Yoga focuses on the breath, stretching the body and expanding its limits through careful, measured practice. It can make you more flexible, build muscle mass, improve your posture – even help you sleep better.

But one of the greatest things about yoga is that you can start practicing it at virtually any age. Retirement is a great time to get started. You can enter the exercise at your own level and pace and find many rewards as your practice  improves. You’ll feel your body thank you as you start to move more easily and feel better all around!

More on yoga – the fountain of youth? http://bit.ly/ciVf9B

Spa Shiki offers a weekly yoga class on Saturdays. Call 573-365-8108 for info.

By Ann Brown

Published in The Lake Today, 2/10/10

Turn on the television, pick up a magazine or start browsing the Internet and chances are you’ll see some product or service offering amazing anti-aging results for your skin. We live in a culture that thrives on quick fixes, and unfortunately, that often means we look for the quickest or easiest route, jumping in headfirst. When choosing facial rejuvenation procedures, however, it’s important to make informed decisions in order to find the best results with the least amount of risk. Protect yourself by asking questions before you undergo any procedure.

If you want to rejuvenate your skin, many safe, natural facials and peels can offer the results you want, without risk of scarring, significant downtime or other concerns. Other, more aggressive options include lasers and other high-tech treatments, but more risks are often involved with these types of procedures.

In less than 5 years, the number of medical spas in the United States grew from about 450 to about 2,500, according to the International Medical Spa Association, making it a nearly $1 billion business. Such growth in any industry can be hard for regulations to keep up, and while many have scrambled to label their business as “med-spas,” not all have the same level of physician participation or qualifications and choosing the right or best one for you can be confusing.

“The more questions you ask, the greater the staff’s ability becomes to provide you with the best care possible,” says Dr. Stephen Krant, the medical director and cosmetic surgeon at SK Clinic and SK Sanctuary in San Diego, as quoted on www.spafinder.com. “Ask spa professionals about their experience with the treatment/procedure of your choice, how many treatments they have performed, and the expected results. A true med spa will offer expertise to provide sound, medically based solutions for your health and beauty.”

If the facility is advertised as a medical spa, ask if a licensed physician will consult with you, and if the doctor specializes in cosmetic surgery. Is the physician board-certified? Will the doctor be in the office while you undergo the procedure? What is his or her background with the service you will receive?

Laser skin resurfacing is a key offering for many medical spas, but many patients don’t realize the risks involved. As defined by Mayoclinic.com, laser resurfacing is an ablative (wounding) skin resurfacing techniques. Through this procedure, an intense beam of light energy (laser) that is directed at the area to be treated in order to remove aged or sun-damaged skin to allow younger looking skin to grow in its place. The laser beam destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis) in order to stimulate the growth of new collagen fibers.

Your two prime areas of concern should be qualifications and the equipment being used. Before you undergo the laser treatment, make sure you ask about the esthetician’s qualifications. In Missouri, all estheticians are required to have the same core education, and there is little to no separation between a medical esthetician and a normal esthetician. What additional training has the esthetician received, and how many hours were from the manufacturer? If the esthetician has only received training from the manufacturer, that should raise some red flags about the esthetician’s level of experience and knowledge.

Research what equipment they are using and any potential risks. Lasers are an effective treatment, but do carry the risk of permanent damage if not handled properly. Burns and permanent scarring are rare side effects, but can be experienced at the hands of less qualified technicians. Over-treatment with the laser can produce this permanent damage. Temporary side effects include blistering, hyper-pigmentation and redness.

“Those plastic surgeons haven’t quite figured out which of those lighter ‘non-ablative’ lasers really do the trick. So, stay tuned; the technology of peels is still evolving,” says Dr. Michael Roizen, Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic and author of YOU: Being Beautiful, commenting on ask.doctoroz.com about the risks involved with skin peels.

Dr. Bruce E. Katz, the medical director of Juva MediSpa in New York City, clinical professor of dermatology at The Mount Sinai School of Medicine and director of the Cosmetic Surgery & Laser Clinic at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, recommends asking how long a med spa has been in operation, in addition to whether there is a doctor on site. Katz also cautions that you should always ask whether the spa owns or rents its lasers. Centers that rent lasers tend to have less experience with the devices than ones that own them.

Do your research before selecting a procedure and treatment provider, because the improper of use of equipment and inexperienced estheticians can leave you with permanent reminders of your failure to do so.

