My First Time

I wouldn’t say I was hard balled exactly, but…

Parts of my life are unremarkably blasé.

A Friday last month found me back from work unpacking my laptop from its case. Across the room Chris Matthews was saying something about something (earth-shattering obviously) which caused me to heave-ho off the floor and park just in front of the telly. It was worth it. It always is.

By the time Anderson Cooper was doing a 360 a couple or so hours later I learned the ’squat – abrupt arousal – perch tail bone 2 feet from TV’ routine is actually bad for your posture. Very bad. What a royal pain in the rear…

…on upwards. Parts of me feeling not so blasé all of a sudden.

My first time being massaged was a therapeutic necessity. For both lower back and ego. It was pain that brought me to Nicole at the Green Spa NY.

Nicole is great! A licensed massage therapist, she is a welcome combination of talent, wit, tenderness and strength. She’s an athlete, a barrel of laughs, and (perhaps most importantly) knows what’s she’s doing. She’s very big into client wellness education.

I walked in. Formalities were exchanged. And with a ‘panties-are-optional’ cordiality, Nicole prepared me for my first Deep Tissue Massage (DTM).

You can keep your panties or briefs on during a DTM, as a matter of fact. Your pleasure. It was my first time. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Or, how to expect it…

You want a DTM if:

• you’re in chronic pain
• you suffer from osteoarthritis
• you’re experiencing limited mobility
• you have posture problems
• you’re recovering from an injury (sports related, whiplash, from a fall,…)
• you have fibromyalgia
• you’re experiencing muscle spasms and / or tension
• you’re suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome or some other form of repetitive strain injury

I needed a DTM.

According to the 2005 issue of Consumer Report Magazine ~ 34000 people said DTM was more effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain compared to physical therapy, exercise, prescription drugs, chiropractic, acupuncture, diet, and glucosamine treatments. The public mood hasn’t changed much since, given our high client requests.

If it’s your first time, don’t eat a heavy meal before your DTM. And, arrive 10 – 15 minutes ahead of your appointment to relax in the lounge. At certain points of the DTM it can hurt a bit – you may experience a mild pain or discomfort. There’s also usually some pain after the DTM which subsides within a couple of days. Nicole advised me to use an ice pack if I needed to at home. I didn’t need to.

DTM is a remarkable pain reliever. This full-body massage therapy focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue all over the body. It’s particularly effective in relieving chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks (check), lower back tightness (check) and sore shoulders (check). The movement is slower compared to classical massage and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain.

DTM physically breaks down adhesions in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Adhesions are bands of painful rigid tissue that can block circulation and cause pain, limited mobility and inflammation. Once these adhesions are broken down pain is relieved and normal mobility is restored. Deep and direct pressure (and friction) applied by the therapist across the grain of the muscles aids in adhesion break down. A necessary pain to relieve pain. I recall Nicole using her knuckles, hands, elbows, forearms and finger tips all over my body during our session. It took a lot out of her, too! Every now and then she’d encourage me to breathe deeply as she worked on my tense knotted areas. And, she advised me to drink plenty of water after the massage so the metabolic waste released from my muscles during the DTM would be flushed out. As I said, Nicole knows what she’s doing!

The Green Spa NY has launched its Man Of the Hour signature series, which features among other things a 90 minute Deep Tissue Massage with a spa lunch. The organic beer or wine is complimentary to help with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder…

Not really. Although, the wine and beer really are organic. And, they really are served. Complimentary.

I DTM’d. Women can, just as well as men.

Just make sure you aren’t pregnant, don’t have an infectious skin disease / rash / open wound, haven’t had surgery 15 minutes prior, haven’t had chemotherapy or radiation 20 minutes prior, …, you aren’t prone to blood clots, you don’t have serious osteoporosis….Consult your doctor first.

I’m not a DTM novice any more. Although, Nicole is the only one I’ll do it with. Only a privileged few should be allowed to give you such deep penetrating painful pleasure. That’s my take.

Di.

Business Dev. Director

Green Spa NY – the only ALL green spa in NY

8804 Third Ave. (at 88th St.)

Brooklyn, NY 11209

RSVP: 718-921-6100

 

Memorial Day For The Wiseguys

“Conventionality is so overrated“

- Aditi.

It’s a dreary drippy day here in Brooklyn. And, I’ve got men on my mind…

…which, I’m told by the sexes, is not all that unconventional.

Not that any of the above is remotely germane to what I really have to say today… the emphasis being on the word have.

Drum roll please… The Green Spa NY introduces its brand new Goodfellas Treatment for men. Not any kind of man, mind you. This is for the go-getter. The gotta-get-it-done. The been-there-done-that.

The dashing. The dangerous… Well, maybe not. We’ll stop here.

For the uninitiated, Goodfellas is based on New York crime reporter Nicholas Pileggi’s book Wiseguy (an excellent read!). The film is a Scorsese masterpiece and should have picked up more awards than it has already, in my opinion. The film takes you back to a 1955 East New York, Brooklyn. It’s action-packed and the scenes appear at times to be so disjointed, falling into each other, and somehow making sense.

