all the dish that’s fit to print
ramadan detox
Ramadan officially started August 11th and marks the month-long period where Muhammad is believed to have composed the Quran. In honor of this holy month, Muslims around the world will focus on inner peace and cleansing from now until September 9th through daily fasts during sunlight hours and abstain from any harmful habits that introduce toxins to the body (like drinking or smoking).
Ananatara resident spa guru and unofficial Ramadan expert, Liz Smailes, shared her advice with us on incorporating the relevant messages behind the holy celebration into daily life. (more…)
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yoga > j.crew
National Yoga Month is only 19 days away… and we at AMPR couldn’t be more ready! We were very surprised to learn, however, just how popular yoga has become across the country.
About 16 million adults practice yoga and spend $5.6 billion a year on classes and products. That’s a lot of classes (or mats and spandex?) given that the average class only costs $12.
If you haven’t joined the yoga bandwagon yet, don’t be shy! Three-out-of-four yoga practitioners have only been practicing themselves for five years or less.
So jump on and see just what the hype is all about. With lululemon stores generating an average of $1,800 in sales per square foot – three times as much as J-Crew! – looks like yoga is set to become the new classic Americana.
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gwyneth loves como
Turns out Gwyneth Paltrow loves Parrot Cay of COMO Hotels and Resorts and COMO Shambhala! It’s all in the June issue of Spain’s TELVA fashion magazine. Gwyneth says “I get lost in the private Island of Parrot Cay, in the Bahamas, and I spoil myself with a massage in the Shambhala Spa. I come out renewed!”
espa’s sue harmsworth honored by queen
Congratulations are due to Susan Harmsworth, the CEO and founder of ESPA International! Recognized as part of the 2010 Queen’s Birthday Honors, Sue was cited for her outstanding services in the spa and beauty industry. Sue now proudly holds the title of MBE, which stands for Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
Sue founded ESPA International in 1993; the company now operates spas in 55 countries internationally and has an ever-expanding line of naturally effective skincare products and spa treatments. Her work with ESPA has made Sue the premier expert in the spa industry – she now sits on a number of international spa and hotel boards.
Despite her new grand title, Sue is always available to offer the best expert spa and skincare advice. From diagnosing skincare issues to creating your very own at-home spa, Sue can guide you through the ins and outs of spa and skincare. Let us know of any questions you have and we’ll find out what Sue would do!
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new nantucket-inspired spa treatments
The Wauwinet’s serene Spa by the Sea has introduced four new Nantucket-inspired spa treatments to infuse the spirit, history, and natural beauty of this classic New England destination.
Cobblestone Massage
60/90 minutes – $155/$225
Cobblestones can be a pain in the neck – but not when they are used to soothe pains in your neck. Smooth, rounded basalt stones are heated and then used with essential oils in a deep muscle tissue massage. The treatment reminds us why cobblestones can be so charming! (more…)
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helter swelter
While some fortunate folk are racing off to the Hamptons or flying to Nantucket, the hoi polloi are often stuck steaming in the city. This summer, take a mini-break and find refuge from the heat in an urban oasis, no travel required.
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for the kid who has it all
What do you get for the kid who has it all? How about a spa treatment in Bali? Anantara Spa Seminyak has designed a menu of spa treatments for those 2-12 year olds in need of some pampering. (Don’t worry, those under two can get a pre-bedtime baby massage with olive oil to smooth the skin, strengthen growing muscles, and relax that little body.) No kid will be able to resist a chocolate massage after a day of cannonballing into the resort pool. After being slathered with chocolate, your little princess gets a mani-pedi followed by a fresh strawberry hand and food massage. Don’t worry, your little prince won’t be left out – he can have one too, along with a chocolate butter hand and foot massage. This is the one time teens might lie and say they’re younger…
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hup deux trios quatre…
The sought-after slim physique of the French certainly can’t be courtesy of buttery croissants or sumptuous cream sauces. Parisians spend their lives walking, an underrated way to burn off those Ladurée macarons. This September, La Réserve Ramatuelle is offering two boot camps with a French twist for those wanting to shed some pounds commes les françaises. Set in a sundrenched hillside near St. Tropez with views over the cobalt Mediterranean Sea, La Réserve is the ideal spot for hiking through the Côte d’Azur countryside.
