Give yourself a little more time

We know to-do lists don’t shorten with the daylight hours, but your body needs a little more rest during this season. Come early for your appointment and spend some time in our meditation tent to relax and transition from a busy life. Add a cup of our hot herbal tea to warm your heart.  Your mind, body and spirit will thank you.

Add a sauna
Our infrared sauna is not only sublimely warming but also a great boost to your immunity. It detoxifies and fortifies your system and preps your skin and muscles to receive your treatment more fully.

Sunday secret
Anyone who works in a spa knows that Sundays have their own special vibe. They are a mellow, relaxing day to enjoy spa treatments. Don’t forget to allow time for the meditation tent!

Try a hot stone massage
If the winter chills have settled in and don’t seem to dissipate, try a hot stone massage. Warm basalt stones are used to relax the tissue and massage the muscles.

Pamper that winter exposed skin
If your skin is getting dry and no moisture seems to take, consider a  60 or 90 minute facial or full body sugar exfoliation. Oxygenating the tissue and removing the thick outer layer will prepare your skin for receiving moisture and nourishment.

Cut off the toes to your socks
This idea was borrowed from a brilliant client who altered her socks for her post-pedicure toes. To avoid smudging, our client cut off the toes of her socks and slipped some flip flops over them. Instant warm feet for the trip home! Of course, you can invest in some couture cuties like Peeky Toes, but if you haven’t had time to shop, a quick snip will do the trick.

Make your needs known
A great tip all year round -  When visiting a spa, it is your experience. The day may have been a doozy and you might need  more mellow music, a warmer treatment room, or a more nurturing touch on this day. Always feel comfortable to ask for these changes. Your visit to the spa is an important time  for self-care and we want to make every effort to provide for your needs.

December?!? How quickly the holiday season sneaks up on us! For those of you feeling anxious, overwhelmed, tired from battling crowds, or distressed about the sun setting so early (4pm?!) consider visiting us for some long overdue and much needed respite. Come in from the cold, sip hot tea, and feel the stress melt away from your weary muscles during a relaxing massage. Or, try our new 90-minute Epicuren signature facial which includes a cinnamon hot peel, two enzyme masks, and a micro crystal exfoliating treatment to completely revitalize neglected, stressed winter skin. Imagine your in-law’s reaction when they see that you not only seem energized but look healthier - even after surviving the chaos we call “visiting family” (You bought and wrapped gifts, cooked dinner, drove/flew for hours, and still look fabulous?? Of course!).

So take the time to stop, breathe, and recharge for the mad dash to the next dinner, party, meeting, or holiday sale. And to justify your visit why not buy a gift certificate for a friend or loved one following your service? You could say you were sampling our treatments to ensure they were up to par (as if you needed to…)

The fall months are upon us! What an opportune time to repair damage from blustery winds, crisp air, and months of walking in flip flops (hello, callouses?) with a soothing Allyu Signature manicure and pedicure! Raw nurturing botanicals and mineral-rich clay pamper your skin, while toxin-free polish gives your hands and feet a zing of long-lasting color. An exfoliating pumpkin mask smoothes, a velvety milk soak soothes, and rich butters impart deep moisture–simply delicious! Reflexology technique are included to promote whole-body wellness and relaxation. Consider adding a paraffin treatment for a truly indulgent experience!

Pregnancy is a joy-filled yet physically and emotionally demanding time requiring nurturing and support. Expectant moms experience unique changes during pregnancy thanks to increased weight, hormone changes and structural shifts. Massage and acupuncture are invaluable to all the challenges your body, mind, and emotions will encounter.

