Your Home Spa Tools - Let's Get Started

Good news! You don't need to purchase expensive and complex equipment to get started in your home spa!

Although you will need some items that will assist you in maximizing your spa treatments, you do not have to spend a fortune. Further, if you want to stimulate the detoxification process these products will be a great beginning for your home spa collection.

• Loofah - a natural sea gourd that has a rough texture and softens when you wet it. When used while bathing it will stimulate your skin. Several times a week using shower gel or body scrub and move your loofah sponge or brush in circular motions. This process will stimulate your circulation and remove dead skin cells from your body. The skin warming effect also feels good as you move the loofah across the areas of your body that may in need of attention too.

• Friction Glove - made from a course material that serves a similar purpose as the loofah. The glove is softer and is flexible to move as your hand dictates allowing you to get the curve areas of your body treated. Place your shower gel or body scrub on your glove and move along the course of your body targeting particular areas of roughness like your knees and elbows. Be careful with sensitive skin as you may also want to give your attention to other problem areas like your heels and underarms.

• Back Brush - a long handle brush that helps you scrub those hard to reach areas on your back. Apply body scrub with your favorite aromatherapy mix and create you an instant solo spa as you condition your skin and improve circulation throughout your body.

• Pumice Stone - a gray/white stone of volcanic origin that assists you to remove calloused skin from your heels for instance. In order to effectively remove the extremely dry skin you must first soak your feet before massaging your heels with the stone. Be sure to follow up with your best moisturizing foot cream, one with Shea or Cocoa butter is recommended.

• Cellulite Massager - is rounded with rubber nodules that help stimulate the deep tissue beneath the top layers of your skin. Use in the bath with a shower or bath gel or dry with your favorite aromatherapy massage oil. This product is most effective for your thighs and legs. If you have a partner to massage your back with this massager you will experience a real treat!

• Cooling Eye Mask - gel filled mask that you place in the freezer at least one hour before your treatment to reduce the puffiness in your eyes. You can easily store one in the freezer for that anytime treatment to relax your eyes and ease a tension headache.
  

Great common places to get your spa tools:

1. Bliss line of products by Sephora in local malls or on-line. They are great as they offer a free reward program. Bliss by Sephora
2. You can shop for your aromatherapy blends by body part or sensation affect. Bath & Body Works has a great spa and aromatherapy line of products.
3. For those of you who are holistic, seek natural goods and want to ensure that we are using products that have not been animal tested, The Body Shop is for you. They too have great body and bath product lines.

There are many other spa tools that will complete your home spa that we will cover in later blogs so stay tuned.

In the meantime, enjoy and happy bathing!

Andrea

As always please do not use the information found on this blog as a replacement for medical advice. When in doubt seek professional consultation from your physician, particularly if you have a circulation or hear condition.

Using Simple Herbs in Tea, Bath and Facial Steaming for a Quick Anytime Spa

Herbs are a quick and easy way to use for a tea, bath or facial streaming. You can easily create a mini spa day with herbs. Herbs are used worldwide from various indigenous plants. Herbs are commonly used to care for for your body and skin, including foot baths that feel great after a long day on or off your feet. Many herbs are available all year long.

Teas - Water Infusions

Grab your tea cup, place 1 teaspoon dried herbs or if you are using freshly chopped leaves or flowers then add 2 teaspoons in your mug. Carefully pour over your herbs about 1/3 cup of almost boiling water. To get the richest flavor you will want to allow your tea to steep. You can easily get the boldest, richest taste and benefit of your herbal experience by placing your saucer over the top of the cup and allowing your tea to marinate for 15 minutes or so.

The wonderful aspect of water infusions is they are beneficial either hot or cold. Hot tea can be beneficial to assist with digestion as well as it has cleansing benefits. You can use cold infusions as a skin refresher or a rinse for your hair. You are probably familiar with the commonly used green tea found in shampoos and astringents.

Bath

If you are using dried herbs you may not want to place directly in your bath water. I recommend that you place your herbs in a small cheesecloth bag. After you have placed 3 teaspoons of your dried herbs in the bag, tie it over your faucet in order for the water to run through.

However, if you have the benefit of using fresh herbs you may add them directly into your bath. Light some candles, tea candles are best as they are a one time use and easily disposable. Have some soothing music playing softly in the background and relax; preferably use music without words so you can listen to yourself and the Universe. Turn off the light and relax for a while.

