Body, Mind & Spirit
Dateline: 12/05/99
2002 UPDATE: This spa is no longer in business.
For years - often many times a year - Barbara G. Bush visited Miraval, a destination spa in Tuscon, Arizona seeking to renew the self-awareness,
self-acceptance, and balance it enabled her to find in her life. Eventually, Barbara
decided to share these experiences with others by opening a day spa modeled after the best
she found in other spas, including Miraval. She hired a well-trained, experienced staff,
then she took them to Miraval so they would know the kinds of experiences she was trying
to create. The results of this effort can be found at Body, Mind & Spirit day spa in Atlanta, Georgia near Roswell.
I visited Body, Mind & Spirit 2 ½ months after it opened. Barbara’s intent to
make your visit uniquely enjoyable is evident in her attention to detail throughout the
spa. Welcoming stained glass designs in the windows, an antique juice bar, original
artwork in the hallway, candles lit in every nook and cranny, soothing music (Tales of the
Wind by Tony O’Connor, Brainscapes
by Chakradancer, Reiki by New World Music, the Mind Body Soul Series), soft lights and
fountains in the treatment rooms are all designed to enable you to heighten your senses,
deepen your practice of mindfulness, and make you more aware of living in the present
moment. A well-stocked spa boutique carrying a wide selection of books, CDs, herbs,
clothing, candles, fountains, spa products, etc. allows you to extend the feeling of
balance you find at Body, Mind & Spirit to your everyday life.
Body, Mind & Spirit offers a wide selection of services and activities including massage, bodywork, body wraps and masks, exfoliation, facial treatments, peels, eyelash and brow tinting, waxing, custom blended make-up, nail services, manicure, pedicure, and classes in Yoga, Tai Chi, meditation, journal writing, mindfulness, and mindful movement.
I tried two treatments: Hot Stone Massage ($70 for 50 minutes) - Body, Mind
& Spirit’s signature service - and Beta-Ex Natural Alternative Peel ($120 for 30
minutes) with Eye Contour Treatment ($35 for 30 minutes). The Hot Stone Massage was given
by Lisa Weber, Certified Massage Therapist and Neuromuscular Therapist. Lisa was trained
in this technique by Tommi at LaStone
Therapy in Arizona. While there, Lisa saw originator Mary Hannigan demonstrate the technique
which she said was beautiful to watch. Lisa gave a very relaxing massage that integrated
Swedish massage with smooth, heated basalt stones to apply heat and pressure to tense
muscles allowing them to warm and let go. It was very pleasant and I highly recommend it.
Before describing the Beta-Ex treatment, let me say that I have had peels before – chemical, glycolic, fruit acid, and sandblasting (my term). I just don’t like peels. They usually sting while being applied and itch for days afterward. Frankly, I have never felt the results justified the expense and discomfort. Unfortunately, the Beta-Ex treatment was probably the most unpleasant peel I have had to date. Not only did it have an intense sting for about 3 minutes, it had a choking, noxious odor which made it hard to breath at times and frequently made me cough as it was applied. But the worst part about it was that my skin peeled, and I mean p-e-e-l-e-d, for a week after the treatment as it was supposed to. At least the other peels I experienced were done when I left the treatment room. This one required me to have a mini facial a week later. Sorry, but I can’t recommend this treatment.
The Eye Contour Treatment was quite pleasant. It is designed to reduce fine lines and diminish dark circles while relieving congestion and puffiness around the eye area. While cool, soothing pads were applied to my eyes, esthetician Zeena Dosunmu massaged my neck, hands, and feet. She put electric warming booties on my feet and hands when the massage was done – very nice.
Body, Mind & Spirit is a lovely day spa off to a great start – definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Body, Mind & Spirit
8359 Roswell Road
Northridge Shopping Center
Atlanta, GA 30350
770-640-8868
email: bodymindspirit@mindspring.com
Special thanks to Ellen H. Wickersham, founder and director of EWRESOURCES - marketing, management, and media consultant and resource – and resident of Atlanta for making me aware of Quintessence. Ellen currently serves on the Education committee of ISPA, the International Spa Association.
Photos by Julie Register
Reviews of Other Georgia Spas by About.com's Guide to Spas
Natural Body in
Morningside
Jolie
The Day Spa & Hair Design in Buckhead
Plumyumi in Peachtree City
Quintessence
in Buckhead
Château Élan in Brazelton
Buckhead Bodyworks
The Mind Spa
in Norcross
Day Spas in Georgia
Spa Resorts in Georgia
Spa Music
About's Atlanta, GA Site
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