Ann Brown is the spa director at Spa Shiki at The Lodge of Four Seasons and a member of the International Spa Association board of directors. ISPA is recognized worldwide as the professional organization and voice of the spa industry, representing more than 3,000 health and wellness facilities and providers in 75 countries. Brown’s spa experience includes work at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida and Barnsley Gardens in Atlanta.

February 12, 2010

Contact: Jennifer Bondurant, 573-368-5618, 573-230-4798 or jenny@catchphrasepr.com

New Stylist Joins Spa Shiki

LAKE OZARK, MO –Spa Shiki at the Lodge of Four Seasons is pleased to announce that Vicki Coil has joined the salon staff as a hair stylist.

With experience in all aspects of hair styling and the salon industry, Coil loves the one-on-one interaction with clients and the creativity she draws upon to incorporate custom color and hair design. She strives to give her clients beautiful, manageable styles, current with fashion trends or classic looks, depending upon the client’s preference. Prior to joining Spa Shiki, Coil owned her own salon in Mackinaw, Illinois. She has received advanced education in color and styling from major salon educators such as Matrix, John Amico and Iso (Innovative Styling Options).

For more information, please call 800-THE-LAKE or visit www.spashiki.com.

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You don’t pay any extra, but Spa Shiki will donate a portion of the sale to help those in Haiti.

Spa Shiki will donate 10 percent of your online retail purchase to the American Red Cross’s Haiti Relief & Development Fund, now through January 31, 2010.

All retail products purchased through the spa’s Web site will qualify. Start shopping.

Spa Shiki’s marketing partner CatchPhrase Communications has agreed to match the spa’s donation. Please help us give!

By Ann Brown

At the beginning of January, “Did you make a New Year’s resolution?” is a common question, but by mid-month, the January ritual has started to fade. Now, however, is the time when we should be asking ourselves, our friends and loved ones the more important question – “Have you stuck to your resolution?”

Most New Year’s goals center around self-image and improving what we see on the weight scale or what we see in the mirror. What’s happening inside, however, is critical to what we want to achieve on the outside. Whether you made a resolution and are still sticking with it, or if you have lost your resolve, or if you never made it out of the starting gate, understanding the connection between intent and action can help you achieve your goals. It’s never too late to articulate a new focus on your health, or too redundant to remind yourself what your focus is. Whether January 1 or December 1, you’ll find more harmony when your mind and body are in sync.

1. Frame the intention positively. A more successful resolution will focus on what you are striving to achieve and add to your life, not take away. For example, resolving to lower your blood pressure or increase your energy level are positives. Resolving to lose weight or eat less, however, are negatives and focus on depriving yourself. Smokers don’t want to give up cigarettes; they want to improve their health. Instead of concentrating on what you are giving up, focus on what you are giving yourself through your resolution. Focus on what you stand to gain.

As you work to find your positive focus, a little self-exploration can be helpful. Who are you now, and who do you want to be tomorrow? What do you want out of life? How can you get there? Frame your resolution to constantly remind yourself of what you have to gain.

2. Say it out loud. Rhonda Byrne’s 2006 book The Secret has gotten a bad rap for focusing too much on power of positive thinking as the supreme law of the universe, but there is something to be said for making your intentions known. By publicizing your resolution, you hold yourself more accountable for sticking to it. If all of your friends and family know that you want to improve your health and increase your energy level through better diet and more exercise, then they will be watching for your progress and you are more likely to achieve your goals.

Write your resolution on your facebook page. Tell others what your resolution is and what your plans are to make that happen. Encourage them to hold you responsible. If no one else cares if you make it to the gym every morning, it’s too easy to sleep in, so make sure those who love you know your schedule!

3. Set mini-goals. Take baby steps so you don’t overwhelm yourself with your overall goal. Focus on small milestones, and log those celebratory moments to keep yourself on track. To lose 100 pounds in a year is not as easy to grasp as 8 pounds in one month. By keeping your expectations and goals realistic, you also keep both your body and mind engaged and focused on your resolution. Stay engaged by setting up mini-goals and cheer yourself on. Talk it up – let others know what you’ve accomplished so they stay engaged in your journey as well.

4. Keep a journal of your progress. You’ll be able to log your goals and achievements, and you’ll also be able to document how you feel along the way. Pay attention to your energy level, how you are sleeping, your overall feeling of well-being. How are your efforts connecting to other areas of your life?

