SIMMER-DOWN SATURDAYS: Yesterday's day of pampering
I didn't simmer-down... I STEEPED. Yes, what a difference a week makes. Last Saturday was all about work, work, work. But today... I got pampered. I started with a noon appointment with my neuromuscular therapist, followed by an afternoon at the spa with my girls. But, don't picture some zen-like retreat with lightly scented candles, fluffy white robes and cucumber water. Nope, we went to a spa in Korea town and I feel thoroughly refreshed!
Century Sports Cub & Day Spa is not for the modest or pretentious. It's a no frills, no nonsense spa based on the 3,000 year old art of Korean bathing and relaxation. Basically, people go to get naked, sweat and bathe with the ultimate goal being the "Body Buzz". The "Body Buzz" is that tingling sensation you get from head to toe after hours of bathing in temperatures that run from very hot to bone chilling cold; relaxing in the eucalyptus steam room, dry sauna or napping in the clay room or marble room. It's an incredible detoxifying experience that makes your skin glow.
I arrived at 2:30 and approached the counter to choose from a menu of services. For only $15 I had complete access to the facilities; and for an additional $30 I could experience the notoriously amazing "Body Scrub". Yep, only $45 for limitless pampering and relaxation. I was handed a robe, a towel and locker key and escorted into the locker room to change.
I walked into the open spa area in my robe and to my right was a row of about 10 naked ladies sprawled accross massage tables getting scrubbed and rubbed simultaneously by Korean women wearing a uniform of black bras and panties. To my left was a row of shower-curtainless showers and more naked women lathering up. In front of me were even more naked ladies liesurely wandering from one bath to the next. So what did I do? I dropped my robe and joined 'em!
After showering, I submerged myself into the medium-hot bath and realized how hard it is for me to let go, relax and enjoy the experience. My mind instantly races toward business and my to-do list. But after mentally berating myself for my inability to be "in the moment", my mind finally surrendered. I soaked and relaxed. I experienced each bath; from the super-cold that made my pores sieze up to the hot mugwort bath that made my muscles melt. The contrasting baths is what stimulates detoxification, circulation and blood flow.
At 3:45 was my Body Scrub with Eunice. As a massage therapist, it's always an interesting to experience body work from different hands. I laid on my stomach and mysteriously got butterflies. I heard that these women take their scrubbing seriously and that they scrub with vigorous intent. Eunice dowsed me with a bucket of warm water and went to work; scrubbing nearly every inch of my body with mitts on both hands. She scrubbed me while on my stomach, my back and side-lying positions. It ended with another bucket of warm water and a surprising whack on my back. All done! It didn't feel nurturing or soothing but it was fantastic!
I popped off the table and discovered my friends had arrived so I joined them in the baths until 5:30. Yes, I was there for THREE HOURS! It was a divine experience to share with friends. As I drove off, I definitely knew I was experiencing the BODY BUZZ. It's an incredible tingling sensation that makes you feel so alive in your body.
If you live in the Los Angeles area, you should definitely indulge. Oh, there's a separate floor for men to enjoy the same experience.
Rock Your Powerhouse!
Kira
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