Aquae Sulis Spa 
at 
J.W. Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf
by Julie Register, Your Guide to Spas

Update October 2003: This article was written in 2000. The spa no longer is offering the Color Therapy Treatment.

Color Therapy^TM is relatively new to the spa experience. It's not a traditional spa treatment - not all of it anyway - although the brochure says it was used by ancient Egyptians. Since Aquae Sulis was the first spa I visited that offered it, I decided to give it a try. 

The J.W. Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf is about a half hour away from the airport in the community of Summerlin. For some reason, I thought it was much further out than it actually is. The entrance to the spa is right off the J.W. Marriott Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf's busy casino floor. A quick check-in at the main desk which overlooks the fitness area and I was taken to the women's spa desk to receive a locker key and sandals. The locker room is the hub of activity at this, as in many, Las Vegas spas. Here the locker areas surround half of a small waiting area with 4 chairs. The waiting area has a juice bar and opens into the showers, vanity area and wet area, called the Women's Ritual Room, with hot and cold plunge pools, hydrotherapy tubs, and whirlpools.  There were at least twice as many women in the waiting area as there were comfortable places to sit and relax. Fortunately, I did not have to wait long. 

Kate called my name and we rode the elevator up to the next floor. She showed me into a room with a camera, a velvet rainbow background curtain, a swivel chair, and two hand pads. Kate explained a little about Color Therapy^TM. It starts with the following premises:

• We are Light
• We have auras - energy fields that surround us (as well as all living things)
• Chakras (seven energy centers in us that govern our state of mind, energy level, and well being) exist 
• Colors have a direct and specific effect on Chakras

Kate had me sit on the swivel chair and place my hands on the hand pads. She took my picture with what appeared to be a Polaroid camera. While we were waiting for the film to develop and the computer to print out the interpretation, she asked what my goals of the visit were. I thought the treatment would balance my Chakras. She suggested I choose a specific area I would like to improve. I told her that I was about to attend a long conference, I had a lingering cold, and would like to improve my ability to focus, so I could fully appreciate the coming experience. 

The picture came out with a very large golden yellow aura that was kind of fuzzy. The solar plexus is the yellow Chakra. It is the center for wisdom and connects us to our mental self. According to Kate's explanation and the computer printout:

The color on my left side is the vibration coming to me (future). The closer it is, the sooner it will be felt. Golden yellow is interpreted as high thought. The computer printout said, "You approach the future with a sense of excitement and joy." 

The color in the center is what is currently being experienced.  If the color is high, it could mean aspirations, or what I wish to be. The printout said, "Variability, expectancy, originality, smiling, and exhilaration are the qualities most important to you."

The color on my right site is energy being expressed. and is most likely what is seen or felt by others. The printout said, "The world sees you as cheerful. Gold is the brightest color. You may find yourself the center of attention, with others revolving around you. Radiant, and expansive. You represent relaxation, a release from burdens, problems, harassment or restriction. Your energy shines from you like the warmth of the sun, giving happiness and joy to all who stand in the radiance of your smile."

The traces of green are love and orange, joy. Gee, with all those nice things said, I wasn't sure I should try to change anything.

Kate said she would use an aqua dye (non-staining) to help reach the goals I had chosen. We then returned to the lower floor and entered the Women's Ritual Room to a hydrotherapy tub behind a screen. Kate poured the dye into the water, had me climb in, put headphones on me, and massaged my neck and shoulders for 20 minutes while the tub bubbled away and I listened to relaxing music. 

When the time was up, we returned to get a new picture of my aura. This time, the colors were more on the blue side and a little clearer. Blue is the throat Chakra. It is the center for health and connects us to holistic thought. This is how the computer interpreted it this time:

The left side (future) was blue which is a communication color, so I am a good listener, an intuitive listener, able to transform others through loving listening. It may be a good time to learn. Peaceful times are in my future. (Sounds good for a conference. Sounds good period.)

The center (experience) indicates depth of feeling. "Blue is the blissful fulfillment of the highest ideals of unity, of at-one-ness, of a reunion with earth- mother. It is truth and trust, love and dedication. Peace, tranquility, contentment, tenderness, love, and affection are the qualities most important to you." (Wow!)

The right side (expression) indicates I "have a healing effect on all in [my] field. White is a mixture of all the colors. You emit all the qualities at the same time. Though white tends to be unstable, like a supernova, it is a healing experience. You could be a spiritual leader." (Yikes!)

Well, I don't know if I believe this aura stuff, but it sure did make me feel great about myself for a while. That is what spas are very good at and the Aquae Sulis Spa did a fine job of it.

Two days later at the conference, the company that sells the equipment (Rainbow Power Inc.) took another picture of my aura. This time I had a white streak the width of my head running vertically from my head to the top of the picture. I was told I had a direct connection to God and was asked if I ever channeled. I believe we all have a direct connection to God but, I have never channeled or even thought about it. It's a little outside my comfort zone. I guess I have powers and abilities I have yet to recognize and use. Don't we all?

J.W. Marriott Las Vegas

Entrance to Aquae Sulis

Hand Pads and Seat

My Aura Before Color Therapy^TM

Hydrotherapy Tub with Aqua Coloring

My Aura after Color Therapy

Retail Store

Color Therapy Products for Home

photos copyright Julie Register 2000