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" 'Energy'.  It's one of those terms that some therapists and alternative medicine practitioners use to explain how their treatments work, but that also tends to leave a vague-at-best impression on the listener's mind.  It's always difficult to crystallize a concept that can't be tangibly seen, held, heard or smelt, but like so many therapies that have been embraced in the modern wellness community, energy work is gaining credibility as more people that the plunge and reap the rewards.

"...Generally in the spa world, when we refer to 'energy work', we're talking about...the immeasurable energy believed to exist around and throughout each human being.  While definitions and interpretations vary, we've heard it expressed in terms that cross cultural divides: 'chi (or ki or qi)', 'chakras', 'prana', 'aura' and 'life force', to name a few.  The commonly used scientific term is 'biofield'.  No matter what you call it, it has been the focus of a wide range of therapeutic modalities designed to clear blockages, resolve disturbances and allow energy to flow smoothly, thus facilitating a balanced mind and body.  Acupuncture, now a widly accepted practice even in Western culture, is based on this principle, as is much of herbal medicine.

"...'Polarity therapy enables clients to talk and receive body work at the same time, and that really gets them connected to their bodies' explains Gina Osher, who opened Spirituality Spa (www.spiritualityspa.com), a holistic therapy center in Brentwood, California, with  business partner Sheryl Bard about three years ago.  'Often during therapy they laugh, cry -- just let go of baggage.' 

"...'Maybe I'm an energy therapist because I grew up with hippie parents' reflects Spirituality Spa's Osher.  'The idea that there's an energy in our bodies and around us was never an obscure concept; it has been around my life as long as I can remember.'  Osher's earnest jouney into energy work started 10 years ago when a painful divorce and health problems brought her to California to seek the help of healers.  'As I worked with them I realized how amazing energy therapy is,' she explains.  Osher is a Usui Reiki Master, polarity therapy practitioner and reflexologist; co-owner Bard is a certified hypnotherapist.  The two have also taken on a therapeutic touch specialist and a homeopath.  'Our setup enables us to customize combination therapies for our clients,' Osher explains.  'We have people coming in with extreme stress, abuse issues, the need to quit smoking -- the list goes on.  Even when the problems are the same, the way they manifest varies, so we deal with what people need in the moment.  Often I'll use a combination of reiki and polarity to get a sense of what's going on.'

"...Because energy work is such an elusive concept to sell, spas and wellness centers tend to rely on word-of-mouth marketing.  People for whom the treatment works are often astonished and tend to share their experiences with friends and relatives, who become curious to see if the therapy will work for them."

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With new spas opening all the time, it's becoming harder to differentiate yourself from the competition.  Spirituality Spa (www.spiritualityspa.com) in Los Angeles and La Fontaine Aesthetics (www.lfafusionspa.com) in Cherry Creek, Colorado, have found success with holistic business models.  Spirituality Spa combines traditional psychological therapy with physical healing practices.  Popular treatments include energy therapies, hypnotherapy and customized programs to address specific needs of clients.  La Fontaine fuses medical esthetics, cosmetic dentistry, Thai spa therapies and a wellness and nutrition program.  Signature features here inclide a rooftop garden and a zen lounge.

To introduce a more holistic concept at your spa, consider the following lessons from Spirituality Spa owners Gina Osher and Sheryl Bard, and La Fontaine owners John Quigley, DDS, and Ken Oleszek, MD:

Start slowly.  If clients aren't familiar with a holistic approach to wellness, they may not choose it on your menu.

Capitalize on the expertise of your therapist(s).  Many massage therapists are trained in numerous modalities such as craniosacral therapy or Reiki.  Have them give their regular clients an extra 15 minutes during basic treatments to experience something new.

Aquire knowledge.  Learn as much as you can about holistic health care and once you've decided how to best incorporate it into your current spa brand, take concrete actions to educate your clients.

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So with all the stress, I mean excitement, of our Emmy swag tour coming up this week I decided to treat myself to a session at the Spirituality Spa, which I was introduced to at the 2006 Miss Universe Pageant.  The Spirituality Spa offers energy therapies and Hypnotherapy and I opted for a Reflexology treatment.  But believe me, it took a while to decide which treatment to go for as Gina and Sheryl the licensed therapists behind this sanctuary, have an intoxicating list of holistic and therapeutic services to choose from.  