Suspense.

Drama.

Gore (not the Al kind).

And, ‘Layla’. (Thank you Eric Clapton. You reign)

I have quirky tastes.

Even so in keeping with our Brooklyn eco-spa pioneer reputation, we did want to do something different for Memorial Day this year. To remember the brave service men and women who have fallen for our nation’s independence and democracy. And, we didn’t just want to have a “day” of remembrance. Only a new service offering like the Goodfellas Treatment could honor the grit and grace of the U.S. men and women who have died in military service while protecting us from ‘gangsters’ of all ilks.

This year, if you want to gift a Goodfella Treatment to a guy you believe deserves it, make a reservation for them at the Green Spa NY 718 – 921-6100. And, if you’re a fella who knows he’s a Goodfella (sans the gang bit) come on in. We’re ready for you!

Here’s the Goodfellas Package (2.5 hr at the spa for $150)

1 hr deep tissue athletic massage

1/2 hr men’s invigorating facial

1/2 hr reflexology session

Of course you can have your pick of a deep tissue athletic massage / barber shop invigorating facial / back grooming / hand and foot grooming / reflexology. [Call for details on individual services.]

All non-toxic. In an all green facility. All year long. And hey, the organic beer – that’s on the house!

Happy Memorial Day from the Green Spa NY!

Aditi Paul

Business Dev. Dir., GSNY

 

Hone Those Skills, Earn A Commission

Be A Green Spa Ambassador

Internship Opportunity With the Green Spa NY- New York’s Only All Green Spa (green products, green treatments, green facilities)
Benefits Of Interning With the Green Spa NY:
* Student Interns will receive experience launching the Green Spa NY Corporate Alliance Program to local businesses.
* Student Interns will offer our spa wellness solutions to high achievers in corporate sales & marketing, broadcast media, theater and film.
* The internship will allow students the opportunity to apply their educational, organizational and time management skills as they assist in introducing Green Spa NY’s wellness initiatives to NYC’s professionals.
* You will learn how to prospect and manage specific client accounts.
* 15% commission on every Rewards Program Enrollee
* 15% commission on every Corporate Spa Party booked
* Discounted spa treatments at Green Spa NY Student Intern Tasks:
* Package and introduce Green Spa NY Alliance Program to specific businesses
* Manage Client Accounts (non-financial, meeting setup, client follow-up)
* Represent the Green Spa NY at certain tradeshows and expos
* Promote Green Spa NY’s Spa Parties & Catered Events
* Promote Green Spa NY’s Honor Program through media alliances
* Promote Green Spa NY’s Rewards Program
* Promote Green Spa NY’s Educational Seminars On Wellness & Greening
* 15 hours per week dedicated to business development and reporting
* Maintain and provide timesheet and expense report
NOTE: ALL Green Spa NY information is confidential. Client names or business names are kept in strict confidence. Before beginning an internship, you will be required to sign a conflict of interest agreement, which also serves as a confidentiality agreement.
Required Skills and Experience:
* Microsoft Office Word for various administrative documents
* Microsoft Office Excel for financial spreadsheet development
* Microsoft Power Point for presentations
* Conduct research via Internet and libraries for competitive analysis
Who Should Apply:
We are currently looking for:
- one NY native fluent in English with a major /minor in marketing communications
- one NY native fluent in English & Spanish with ethnic marketing experience
Interns will be responsible for their own transportation and will be reimbursed for public
transportation (Metro Card) and / or gas mileage.
Intern Evaluation:
Interns will receive an orientation when they first arrive at the Green Spa NY, which will include
review of required tasks, expectations, and reporting requirements. Interns will also be introduced
to the Green Movement, the history of our green initiative, and our service offerings. At the end of the internship, the Office Director Of Business Development will provide an evaluation form. The Business Development Director will be your Mentor and complete an evaluation with you. Your Mentor will assess your job related skills, work habits, interpersonal skills, and attitude. A good performance review may lead to an Account Manager employment offer. Interns may also enroll into the Green Spa NY Leadership Program in the Fall of 2008.
Internship Application:
Student interns work independently as well as with the Director of Business Development. Students in the School of Business and Economics who are interested in wellness and the green movement are strongly encouraged to apply. Please indicate your interest in the Green Spa NY Internship program by e-mailing you  resume and cover letter to: Aditi Paul, Business Development Director, Green Spa NY
Di@greenspany.com / Ph: 718-921-6100
Once you have initiated interest Green Spa NY will contact qualified candidates for an on-site interview. Interviews start May 19, 2008. If you are offered the internship, you will need to ask a faculty member to be your faculty sponsor. The two of you will prepare a learning agreement, working with your Office of Career Opportunities and Internships, or equivalent.
Location: 8804 Third Avenue (and 88th St.), Brooklyn, NY 11209

 

Green Spa NY’s “Myanmar Treatment”

Thankfully the one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is our conscience.

