1.  Choose a lightweight sunscreen that contains moisturizers for daily exposure (Epicuren SPF 20 with Zinc Oxide, Xtreme Cream SPF 45).  Drier skin types can layer their SPF over a light moisturizer for added comfort.

2.  Sensitive skin benefits from a product containing Zinc or Titanium Dioxide (SPF with Zinc Oxide, Active Sport Treat SPF 30+, Xtreme Cream SPF 45).  Both are physical sunblocks, which act as a “veil,” shielding the skin without causing potential reactions.  Drier skin types should choose Titanium Dioxide, normal or oily types should use Zinc as it can help with controlling oil.

3.  Athletes are best served with a water/sweat resistant formula such as Active Sport Treat SPF 30+.  As always in prolonged sun exposure, reapplication is key to preventing sunburn.  Every two hours or after swimming, another full application is recommended.  Water-resistant sunscreen loses its effectiveness after only 40 minutes in the water, so reapply often to prevent damage.

4.  How much SPF you apply DOES matter, as well as how often.  Dermatologists recommend a shot-glass portion for the entire body, and a teaspoon for the face.  Using less than this amount dramatically reduces the SPF rating and protective abilities of even full-spectrum blocks.  Always apply sunscreens at least 20 minutes prior to exposure and 10 minutes before applying makeup.
Creating healthy habits now can assure beautiful skin for years to come. Sun exposure is one of the main causes of premature aging of the skin, including wrinkles and hyper-pigmentation. Daily SPF usage is key to keeping skin gorgeous and more importantly, cancer-free! For more in-depth information about the health effects of sun overexposure, The EPA’s website has great information.

An altar is personal - it is a place set apart to represent your intentions and unique vision of holiness. Holy is derived from the word “whole.” In a world that can feel consistently fractured and distracted, an altar is the place where you can unfold your vision of life being complete, healthy, uninjured and joyful: whole. It is a focal point to remind you what is personally important and to honor your spiritual self. Imagine coming home after a hectic day and lighting a candle at your altar. The moment itself can center and encourage you back to a place of peace.

Your altar may be in a peaceful corner of your bedroom or in a main passage of your home. You may decide to lay down a small cloth to designate the area or use an entire tabletop.

Anything meaningful can be included on your altar:

• Photos of your family
• Gifts from a loved one
• Objects found during a time connecting with nature
• Spiritual images that you connect to
• A note conveying hopes and dreams for your life

Your altar can be as small or large … as simple or ornate as you choose. It reflects your tastes and beliefs!

At Allyu we have several altars throughout the space. Near the meditation tent is a stone statue of Ganesha and we light a candle in front of him every day. Ganesha is known as the “remover of obstacles” and this area is set aside as a reminder that we are supported personally, professionally, and that difficult times are transitory. Our statue of Ganesha is hundreds of years old and represents graceful endurance by merely existing! Ganesha’s altar also holds a bowl of rose quartz, and you are welcome to take a piece and bring that energy home with you.

We also have a “mesa” near the reception desk. The Quechua peoples of Peru use this term for their personal altar and we have utilized their traditional layout (with some Allyu personalization). Our mesa includes representation of the four directions (NSEW) and the elements (earth, water, air, fire and ether) to encourage balance and collaboration with the earth. It reminds us of our intentions as a community to each other, our clients, our global community, and the earth. The mesa is placed in a very public area because our commitments as a business affect everyone who visits us.

Some final thoughts:

• Create your personal altar to clarify your thoughts and intentions.
• Sacred space is not about decoration. Any representation of you is always beautiful!
• Keep your altar clean and dust-free to encourage clear and vibrant energy.
• Change your altar whenever your needs evolve.
• Have fun creating your sacred space - it belongs to you.

If you look around your home or office right now, you may already have the makings of an altar. Perhaps there is a shelf or mantle where items dear to you have collected. There are photos, gifts that a child has made for you, mementos from your travels, and maybe even a favorite scented candle. With some intention to placement and care, you have a sacred space that reflects your life and supports your dreams.

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.

Massage therapists trained in prenatal work have knowledge of pregnancy and the anatomy of the pregnant women and pressure points to avoid during pregnancy. Even a mom-to-be in her third trimester will be comfortable and relaxed in a treatment. Body pillows, bolsters, and blankets support your body while the stress and fatigue are massaged away. Medical conditions could preclude one from receiving massage like risk for preterm labor or blood clots or clotting condition. Consult your physician before scheduling a treatment. Massage by a trained prenatal therapist does not threaten a pregnancy and is not a risk factor of miscarriage.

Some of the benefits of prenatal massage you could experience:

• Eases backaches, headaches, shoulder and neck aches that may be caused by muscle tension and shifts in posture to accommodate increasing weight
• Decreases pain in the pelvic/hip area
• Increases circulation
• Improves digestion
• Reduces fatigue
• Improves skin elasticity that can help reduce stretch marks
• Helps reduce swelling of hands and lower legs
• Can alleviate the stress on weight-bearing joints, like the knees, which are impacted by the weight of a growing baby
• Promotes relaxation and deep breathing
• Helps stabilize hormone levels by lessening anxiety

Acupuncture can be used to increase fertility as well as maintain balance during pregnancy and prepare expectant moms for labor and delivery. Because acupuncture is especially effective for chronic conditions, many pregnant women are turning to acupuncture to provide drug-free relief from many of the symptoms of pregnancy. Women undergo the biggest changes during the first three months of pregnancy. The body requires much rest and nourishment to promote the formation of all the body systems within those three months. The body calls on its reserve energy causing potentially weeks of fatigue. Addressing the lack of energy and need for nourishment through bolstering the body’s reserve energy and supplementing digestive strength through acupuncture and food therapy will benefit mom and baby. Optimal protocol is ongoing acupuncture treatments within the first trimester and the final 2 months of pregnancy. Benefits during pregnancy include those bulleted above as well as:

• Quells the symptoms of morning sickness
• Calms stomach reflux or indigestion
• Re-establishes equilibrium and reduces dizziness
• Stabilize symptoms of gestational diabetes
• Reduce leg swelling
• Promotes regulation of bowels and urination
• Can assist instances of threatened miscarriage

Both massage and acupuncture promote labor. Acupressure points avoided during pregnancy can now closer to the due date assist in softening reproductive muscles and opening the cervix. Acupuncture has been used to turn breech presentation, induce contractions, calm anxiety and reduce (not eliminate) pain. Many women receiving acupuncture prior to and during pregnancy have relatively easier and shorter labor because the body’s energy maintained balance.

Post-partum massage can facilitate the body back to pre-pregnancy shape – tighten slack muscles, ligaments and skin; facilitate healing of scar tissue; and align the pelvis, hips and joints. Acupuncture, in addition, can boost the immune system, increase lactation, reduce post-partum discharge, reduce hemorrhoids and constipation, and reduce symptoms of post-natal depression.

The relaxing nature of massage and the balancing and supporting ability of acupuncture allows pregnant moms to unwind, to feel serene, healthy, balanced and comforted during these joy-filled yet physically and emotionally demanding months.

]]> http://allyuspa.com/blog/?feed=rss2&p=215 http://allyuspa.com/blog/?p=211 http://allyuspa.com/blog/?p=211#comments Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:25:57 +0000 Shoshana http://allyuspa.com/blog/?p=211 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!

Here is a great demonstration of Shiatsu massage performed at Allyu

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