The Holistic Approach: When the Whole Is More Than the Sum of Its Parts

According to holistic experts, achieving and maintaining good health and fitness involves looking at the body in its entirety rather than simply dealing with specific parts. From the Greek word “holos” meaning all or entire, the goal is not just to be well in the physical body, but also to be in harmony with the environment and ourselves at all levels – mind, body, and spirit.

While many say holistic services have been around for thousands of years, it is still a relatively for thousands of years, it is still a relatively young phenomenon in the United States. Growing over the last 30 years, holistic services and medicine are becoming more accepted in today’s society. Offering unique holistic services can help you differentiate your salon. From reiki and reflexology to hot stone and oil therapies, learning more about holistic services might just be your way to salon enlightenment.

Jade Stone Therapeutic Massage & Green Tea Detoxifying Foot Bath

Salon: Le Petite Retreat Day Spa

Location: Los Angeles

Owners: Ben and Lysa Kustek

Length: 1 hour 30 minutes

Details: The Jade Stone Therapeutic Massage is a Swedish-deep tissue combo massage that incorporates hot and cool jade stones that are massaged into the body. Heat helps to relax muscle tissue while the coolness helps reduce inflammation and flushes out toxins through the results that last longer than other massages.

The Green Tea Foot Bath is done in a large copper tub where chamomile essential oils and sea salts rich with trace minerals create an exfoliating treatment that cleanses and removes toxins from the skin.

Both services can be done outside in the bungalow with dim, natural light, or in the “getaway” rooms, with quiet ambiance and soft colors.

Holistic Foot and Leg Treatment with Hot Stones

Salon: The ESPA at the o

Location: Galway, Ireland

Owner: Gerry Barrett

Length: 1 hour and 10 minutes

Details: This holistic foot, leg, and nail treatment includes a gentle exfoliation and relaxing acupressure point massage with the appropriate aromatherapy massage oil incorporating hot stone therapy. The warm stones are lightly rubbed over the skin to ease muscle tension. The feet are then enveloped in warm paraffin wax to soften, deeply nourish, and condition the skin. An application of nail color is optional.

Clients can also enjoy one of the tepidariums offered at the ESPA. The tepidariums are warm lounge areas with nearby heated whirlpool baths where guests can relax before and after treatments.

Reiki

Salon: Spirituality Spa, The Holistic Therapy Group

Location: Los Angeles

Owner: Sheryl Bard

Length: 45 minutes

Details: The word Reiki is made up of two Japanese characters, Rei, which is most often translated as “spiritually guided,” and Ki (or chi), which means “life-force energy.” It is one of the more widely known forms of energy healing, and involves unblocking “chi” to balance a person’s energy system.

During the treatment, a Reiki practitioner places her hands gently on the client’s clothed body or above it in the client’s energy field. As the practitioner moves her hands through a series of specific positions, the flow of energy is shifted and past trauma stored in the body is released. The client then moves toward experiencing a more balanced state of mind. Reiki sessions are experienced differently by everyone but overall they are extremely relaxing. Clients report feeling some tingling, pulsating, or warmth in their bodies as their energy flow is unblocked. Reiki energy is often subtle, but major changes can be noticed over time

“Mohonk Red” Manicure and Pedicure

Salon: The Spa at Mohonk Mountain House

Location: New Paltz, N.Y.

Owner: The Smiley Family

Length: 40 minutes each

Details: This indulging treatment for the hands and feet begins with a refreshing soak with hazel extracts to symbolize the abundant hazel plants that are found throughout the property surrounding the Mohonk House. An herbal neck wrap is applied to relax the client, and a two-step exfoliation and rejuvenation treatment featuring a “Shawagunk Grit” mixture is applied as well. (The grit mixture is made from crushed rock of the Shawangunk mountain ridge where the house is located). Clients are then given a zen-inspired masque while their hands and feet are warmed by mitts and booties to further soften their hands and feet.

Nail buffing and a multi-step polish complete the service, and guests are invited to relax out on the veranda as the day comes to an end. A flacon of Mohonk’s signature oil is given out as a gift to each guest as they leave.

Holistic C-Spa Pedicure

Salon: Le Cachet Holistic Day Spa

Location: New York City

Owner: Laszo Friedman

Length: 45 minutes

Details: The Holistic C-Spa Pedicure is administered while the client sits in a comfortable Jacuzzi chair that massages the entire back while jets in the footbath relax the feet.

A sea salt and organic seashell scrub is then applied to remove dead skin cells. The natural magnesium from the seashells helps heal wounds and damaged skin, and the sea salt acts as a natural exfoliator.

A seaweed mask with essential oils is spread over the feet and calves, and the mask is massaged into the skin to remove toxins and stimulate circulation.

An invigorating foot and leg massage caps off the service, with an end-result that leaves feet soft, well-groomed, and revitalized.

Ginger Lemongrass Thai Herb Ritual

Salon: Hair Apropos

Location: Chalfont, PA

Owner: Michael LaMaina

Length: 90 minutes

Details: The Ginger Lemongrass Thai Herb Ritual is an aromatic exfoliation that invigorates and energizes the body. During the treatment, the body is first wrapped in a ginger/lemongrass combination to both exfoliate and moisturize, and a scalp massage is also given to relax the client. The body is then rinsed lightly in a raindrop shower, and finally the heated Thai Herbal Poultice Massage is administered.

A heated rice cooker is used to warm up the herbal poultice (which is flown in from Thailand) and a sake candle is burned for ambiance. The ritual is performed in a signature Japanese soak room with a raindrop shower.

Chakra Balancing Aromatherapy Massage

Salon: The Crossings

Location: Austin, Texas

Owner: Ken and Joyce Beck

Length: 50-80 minutes

Details: The Chakra Balancing Aromatherapy Massage is a gentle and relaxing massage infused with aromatherapy to heal the body, mind, and spirit. The massage cleanses and balances the chakras using seven essential oils that are displayed in decorated clay pots. Each essential oil corresponds to one of the chakras.

The service is performed in one of the spa’s standard private treatment rooms, and according to the owners, clients from all demographics enjoy it on a regular basis.