Now I don't know about you, but I LOVE my feet rubbed and I thought that's what the session would entail.  It did, but it's so much more than that.  First, Gina had me soak my feet in a warm bath of floral water which was followed by a relaxing citrus and fennel scrub.  Then the rest of the session is almost a blur, which is what Gina was hoping for, but basically she worked my chakras (those pesky 7 energy centers that run parallel to the spinal column that deal with  physical and emotional issues) and then magically applied pressure to key areas on my hands, ears and feet.  She stimulated specific points of my hands, ears and feet that directly connect to different parts of the body.  Reflexology has been known to help with such issues as anxiety, weight loss, menopause, infertility, migraines, insomnia and more.  Just look at this chart as there are pressure points on your feet that correlate to areas all over your body.

I almost drifted off during the hour and felt extremely good afterwards.  Gina encouraged me to drink lots of water as the process subtly unleashes toxins (she wouldn't let me eat McDonald's after the session as it would probably negate what we had accomplished).  if you are in the LA area, I encourage you to experience the Spirituality Spa as this is the epitome of spiritual swag.

-- Written for TheSwagtimeBlog.com 

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This venue was definitely a step in the right direction.  Instead of just working on my body from the outside, Sheryl Bard and Gina Osher managed to engage my brain as well.  Being hypnotized is a rather odd and unusal experience.  You aren't awake and you aren't asleep.  Actually I wouldn't have really believed that anything had happened, except that 3 hours elapsed, and I remember a vague conversation.  

The treatment I am describing is called "Past Life Regression", one of many therapeutic options available at The Spirituality Spa in Brentwood.  It was not at all what I had expected, as these women were neither weirdm nor bizarre looking.  In fact, not even slightly off the wall.  Clearly dedicated to their work, and quite serious - albeit with a healthy sense of realism as well as humor.

The method practiced for this type of hypnosis was called Christos, a technique they had modified and perfected for their own unique session.  It began with me lying on a table while Sheryl massaged my forehead and Gina did reflexology on my feet.  As I began to relax, Sheryl asked me to imagine my feet were elongating as I floated through a tunnel towards light.  After what seemed like only a few moments, I was asked to visualize standing in front of my front door and to describe it in detail, as well as the people inside and the people living there.

Apparently some people see their childhood, some imagine another life, and some aren't sure if they see anything.  Both therapists agree that it can be difficult to know if the mind just wants to make something up, or if the client is truly seeing the purported experience.  In any case, this is definitely something to try more than once, as the process seems to end as quickly as it begins - leaving you somewhat mystified about the whole thing.

Certainly I see how these women could be profoundly helpful in dealing with clients personal issues, merely by focusing on the problems with powerful suggestions, while under hypnosis. If other therapies don't seem to address your needs, give the Spirituality Spa a try.

-- Written by Christine Harte for BeverlyHillsPeople.com

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The Holistic Therapy Group

"Rejuvenate on an entirely different level.  At Spirituality Spa, there is more going on than your typical spa day.  Starting with the mind, and customizing individual treatments for each client is the beginning of the process.  Different therapies include Reiki, Reflexology, Polarity Therapy, Hypnotherapy and Therapeutic Imagery.

These types of therapies focus on physical as well as emotional well being by clearing the energy channels and restoring balance to the whole person.  Clients typically find relief of pain, increased focus, and stress relief, as well as solutions for fears, phobias and addiction.  Hypnotherapy has proven to be an extremely effective technique for curing or coping with physical pain, as well as an excellent technique for changing behavioral patterns concerning weight loss, smoking, and general anxiety.  With hypnotherapy, the individual is able to bypass their conscious mind, and move into a more desireable state state of dealing with certain issues.

Gina Osher and Sheryl Bard have been practicing the above techniques for many years.  Sheryl is a certified Behavioral Hypnotherapist that works closely with her clients to dissolve personal problems that hold them back, by using therapeutic imagery and verbal dialogue to help the individual find their own answers, thus clearing the way to greater insight and empowerment toward their ultimate goal.

Gina is a Usui Reiki Master, a Certified Reflexologist and a Polarity Therapy Practitioner.  Reiki uses channeled energy and light touch to unblock energy caused by emotional or physical traumas, while reflexology concentrates on reflex points on hands, feet and ears that correspond with the organs and body systems.  Massaging these points relax, detoxify, and promote healing of the body while simultaneously eliminating pain.  Polarity Therapy combines counseling, as well as a combination of Reiki and acupressure that work in harmony to create a lasting change.

Both practitioners are dedicated to helping all of their clients restore themselves to the best possible physical, spiritual, and mental health."  

-- Written by Christine Harte for BeverlyHillsPeople.com

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