Does anyone go to the spa on a regular basis?

[rayness]

I have a back injury from work and my sweetie sent me to the spa for a massage.  I used to go on a regular basis.  Do you think it worth it?  I used to get montly facials and did see a big change in my skin.  I would like to start going again on a regular. 

[mistytee]

I've gotten massages, but it wasn't on a regular basis.
Now I've joined You are not allowed to view links.Register or Login

http://www.massageenvy.com/

. 
The membership is monthly for a free massage every month..
If you can't make it, then it rolls over to the next month..

Massages are soooo relaxing and very therapeutic!!!

[nappy_crown]

I would LOVE to be a spa whore...but i'm can't afford that right now.  So what I do is go to the aveda institute for my spa services.  Since its technically a beauty school...i pay a fraction of the cost (a facial is $30) but I feel i get exceptional service for the price.  So special occassions (birthday and such)...I will shell out the money for a full spa experience.

[spiderlashes5000]

I would LOVE to be a spa whore...but i'm can't afford that right now.  So what I do is go to the aveda institute for my spa services.  Since its technically a beauty school...i pay a fraction of the cost (a facial is $30) but I feel i get exceptional service for the price.  So special occassions (birthday and such)...I will shell out the money for a full spa experience.

I used to go to a massage school for my massages every two weeks (they cost less than half price).  I'd go every other Friday, after work.  But then after a while, too many other people got hip to it and I could never get an appointment.  I'd sometimes go to a regular (full price) massage therapist for massages but I couldn't do it as often because they were so pricey.  I also went to a reflexologist (full price) once a month or so.  I went to salons a few times for facials or *back facials" if I had a breakout or something.  But that wasn't often.   

I always make an appt at the spa when I go on vacation.  And I get spa-type services, occasionally, when needed, back at home.   But I don't go to a spa on a regular basis...and haven't been at all in quite a while.  (Thanks for the riminder -- i need to make an appointment SOON!)

Yes, I think it can be worth it if you can afford it...and truly get something out of it.  Some of these services have proven health benefits.  And if they help you to relax, that's invaluable.  People don't realize that stress contributes to all kinds of illness and health problems.  Some physicians theorize that's why African Americans have shorter life expectancies and greater instances of some chronic health conditions.

Anyway...you weren't asking all that!  Yes, go, if you can afford it.     Or if you can't afford it, recreate the experience at home w/ bf's help.

[Stretch]

I don't go to the spa, but for a while the students from the massage therapy school would come to my job.  I started going to the school after that.  It is well worth the $30 for 50 minutes.

[curly4life]

I used to go to a massage school for my massages every two weeks (they cost less than half price).  I'd go every other Friday, after work.  But then after a while, too many other people got hip to it and I could never get an appointment.  I'd sometimes go to a regular (full price) massage therapist for massages but I couldn't do it as often because they were so pricey.  I also went to a reflexologist (full price) once a month or so.  I went to salons a few times for facials or *back facials" if I had a breakout or something.  But that wasn't often.   

I always make an appt at the spa when I go on vacation.  And I get spa-type services, occasionally, when needed, back at home.   But I don't go to a spa on a regular basis...and haven't been at all in quite a while.  (Thanks for the riminder -- i need to make an appointment SOON!)

Yes, I think it can be worth it if you can afford it...and truly get something out of it.  Some of these services have proven health benefits.  And if they help you to relax, that's invaluable.  People don't realize that stress contributes to all kinds of illness and health problems.  Some physicians theorize that's why African Americans have shorter life expectancies and greater instances of some chronic health conditions.

Anyway...you weren't asking all that!  Yes, go, if you can afford it.     Or if you can't afford it, recreate the experience at home w/ bf's help.

Being Black is stressful...  It is funny that physicians theorize on what is self-evident.  How many people would stay healthy over the long term if you have to live your entire life dealing with all sorts of discrimination/racism (subtle and overt) along with the regular injustices and that most (if not all) other races consider you the bottom of the barrel.   Not many.

As Jazzi once quoted her father I believe:

Everyone wants to be Black, but no one wants to be Black.

[gmw]

I am a regular spa goer. Stress is something that really needs to be managed, so I set aside money for spa services.

I love day spas!!!

[Afrocurls]

GMW, my friend does the exact same thing. She gets massages twice a month and she sets aside money in her paychecks for it. She was like "I had to set aside some other things, but taking care of myself is as important as paying my bills." I kick myself all the time for having been in the workforce for over 2 years but never setting aside money for stuff like this.

That said, I'm planning on doing a couple of spa days before my move.

[jazzi]

I never saw this thread!  Ladies, please go to this site before you go, they always have coupons!  Just click your city.  My sister put me onto the spa a few years ago and I try to treat myself at least twice a year.

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http://www.spafinder.com/

[gmw]

AC: Yes we must take the time to pamper ourselves.

Jazzi: Thanks. I am going to check out the bodyrest.com spa. I normally go to Adolf Beicker, but I am looking to try a new one. So thanks!

[gmw]

Thanks for that site Jazzi. I visited one of the spas they mentioned here in Philly. It is nice, and I will make an appt soon.