MYSTERY SHOPPER
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary
Mia Kyricos pays a visit to the Japanese-inspired spa in California that’s famous for enzyme baths
MIA KYRICOS, PRESIDENT, KYRICOS & ASSOCIATES
THE BACKGROUND California’s Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary was founded in 1985 as a “vision of healing, beauty and inner peace” by Michael Stusser, originally an organic gardener who studied Japanese gardens and Zen Buddhism in Kyoto. While there he discovered the Japanese Cedar Enzyme Bath heat therapy which inspired the creation of Osmosis, regularly referenced as one of America’s most spiritual spas. Set deep in a valley of Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, the eco-conscious spa property is spread across fi ve, lush acres and features a large, Zen-like meditation garden and a two-storey spa with 17 treat- ment rooms, including four outdoor pagodas, and three large enzyme baths. Most recently, Sukiya Living: The Journal of Japanese Gar- dening ranked Osmosis as home to one of the top Japanese gardens in the US.
THE OFFER Osmosis’ signature Cedar Enzyme Bath, una- vailable anywhere else in the US, is a ‘dry bath’ based on a mix of ground evergreens includ- ing cedar, rice bran and plant enzymes that naturally heat via fermentation. The baths require more than 600 active enzymes which, in addition to the heat, are said to infl uence body chemistry and natural cleansing pro- cesses. Reported benefi ts, aside from deep relaxation, include relief from joint and mus- cle pain, improved circulation and mobility, stress and fatigue reduction, improved diges- tion, detoxifi cation and cleansing of the skin. More traditional face and body treatments are also available using organic and natural
VITAL STATISTICS
Address: 209 Bohemian Highway, Freestone, CA 95472, USA Times: 9am – closing (depending on demand) Web:
www.osmosis.com
products from Organic Male, Naturopathica, Phyt’s and a private-label range. 75-minute services start at US$129 (€98, £84).
DESIGN Found off secluded road in farmhouse-style building, Osmosis is reminiscent of the Wood- stock era with burning incense and communal living. Inside, the spa unfolds in unexpected ways – from the front-desk a sliding door reveals narrow hallways and a hidden staircase leading to a ‘nook and cranny’ treatment area – this is not a purpose-built spa and is admittedly tired in some places. Elsewhere a tea garden, for pre-treatment contemplation, overlooks a small inner rock garden complete with a minia- ture footbridge; while a large double-bay room is reserved for the cedar-fi lled tubs. With its mix of hippie-style spaces and
Japanese touches, the design may be unu- sual, but it’s also charming and captivating.
THE EXPERIENCE When I called ahead to make a reservation, I was impressed with the, information and attentiveness. When enquiring what treat- ment went best with the enzyme bath, I was quickly up-sold “the popular” 2.5-hour Reju-
98 Read Spa Business online
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venation Package comprising a signature tea service and 20-minute bath followed by a meditative garden walk and 75-minute mas- sage for US$199 (€151, £131). On arrival, I was graciously greeted by name and ushered to fi ll out the standard questionnaire and liability forms. Guided to a small changing area, I put on a comfortable, fl annel robe and was directed to the tea gar- den for a Japanese tea with digestive enzymes to further help the detoxifi cation process. The enzyme baths are wooden crates
fi lled with a dry, fragrant mix of shavings and secret ingredients that naturally react with one another to create heat. Using a large shovel Jenny, my therapist, prepared a dent in the mix and invited me to disrobe, step in and lie down. She then covered me with the shavings – akin to being buried in the sand at a beach – while being careful to ensure the comfort of my head and neck. I was very surprised by how fast the mix heated, but found the intensity relaxing – I wished I’d been given the option to stay in it longer – and Jenny checked on me every fi ve minutes to freshen a cool, wet cloth on my forehead, and to wipe away perspiration. Aside from the relaxation, I must admit to also feeling somewhat cleansed: lighter if you will. Easily the least appealing part of the service was the shower that followed as the mix sticks to the skin and the pres- sure, likely due to the site’s eco-friendly approach to preserving water, was quite weak. I rushed to get to the meditation gar- den walk – a meandering stone path fringed by beautiful landscaped grounds, including
Spa Business 3 2013 ©Cybertrek 2013
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