Recently I checked out a new spa treatment making waves in Japan. Heat waves, that is. Make that infrared heat waves. Iyashi Bedrock Spa is the first spa in North America dedicated to Ganbanyoku, or rock bathing. Read my review of it here. And let me tell you, it picqued my interest in the healing power of stones.

Basically, rock bathing entails nothing more than lying down on a rock. But not just any rock. The spa imported this rare black silica rock from from Hokkaido in northern Japan. And it’s a particularly healing type of rock. Allow me to quote myself:

Known as ‘phantom ore’ because of its rarity, black silica emits infrared rays – invisible rays of natural light – that help dilate blood vessels and break down toxins that are then flushed out of the body.

Black Silica also gives off negative ions, those feel-good energy-charged molecules. That’s kind of weird because I always thought negative ions were mainly generated by falling water - part of the reason that you feel so good sitting by a stream or a waterfall. Black silica is also said to have anti-microbial properties. So there you have it folks, black silica, is special.

My friend, Michele, believes in the power of rocks. And if you go up north in Ontario to the Canadian Shield and lie down on one of those big slabs of rock by a lake, it’s a pretty powerful feeling. There is strength in them thar rocks – maybe because they’re so ancient, so dense and so, well, rock-ish. But obviously if you’re lying down on a rock up north, you are also feeling good because you’re in wild gorgeous nature, probably surrounded by pine trees and water and enjoying a holiday so how much of that positive vibe can be attributed to the rock itself? Where is the science? Let me rephrase that, where is the rock-it science?

An all natural valentine in Turkey

There is much brouhaha in the wellness world on the healing power of cystals, gems and stones. Just a quick look on the Internet tells me that :

Agate, a very ancient stone, protects from nightmares, stress, stomach problems and also wards off storms.

Rubies prevent biliousness.

Amethyst can help with drunkenness (although personally, I’ve found beer works better).

Onyx is said to help with skin problems but lessens sexual desire, so you might want to take it easy on that one. 

And crystals, if you really commit to the crystal, heal just about everything. I have to say, however, that if you’ve watched the is-it-a-reality show The Hills recently, an obsession with crystals doesn’t seem to be stopping Spencer from spiralling out of control.

But back to the rocks. I don’t discount their energy. Places like Stonehenge, Avebury or one of the other gazillion megalithic sites throughout Britain weren’t built for no reason (excuse my double negative). Those Druids (although some believe Stonehenge was built pre-Druid) had a connection to the natural world we don’t. I’m not fanatical about it, though. It’s not as if I walk into a gravel parking lot and start feeling the vibe. But mostly I don’t scoff at the power of rocks because Merlin, that famed wizard himself, advised against it in his words to King Aurelius Ambrosius (Uther’s brother):

Laugh not so lightly, King, for not lightly are these words spoken. For in these stones is a mystery, and a healing virtue against many ailments.

And who’s going to argue with a wizard?

Try it for yourself: Iyashi Bedrock Spa is located uptown at 2662 Yonge Street, midway between the Eglinton and Lawrence subway stations.
Contact:
Phone: 416-488-7625
Email: info@iyashibedrockspa.com

Flipper, I love you

If Demi Moore can lie down with a few leeches, what’s to stop you from trying a wellness therapy with a horse, a snake or even an imaginary dolphin? To read more about animal spa therapies, check out my latest article at Examiner.com.

Remember the floating palace on the island filled with beautiful women in the James Bond flick Octopussy?

No men allowed!

Yes, well, right here in Toronto a secret Isle of Women really does exist. And sorry, guys, no men allowed. Body Blitz – health by water, is on 471 Adelaide and right from the moment I got to choose my own mud (no, not for mud wrestling, but for a mud scrub treatment) I knew that this was the right place to retreat. And yes, men, it truly is what you’re thinking, scantily clad women in short kimonos, bikinis, or … nothing at all  frolicking in the water and lounging on bright red recliners. Because that’s what we do when you’re not around. Yes. Really. That’s what we do.

The big hit at Body Bliss is the water therapies. There is a large room full of various pools, and a circuit to follow that is pure watery bliss. Or should I say blitz? You start off in a warm pool with Dead Sea Salts (and don’t miss the jets on the sides that will give you an excellent lower back massage while you soak). Then comes a steam bath and an infra-red sauna – purported to be much better for cellulite than a regular sauna. Not that any of us have cellulite. Because we’re all beautiful as we frolic around in the spa. Interspersed with these heat treatments is a vicious cold plunge pool that is a brutal shock but extremely reviving. And then my favourite – well, next to the Dead Sea Salt Pool - is the hot Green Tea pool. Soak up those anti-oxidents and re-enact the life of a tea bag!  While frolicking.

Entering another realm

Spending the afternoon in a chiclets-only spa brings to mind the enduring myths of female-dominated islands. Take the mysterious Isle of Avalon, where a dying King Arthur was brought to have his wounds tended by the witchy Morgan La Fey (sure, you think she’s bad, but she was actually a healer, so please, rethink your legend).

