Run Away for a Day
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I did it. I ran away. Sort of. I was in need of some major R&R. Editorial deadlines, clients and a packed family calendar, kept me on the go. I had to de-stress. Not only that, I was long overdue for meaningful me time. I could not remember when I had last invested in doing something beneficial for myself.
A getaway to Gina’s Spa, Hair Studio & MediSpa in Waterloo, Ontario was exactly what I needed. Gina’s is a prestigious day spa which offers advanced aesthetics, spa services, a hair salon, laser treatments, medical procedures and a variety of other menu options. It operates from the foundation it was built on when it was established by Gina DeCicco, as one of the first spas in Canada over 45 years ago.
Principles of exceptional quality standards, and research into emerging technologies, position it at the forefront in the spa industry. It is consistently ranked as Kitchener-Waterloo’s number one spa. Its affiliation with Gina’s College of Advanced Aesthetics and Hair Styling ensures recruitment of the most qualified technicians.
As someone who is at ease in spa environments as a service provider, I was a little unsure about what to expect in my role as a client. Upon being welcomed at Gina’s by friendly staff, I sipped coffee after being led to the upscale elegance of the tastefully decorated waiting area.
I felt at ease immediately after meeting Meola, an aesthetician at Gina’s for 15 years. She got me settled in the tranquility of the treatment space. Decked out in a plush robe and slippers, in front of a cozy fireplace, thoughts of the mountain of laundry at home, unfinished errands, and what to make for dinner, slipped away.
I began with the Purifying Aromatherapy Steam. A deliciously warm aromatic mist filled the steam
room. The aromatherapy blend, designed to detox, moisturize and purify, left my skin pliable and ready for Gina’s Signature Thai Treatment, which is sheer bliss.
Described as a complete treatment for body and mind, it is inspired by ancient Tibetan philosophy. The belief is that wellbeing and beauty exist when the four elements of nature: earth, fire, water and air are in perfect harmony. This pure, holistic Ayurvedic body treatment consists of a Thai body massage, a total body exfoliation, and a heated herb and mud wrap.
I felt a heightened sensory awareness as Meola’s expert massage prompted circulation and lymph drainage. Heated stones coaxed my knotted muscles. Chakra lighting – a system which cycles through the seven colours associated with each chakra of the body – twinkled on the ceiling for a balancing effect. The enchanting scent of essential oils combined with serene music had an intoxicating effect. By this point I could barely remember my children’s names.
Afterwards, I drifted up to the top floor of this expansive three-level facility, for my Essential Pedicure. I basked in the tranquility of the resting space on a cozy chaise lounge. During my therapeutic foot treatment, the aesthetician, Connie soaked my feet in a scintillating whirlpool basin. I reclined in a shiatsu back massage chair, with a heated neck wrap. I was seriously in danger of a pleasure overload.
Gina’s offers a variety of hand and foot treatments which address all foot care needs including exfoliation, masks, ingrown toenails, corns, skin/nail disorders, and polish application.
As I watched Connie buff and scrape, I had not realized how badly I had neglected my feet. She trimmed and shaped my toenails, and tackled my cuticles. Then, an invigorating sugar foot scrub, followed by a foot massage with an intensive moisturizing cream that left them feeling rejuvenated.
By Sigrid Hart
Cover Story