Renew Magazine - September/October 2008 - (Page 38)

the sensory spa experience touch Never has “having the right touch” been so literal and so necessary. In the spa, touch is perhaps the most important sensory experience a guest can have. “The power of touch is not to be taken lightly,” says Susie Galvez, an esthetician and former spa owner in Richmond, Virginia. “It was surprising for me to learn that, in some cases, people are touched only during spa treatments.” The right touch starts on the intake form, before you even lay a ﬁnger on a spa guest. Every client should list sensitive spots or injuries on this form, letting his or her technician know which spots to focus on or avoid. When you have that information, you can safely use the power of touch, and even take it a step further. Many spas are now adding extra little touches in every treatment they perform, whether it’s eﬄeurage or a hot foot bath during a facial, a warm neck roll during a nail service, a massage chair rather than a standard stationary bed for body work, or a scalp massage for an extra sensory boost. But what clients touch is almost as important as how they’re touched. To improve their sensory experience in this area, spas like Cornelia Day Spa, in the heart of New York City, are upgrading their linens to high-thread count sheets, stocking up on plush robes and adding touches of luxury elsewhere. At Inﬂuence Spas across the globe, touch is an integral experience before, during and after treatment. Galloway, who consults with Inﬂuence, says clients can test-drive and physically choose the products that will be used in their services, in tandem with their therapist. “When people are interactive in creating their own sensory experiences, it takes it to a whole other level,” she says. Clients can feel and pick lotions, scrubs, essential oils and creams at the “Play Bar,” as it’s aptly called, where everything they select goes into a bowl that’s carried into their treatment room. Touch is perhaps the most primary sense, say our experts, and it can work magic in the spa. “Touching someone is a very special and intimate thing; it is truly a healing power,” Galvez says. major force in a sensory experience. Research shows taste can enhance memories of an experience and help you relive the experience every time you taste that same ﬂavor. To establish this sensory connection, Cornelia developed its own Honey Ritual before every service. “Each guest is oﬀered a teaspoon of organic acacia honey to calm the digestive system and boost the immune system,” says Cornelia’s spokesperson Amanda Wells, which serves to enhance the client’s sense of wellbeing. Plenty of spas use tea, which not only tastes great but is convenient to store and comes in plenty of ﬂavors. Galvez recommends keeping an assortment of herbal or antioxidantbased teas, such as cranberry or pomegranate, on hand. Chocolate is also a delicious mood-enhancer. “Depending on the season, a hot drink made with dark chocolate can add a wonderful restful feeling while simultaneously adding antioxidants,” she says. Even ﬂavored water can work, if it’s unique to your spa. At About Faces, Galvez added cucumber slices rather than lemon to ice water: “It was refreshing and diﬀerent, plus cucumbers are purifying to the system.” Whether your taste oﬀering is water or a three-course spa luncheon, utilizing healthful taste experiences will help clients get in the spa mindset and leave them feeling good. sight The visual experience begins when a client walks through the door. Your goal, more than wanting to make a splashy ﬁrst impression, should be for clients to instantly feel welcomed. Soothing décor and tranquil colors are key to creating the right ambience, as is your choice of lighting. Harsh overheads don’t make anyone look good, while practical dimmable lights in treatment rooms allow clients to relax. Wells says the entire look of her high-end spa is based on outstanding visuals. Spacious rooms in soothing earth tones are designed to be warm and inviting, while windows and skylights let in plenty of natural light. Marble ﬁnishes, a rooftop garden and sweeping view of New York City also make for a visual feast, but the look of your spa doesn’t need to be so elaborate. It can be as simple as putting yourself in your clients’ shoes. Look through their eyes at your level of cleanliness, retail displays, furniture and front desk. Does it look cluttered, taste With brown sugar body scrubs, lemon soufflé foot creams, and chocolate-based hand treatments, some spa products are good enough to eat. While service menus are whetting a client’s appetite, taste comes into play as a 38 renewprofessional.com sept/oct 2008 http://renewprofessional.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Renew Magazine - September/October 2008

Renew Magazine - September/October 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Renew Face/Body/Spirit/Mind Décor Spa Spotlight Reflect Your Business Renew How-To Cards Editor's Picks Role Models The Sensory Spa Experience The Art of Listening In the Room Solutions Inside Ingredients

Renew Magazine - September/October 2008

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