The Best Massage……

What was the best massage you’ve ever had? Do you remember when, where and who gave it to you? Or do you just remember how you felt afterward? I distinctly remember a massage I had over 25 years ago. I don’t remember the girls name, where she lived or much else about her. What I do remember is it was springtime, she had a tiny apartment in the Highlands, the windows where open and there was a thunderstorm. As I laid down on the table, the sparse furnishings of her living room faded away, and the sound of that thunderstorm took me to a magical place of complete relaxation. The experience was intensely spiritual rather than just a physical manipulation of my muscles.

 

This mornings thunderstorm reminded me of a wonderful place that I strive to take my clients to. When you get a massage next time, I challenge you to let yourself go gently in to the hands of your therapist and let the experience happen to your body, mind and spirit. When you can get out of trying to control the experience by just letting yourself be (instead of saying to your MT, “I really just want you to work on my back today” or “Ouch, that hurts, can you go lighter, please” or talking through the massage about what’s bothering you at work, or even, God forbid, keeping your phone on the table with you, because “My kids might call”, try letting yourself completely relax in to the therapists able hands and see what happens. It just might be the best damn massage you’ve ever experienced!

 

Healing takes place when we allow our body to accept it. Try using your breathing to keep you relaxed when there’s a particularly sore spot (those Lamaze people really have something there!). Then just sink in to the table, let the music, your therapists hands (and maybe a random thunderstorm) lull you to that magical place between half asleep and half awake. I guarantee your experience will be more than you imagined it could be!

Share your experience of the best massage you’ve ever had. Comment here and I’ll send you a 20% off coupon for your next great massage! Thank you for your business!

Denise Willinger

Owner/ Massage Therapist/Esthetician

Serenity The Spa in Anchorage

What women REALLY want for Valentines Day!!

Hi guys,

You really don’t have a clue what she wants for Valentines Day, do you? Do you know what makes her happy, makes her smile? Any idea what means the most to her? I’ve been in the spa business a long time, and after working so closely with so many women for so long, I’ve learned a few things I’d like to pass on to you. As a disclaimer, I’d like to say that no two women are alike, so don’t take any advice unless it rings true for your woman, including anything you read here. But if you have ever heard your wife or girlfriend say any of the things I’m going to share, you might want to pay attention, because if you really listen, she’s already given you an idea of what she needs.

Unfortunately, men and women sometimes speak two different languages. When she says, “I am exhausted” she might mean “Can you PLEASE cook dinner tonight, so I can rest” or she might mean “There is no way I can keep up with the house the kids, my job and all of your needs, too, so don’t EVEN go there!” You might hear “After a short nap, I’ll be fine and will make your dinner, then give you a back rub!” So you say “Honey, why don’t you go lie down for a few minutes” and are confused when she yells at you “I don’t have time for a nap!” Sometimes when a woman makes a statement, she doesn’t want an answer or advice on fixing it, she wants you to listen, understand and work with her to find a way to meet everyone’s needs.

Women like to take care of everyone. It’s what we do. We just try to do too much of it, and get easily overwhelmed and depleted. So we complain that we’re tired or frustrated when we can’t fit it all in. Sometimes guys try to be nice by giving us a gift certificate for a meal out, a spa day, or to buy something nice for ourselves. If the woman in your life is already overloaded with things to do, she may perceive this as adding one more thing to her to do list. She’ll be grateful “Oh honey, thanks, that is sooo sweet!” and then it will sit in a drawer for a year. She finds it, feels guilty she hasn’t used it and then frantically tries to find time to fit it in to her already stressed life. Here’s an example: A customer bought his wife a 4 hour spa package. She has two-year old twins. She called 3 times to try to schedule it, then cancelled each appointment, twice because of babysitting issues and once because one of them was sick. She finally made it in and then kept her cell phone on the entire visit-even answering it while getting her massage.  This gift, while incredibly sweet, actually caused her more stress than it relieved.

What could have made the gift to this really stressed out Mom better? If Hubby had given her the gift certificate with a note saying:

To my beautiful, amazing wife,

“I know how hard you work to make everything wonderful for our family, so for one day, I want to give you some time for yourself. Your spa package is scheduled for ______________. I’ve already taken care of clearing your schedule, and I will be watching the kids, so take this day to be pampered! I love you!!”

