In new goals for this year, some thought should be given as to how to face the challenges that always come along with each new year.  Thoughts about how to make some deposits in your own mental, physical and spiritual reserves to be sure you have what it takes to have a productive and happy 2004. A complete program to help you restore your body's balance and give you a way to recharge your batteries, can be found at Devas Day Spa, in Borrego Springs, California, under the expert guidance of Melony Light.  

 The Devas Day Spa environment offers immediate relaxation and comfort for all clients with each therapy room set up and prepared to give exceptional spa services. No interruptions during spa therapies gives a feeling of total safety and that you have the therapists undivided attention.  

The Bliss Facial is a 90-minute therapy; the steam from water steeped with rose petals fills the room, and the therapy begins with a friction massage to the scalp with heated sesame seed oil. Rose petals are then placed on either side of the head of the client and a heart shaped rose quartz is placed on the heart chakra. For an explanation of the chakras, visit www.theblendmagazine.com/mindindex/chakras.htm

The friction massage heats and awakens the body’s intelligence; the mind releases chemicals to help heal the body and free up an overactive mind; so that all of the body’s healing energy may be used during this therapy for healing others parts of the body. Therapies are performed in silence and clients are encouraged to use their breath to achieve a deeper state of relaxation and also turn their attention inward for self reflection.

The effects of massaging the scalp may be felt in the feet (distal points) along with tingling sensations through out the body.  This is a signal that the channels of energy in the body are opening. As the friction massage continues on the neck and shoulders, there is a continued feeling that everything in the body is opening up and there is a realization that everything in the body is connected. The therapist intuitively senses the clients needs and works on sensitive points or (marma points) with the intent of opening up any blocked pathways within the energy body. Some of the therapeutic benefits are that toxins are released into the blood stream where they can be eliminated.

 Opening the pores to invite the oil in and feed the body below the skins surface, with the use of massage and steam therapy is more effective than applying a topical cream. The Ayurvedic medicated oils are chosen to suit client body/skin type.

After the herbalized oil massage, warm towels that have been steeped with Rose Petals are wrapped around the face and neck to gently steam the face. A mild and rejuventing herbal scrub made from flower petals, is applied to the face. Then the scrub is toweled off and an herbal mask is applied to assist the skin in restoring its youthful glow.

Heated stones are placed on marma points to stimulate the flow of circulation and energy to the face.  A warm turquoise stone is placed on rose petals on the throat chakra; clear quartz on the sinus points and a rose quartz for the heart chakra. Then Chamomile compresses are placed over the eyes. While the mask is drying a massage to the hands and feet is performed to send energy back to the head. The marma points worked on will depend on the individual needs of each client.

  Devas Spa uses only natural, organic homegrown herbs and oils that use no animal testing or bioengineering methods. To end the treatment a balancing of the marma points with aromatherapy moisturizer is done. During this time the therapist meditates or uses visualization techniques to balance the energy of each point. This may involve a light  touch to the skin or just above the skins surface on each marma point.

  The opportunity to observe the client and therapist during this session and to interview the client afterwards, gave me a unique perspective as to the spiritual side of this beautification therapy.  The client was amazed at the feeling in her feet while her head was massaged and how she could feel the connection points all over her body.  She felt the clearing of blockages in her body and the flow of energy from the therapist to her. While both client and therapist are in a quiet and meditative state with one common goal, which is to assist the body healing itself, the witnessed results are remarkable. I could see the client visibly relax and sink into the table while her face softened and telltale signs of stress disappeared. At the end, her face glowed with health that was both inside and out. The 90-minute, Bliss Facial is a must and the therapeutic benefits go beyond the skins surface.