For example, cigarette smoking deadens the taste buds, so for smokers, kicking the habit may impact how they eat as food begins to taste differently, better. They may find themselves choosing and enjoying a healthier diet. For those working out to get stronger, they may also find that they seek out a better diet as well to complement what they are doing in the gym. Once you start paying more attention to how your actions and lifestyle choices affect how you feel, it is easier to make smarter choices and appreciate their value in their life.

Let your journal guide and support you. Let it reinforce what you are achieving and the positive benefits of your actions.

It’s often stated that it takes 21 days to form a habit, for the mind to adjust to major life changes. Remember that as you work toward making healthy lifestyle changes. Don’t give up! Give yourself time for your mind and body to accept what you want to achieve.

Ann Brown is the spa director at Spa Shiki at The Lodge of Four Seasons and a member of the International Spa Association board of directors. ISPA is recognized worldwide as the professional organization and voice of the spa industry, representing more than 3,000 health and wellness facilities and providers in 75 countries. Brown’s spa experience includes work at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida and Barnsley Gardens in Atlanta.

Contact: Jennifer Bondurant, CatchPhrase Communications, (573) 837-4741, (573) 230-4711 cell, jenny@catchphrasepr.com

Spa Shiki on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks Offers Luxurious Valentine’s Getaway

LAKE OZARK, Mo – A steamy whirlpool, hot saunas, steam rooms, beckoning chaise lounges for relaxation and expert massage await travelers this Valentine’s season at Spa Shiki at the Lodge of Four Seasons on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. Creating a warm oasis with romantic views of one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, Spa Shiki and the Lodge of Four Seasons combine to create one of the Midwest’s most luxurious packages for Valentine’s Day.

Following a Japanese theme and a dedication to the highest level of guest service through some of the industry’s most highly trained therapists, Spa Shiki is one of the largest resort spas in the Midwest and has been seen on NBC’s Today Show, in SELF Magazine, Spa Magazine, Midwest Living and more.

The spa’s Couple’s Massage features Spa Shiki’s signature Swedish Massage performed simultaneously by two Spa Shiki therapists, using an aromatic blend of essential oils selected for their relaxing, soothing and mood-enhancing properties: ylang ylang, bergamot, lavender, armoise and geranium. The Couple’s Massage is 50 minutes long, $180.

Before or after their massage, couples may also enjoy full use of Spa Shiki’s 15,000 sq. ft. facility, including sauna, steam room, whirlpool and meditation room, to complete their Valentine’s Day spa experience.

Pairing Spa Shiki’s Couple’s Massage with The Lodge of Four Seasons’ Valentine’s Package creates a luxurious retreat for the lover’s holiday. The resort’s Valentine’s package is available only on February 13 or February 14 and includes one night’s deluxe accommodations, plus dinner with a special Valentine’s menu at HK’s restaurant with views of the lake. The package also includes a $50 resort credit that may be applied to treatments at Spa Shiki or buffet breakfast. Extra nights are available for $109 per night plus tax and resort fee.

For more information on Spa Shiki or the Lodge of Four Seasons Valentine’s package, please visit www.spashiki.com or call Spa Shiki at (800) THE-LAKE. For more information on travel to the Lake of the Ozarks, visit The Lodge of Four Seasons Web site at www.4seasonsresort.com to view rooms, travel directions, resort history and more.

ABOUT SPA SHIKI

Located at the Lodge of the Four Seasons on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, Spa Shiki is one of the largest resort spas in the Midwest and was featured on NBC’s “Weekend Today” as one of the top values in the United States for a spa getaway. Providing skilled therapists that receive continual education through the American Spa Therapy and Education Certification Council and more, the Japanese-themed Spa Shiki offers a comprehensive array of health and wellness treatments and is dedicated to educating guests on the benefits of spa. Spa Shiki is a member of ISPA, the national governing board for resort spas. Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks is one of the world’s largest manmade lakes, covering 1,150 miles of shoreline.

ABOUT THE LODGE OF FOUR SEASONS GOLF RESORT AND SPA SHIKI

The Lodge of Four Seasons is located on Lake of the Ozarks in Lake Ozark, Missouri, two-and-a-half hours from both St. Louis and Kansas City, and 90 minutes from Springfield.  The resort features 303 guest rooms and 54 two and three bedroom condominium units.  Additional amenities include 54 holes of championship golf by legendary designers Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Ken Kavanaugh and Jack Nicklaus. The resort boasts the full-service Spa Shiki, ranked among the top spas in the Midwest, the lake’s largest full-service marina featuring pontoon boats, wave runners, parasailing, fishing, tubing and much more, 65,000 sq. ft. of meeting and convention space, three restaurants, and Japanese Gardens that welcome every guest to an experience to savor at every level. For more information about The Lodge of Four Seasons, call toll free 1-800.THE.LAKE (1-800-843-5253) or visit www.4seasonsresort.com.