Facial Steaming

Grab yourself a towel and a large bowl that is heat resistant; pour near boiling water into to bowl until it is almost full about 2/3 full. When you are using dried herbs, add 1 teaspoon to your water. If you are using fresh herbs or flowers then you are going to place 2 teaspoons into the bowl. Once you are set up, place your towel over your head and lean over the bowl. Savor the rich aroma for about 15 minutes.

The recipes provided in this article are measured for individual use, so please do not exceed the recommended amount allocated in these recipes. Herbal mixtures should not be stored and used the day of brewing. Generally, herbal teas, bath and skin care potions are safe to use during pregnancy however, when in doubt please be advised by your health care professional. Finally, do not use the same herb for more than 3 days at at time.

Herbs are natural so enjoy them! Any of these methods of using herbs will provide you with immediate gratification and relaxation. The great thing is it only takes a few minutes to prepare. In no time at all you will be ready to experience a mini spa any time of the day! Enjoy.

Andrea

Partnering Your Spa with Exercise and Relaxation for Balance

You can easily balance your exercise regimen with relaxation and your spa.

A spa is a place that provides you with a retreat with health giving treatments. Your workout during exercise builds stamina and muscle. Rest and relaxation allow your body time to repair and revitalize. However, your spa creates balance between your effort and your resting time.

Spa treatments of all types will help you to cleanse and rejuvenate your mind and body.

Water is commonly used not only to cleanse your skin but further to stimulate blood flow. Hydrotherapy also lends a hand to the body to detoxify itself.

Body Therapy, a type of massage work out tension in the body and promotes the body natural repair process.

Dietary Therapy, cleanse your body inside out when you eat cleansing promoting food and drink.

While going to the gym is crucial to the overall health of your body however, if you do not incorporate resting time after your workout you will be left exhausted. You must practice to incorporate exercise and relaxation to encourage your body to recover from your busy stressful daily life. This is particularly important as we are generally planning more activities, our work loads are growing and the amount of time to accomplish everything is not increasing.

Practice setting up your spa and plan regular spa time. You will find that you have overall improved physical health but just as important, positive mental and spiritual health. Enjoy.

Andrea

Aromatherapy at its' Simplest

In creating your home spa setting you will be using aromatherapy. Aromatherapy uses specific natural plant abstracts. These abstracts also known as essential oils regularly used to create fragrances that are beneficiary for your mind and body.

Essential oils are commonly used in blends or base for message, bath oils and for your facial steaming.

Here are a few oils and their common use:

• Juniper - detoxifying, stimulating, warming
• Lavender - soothing, skin rejuvenating, skin pain relief
• Lemon - cleansing, antiseptic, toning
• Grapefruit - cleansing, detoxifying, stimulating
• Geranium - skin hydrating, soothing, nourishing
  
• Cypress - skin toning, cleansing, balancing
• Cardamom- stimulating, warming, skin pain relief
• Ylang Ylang - skin hydrating, balancing, rejuvenating
  

Procedure:

Blend - Measure in a small bowl 4 teaspoons or carrier oil. Add the recommended essential oil drops as per recipe, stir and product is ready for use.
**A carrier is a substance that you use to mix your essential oil in order for it to be suitable for skin contact.

Facials - Fill a heat resistant glass bowl 2/3 full with boiling water (a rolling boil is not necessary). Add your drops of essential oil as per recipe. Place a towel over your head and lean forward over the bowl so you skin can absorb the steam. Allow your face to absorb the steam for 10-15 minutes.

Bath - Draw your bath as usual with warm water suitable for your comfort. Mix your drops of oil to your specific carrier as per recipe and add to water. Be sure to mix the blend throughout the water before getting in. Milk is a commonly used carrier for bubble bath.

Precautions using essential oils:

1. Do not use Juniper in any products. Blends or bath recipes substitute Lavender in place of Juniper. Generally during pregnancy you should air to caution and half the recipe of essential oils and carrier oils or base.
2. Do not ingest essential oils. Be careful with children handling these products as they are for external use only.
3. Immediately rinse with cold water if product has contact with eyes.
4. Any blend using grapefruit or lemon oil remember to avoid direct sunlight to your skin immediately following application or at minimum of 12 hours
5. Make an effort to maintain essential oils in a dark bottle with individual droppers to retain potency.
6. All product from recipes should be used at the time of treatment. Do not store for later use.

Essential Oils Storage & Shelf Life
Store bottles of essential oils in a dark dry location. Grapefruit and lemon will generally last 6 months while most others will retain their strength for up to 1 year.

