest you read—and abide by—this checklist to ensure you're doing everything you can to keep the virus at bay and stay safe.

Double-Check Your Local & State Regulations

One of the biggest reasons the coronavirus pandemic has been so confusing is because each and every city, county, state, etc., has been handling their regulations in their own, unique ways. Look, we get it—it's hard to keep up! Some cities are allowing spas and salons to open, some aren't, some allow for 25% capacity, some allow for 50%.

It's tough to know what's allowed and what's not.

But unfortunately, it's on you to know what your local regulations are and whether or not you're abiding by them—so, before you even open the doors to your spa, we highly encourage you to double-check with your local and state government to get the full picture on what your regulations and what's not allowed.

Once you do that, you're able to start taking the first few steps toward reopening. But don't stop there. Once you reopen, check back each and every day with your local and state government to stay abreast of the changes—these guidelines are changing daily and evolving constantly, so it's going to be a consistent process of keeping up!

Sanitize Your Life Away—Then Do it Again

Before you even think about opening, you need to give your spa a top-to-bottom clean—we're talking the most thorough sanitizing job you've ever done (and probably ever will do). We're talking about every surface, every piece of equipment, every tool, every chair—anything that exists in your spa needs to be thoroughly disinfected and sanitized.

But once that initial sanitizing and disinfecting is done, you need to prepare yourself to do it a lot more—because it's just getting started. When clients start walking through your spa doors again, you're going to need to ensure you're constantly sanitizing, disinfecting, and cleaning.
Because the coronavirus can be directly transmitted (through coughing, sneezing, talking, etc.) and be spread through fomite transmission (by touching infected surfaces), it's hugely important to slow the spread of the virus by disinfecting and sanitizing as much as possible as often as possible.

Ensure that you're constantly disinfecting—before clients come in, between every client, after they leave—to do your part to stop the spread of the virus before it becomes an issue!

Our advice? Get recertified (and have your staff get recertified as well) in proper sanitizing and disinfecting practices just to ensure you're doing everything by the book. This will probably go over really well with your clients, too.

Implement New Policies & Get Your Staff on Board

Don't Overcrowd—Set Occupancy Limits

It's possible your state or city are already limiting the number of people who are allowed in your spa or salon. If you're cool with that limit and you're confident you can abide by social distancing practices within that limit, go for it. If you're not sure that's right for you, don't be afraid to set an occupancy limit that allows fewer people in your spa at a time. Yes, that means you won't be able to see as many clients, but if it makes you more comfortable, that's precisely what you should do.

Forget About Waiting Rooms

We're sure this part is going to be less than exciting—especially since you've likely worked really hard to create a spa that people don't mind waiting in. But, for the time being, one of the best ways you can encourage social distancing is to nix your waiting room altogether. Set up a system with your clients where you have them call when they arrive—if you're ready for them, have them come in, if you're not, have them await your call outside or in their vehicles. It goes against all of the customer service stuff we know and love, but it's hugely important and we promise your clients will understand.

Equip Your Staff With PPE—Consider Having Your Clients Wear It, Too

You might already be required by your local government to wear PPE when you're working closely with clients—but if you're not, we encourage you to do so. Remember, it's well within your right to not only wear PPE, masks, and other protective gear, it's within you right to ask your staff and your customers to, as well. We know how delicate this can be, but it's important to stick to your principles—so, if this is something you feel strongly about, we encourage you to mandate this in your spa.

Just Say No to Walk-Ins

An appointment-only policy might decrease the amount of traffic you get, but right now, it's pretty important that you're able to control the amount of people in your spa at one time. When you allow walk-ins, you allow unnecessary germs to float in and out of your spa—but when you mandate an appointment-only policy, you're able to control who is in your spa at what time, how many people are in the room, and you're able to stick to a more stringent cleaning schedule, too.

Prepare Yourself with Proper Liability Insurance

There's no time like the present—especially with the recent events that have occurred—to reevaluate your professional liability insurance. Look, if the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything, it's that sometimes, unprecedented, unlikely, and outlandish things happen out of nowhere—with almost no warning. If you can prepare for something—even the most unlikely occurrences—shouldn't you?

We're not saying that professional liability insurance can protect you from the coronavirus—but we are saying that it can protect you from unlikely, unheard of, and unprecedented occurrences. And, as a spa owner, manager, or esthetician, it's crucial that you're prepared and are protected against these occurrences—your future, your finances, and your career depend on it! Now's the time to make sure you're covered and cared for by an insurance team that knows the unique struggles, risks, and challenges you face on a daily basis.

Returning to the spa might not be easy and it might not feel normal—but that's OK because, at the end of the day, none of this is actually normal. The only thing you can do to truly ensure a comfortable, safe return to a semblance of normalcy in your spa is to protect yourself, your clients, your staff, and everyone around you by being cautious and vigilant. The virus is still out there—and it might be out there for a while—but if we all do our part to take care of our selves and each other, we'll all be OK in the end.

Check out Elite Beauty Society to learn more.

The post Returning to the Spa: Elite Beauty Society’s Complete Checklist appeared first on DAYSPA Magazine.

Spa Industry Association

Virtual Events and Webinars
Feeling Positive: How The Spa And Wellness Industry Is Reacting Now… And Planning For The Future
M.A.D. Skincare PRO introduces Four products to the market

Virtual Events and Webinars

Posted: 19 May 2020 02:26 PM PDT

Due to the “new normal”…at least temporarily, many industry sources have focused on communicating through webinars and virtual channels. We created a calendar to keep you updated on everything our friends are doing across the industry.

Keep updated on training, product information, business building, marketing, Covid-19 issues…etc.

Check it out here: https://dayspaassociation.com/virtual-events-and-webinars/

Continue reading Virtual Events and Webinars at Spa Industry Association.

Feeling Positive: How The Spa And Wellness Industry Is Reacting Now… And Planning For The Future

Posted: 19 May 2020 11:11 AM PDT

forbes.com –

The wellness industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors in travel. It will, of course, take some time for the (literal) hands-on therapies available in spas – think: massages and facials – to return. In the long-term, however, it will be wellness breaks which will be likely to be in high demand – with many of us looking for places that offer respite for the soul and some much-needed holistic expertise.

Continue reading Feeling Positive: How The Spa And Wellness Industry Is Reacting Now… And Planning For The Future at Spa Industry Association.

M.A.D. Skincare PRO introduces Four products to the market

Posted: 19 May 2020 10:39 AM PDT

M.A.D Skincare PRO has added four new products to their product lineup. We are happy to introduce them to you below!

Mandelic Peel 25% with CBD

Fundamental Peel Tackling Hyperpigmentation, Acne and Anti-Aging

M.A.D. SkincarePRO brings you M.A.D's Mandelic Peel 25% with CBD, the first Mandelic Peel in the industry containing Cannabinoids (non-THC CBD). This unique AHA peel addresses aging, discoloration and acne concerns while delivering significant skin calming, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties.

Continue reading M.A.D. Skincare PRO introduces Four products to the market at Spa Industry Association.