EarthBody Spa Review

Traffic, noise, garbage, bright lights. Sometimes, life in the city can be just a little “too much”. At times like this, the best antidote to over stimulation is an escape from the stress of this concrete jungle we call San Francisco. You won’t need to look much further than EarthBody Spa for a soothing urban oasis that can help you both relieve stress and revive your spirit.

EarthBody is a one of a kind wellness center, dedicated not just to your body, but also to the body of the earth. Denmo Ibrahim begin EarthBody in 2007 as an offshoot of her private massage therapy practice. In the last two years, EarthBody has blossomed into a full service eco day spa, outgrowing its first location, to land most recently in the Hayes Valley neighborhood. With over 102 (and counting) five star Yelp reviews, EarthBody has become a massage mecca, drawing fans from all over the bay area (and many surrounding regions), who come just to get some “good touch” and enjoy the sensual menu of Ayurvedically inspired treatment options. Offering not just ambiance, (picture jeweled tone soft fabrics, with a “Nights in Arabia”/Eco-chic fusion), but also high-quality bodywork, this unique haven lives up to the hype.

Read more at: EarthBody Spa Review

What everybody ought to know about spa massages

Swedish, Deep tissue, Thai or Reiki? Which type of massage is best for you?
Massage, according to Mary Low of Sonoma Mission Inn, is one of the most popular spa menu items requested at this northern California county spa and resort. Choosing the best massage for your particular needs and preferences can sometimes be overwhelming, particularly if you have so many options to choose from. Use the guide below to help you make the most of your spa experience and choose a massage style that fits your mood, body and lifestyle.

Swedish-The most popular type of massage. Swedish uses long, slow, broad strokes and plenty of oil.
Choose it when: you want to relax, you’re sleep deprived, you have a headache or anxiety.

Try it at: Osmosis Spa or Sonoma Mission Inn

Deep Tissue-Using deep pressure and both slow and vigorous movements, practitioners release tension from deep in the muscles. Stretching and compression of muscles may be incorporated. Uses little oil or lotion.
Choose it when: you have muscular tension and knots that require focused attention. After a workout to soothe overworked muscles.

Try it at: Sonoma Mission Inn

Thai-Also called “passive yoga”, Thai massage is a vigorous active modality that is deeply relaxing. This form of massage stretches cramped muscles, releases tension and energizes you. This type of massage is done fully clothed and uses no oil.

Choose it when: your mind is overly busy and you’re having a hard time relaxing. You need energy and vitality. Your legs, thighs and feet need extra attention.

Try it at: Senspa, Earthbody and Carneros Inn

Reiki-Reiki is really more energy work than massage. Usually done fully clothed, practitioners direct energy and healing to various parts of the body using their hand and intention. Warmth or vibrations can sometimes be felt in the body part being touched.

Choose it when: you need a gentle, soothing touch. Reiki is particularly helpful before or after surgery, or when dealing with a chronic illness or disease.

Try it at: Sonoma Mission Inn, Earthbody or Senspa

Shiatsu: Shiatsu works with the meridians or “energy lines” of the body. Shiatsu is done fully clothed and both specific and broad pressure is applied along the meridians. Stretching, tapping and patting are used to energize and release tension.
Choose it when: you want to feel both energized and relaxed. You want an allover body massage that includes both deep pressure and a steady rhythmic flow. You want to work with a practitioner who has an understanding of the bodies meridians.
Try it at: Osmosis Spa, Earthbody or Senspa

Ayurvedic: a massage tailored to your “dosha” or particular body type and personality. Incorporates a generous amount of herbally infused oils and long strokes. Your dosha will determine the speed and pressure in the massage. Relaxing or invigorating depending on your specific needs.
Choose it when: you want a more personalized massage. You like scented oils and herbs.
You want to treat a specific health concern.

Try it at: Earthbody or Marin Ayurveda

Spa in the Spotlight: Sonoma Mission Inn

Ginormous Golden Tub

I’ll never forget the magical day I spent at the Sonoma Mission Inn Spa in the summer of 2002. Feeling a little beat up after a rough year, I was more than willing to take my mother up on her generous offer of a birthday spa trip. Determined to “get happy”, I soaked in warm spring waters, enjoyed a sumptuous array of treatments and in the afternoon, spontaneously made an appointment to receive an intuitive reading from Sonoma Mission Inn Spa’s in-house clairvoyant.