Aromatherapy is a gentle yet effective way to heal and soothe your mind, body and spirit. Use them to relax and experience joy. Be well.

Andrea

Creating a Special Space to Begin Your Spa Treatments

Before we begin with any treatments we must first set up your spa space. Find an area in your home that you can use for your spa. If you have a room or special area that you can designate for this purpose that would be ideal. If not, find a place that you can easily set up and transform for a session. Whatever the area in your home, you want to make it clear that this space is special.

Remember CLAFTS when preparing your space

1. C -Clean the respective area. You know the saying, Tidiness is next to Godliness. Clean out the room or area thoroughly. Remove any papers, magazines or any other clutter. Open the windows to let in fresh air even if the air is brisk in the fall or early winter months.
2. L - Lighting is important when establishing ambiance. Dim the lights or use candles where appropriate to encourage relaxation. When necessary ensure that you have amble lighting to mix ingredients or read.
   
3. A - Aromatherapy oils, candles or incense lit around the area so stimulate your sense of smell. Later we will discuss the various scents and what mood they will evoke. For now, below are some basic data to get you started.
   
4. F - Flowers that are cut fresh in beautiful vases instantly create color, contours and aromas. We tend to believe that fresh flowers is an expensive luxury but that is furthest from the truth. Most local markets have a bouquet of various flowers for under $10; depending on the flower selection of course. This small investment would equate to the cost of one day lunch and well worth the weekly investment. If you have a garden then you certainly can create a beautiful display of your favorites in a sculptured vase. Create a ritual to place fresh flowers in your space at least once a week. Perhaps every Saturday after a long work week or Sunday to prepare your mind and soul for the upcoming week. It may be appropriate for you to place them on Wednesdays to get you through the week. You decide.
   
5. T - Temperature in the room should be warm and comfortable. In the winter you may have to adjust your heat to accommodate your treatment in only a towel. In the spring/summer you may also want to open the windows to let in fresh air and ventilate the room.
6. S - Sounds should be music that is soothing, relaxing or inspirational. Classical music is a common favorite however, you may prefer the natural sounds found in New Age music. Chanting and rhythmic music like beating drums would also bring about stress relief.

Note: incense will purify the air once your space is clean. You may choose between incense in a stick or cone that create bliss, harmony, energizing or tranquil effects.

• Indian incense are generally have a sandalwood or patchouli base with smells of sweet and musky.
• Tibetan incense more often are earthy with forest-like aroma.
• Native American incense usually have a pine or sage aroma with a fresh energizing effect.

Similarly, aromatherapy scents create various emotional states. Here are a few to start:

• Juniper Berry - energizing
• Grapefruit - joyful
• Lemon - renewing
• Lavender - calming
• Bergamot & Cardamom - creativity
• Eucalyptus - exhilarating

This is a great place to start to begin the EVOLVING of your Life and Home Spa.

Enjoy the wonderful experience of aromatherapy.

Andrea

EVOLVING to Self-Care Begins Now

Ten Faces of She presents, Creating Your Own Life & Home Spa, the series.


You must learn to unwind and relax after a period of work, tension or doing chores even. Getting away from the stresses of everyday life is crucial for both your health and happiness. Creating your own home spa is an inexpensive way to retreat - to cleanse, refresh your mind and body. Relaxing your spirit will reinvigorate you and give you the strength to accelerate forward and upward!

During this series, you will learn how to create you own home spa for yourself, your partner and your friends. You will learn natural remedies and gently easy spa treatments designed to both soothe your senses as well as help you reduce the impact of your stresses in your life. The range of antidotes include:

*aromatherapy
*herbal treatments
*all natural skin treatments
*body massage techniques
*healthy snack and drink solutions

We will frequently discuss the importance of various visualization and meditating techniques as well provide you with tips to implement In addition, we will be including schedule friendly spa routines, mini-shower spa and weekend long spa treatments for examples.

Ten Faces of She encourages you to follow this series to care for your soul and your body. Taking this will help you find your center, connect with the Universe, reinforce your value and authentic self. Beginning this journey to care for yourself will support you in discovering, creating and permanently establishing what you want most in your life.

Ten Faces of She promotes self-care as a mode to establish and further demonstrate new perspectives while strengthening your value and priority.

So begin your journey with Ten Faces of She where women are:

EVOLVING EMPOWERED EXCEPTIONAL REVOLUTIONARY

Andrea

I'm ready to move forward with energy and clarity.