Your Husband

On the day of her appointment, make sure to be ready to drop her off, give her cash for the gratuity, and make a huge deal to the kids about how Mommy is going to go to the spa to be treated like the queen she is! It’s super important that the kids know that Mom deserves some time for herself, and that the whole family is helping to make this a special day for her. While your wife is at the spa, you and the kids all work together to clean the house! Hey, the kids will be so excited to do something special for Mom, they will pitch in and help, (Kids love games. You can turn pretty much anything into a game and they’ll get excited about it-even cleaning!)

Now if you want to make the day really special, after picking her up, give her some time to relax and get ready for a special dinner out. Have your Mother in law keep the kids overnight and  take her out to dinner, or cook a romantic dinner for her at home! Do you see where this is leading?

OK, let’s talk about something most spa owners and almost all massage therapist avoid-sex. Men do things for women in hopes that they will get to have sex later, right? Valentines’ Day is a loaded “Hallmark holiday?” and all retailers are trying to convince you that if you buy what they are selling for your wife or girlfriend, she will fall willingly in to bed with you. After 30 years of working with women, I have heard some things that may shed some light on this subject for you.

 Remember earlier how I said women like to take care of people? Here’s a secret that many women don’t share-They sometimes just want someone to take care of them. With no strings attached. If you have laid the foundation by showing her you appreciate her, you’ve listened and worked to plan a special day just for her, she will be relaxed and happy, which is just the mood women need to be in to be responsive to your romantic overtures. 

So here’s my professional advice. Rather than running to Kroger tonight to get her a last-minute card, candy and flowers, let’s plan a really nice day for her to relax and be pampered. Click here to purchase an Instant Gift certificate to Serenity Spa. It doesn’t matter which package you choose, just pick whatever is in your budget and we’ll make it very special! Print it out on nice paper (photo paper works great!)  Click here to go to our online booking service   http://serenity-the-spa-in.genbook.com.  Book the appointment for her on a day you know she’ll be free and you will be available to take care of the kids. Now, pick up the phone and call your Mother, Mother-in-law or a babysitter and find out when they’re available to help you with your plan to pamper your wife. (Mother-in-laws LOVE this kind of thing!!) Now you can go to Kroger and buy the sweet, mushy card, put the beautiful gift certificate inside and write her a note telling her what you’ve planned for her! She will be so impressed at your thoughtfulness that you may very well get the hoped for romantic interlude  you really wanted anyway! Plus the bonus special night together on the day of her spa package!

Here’s wishing you and your lovely wife a Happy Valentines Day!

Dear Light Touch Customer:

Words can not express the sadness I feel that you’re favorite spa, the Light Touch has closed. When I heard they were closing, and that the customers were not allowed to redeem their gift cards for the service that was paid for, I realized the unfairness of this and offered to accept the gift cards at our charming spa in Anchorage. There are a few things I would like for you to know. First and foremost, we are not being compensated by the Light Touch for the gift cards. We are doing this as a service to the customers and as a gesture of goodwill to the community. The last thing I want is for customers to think that all spas are going to rip you off. So we are willing to do the service without payment to create lifelong spa customers that will be as loyal to us as they were to their former spa. There are just a few things I’d like to ask of you in return.

• Please let us know you will be using a lt gc when you book your appointment.
• Please be generous to the person giving your service. She is working for her hourly wage, without commision, as a courtesy so your needs will be met.
• Please be patient, we can only do so many complimentary appointments each week, so you may have to wait a few weeks to get in to see us. We will accept the gc’s through June, 2010, so there’s plenty of time!
• Please be honest-we have no way to check your gift card’s balance, so if you have a gc over 100.00, please bring proof of purchase.
• Please use the entire card at your visit, no cash or credit will be given, and you can not use your card toward gratuities.
• My last request is that you choose to purchase any future gift certificates from us! We make it very easy with Instant gift certificates that you can create, purchase, print and e-mail immediately.

Happy holidays- we look forward to meeting you soon!

Instant Gift Certificate

Serenity Spa Website

You’re really doing this? Are you getting paid for it? No? Are you crazy, why would you do that!?

After offering to accept the gift cards of a local spa that was suddenly closing it’s doors, much of my week consisted of conversations sounding something like this:

“Hi, I just saw on television that you were going to be accepting Light Touch gift cards after they close, is this true?”  “Yes, ma’am, it’s true.” “Really? My daughter just bought this for me in October and when I heard they were closing, I tried to make an appointment to use it and they wouldn’t let me. When I heard you were willing to take the gift cards, I didn’t believe it. Thank you so much! That is the nicest thing!! I guess now I have a new spa, when can I make an appointment?”