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LAKE OZARK – Now through January 31, 2010, Spa Shiki at the Lodge of Four Seasons will donate 10 percent of all online retail sales to the American Red Cross’s Haiti Relief & Development Fund. All retail products purchased through the spa’s Web site will qualify. Purchases may be made at www.spashiki.com.

“The need in Haiti is overwhelming,” says Spa Shiki Director Ann Brown. “At Spa Shiki, we want to do our part and recognize that every donation, big or small, makes a difference. We would like to encourage our guests and others to give.”

Spa Shiki’s marketing partner CatchPhrase Communications has agreed to match the spa’s donation.

For more information, please call 573-365-8108.

ABOUT SPA SHIKI
Located at the Lodge of the Four Seasons on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, Spa Shiki is one of the largest resort spas in the Midwest and was featured on NBC’s “Weekend Today” as one of the top values in the United States for a spa getaway. Providing skilled therapists that receive continual education through the American Spa Therapy and Education Certification Council and more, the Japanese-themed Spa Shiki offers a comprehensive array of health and wellness treatments and is dedicated to educating guests on the benefits of spa. Spa Shiki is a member of the International Spa Association. Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks is one of the world’s largest manmade lakes, covering 1,150 miles of shoreline.

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Read on for an excerpt from the article … Or click here to via the article in entirety.

Even if a new hire fresh from massage school thinks he or she is ready to hit the floor, they need a higher knowledge of specialized modalities to truly deliver a therapeutic experience and change guests’ lives. Vendor training is necessary, but rarely goes into the physiological benefits of heat, water or contrast treatments. This advanced knowledge is as important as the basic product information and steps used in application.

When you bring in nationally recognized educators to instruct your staff in a group environment, you change the game for your therapists. When operating in a busy spa environment and providing three to six treatments a day, therapists literally work behind closed doors. They don’t have time to receive services and stay in tune with benefits they are providing, and they don’t have any perspective on what their co-workers are doing.

Top-level education in a group environment allows your hands-on staff to see their co-workers at work. Many times they are impressed with each individual’s expertise. This new perspective on their colleagues often leads to more trading for services. The trading between therapists adds to their proficiency as they receive good, qualified feedback regarding the modality they have learned from others who are also working at perfecting the treatment.

December 24, 2009

LAKE OZARK, MO – In order to help the Hope House keep struggling families warm and fed this winter, Spa Shiki at the Lodge of Four Seasons donated more than $1000 in cash, coats and blankets to the local food pantry and emergency aid center. The donation was a culmination of several efforts from Spa Shiki, beginning in October with a twice weekly cut-a-thon. For three months, Spa Shiki donated 50 percent of the proceeds from $23 cut-and-style appointments on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

In December, Spa Shiki staff members and their families donated $200 to purchase coats and blankets for the Hope House. Spa Shiki matched that employee donation and, as a result, was able to purchase 65 blankets and 32 coats for the Hope House. On December 15, Spa Shiki also held an open house event that featured a raffle for prizes. The raffle generated $400, all of which went to the Hope House.

The Hope House is a non-profit organization, a food pantry and thrift shop that serve residents in Miller and Camden Counties. Located in Lake Ozark, the Hope House helps approximately 150 needing families every month with food, clothing and emergency aid. Fifty-one percent of these families are helped only one time. (Photo on the right: Spa Shiki Director Ann Brown and Eleanor Hickey from the Hope House.)

For more information, visit www.spashiki.com or call (573) 365-8108.

ABOUT SPA SHIKI
Located at the Lodge of the Four Seasons on Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks, Spa Shiki is one of the largest resort spas in the Midwest and was featured on NBC’s “Weekend Today” as one of the top values in the United States for a spa getaway. Providing skilled therapists that receive continual education through the American Spa Therapy and Education Certification Council and more, the Japanese-themed Spa Shiki offers a comprehensive array of health and wellness treatments and is dedicated to educating guests on the benefits of spa. Spa Shiki is a member of the International Spa Association. Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, covering 1,150 miles of shoreline.

