Romancing the Spa
Receiving spa treatments as a couple is relationship therapy without the marriage counselor. Think his and hers hot stone massage. Think shiatsu. Think blissful body wraps. Make a date with your spouse, only this time, don’t call for reservations at your favourite restaurant and forget about the movie theatre. No kidding! Spa visits are not for women only, not exclusive to the rich and famous, can be very healing and many are very affordable.
Modern spas exist on the healing aspect of water much like the town of Spa, Belgium which is the famed site of healing hot springs and as such has been frequented as a watering place since the 14th century. The word "spa" has become eponymous with any place having a natural water source believed to possess special health-giving properties. Today, spa services include relaxation, massages, aromatherapy, facials, waxing and much more. Now more than ever before, the spa industry is massaging its way into the minds and moods of many people making a simple trip to a nearby spa feel like a million miles from home.
If you and your spouse or partner are feeling the triple O (overworked, overstressed and overwhelmed), if the slumping economy, fast pace of daily routines, corporate cut throat competition and the demands of raising a family are draining your energy then you might want to consider lifting those sagging spirits.
Enhance romance
Imagine… you and your beloved are in a candlelit room with side by side massage tables. Egyptian cotton sheets are carefully draped over your bodies as you inhale the subtle fragrance of essential oils. Your mind settles peacefully into a deep calm and the mood is set. All this even before the massage therapist smoothes his hands over your skin, even before the hot, oil-rubbed stones penetrate healing energy through you.
Spontaneity serves well to heighten our sometimes dormant romantic senses. What better way to throw a wrench into your routine than to book a twin treatment room or suite for some duo-indulgent side-by-side pampering at a local area spa. Not all treatment centres have these rooms so you might want to call ahead. Your spouse might kick and scream all the way there but guaranteed there will be no kicking and screaming on the way back home!
Five Ways to Zen!
- Full day
If you have a full day to spare and a willing partner why not book a whole day at a local spa or travel north of Montreal to take advantage of all the amenities spas offer, enjoying not only your treatment of choice but the facilities which, by definition are always set in zenlike tranquility and natural beauty. - Gift Certificates
If you’re a spa-lover but your spouse or partner is not, why not slip a gift certificate under the pillow with a disclaimer “redeemable in celebration of us” or “come away with me.” - Destination Spa
If you want more than an hour or two of indulgence… if you’re searching for sinful luxury, divine serenity, paradisiacal beauty then book a destination resort spa. You can, but you don’t have to travel around the world to reward yourself with a romantic spa getaway that is exotic and intoxicating. Some are more accessible than you think. - Mobile Spa
If all else fails bring the mountain to Mohammed. Arrange to have a mobile spa set up in your home. Giovanna Sacco of Go For Moms and her husband make time to reconnect with each other. They have a regular appointment in the home with their favourite massage therapist every 2nd Friday night of the month. They plan music, wine and dinner around the shared experience and tuck the kids neatly and quietly away for those few hours of ‘we’ time. - Home Spa Experience
Choose soothing music, scented candles and splurge on some bath and body products you wouldn’t normally purchase. Prepare a bath with essential oils because they have many relaxing and restorative qualities and sprinkle rose petals over the water because it’s sexy and romantic and will turn your home tub into a sensual spa experience for you and your spouse.
