| Saga Heilsa & Spa in Reykjavik, Iceland | |
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Inga Gunnarsdóttir, owner of Embla Eco Adventures, was showing me the sights in and around Reykjavik - the world's first hydrogen station, historic Þingvellir (the oldest existing parliament in the world first met here in 930AD), Geysir in Haukadalur (where the name geyser comes from), Gullfoss (a waterfall), geothermal hothouses, Kerið in Grímsnes, public pools, Vikingaskalinn in Golfsskali Basinn (a Viking longhouse), and more. The discussion, of course, turned to spas, and I asked Inga if she ever visited a spa. She said she had visited two in Iceland - The NLFÍ Health & Rehabilitation Clinic to recover from an injury and, more regularly, Saga Heilsa (Health) & Spa, a day spa in Reykjavik. She said the Ayurvedic massage there was wonderful. In fact, she raved about it. As soon as I got back to the hotel, I made an appointment to have an Ayurvedic massage the following day.
The next day, I caught a taxi from the hotel to Saga Heilsa & Spa - about a fifteen-minute ride. I stepped into the lobby, and my attention was immediately drawn to the floor where there were a number unique product showcases embedded in the tiles. I took off my shoes at the door as is the spa's custom, and walked to the reception desk to check in. I was given a robe and slippers and taken to the Women's Changing Room where I showered and exchanged my street clothes for spa attire. I waited for my massage in the softly lit wet area next to a whirlpool and swimming pool. Since I was running a little late, I didn't have time to enjoy them before the treatment. Shortly, Shiva, my therapist came to escort me to a massage treatment room. Shiva explained that he learned to give Ayurvedic treatments in India from his grandfather and had been in Iceland for three years providing Ayurvedic treatments there. He said, "It is my karma to help people." The massage he was about to give me is one part of Pancha Karma, an extensive Ayurvedic cleansing and rejuvenation program. Pancha Karma treatments are designed to first help rid the body of toxins, and then to help rebuild and rejuvenate it. Shiva poured generous amounts of warm, herbal oil over my body while deeply massaging and vigorously rubbing it into the skin. He explained that in India, this massage is done on a wooden table and without sheets to allow the oil to absorb into the skin. The draping sheets required in Iceland absorbed a lot of the oil, but I would still benefit from it. When he was finished with the massage, Shiva wrapped herbs in cloth and heated it. He pressed this herbal pack all over my body. It smelled wonderful and felt great. He also massaged a lovely balm on my face. 90 minutes later, when it was all over, he explained some of the other parts of Pancha Karma and explained that food and teas were important parts of the the overall treatment. Shiva's wish is to some day return to India and open a clinic there. I wish him luck with his dream. I emerged from my treatment relaxed and refreshed and interested in learning more about Pancha Karma!
There were two other massages that I would have loved to try at Saga Heilsa & Spa but didn't have the time (another good reason to return to Iceland!):
- Saga Lava Massage: A unique two-hour Icelandic massage using lava from Hekla as well as hot sea polished lava to release tension and restore energy. The massage oil used is made from Icelandic heather plants.
- Jet Lag Massage: A unique full body massage which masks the body in coarse salt, oils, honey and aromatic fresh and dried fruit. The treatment is said to be invigorating and nourishing for all skin types.
Saga Heilsa & Spa
was founded by Gudmundur Björnsson
MD, a native Icelander and former chairman of the Icelandic Medical Association
who has extensive experience in the local spa industry. His work focuses on
rehabilitation, health promotion and sports medicine. Under his supervision, all
of his staff’s preventative health care and rehabilitation experience and
energy are now focused on the Saga Heilsa & Spa project working with
individuals and companies ( including insurance companies and pension funds).
The spa's
treatments are based on triggering the body’s cleansing system into action by
using seaweed masks and baths with dry-frozen seawater, along with relaxation
methods and massage. Personal consulting
is available on how to take care of
your body and which treatments are best suited to your individual needs.