Having just broken up with my boyfriend, I was more than a little cynical when the reader described the great love that would someday enter my life. Yet this down to earth psychic described my future man so specifically, right down to his eyelashes, (seriously), that I couldn’t help but get a little hopeful. I left that day not only relaxed and thoroughly pampered, but also excited to get back to my life, ready and prepared for new adventures to come.
Fast forward eight years and I’ve returned to Sonoma Mission Inn Spa, this time on a spring day in 2010, eager to re-capture the magic of that long ago summer retreat. Now happily partnered with a man who exactly fits the description from that reading so many years ago, I’m ready to re-experience the Sonoma Mission Inn Spa once more.
For this visit I’ve decided to indulge my love of all things lavender, booking a “Lavender Kur” one of the Spa’s popular specialty treatments. The Kur includes a bath, wrap and massage, each step amply infused with the relaxing aroma of lavender. After changing into my robe in the spa’s spacious and generously supplied locker room, I walk down the spiral staircase and pass the gently bubbling “girl with a vase” fountain that leads to the main spa area.
My therapist, Lisa, cheerfully greets me by name at the front desk and leads me up the hacienda style stairs to my treatment room. Imagine my delight when the door opens to a ginormous golden claw foot tub, filled to the brim with lavender bubbles. At this point it becomes hard for me to pay too much attention to Lisa’s careful description of my treatment, because in my mind, I’m already soaking in the giant golden bathtub of my dreams. Sure enough, I’m soon neck high in fragrant bubbles, sipping cucumber water and leaning back against a thoughtfully arranged towel at the head of the tub.
After just enough soaking time, a knock on the door signals the next step of my treatment. I dry off and Lisa gently applies an aloe vera, lavender and eucalyptus essential oil mixture to my skin, wrapping each limb as she goes. Once I’m firmly ensconced in this fragrant mixture, my face, head and feet are given a thorough massage with a rich lavender cream. Then, I’m unwrapped and given a complete body massage with lavender oil. The grand finale is a mini-acupressure treatment on my feet, followed by refreshing hot towels. Thoroughly relaxed and “lavenderized” Lisa guides me to the waiting room where I rest a minute before enjoying the signature “bathing ritual”.
As one of the only spas in the country with its own supply of thermal mineral water, the Sonoma Mission Inn beautifully showcases this unique feature in a carefully designed indoor bathing area. I first soak in the main warm pool, admiring the overhead sun and moon mural, soothingly painted in hues that complement the overall color scheme of the spa. From this mineral water oasis, I next venture towards the Eucalyptus infused wet sauna, and then to the showers, where I exfoliate with a Rosemary Eucalyptus scrub (thoughtfully provided in every shower). After several rounds of this treatment, I’m so thoroughly relaxed I wonder if I’ll even be able to drive home.
Staff at both the spa and the resort are so gracious I began to wonder if there really is something in the water, possibly a “happy drug” that induces hospitable behavior. After talking with Mary Low, a spa manager, I began to understand that part of the employee vibe is due to the Fairmont itself. As a company that prides itself on employee treatment, staff receives such perks as a company cafeteria complete with homemade soup and organic greens, as well as discounts at a variety of Fairmont locations.
Low, who worked as a massage therapist at the Sonoma Mission Inn first in 1993, left the spa and then returned in a managerial position i after the hotel and spa were bought by the Fairmont Resort in 2006. Asked about the Fairmont’s environmental ethics, I was pleased to learn about the many initiatives implemented by the company in their efforts to “go green”. From the organic, local and paraben-free spa products to the organic eggs and butter used throughout the resort, I was more than a little impressed with the Fairmont’s commitment to greening the planet.
Though I wasn’t able to get another window on my future during this visit to the Sonoma Mission Inn, Mary Low said that intuitive readings continue to be a popular offering at the spa. Besides tarot and clairoyvoyant readings, the spa menu also offers such unique offerings as chakra readings and energy balancing.
Confident that the magic of the Somoma Mission Inn Spa is still alive and well, I can’t wait to return to soak once more in the pools, enjoy a summer treatment and bask in the soothing environment of this special place.

Spa Scoop My favorite spa features

Sonoma Mission Inn Spa

Little Touches: foot acupressure and hot towels at end of treatment
Spa Snacks: seasonal fresh fruit, organic tea selection and dried veggie chips
Lotions and Oils: Tara’s Aromatherapy. Organic, locally owned spa product line
Wellness Program: A seasonal program offered by the spa that includes guided hiking and biking tours, yoga, wellness workshops and more.