The AP brings us news today of a promising new trend in spa technology: garra rufa fish. Of course, we've covered these so-called doctor fish before, and YouTube is, uh, stocked with videos of the critters.
The flesh-eating fish first popped up in Turkey, where they'd nibble the dead skin off the feet of spa-goers. The trend then spread to Asia and even Croatia. Yvonne Hair and Nail in Alexandria, Virginia claims to be the only place you can take the plunge in the US.
Here's a tip: When you find yourself assuring reporters that the $42,000 bronze monument you've put on display involves "no kitsch or obscenity," your art project was probably a bad idea. The statue in question is a tribute to the enema that was unveiled at a spa in the Russian city of Zheleznovodsk on Wednesday. The Botticelli-inspired monument depicts three cherubic little angles holding aloft a bronze syringe bulb that's used for anal cleansing.
The sculpture was presented to the public this weekend at a celebration featuring models and a banner bearing the charming Soviet slogan "Let's beat constipation and sloppiness with enemas." The owner of the spa said enemas are "almost a symbol" of the Caucasus, dotted as the region is with retreats offering visitors the opportunity to get local mineral water sprayed up their ass. (Hey, Zheleznovodsk does mean "Iron Waters.")
Maybe when the spa gang realizes how ridiculous this makes them look they can change that butt bulb into an onion?
"Hot springs" means different things to different people. To a group of four college kids on their first cross-country road trip, it means local girls with cheap cans of beer and stealing away for a moonlight walk and getting some nookie under the stars.
Turns out, we were wrong and innocence was our bliss, but enough about us. There are lots of legit, albeit trippy, places out there such as Harbin Hot Springs, about two-and-a-half hours north of San Francisco.
The retreat center is also open to the public, and it's the perfect place to experience a weekend of hot and cold soaking, yoga, massage, vegetarian cuisine and embracing your inner animal spirit. This is the kind of place you go by yourself without telling anyone, live through the old third eye for a week and come back able to lift refrigerators and put your leg behind your head.
Accommodations at the 1,600 acre center range from outdoor camping to "dome" accommodations that look like they came from the Tatooine school of architecture.
Fishy foot baths are all the rage in spas throughout the Far East. The bizarre trend started in Turkey where people pay to be immersed in a pool teeming with "doctor fish" that eat away at dead skin.
The treatment, which is also known as "fish reflexology," apparently results in super-smooth feet. Recently, doctor fish spas have popped up in Japan, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore and Croatia. After the jump, check out video footage of these flesh-eating fish in action.
Who knew a small island like Aruba could keep someone so busy? You've already been windsurfing, butterfly watching and sunset sailing on Palm Beach, plus you've conquered the Aruban outback on the island's best drive.
It's time to slow down and relax--after all, vacations were made for pampering. If it's Zen-like tranquility you're after, head to the Larimar Spa, easily Aruba's best sanctuary for the mind, body and spirit.
That's Christian Bale at 18 singing about how he needs to leave New York City for warmer climes in "Newsies." If you've followed the weather in NYC recently, we're thinking a lot of people will be joining him.
Remember, Bale's paper boy found love, and you can too--try a special delivery to one of these hot spots.
Ten Thousand Waves -- This Japanese-inspired mountain spa is the perfect place to unwind after that sixteen-hour paper route and meet someone in the tub -- or "meet them again."3451 Hyde Park Rd.
Ark Bookstore -- All that horse-wranglin' and paper-tossin' and union-organizin' leaves a man very little time to develop his mind or his soul. Luckily there's the Ark, a spiritual bookstore with hotties. 133 Romero St.
Tranquility in the big city might sound like an oxymoron, but we decided to suspend our disbelief long enough to check out The Chopra Center & Spa, located in a gold and saffron-hued subterranean space at The Dream Hotel. The primary draw? The facility was co-created by renowned wellness guru and self-help specialist Deepak Chopra, an endorsement that actually gave us some hope we'd be walking away feeling healthier--if not less stressed.
We went for a balancing facial based on the principals of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian science that attempts to harmonize one's mind-body type, or dosha. As our therapist did the assessment of our type, we asked so many questions that she had to gently remind us that Ayurvedic healing is something best experienced--not understood through the mind. So we settled in on the table and completely relinquished control for the next 80 minutes as she steamed, massaged and moisturized our congested skin. We surrendered so much that we actually drifted off.
In addition to facials, the Chopra Center has bodywork treatments and other spa services. Guests can also sign up for yoga classes or join in on complimentary guided meditation sessions. We would have stayed on to explore the pathway to enlightenment, but you know, we had to hightail it back downtown before our dry cleaner closed.
In the days leading up to February 14, do you find yourself spending your commute mentally composing love sonnets--and annoyingly sharing them with anyone who'll listen? Boozing it up with unattached friends and denouncing the holiday for the commercial farce that it is? Collectively cursing St. Valentine, Cupid and Hallmark for forcing you to dream up yet another romantic present? Well, we can't help the besotted or the bitter, but we might be able to do something for the befuddled. And by that we mean, well, guys.
If you're not quite ready to present your sweetie with something small, sparkly and potentially appraisable, you can still look like the hero by giving her a couple's massage, an experiential gift that's also a pretty sweet present for you. Spas throughout New York are actually discounting treatments for the holiday, and since they rarely lower their rates, it's a prime time to take advantage. Snag a gift certificate now and score major points later--no love poem required:
Oasis Day Spa: You can get 15 percent off any purchase you make online, from massage to facials to body wraps. Check out the weekly specials for other deals on services.
Metamorphosis Day Spa: While several therapies, like scrubs and masks are being offered at $10 to $25 off, go for the couple's chocolate oil massage, which includes a 50-minute Swedish rubdown with candles, wine, roses and chocolate kisses.
Shizuka New York: Couples get a 10 percent discount at this Japanese day spa when they come in together, from now through February 17. The services don't have to be identical, just booked at the same time.
Bunya City Spa: This Soho-based facility is offering four Valentine's themed treatments at special prices. We recommend the Steamy Love package--an organic ginger and honey scrub designed to increase circulation and boost the heat between the two of you.
