Today: Reflexology (for the ticklish) at Mohegan Sun’s Elemis Spa.
In the spirit of trying new things (or, re-visiting old things, as it were) at our lovely girls’ weekend at Mohegan Sun, I perused the Elemis Spa menu for something beyond the usual Swedish. Intrigued, I landed on on a 50 minute reflexology treatment.
From the spa menu:
An ancient healing therapy that is as blissful as it is beneficial, reflexology works on the principle that all body organs are connected to reflex points in the feet via constantly flowing energy channels. Massaging these reflex points restores natural energy flow and improves overall health by sending waves of deep relaxation throughout your body.
Who wouldn’t like having waves of deep relaxation sent throughout the body? Someone I don’t want to know, that’s who. When I mentioned to Nick that this was the complimentary service I had chosen to review, he was skeptical. “Isn’t that the one where they touch your feet?,” he asked. I am ticklish to a fault (I don’t think I could ever become a spy; threaten to tickle me and I’d give up all of the Free World’s secrets. Including who designed Sasha and Melia’s play clothes.), and don’t especially like having my feet touched. Massages I can handle – the more pressure the better – plus, I find masseuses get so wrapped up in my knotty shoulders that my feet rarely get more than the compulsory pat.
My curiosity trumps most things, though, including personal space issues. When Geneva met me in the waiting area, I was eager to receive those wave of deep relaxation. Even if they had to enter my body through my big toe.
Geneva led me down a hall to a warm, candle lit room where relaxing music was already playing. I swear that’s all it takes for my brain to turn off and for nap time to set in. I was determined to stay awake though, and figure out what the heck reflexology is all about. She asked if I had received reflexology before (no), and why I had chosen this (the waves!). I warned her of my ticklishness and she assured me it wasn’t a problem. I decided not to tell her I don’t like people touching my feet, as it seemed we’d already crossed that bridge. No turning back now.
After giving me a few minutes to disrobe and get comfortable on the massage table, Geneva returned and immediately got to work. She applied firm but gentle pressure to my calves and ankles before getting down to business twisting, rubbing, poking and massaging my feet. Thanks to a few minutes spent on wikipedia (I was afraid to check WebMD because I am sure it says something like, “WHAT?! You just got reflexology?! You are going to develop a horrid rash in three minutes!), I realize the research on reflexology’s effectiveness is iffy. However, when I was able to let go of the fact that a veritable stranger spent what seemed like twenty minutes twisting each toe, I certainly felt my body relax, part by part. I didn’t have a handy foot chart to observe at the time, but I was especially aware of my neck and shoulder muscles contracting and releasing. Maybe it was the big toe, maybe it was the music. Heck, it could have been the candles. Regardless, the more I let go and trusted Geneva to not yell “Tickle monster!” and send me into a fit of giggles and tears, the more I was able to cool out.
Did I surf those much desired waves of deep relaxation? Not fully. I may have boogie boarded though.
When I returned to the waiting room, Anne, Julie, Theodora and Tina were still chatting away. We stayed a bit longer, laughing and talking about dolphins, high school boyfriends, and everything in between. While it was tempting to either stay wrapped up in our Elemis robes and pass the day away or crawl into bed and enjoy the afternoon sun flooding our rooms on the 23rd floor, even more tempting was the tasting dinner that Michelle at Mohegan Sun lined up for us at Todd English’s Tuscany. I wonder… if I had bigger feat, could I eat more before feeling so full?
Also On Tap for Today:
- I forgo the turkey on Thanksgiving (and on non-Thanksgiving), but still loved this NPR interview with Sam Sifton.
- Breaking out the winter coats
- Martha’s frenchies practice yoga. You’re welcome.
Have you had reflexology before? What’s your dream spa service?