Trust me, there were times after I made the decision I wondered if I really was crazy!  What on earth have I gotten myself into? After all the positive feedback from everyone and seeing the benefit to my business, I know I ‘m really crazy like a fox. This is one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made. I knew that The Light Touch, who were in business for 28 years, had a very loyal customer base. By giving the customer more than they bargained for, we are creating goodwill that will last a very long time. I just knew that if I could get those customers through my doors, I could earn their  business.

My bread and butter is the regular customer. We have folks that have been coming to Serenity since it opened 6 years ago, and a handful that have stayed with me for over 25 years!  The value of a long-term customer is worth far more than the time we’ll put in giving a complimentary service. Are we getting paid for the gift cards? No, we’re not. But my staff and I are willing to forgo our commission on the service in order to earn the repeat business of the customer. We are confident that the service you receive will wow you, and by earning your trust we’ll earn your business. Then when you decide to treat a friend or loved one to a spa experience, you can purchase one of our gift cards with the confidence that we will not only be here to fulfill their service, but it will be the best darn spa experience they’ve ever had!

Here’s the fine print:

Small spa with big heart offers to accept Light Touch Gift cards after they close their doors on November 14. Serenity Spa in Anchorage has offered to honor The Light Touch Gift cards until June 2010. Up to 10 cards will be accepted each week for services including facials, massage, manicures, pedicures, microdermabrasion, glycolic peels and waxing. Unfortunately, we can not accept expired gift cards or unused packages. However, we will send a coupon for a 1/2 price service to any former Light Touch customer that signs up for our e-mails at Please call 245-6484 to schedule an appointment.

Join our Mailing List and get a 1/2 off coupon!

Last weeks facial Winners!

Congratualtions to Jessica Hall, a facebook commmentor, and Shelley, a blog commentor! You have won our free facials for last week! Please contact me at Serenity Spa to arrange your prize.

Congratulations, you beautiful souls!
~ Denise
Serenity Spa
502-245-6484

Here a Germ, There a Germ, Everywhere a Big Germ!

Here a Germ, There a Germ, Everywhere a Big Germ!

 

Everywhere we go, we are cautioned to wash or faces and our hands. Most doctors’ offices, here in Louisville and across the country, have those bottles of hand sanitizer. We see them in the local Kentucky schools and hospitals as well. If you are like me, you even have a bottle or two in your handbag.  I am totally for disinfecting and protecting my family, but those little bottles of sanitizer are wreaking havoc with my skin.

It never fails, just after I clean my hands, I reach for the bottle of lotion. I am sure most of us do. However, have you thought of how many times you use that little bottle and forget to use your hand crème? How many times after this, do you reach up to touch your face? I know I do it.

Stop and consider what that life preserving cleaner is made from.  This is off the front of the little bottle that I personally carry in my purse.

“Instant hand sanitzier with a unique blend of ethyl alcohol (62%) and moisturizers.”

62% ethyl alcohol! Can you imagine how drying that is to our skin? And let’s face it, with the wfall and winter weather we have here in Kentucky, who needs the extra damage?

Therefore, my stress-less tip for today is to Moisturize. Make it a daily habit. Apply in the morning and in the afternoon. For an extra treat for your skin, come down to the Serenity Spa and have a facial. Your skin will thank you!

So stay warm and keep your skin nourished, you beautiful soul, you!

~Denise

A Facial can be a Zen Experience?

A Facial can be a Zen Experience?

Sure it can!  Look at this way… a facial is the sloughing off of the old and beginning with the new. Let’s look at this  parable:

Once upon a time, two Zen monks were walking along a mountain trail; they reached a stream and met a lady who wanted to cross to the other side.

The older monk volunteered to carry her on his back. After they got to the other side, she got off, thanked the monk and they parted.

Throughout the rest of the journey, there was complete silence as both monks kept walking…finally the younger monk could not stand it anymore, and asked “Master, I thought we are not supposed to have body contact with the opposite sex?”

The older monk turned and gave a surprised look and said, “I have already let her go after we crossed the stream, why are you still carrying her?”

We have to learn to let go of the past and move on with the future. In this way a Serenity Spa facial is an exercise in being Zen. By letting go of the cares of the day and relaxing during a facial, we are being like the older monk in the story.

Don’t forget…we are still giving away two facials from Serenity Spa this week. Be sure to comment here or on our Facebook page to enter for a chance to win a free Serenity Spa Facial!