For media inquiries, please contact Jennifer Bondurant, CatchPhrase Communications, (573) 837-4741, jenny@catchphrasepr.com

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]]> http://www.spashiki.com/spa-shiki-raises-more-than-1000-in-cash-coats-and-blankets-for-hope-house/feed/ 0 http://www.spashiki.com/holiday-spa-connection-gifts-of-the-magi/ http://www.spashiki.com/holiday-spa-connection-gifts-of-the-magi/#comments Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:33:54 +0000 SpaShiki http://www.spashiki.com/?p=1045 By Ann Brown

In the story of Christ’s birth, the three wise men, Melchior, Balthasar and Caspar, carry precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the infant king. While our modern day culture still holds high the value of gold, the gifts of frankincense and myrrh are two elements of the story that are often glossed over – accepted, but their value not really understood.

Highly valued at the time of Christ, frankincense and myrrh are gummy resin derived from tree bark, from which essential oil can be obtained. Essential oils are used in aromatherapy to promote healing in both body and mind. Technically, essential oils are the most potent and concentrated extracts of flowers, fruits, leaves, spices, roots, and woods. The resins and essential oils of frankincense and myrrh were priceless medicines, worth their weight in gold to the Egyptians and Greeks, and used to treat everything from skin disorders to viral infections, from cancer to depression and more. Although they have medicinal qualities, these gifts were brought to Jesus to strengthen his immune system and his constitution. Myrrh was brought to draw on spiritual and emotional protection and keep him focused.

Highly fragrant, the sweet-smelling frankincense was, and still is, used for worship and meditation and can produce a calming effect. Myrrh is known as an agent used for healing oil and embalming. It was also used as a perfume in ancient times. Myrrh carries properties such as anti-microbial, astringent and anti-fungal (which support its use as healing oil). It is also known as a stimulating fragrance.

The odors produced through essential oils do more than create a response of appeal or dislike. The three Magi brought the oils to specifically make sure Jesus would be strong enough, healthy and in his right mind to do what he needed to do. The use of oils can help us strengthen body and mind, connecting the two just as the wise men sought to do for Jesus. Essential oils actually create a physiological response and contain chemical components that affect mind and body.

Properties of essential oils vary from anti-inflammatory and anti-viral to calming. One of the most commonly used essential oils, lavender is known for its sweet floral smell and calming properties, often used to alleviate feelings of depression and stress.

Essential oils are most often absorbed through inhalation. When inhaled, the essential oil molecules begin to interact with the limbic system, the part of the brain that processes moods, emotions, memory and learning. Also directly connected to parts of the brain that control heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, stress levels, and hormone balance, the limbic system reacts to essential oils with physiological and psychological effects. By stimulating certain bodily systems, such as circulation or the immune or nervous system, the essential oils create a physical effect. Psychologically, essential oils evoke memories, triggering the body’s acute sense of smell and creating a positive reaction.

It’s important to note a difference between essential oils and other fragrances. While you may appreciate the invigorating scent of your bath soap in the morning, without essential oils, it will not carry true medicinal properties. Essential oils are therapeutic and can be used to alleviate or address specific conditions. If you want to use essential oils through inhalation to boost your mood, immune system or other areas of health, look for candles that contain true essential oils or invest in a simple diffuser that will simmer the essential oils.

Essential oils can also be applied used through massage. Aromatherapy massage is found on the menu at many spas. At Spa Shiki, this type of massage is very light touch – the purpose is not to work the muscles but to relax and rebalance the body. Custom-blended oils are applied to specific reflex points, following nerve pathways around the vertebrae. Shadowing and reddening around the spine and areas of the back can appear – indicators of more specific problems based on the structural area of where they stem from the spine and each vertebra. Following a diagram to pinpoint what areas of the body are out of sync, therapists begin a dialogue with the guest about what areas of the body or their health they may like to see addressed through spa therapy. As an initial treatment, aroma-reflex provides information on each guest’s specific needs to the therapist.

While studies have documented their physiological effects upon the body, exactly how essential oils work still remain somewhat of a mystery. Their use has survived through the centuries, however, giving testament to their value. The story of Christmas helps remind us of their importance. You can find more information online at Web sites such as www.aromatherapy.com or www.aworldofaromatherapy.com.

Ann Brown is the spa director at Spa Shiki at The Lodge of Four Seasons and a member of the International Spa Association board of directors. ISPA is recognized worldwide as the professional organization and voice of the spa industry, representing more than 3,000 health and wellness facilities and providers in 75 countries. Brown’s spa experience includes work at PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, Florida and Barnsley Gardens in Atlanta.