Prenatal massage helps to alleviate some of the physical discomfort women endure during these transformative months. (more…)

Searching for luxurious nail treatments that are as good for the environment as they are for your fingers and toes? Look no further! Allyu’s skilled nail artists are eager to soothe, smooth, and beautify your tired feet and hands with rich lotions, natural cleansing scrubs, and a rainbow of possible polish combinations. We are pleased to provide our clients with fine lacquers, topcoats, and strengtheners from Spa Ritual: a non-toxic line free from harmful chemicals like formaldelhyde and DBP (linked to birth defects…yikes!), so they are safe for pregnant and nursing women. The company even packages their vegan products in recycled glass! And with dramatic reds like Stiletto, rich plums like Solitude, luscious golds like Can You Dig It, and sweet shell pinks like Ethereal, eco-consciousness never looked so good! Allyu offers Express Mani/Pedis ($20/$35) for a quick lunchtime clean-up, Spa Mani/Pedis ($35/$50) to pamper those heels and dry skin, and Allyu Signature Mani/Pedis ($50/$75) for the ultimate in luxurious indulgence. Go on, treat yourself!

…with Thai and Shiatsu massage! Hearkening back to the early 20th century, Shiatsu (also known as acupressure) is a technique founded on principles of the Chinese meridian system wherein the practioner applies pressure to the body with their thumbs, elbows and palms in order to free energy blockages and facilitate the natural flow of qi. This has been proven effective in alleviating symptoms as varied as stress, sore muscles, digestive ailments, headaches, PMS and insomnia. Thai massage is sometimes described as facilitated yoga; clients are gently moved into familiar yoga poses and energy work often accompanies treatment sessions. Release of muscle tension, greater range of motion, toning of organ systems and deep relaxation are among the myriad benefits associated with this practice. Both of these fantastic modalities are performed on a thick cushioned floor mat and require the client to wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement.

Here is a great demonstration of Shiatsu massage performed at Allyu

Pregnancy is a time of great anticipation, excitement and joy…yet it also can bring sore legs, an achy lower back and a general sense of the “blahs”. Prenatal massage has been shown to greatly alleviate these symptoms while encouraging improved blood and lymphatic circulation. Joint pain is lessened, swollen feet meet with some relief and sleep is restful. In addition, studies have shown that the level of the “happiness” hormone seratonin increases with weekly massage and helps maintain a state of relaxation and well-being throughout pregnancy: a wonderful way to welcome a new baby into the world!

Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is sweeping the holistic world as an effective therapy for addressing tired stressed-out skin at a fundamental level. Unlike more invasive quick-fix techniques such as lifts and tucks, this treatment works to fortify the body from the inside out; for many clients health is reflected through firmer skin tone, reduced undereye puffiness and softening of fine lines. Facial rejuvenation acupuncture is most effective when incorporated into a weekly wellness regimen, and while changes are more subtle than surgical procedures, they emerge from a state of improved balance and renewed energy.

Here is a lovely example of facial rejuvenation acupuncture at Allyu Spa…

In these stressful times, headaches, tense muscles and sleeplessness abound. Enhance your well-being with a visit to Allyu for an acupuncture session! This ancient Chinese tradition involves inserting hair-thin, single-use sterilized needles under the skin in order to address a variety of ailments. Our skilled certified practitioners take the time to assess your individual needs and answer any questions you may have. We suggest a course of treatment over several weeks in order to reap the maximum benefit from this wonderful service.

This video showcases the work of our acupuncturist Lisa Reichert:

Acupuncture at Allyu Spa

Greetings friends - We hope everyone is staying warm and cozy through this blustery week! Below are some links to recent press about Allyu Spa:

Lunchtime Meditation - Susan’s monthly meditation is gaining momentum. Stop by every 2nd Wednesday of the month to add a bit of calmness to your busy day.

Time Out Chicago - Meditation

Sauna Therapy - Our infrared sauna was also featured in the detox issue of Timeout Chicago for Jan 1-7, 2009. Give us a call to set up a session, and check out our November 25th blog posting for more information.

Time Out Chicago - Sauna Therapy

Aromatherapy Sugar Body Polish - Daily Candy mentioned our body treatments and sauna on January 6th, 2009.

Daily Candy