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I don't usually get into a lot of detail about
personalities and success stories, but this lady, the founder
and owner of
the Santa Fe Downtown Day Spa, is so inspirational, that you'd
be cheated if you didn't know a little something about her.
If you ever wondered what a survivor looks
like - a real one - this is it and it glows!
Christina Sisley Schatz
was 30 years old. Sitting across from the astrologer she
laughed at the news that her future would be immersed in
'wellness.'
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There are many, many spa experiences in Santa Fe. Most
of the large hotels have spa facilities, or you can take a short drive in
almost any direction for your day of restoration and escape. Most
are state of the art luxury experiences. The Downtown Day Spa is not
state of the art in equipment or environment, but if you want a unique
and still luxurious experience - an experience many of the locals choose
- well... The Downtown Day Spa caught my attention when I spotted
the little notice - almost an afterthought - on the Coming Soon - Fish
Out of Water Package. It said "You don't have to be a
Pisces to get super discounts, but it helps." |
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As a professional
manicurist in New York, with celebrity clients and
invitations to glamorous parties, her reputation as the
best in the business provided an exciting and
ever-changing lifestyle. |
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Enhancing her skills and adding other
services? Maybe. But
"healing"...not likely.
But the future is rarely as we
see it, and so it was for Sisley. |
Sisley. The neck brace is the
result of a recent auto accident.
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Read
the rest of the story...
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I'm
always intrigued by people who embrace the mysteries of life, who reach
for unconventional wisdom and who aren't afraid to wear it. Hence,
my decision to spend an afternoon in a mystical environment. The
Day Spa is right off The Plaza, but I passed it at least a hundred times
before my visit and never saw it. Not an unusual experience in Santa
Fe. The streets are lined with doors - doors that open
into not A shop or A business, or A restaurant, but
doors that open into entire worlds of all of those things. The
Day Spa is inside one of these worlds on the top floor of the Plaza
Mercado along with the Santa Fe School of Cooking.
No sooner had I arrived, than a cup of Lavender and
Chamomile tea, a delicate and soothing concoction, was warming my
hands.
Steepings,
a lovely, calming tea shop in the same building supplies the tea for the
spa. If you like a good, quality cup of tea in a restful
environment, a visit is well worth your while.
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The Santa Fe Day
Spa
112 W. San Francisco
Suite 301
Santa Fe, NM
505-986-0113
Would
you like to sample Sisley's treatment recipes to
make and enjoy at home?
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Steepings, 112 San Francisco
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My first treatment, a
facial, was with Amy who asked me right away what I would like to
accomplish with the facial. Not having given it much
thought, I quipped that she rid me of wrinkles.
I'm guessing she's heard that before - I hate
being trite - but in a thoughtful moment, she suggested an
anti-aging treatment - not, she said, because I looked old, but
because it would cleanse my skin of toxins and offer some
protection from the elements. |
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Amy Cost |
| She began with a Green Tea and Ginkgo
cleanser which contains antioxidants to revitalize the skin as it
cleans.
Next came the mask, a mixture of Green Tea and
Ginkgo with green clay and natural fruit acids to draw out
impurities to the surface. Once the mask was applied, Amy
offered a head massage - did I say yes? Mmm-hmmm.
Now, with mud on my face, lavender pillows on my
eyes and a head massage in progress, I mentally left the room and
the chair and went to a place of complete bliss for 15 or so
minutes while the mask did its job.
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Afterward, Amy applied a
toner, again with Green Tea and Ginkgo, to clear away the any
remaining debris.By now the soft music, her gentle voice and the
pure luxury of being cared for, had lulled me into oblivion, so I
just listened and enjoyed as she moved on to the final
moisturizing mixture of Green Tea and Ginkgo. In the end, my face felt like a baby's bottom
and I looked, well...
f a b u l o u s! Maybe it was the dim light - but I imagined my wrinkles
were actually gone! Ahh the power of suggestion, because
now, back in my routine, they're b a a ck. |
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Marya, in front of the
Mysterious Booth
The Far Infrared
Sauna
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My afternoon of pampering
continued - how much can a person enjoy! A Shiatsu massage
was next and Marya, a fresh-faced and energetic young woman
invited me to follow her down the hall and through two big French
doors that opened into a sun-filled room overlooking Santa Fe.
On the floor was a futon mattress, in the corner
a fountain of water trickling softly, and a mysterious booth stood
next to a table with a Buddha and a vase of yellow flowers.
Before beginning, Marya asked if there were any
trouble spots in my body and also if I would like to focus on
specific issues in my life. |
| Although I love what I
do, there never seems enough time for all the other things
I enjoy, like reading, hiking, entertaining, family, e x e r c i s
i n g. . . so I said, more balance please. I told her
that I sprained my ankle three months ago and it was still tender
and also confessed about the personal affair I'm carrying on with
my computer which seems to result in upper back misery.
Shiatsu is much like acupuncture - without the
needles. It means "finger pressure" and is an old,
traditional, Japanese healing method, working on the whole
being - spiritually and physically - to bring balance and
strengthen vital organs. Although the word Shiatsu
means "finger pressure," thumbs, knuckles, elbows, knees
and even feet are also used to work the body's energy channels or meridians
and thus bring healing to sick or diseased parts.
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More Info
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Girls' Night In
For those in-between-spa treatments and a fun way to share
some
time with your girlfriends.
"Playful and practical illustrated guide to creating spa parties sure to nourish the soul and soothe the body. Divided by season, each spa party, 12 in all, features a fun theme and includes fresh spa concoctions, activities, and foods, as well as music and decorating
suggestions". |
It is used to treat many ailments and everyday
disorders including headaches, leg cramps, digestive and
respiratory problems. It is not uncommon to the receiver of the
treatment to have some type of reaction, such as crying or
laughing - at the end of a session. This is said to be the
result of the body breaking through old energy patterns.
Marya had me lie down on the futon mattress
which is typical for Shiatsu as it allows the practitioner to move
around the body and apply the correct amount of
pressure. She then skillfully began working my body,
pushing and stretching gently but with firm, decisive
movements. At the end of the hour, I thought she should be
exhausted, but she seemed no different. It was I who was
different - limp, but feeling strong and peaceful - and my
upper back had no pain! It seemed miraculous.
I didn't cry or laugh or have any immediate
overt reaction, but I felt so comfortable, with my body and my
world as though suddenly all was in perspective and right - is
that the balance I sought? |
| There are many treats awaiting you at
the Downtown Day Spa. A couples room is available for candlelight
massages.
Or maybe a candlelight hot tub suits you better. |
Couples Room
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Other
Therapies & Packages
at the Downtown Day Spa |
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Therapies and Classes
Swedish
Shiatsu
Thai
Hot Stone
Chair massage
Body Polish
Salt Glow
Facials
Pedicures
Manicure
Yoga Classes |
Packages
Example:
For $198 try the The Runaway
60 minute massage, private hot tub, reflexology, scalp treatment and
a eucalyptus pedicure - WOW!
Private parties - weddings, birthday and corporate
events - can be arranged.
Internet
specials
Example: 30 min hot tub, 30 minute massage, 30 min facial! |
| Sisley only uses products
in the Spa that are organic, ones that are good for people and the
earth too. The Downtown Day Spa is a certified Aveda spa, and
Sisley uses products from
Marsha Mason's Resting in the River line, Young Living
Oils, Aubrey Organics, Sombria, and Organic
Essentials.
Would I go back? Only if I want an unrushed,
luxury experience in an enchanted place where the staff is
personable, caring and skilled at what they do. I guess that's
a 'yes.' |
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