Treatments at Saga Heilsa & Spa include:
-
Facials (Phytomer for dry, sensitive, greasy, greasy and sensitive or mature skin; Ionto facelift, relax, active, or regulator with facial; cleansing)
-
Make-Up
-
Tinting and shaping
-
Pedicure
-
Manicure
-
Hair Removal (laser, waxing)
-
Body Treatments (slimming, toning, revitalizing, cellulite, swollen feet, breast, stretch marks, peeling, tanning)
-
Massage (relaxation, traditional, head and shoulders, foot, stone, ayurveda, aromatherapy, jet lag, Saga Spa with seawater bath, Vichy shower, Saga Lava)
Saga Heilsa & Spa also offers a Treatment Program providing medical care which includes:
- Comprehensive Physicals
- Complete Physical Examination
- Health Promotion
- Nutrition Assessment and Counseling
Special diagnostic tests might be recommended such as Vital Coronary Risk Profile including electrocardiogram and lipid profiling, Chest X-Ray, Clinical Laboratory Tests including complete blood count and differential test and blood chemistry profile, Thyroid Function Test, Urinalysis, and other special diagnostic procedures as required (flexible sigmoidoscopy, cardiac stress test, bone densitometry for osteoporosis detection, mammogram, pirometry pulmonary function test, HIV antibody test).
Special rehabilitative treatments for physical ailments are arranged in conjunction with doctors, nurses, sports instructors, physiotherapists and masseurs.
Additional
facilities at Saga Heilsa & Spa include a steam room, facial
treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy
treatment room, tanning beds
and a fitness center on the second
floor.
| More Spas in Iceland (articles and photo galleries) |
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Complete
Iceland Spa Index |
| Sights of Interest in Iceland |
 Click HERE to Learn More About the World's First Hydrogen Station |
 Click HERE to Learn More About Þingvellir (pronounced Thingvellir) |
 Click HERE to Learn More About Geysir in Haukadalur |
 Click HERE to Learn More About Gullfoss |
 Click HERE to Learn More About Hot Houses Warmed by Geothermal Energy |
 Click HERE to Learn More About Kerið in Grímsnes |
 Click HERE to Learn More About the Public Pools in Iceland |
 Click HERE to Learn More About the Kringlan Shopping Mall |
 Click HERE to Learn More About Vikingaskalinn in Golfsskali Basinn |
 Ingiveig Gunnarsdóttir (Inga) and her company, Embla Eco Adventures, can customize tours to include spas, riding Icelandic horses, bird watching, whale watching, biking, skiing, hiking, rafting, and visiting any and all of the beautiful natural sights of Iceland |
| Books About Iceland |
 Insight Guide: Iceland |
 Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands Lonely Planet |
 Iceland: Land of the Sagas |
 Globetrotter Travel Guide : Iceland |
| Helpful Information About Iceland |
| •
Electricity: The voltage is 220, 50 HZ AC (like Europe) • Driving: Foreign drivers licenses are valid in Iceland. Use of safety belts are mandatory for all passengers and headlights must be always be turned on. Icelanders drive on the right (like the US). Taxis are readily available in Reykjavik. • Time: Greenwich Mean Time • Language: Icelandic is the national language and it has changed very little from the original tongue spoken by the Norse settlers. English and Danish are widely spoken and understood. Icelandic has two letters of its own, Þ/þ and Ð/ð, which were used in old English. "Þ" is pronounced "th" as in "thing" and "Ð" is pronounced "th" as in "them". • Names: Icelanders follow the ancient tradition of deriving their last name from the first name of their father (patronymic system). For example, if a man named Erik names his son Leif, his last name will be Eriksson (the son of Erik). His daughter Thordis would be named Thordis Eiríksdóttir (the daughter of Erik). She would keep her own name even if she marries. For this reason, Icelanders always have to be referred to by their first names. Last names are never used alone. Phone books are organized by first name. • Currency: Icelandic Kronur (ISK) about 80 to the US dollar during my visit. • Tipping: Tipping is not customary in Iceland. • Reykjavik Discount Card: For use on the bus, 7 public thermal swimming pools, art galleries, museums and more. Available at the City Hall Information Centre, the main bus stations, Reykjavik Art Museum, Icelandair Hotel Loftleider and other locations. |
Photos copyright 2003, Julie
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