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Preparing to go to a spa for the first time

© Larshal Veronica Vance

Once again, the time has come for New Year resolutions. One of mine is take better care of myself both physically and mentally. As part of this plan I will, for the first time in my life go to a spa.

As I start research this new endeavor I began to wonder how many women of color go to spas. No one I know has ever went to a spa. They are always to busy or there is something more important to spend money on. What I learned was that many women of color think this way.

According to the International Spa Association,only 7 percent of the total spa going population is African American(Heart & soul, Aug/Sept 2000). Learning this made me more determined to being my spa quest.

One of the first questions I asked myself was what kinds of spas are out there. The article by Tom Dwyer entitled "Definitions and Types of Spas", there are seven kinds of spas as defined by the International Spa Association:

Club Spa- A club spa is a facility whose primary purpose is fitness and which offers a variety of professionally administered spa services on a day-use basis.

Cruise Ship Spa- A spa aboard a cruise ship providing professionally administered spa services fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices.

Day Spa- the day spa is a spa offering a variety of professionally administered spa services to clients on a day-use basis.

Destination Spas- A destination spa is one whose sole purpose is to provide guests with lifestyle improvement and health enhancement through professionally administered spa services, physical fitness, and educational programming and on-site accommodations. Spa cuisine is served exclusively

Medical Spa- Medical Spas are individuals, solo practices, groups and institutions comprised of medical and spa professionals whose primary purpose is to provide comprehensive medical and wellness care in an environment which integrates spa services, as well as conventional and complimentary therapies and treatments.

Mineral Springs Spa- A mineral spring’s spa is a spa offering an on-site source of natural mineral, thermal or seawater used in hydrotherapy treatments.

Resort and Hotel Spas- A resort or hotel spa is owned by and located within a resort or hotel providing professionally administered spa services, fitness and wellness components and spa cuisine menu choices. http://www.ebody.com/spas_and_well-being...

Once you have picked the kind of spa you want to go to the next thing you need know is what to expect and what you must know to more your spa experience a great one. The article in the August/September 2000 issue of Heart & Soul gives a great checklist of these items:

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