The Boot Camp is a five-day (four-night) program. Upon arrival, each boot camper will get a medical assessment to measure physical aptitude. The next day, after an hour-long yoga session and a healthy breakfast, a guide will lead the way on a fast-paced walk through the countryside and along the coast. While the hilly terrain is sure to raise heart rates, the pace and distance of these walks are determined on an individual basis. After the walks, guests can relax for the rest of the day at the spa, enjoying a program of treatments such as balneotherapy, body wraps, or the La Réserve Better Aging body treatment. While strenuous, this boot camp is hardly roughing it; walks through the Mediterranean countryside, spa treatments, and delicious (and healthy) local flavors cooked up by Chef Eric Canino. Designed for groups of 4-8 people, it’s the perfect opportunity to take along some friends.
Example of a typical day’s activities – day 1
6:30am Yoga session (1 hour)
7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Leave for walk
1pm Lunch at the hotel
2:30pm Balneotherapy
3pm Body Wrap
3:30pm Jet shower
4pm La Réserve Better Aging body treatment (50 minutes)
6:30pm Relaxation session (1 hour)
Dates:
Wednesday September 15-Sunday September 19
Monday September 27-Friday September 31
Price: €3600, accommodation in a Deluxe room and full board
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free spa treatment in june and july
Big news for those who LOVE facials! ESPA spas worldwide are offering complimentary Firming Eye Treatments with any facial booked during the months of June and July. So that’s an extra 15 minutes of bliss FOR FREE at luxury spas like the Peninsula Spas by ESPA in New York and Chicago, and ESPA at Acqualina in Miami.
The Firming Eye Treatment is a blissful firming and hydrating treatment using specific products rich in seaweed extract, green tea, and vitamin C. These help to reduce the appearance of fine lines, circles, and puffiness. It’s great for contact lens wearers and those that struggle with eye-strain – so for the many office workers who stare at computer screens all day long, this one is for you!
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tented espa spa in india
Ever dream of experiencing a soothing Ayurvedic spa treatment in a gorgeous luxury tent on the shores of a majestic lake? It may sound like a fairytale, but it is the reality at the new ESPA at The Leela Palace Kempinski Udaipur, which opened February 2010 in the Rajasthan region of India. The first branded ESPA in India, the spa comprises treatment rooms and suites ensconced in traditional Rajasthan-style tents with interiors by Jeffrey Wilkes. The treatment tents are accessed by paths that wind through gardens designed by famed landscape architect Bill Bensley. Set on beautiful Lake Pichola, the spa is separated into two distinct areas, the Haveli Spa and the Lake Spa.
The Haveli Spa houses the spa reception area. From there, guests may proceed to the five single treatment tents, the crystal and anthracite glass tiled aroma steam rooms, and to separate male and female relaxation areas. Healthy lunches are served on the rooftop terrace, which offers spectacular views of the lake and the City Palace beyond. The Lake Spa features a Couple’s Suite and two Royal Palace Spa Suites, each with its own private pool and walled garden. The tents feature crystal chandeliers, bespoke furniture, and rich fabrics.
Exclusive to the spa menu, the Leela Udaipur Ceremonies combine European principles with the ancient philosophies of Ayurveda. Carried out in the private tents, all ceremonies begin with a welcoming foot ritual of exfoliating rosehip seeds and essential oils of ginger, clove, and lime. Treatments include ‘his-and-her’ Royal Princesses and Royal Knights of Rajasthan ceremonies, complete with massages and scrubs suited to each guest. The menu also features Abhyanga Marma point massage and Dosha-specific body therapies using both ESPA essential oils and traditional Ayruvedic oils containing powerful medicinal herbs. Private yoga and meditation is offered in the tents and courtyard gardens.
Visit the spa’s website at www.theleela.com/hotel-udaipur-spa.html. For more on ESPA spas, treatments, and products visit www.espaonline.com.
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