Making you feeling good
by author Lucretia Schanfarber

Spa. Go ahead, say it out loud. Spaaaah.

Let the "aah" part out slowly. It's one of those special words that magically transport you to a place of feeling good.

Just listening to the smooth voice of Allison Hegedus as she describes the delightful pampering her spas offer is a soothing experience.

After five years as the regional director of the three highly celebrated Vida Wellness Spas, Hegedus has stepped into the president's position. With poise and calm, she proudly speaks about the wide range of professional spa services Vida provides.

Beautifully Pampered

"Our spa treatments are based upon the ancient, traditional principles of Ayurvedic healing," explains Hegedus. "We begin by evaluating the results of a brief questionnaire determining a client's dosha, that is, his or her inherited health and body type."

Vida uses only their own specially formulated products made with natural oils, herbs, essential oils, and minerals, which are also available to purchase.

"Our goal is to make our guests feel well, look well, and live well," affirms Hegedus. "We do that through a variety of massages and body work and with body wraps, facials, manicures, and pedicures. Many of our clients are thoroughly stressed out, frazzled, and weary when they walk through our doors. We help to soothe, de-stress, and energize them."

Certified and Registered

All Vida therapists-including aromatherapists, massage therapists, body workers, and estheticians-are experienced, certified, or registered practitioners.

"We have an unsurpassed reputation for exceptional bodywork," Hegedus says proudly.
"Ongoing training programs for our therapists ensure that every Vida massage and treatment is performed with the utmost care and professionalism."

Three Elegant Locations

The Vida Wellness Spas are a privately owned Canadian company, with three locations in the finest hotel properties: Fairmont Chateau Whistler, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, and the Sutton Place Hotel in Vancouver. Spa guests come from within the local and business communities (including the film industry), or as hotel guests from all over the world.

"Vida On the Go" is a new service that brings massages, manicures, and pedicures to a client's home or business.

Massage and Body Work Menu

Here are just a few of the delightful treatments Vida has to offer:

• Classic Swedish Massage. This classic Swedish oil massage increases circulation and lymphatic drainage.
• Deep Tissue Massage. With a similar style to the classic Swedish massage, DTM uses stronger, more localized movements to target deeper muscle tension.
• Aromatherapy Massage. An aromatherapist chooses the appropriate oils based on your dosha and applies a customized mixture with rhythmic massage techniques.
• Sports Massage. This specialized form of Swedish massage focuses on enhancing athletic performance and facilitating recovery.
• Shiatsu Massage. Using pressure on specific points on your body, SM promotes the free flow of energy.

As part of the alive magazine makeover project (click here to read all about it), Rob Klettke and Toni Hadgraft were pampered at the Vida Wellness Spa. For detailed information on Vida Wellness Spas, visit vidawellness.com.

Lucretia Schanfarber is a BC writer.

Source: alive Web Exclusive, June 2007