Like many of you, I’ve had Myanmar (formerly Burma) on my heart. The after-cyclone pictures are devastating…

Myanmar, like many of its South-East Asian neighbors (Thailand, Malaysia, India, China…) is truly beautiful. Or, should I say – was. Very green and lush, with sweet-spirited people. Myanmar also has a history in the wellness arts and people live a semi-spa lifestyle without even realizing it.

I’d spent a couple of weeks vacationing in Burma a couple of decades ago. I remember the women working in paddy fields with a yellow paste – thankara – smeared on their faces. As with most Burmese traditions, thankara application has been made into an art-and it’s not uncommon to see women and children walking around with yellow thankara patterns on their faces (much like a mehendi design on an Indian bride’s palms).

Unlike Western eye-shadows and blushers though, Burmese thankara isn’t really used as make-up. It’s a daily skin hygiene ritual. Among its many benefits, thankara helps to cool the skin, tighten the pores and control oiliness. It’s also used as an insect repellant and sunblock in the tropics where women and children have to work the paddy fields for long hours in the day.

Thankara is normally available as a powder and cream, but like most herbal treatments it’s most effective by freshly grinding the thankara tree branch with water on a special stone slab. Its excellent healing properties has made thankara a staple in many Asian spas and Thai treatments. It’s used in body scrubs and wraps to beautify and soften the complexion.

Beyond the beauty bulletin -

Here at the Green Spa NY we care about the fresh crop of environmental refugees.

Knowing a bit about Asian culture, I can only imagine the tremendous sense of despondency that the Burmese are feeling as they’re grappling with loss of life, lack of food, pollution, disease and skin disorders that are bound to result from malnutrition.

Most South-East Asian cultures take tremendous pride in being able to leave a legacy of home and land to succeeding generations. When the waters come and wash all of this away, there’s nothing to leave behind, except shame.

Shame at having no address.

Shame at not belonging to a familiar social structure as they try to migrate to surrounding cities and countries as refugees.

Shame at living a slum-life in their own lands.

Shame at being forced into prostitution to survive.

Shame that leads to depression, and often suicide.

And, there’s always the lurking fear in the aftermath of a cyclone, that it’ll happen again. Soon.

In spite of the monks’ prayers.

In spite of the immediate relief.

In spite of government assurances and high-level international agreements on tackling global warming issues…

At worst, policies cheapen vulnerable lives. At best, they recognize them (perhaps for the first time) with a few media-friendly showpieces. Then the channel changes.

At the Green Spa NY, we’re joining other corporations who’ve stepped up to the plate as global citizens. From now till its no longer needed, we’ve marked 15% of proceeds from the Green Spa NY Thai massage centric “Myanmar Treatment” for World Vision, one of the few Aid Organizations that the Myanmar Junta has allowed to help on-site at this time. We are also actively working to see if we can work through the Thai Spa Association’s Government Liaison Committee to be of continuing assistance in economic development beyond the immediate and necessary relief.

Call To Action: If you would like to bring hope and restoration to spa-fully rich Myanmar, be sure to call 718-921-6100 to make a reservation specifically asking for the “Myanmar Treatment”.

Thank you for doing your bit. Thank you for caring.
Aditi.

Business Development Director

Green Spa NY, Brooklyn, NY 11209

www.greenspany.com

 

Recognizing Broadcasting Talent

The Green Movement has a habit of turning you into one glorious journey inward. Back in the day, they used to call it ’self-centered’ or even ’selfish’. Now, they use words like ‘identity’ and ‘personality’.

It was a distinct identity that our Founders – Sheila, Maureen and Maria – were after when creating what was then The Spa & Wellness Center. Going green for these trailblazers was far more than bringing wellness to our clients in every organic way possible. We extended this effort to include our environment and went all green. Our ongoing mission as a leader in the green cause in NY is to learn, share, protect and heal the environment.

We chose to recycle paper for our menu of services, business cards & shopping bags.

We chose recycled & energy efficient material during our construction process.

We chose recycled denim to insulate our walls.

We chose environmentally friendly paints & clays from the earth that actually repel dust!

You can breathe deeply with confidence knowing we have purifying systems in place, reducing pollution throughout the spa. You can say goodbye to allergens while you’re here. Our unparalleled high efficiency special wash system helps to eliminate bacteria on our linens. All of our plumbing has been installed without the use of any PVC plastic pipes and we’re proud to announce that we have installed dual flush toilets, where possible, to keep with the water conservation goal.

You’ll find that our bathroom tiles are glued, grouted and sealed without harming mother nature. And, we use non-toxic eco-friendly cleaning products throughout. I could go on and on of course, but I won’t. Instead, let me proposition you…

Addressing: ALL Radio & TV Broadcasters / Podcasters and their family members in any of the 5 NYC boroughs

YOU are welcome: to discounted spa services & gifts to take home

ON: Any Monday or Tuesday from May 12th – June 10th, 2008

Call: 718-921-6100 (or leave a comment) and mention this Green Spa NY Blog promotional.

Take the Journey

Feel the Energy

Be Inspired

Be Well

Just Be

Aditi Paul

Business Development Director

Green Spa NY – New York’s 1st & ONLY all green spa

Check our web site: www.greenspany.com