Or how about the Greek island of Lesbos, where the poet Sappho lived in the 6th century BC and instructed a group of young women aboutculture while writing her poetry about womenhood, women’s lives and women’s rituals.

Then of course there are those wicked Sirens, luring men to their death in the sea. Temptation. Seduction. And murder! But I bet if you delve enough into history, those Sirens have their good side, too. I mean, aside from the really good voices and rockin’ hot looks. Because men – and I hate to burst your bubble, I really do - but it’s time you knew. We don’t actually always frolic and have pillow fights when you aren’t around (don’t worry, though, sometimes we do), and NEWS FLASH we’re not all inherently evil either, and you can’t blame us for everything you do that is wrong, like, for example, when you drown at sea, no matter what the male-written myths might tell you. Except, of course, when we really are luring you to your death with our irresistible Siren songs, which we hardly ever do.

And finally, you should know that not all female-run islands are full of femme fatales out to get men… sometimes they’re out to escape men. That would be Paradise Island, the hidden secret island where none other than Wonder Woman called home. This is where she lived along with her fellow Amazons. In peace and harmonious enjoyment. And no men were allowed. Hey, that sounds just like Body Blitz spa.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

It used to be a woman’s domain but these days more and more couples are going to the spa. (Finally! We’ve convinced men of the glory of spa-ing by incorporating words like sports massage and sauna into our spa-speak in addition to terms like facial, beauty and cellulite.) Now that we’ve successfully taken this step toward a Female World Order, I think it’s high time establishments around Toronto start incorporating more co-ed facilities into their spa digs.

When I hit the spa for weekend leisure and pleasure a deux, there are certain criteria I require: 

1) deck chairs/lounge to relax in

 2) a  jacuzzi/whirlpool – preferably outside

2) a dry sauna (for my sauna-pig boyfriend, Mark)

Unlike when I review a spa for a magazine or newspaper (then I’m picky picky picky about treatments) if I go with Mark, an actual treatment is secondary – though reflexology is always a good draw for him, and I wouldn’t say no to a beyoootifying facial.

Sadly, the options for co-ed spa-going around here are few. For downtown Toronto the best bet I’ve found is the Elmwood.  It’s big, it’s central and there is a decent indoor pool and whirlpool – great for the winter though in summer I’m likely to go farther afield in search of outdoor facilities.

Other places, sadly, are only for women – I’d love to try Body Blitz, an 11,000 sq. ft. warehouse space with a Dead Sea salt pool, a hot green tea pool, a cold plunging pool, steam and infrared sauna, but it cuts out the coupledom.

While gorgeous Stillwater Spain the Park Hyatt has the required features, they’re not co-ed. The whirlpool and sauna are in the change rooms. As my spa-going dental hygienist said to me last week about her trip to Stillwater, “What am I supposed to say? Okay, honey, see you in 3 hours?” Apparently, they do have one co-ed jacuzzi in a couples treatment room, but sadly, it’s beyond my budget.

Farther afield, Le Scandinave at Blue Mountain is terrific for a co-ed getaway – though at about a 2.5 hour’s drive, it’s a bit far for a day trip.

Outdoor fun!

While they have a limited treatment menu, the outdoor hot and cold pools are fun and fantastic and the deck chairs outside are delicious for relaxing in … but don’t have too much fun – if you talk too loudly you’ll get reprimanded by the talking police. The bottom line: it’s the perfect place to go when you’ve run out of conversation.

It’s hard to go wrong with St. Anne’s, except that it’s pricy – but for a splurge, you get a lot of bang for your buck. This is a destination spa – meaning the focus is on everything spa – and it takes itself seriously. (Read Ste Annes’ spa review here)

We are a serious spa!

It’s got good country-vogue accommodations, a huge array of treatments and  the food is yum – plus you can eat in your robe. As for coupledom facilities, it’s got a huge outdoor pool (in summer), gorgeous grounds, a hot springs grotto and a co-ed steam bath – the dry sauna is not co-ed, but with everything else on offer, who cares?

So relaxing!

Last weekend I checked out the 100 Fountain Spa at the Pillar and Post in Niagara-on-the-Lake. How could I have never been here before? It has just about everything I want for a day of watery frolicking, an indoor whirlpool, indoor salt water swimming pool, outdoor hot springs grotto …

Come on in!

… though it’s not really a hot springs at all, they just call it that which I find slightly misleading as I live for true hot springs – but anywaaay, it also has an outdoor swimming pool.

Let's swim!

I did an express facial which is all I could book on such short notice (I booked it that morning) but for a 30 minute treatment I thought it was good – it had fun things like Q10 and fennel in it. As a bonus, since it was a Sunday late afternoon/evening and not in high season, we nearly had the pools to ourselves.

So that’s all I’ve got. If anyone knows about any nearby-to-Toronto spa alternatives, let me know. I’ll be the first one in to the hot pool.