A Wrinkle in time…or a wrinkle due to time?

A Wrinkle in time…or a wrinkle due to time?

Stress runs our daily lives. It can drag us down physically and emotionally. One place this shows up is in our faces. Have you ever heard the saying, “Time marches on?” Well, it does and it marches right across our faces. A facial can release stress in your mind and body and help stall the ravages of time. It can make you feel brand new. Here at Serenity Spa we offer a complete experience with our Ultimate Facial.
These facials are amazing and are a wonderful option for a mature skin or someone who wants to stop the aging process. We use DDF and Spa Technologies products during our facials. All our products are cosmecueticals and are sold through skin care professional because they have a higher concentration of active ingredients in them than products sold in drug or department stores. We also carry Dermesse at Serenity Spa in Anchorage which is a prescription strength product sold only through physicians or nurse practitioners. We have a relationship with a nurse practitioner allowing us to offer these incredible prescription strength products.
I love the Dermesse products. They will visibly change your skin in just a few months. One of my clients did the Ultimate Facial series at Serenity and started using Dermesse. After 3 months, she had friends asking her if she had gotten a face-lift! She is a very happy customer!
Here is another wonderful opportunity to stress less.

Event: Boot camp with Joe Lively
What: Class
Start Time: Tuesday, November 3 at 6:30pm
End Time: Thursday, December 17 at 7:30pm
Where: 2401 Stanley Gault Pkwy, Louisville, KY

To see more details and RSVP, follow the link below:
http://www.facebook.com/n/?event.php&eid=156400900818&mid=14129c3G5af319bb108eG1a9c5fG7

We are giving away two more of our soothing facials this week! Be sure to comment here or on our facebook page to enter to win!

Have a wonderful weekend you beautiful soul you!

~Denise Willinger

A Dab A Day Keeps The Crows Feet Away

How a good eye cream product can help you Stress-Less

Have you ever noticed those tiny lines around your eyes?

Laugh lines, people call them, although they are not very funny when you see them for the first time. Why am I bringing up such a sensitive subject, you may ask?

In my opinion, one of the most important products we can purchase and use on a daily basis is eye cream. That’s right, eye cream. Here at the Serenity Spa in Anchorage, we believe that our clients deserve the very best. That is why I wouldn’t suggest anything to you that I wouldn’t use myself. My personal favorites are the Spa Technologies Retinol Eye Serum and the Dermesse 10% vitamin C serum.

I have been using eye creams since I was 18 years old. When I attended my 30 year high school reunion, believe me, I was glad I did. While everyone there looked good, the crow’s feet around the eyes were very visible on many classmates, but not yours truly!

Your eyes and neck will show aging first. Don’t skimp on the eyes, use the best product you can afford and you’ll never regret it.

Remember, we are giving away two free facials this week at Serenity Spa in Anchorage. Time is running out! Be sure and leave a comment here or on our Serenity Spa Facebook page to enter for this wonderful giveaway!

Take care of you. You deserve it, you fabulous soul, you!

~Denise

Stress-Less Tip of the Day: Is your job a pain in the neck?

Is your job a pain in the neck? What about the lower back? Feet and knees? Is the job you do 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, affecting your body’s ability to function normally? Let’s face it, many of us spend 30 or 40 hours a week, week after week, year after year, doing the same exact thing, over and over and over again.

As a massage therapist, I see the effects the workplace has on my customers every day. Most of my customers come to me because of chronic pain in the their neck, shoulders or back, due to hours of sitting at a desk, cradling a phone while working on a computer.

Often I see customers with pain or headaches due to the effects of a chronically stressful life. Occasionally, I’ll see someone with foot, knee or back pain due to standing on concrete floors for hours.

 The benefits of regular massage therapy

The quickest and most effective way to combat the stress you put on your body from doing the same thing day after day is to do something different!

To offset the effects of  sitting at a desk all day, stretch the specific muscles that are tight. Have regular deep tissue massage to lengthen and work the tension out of the muscles.

If you spend 6 weeks of concentrated effort utilizing the talents of a licensed massage therapist, and do 5 minutes of stretching  at your desk, 2 to 3 times a day, you will reduce or eliminate the pain in your neck, shoulders and back!

Call or go online to www.serenityskincare.net to schedule an appointment so you can enjoy a “stress-less” week.  Make a comment to this post and sign up to receive our newsletter for special discount off your next service!

Have a great Monday you beautiful soul, you.

~Denise