travel

february 99

Going back to any resort or spa can be a disappointment when your memories out-distance your current expectations. There are many places in the world that rise above this because of the environment, the staff, the clientele, or a combination of the three. Certainly, we all have destinations that reawaken in us that feeling of wonder and love of the world. For our family many of these are old cities of Europe where we stroll side streets looking at the familiar looking faces that remind us of our American family, while we delight in the excitement of old but different life styles. The exhilaration is worth the cramped long plane ride across the Atlantic. When, however, you want to rejuvenate yourself in an idyllic spot where you can work your mind and body, you may want to research the spas of this country and abroad. Last year we wrote an article about Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico. This year we will share with your the reasons for returning to a favorite spa and what to expect. We will also give you a run down on the latest exercise and spa services that you can look for at a spa near you. It’s easy to return to the Ranch or to your favorite spa because you know what to expect, and your week of camaraderie has been of great value to you. This must be true for many patrons as you note that people sign up for the next year before they leave. The accommodations available vary and if you like yours, then that too is yours for next year. As with many goods and services the Internet has a hand in the availability of space at this spa and others who have gone on-line. I was told that since the spa had developed their web site their reservations had jumped and consequently they were filled to capacity most weeks. The percentages of men to women vary; the week I was there of 160 people there were 7 very happy men, but the following week there would be 60 men to 100 women. If you are taking your significant other, perhaps you will want to look at that before booking at a spa. Services at spas change and so some spas are now including complimentary medical services like acupuncture. What always surprises me is the number of groups of women, either mothers with daughters, cousins, business associates, or just plain friends, who return the same week each year. There are groups who rarely see each other during the year, but who meet ‘same time, same place’ each year to keep bonds of friendship intact. This year I took a very unscientific survey, asking women why they returned year after year to the same spas. The results are interesting because they tended to be universal whether they were thoughts of globe trotting women who visited resorts and spas around the world in-between traveling to exotic places and fitting in their families, when they could, or they were like us, a group of friends who look forward to our Christmas gift of a week at the spa from our spouses each year. I interviewed media celebrities, housewives, judges, writers, doctors, and lawyers as well as a Wall Street stock broker. The ages ranged from college freshmen to 75 plus. They included one of the richest widows in the US ( you wouldn’t believe how kind and smart she is) to a young married couple who just opened a beauty salon and who had saved for a year to get away. What did the spa do for all of these people? One thing, it gave them a safe place to think about the issues that seemed over whelming in their regular lives. Many spoke of remembering dreams for the first time in months. They enjoyed an atmosphere where one could hike and walk in the quiet, being able to think without being interrupted by someone else’s needs, as opposed to times of laughter and camaraderie, as opposed to other times of intense exercise or learning. If you look at the pictures in this year’s article, you will find many statues. I selected to photograph some of the female forms which you find around corners, in small green areas, in gardens and as when you enter the health centers. They range from those which are native American in nature, to representational to more modern free forms, but all of these bronzes delight as you walk the grounds. If you add to these the water elements, fountains, and myriad of flower beds, and colorful birds, you can understand how easy it would be to feel safe enough to rethink issues, make changes in attitudes, or reaching out to friends and family. Secondly, this safe place gave groups of people the atmosphere needed for emotional growth. That doesn’t mean that everyone ‘spills their guts’ to each other, but it is a safe place to talk about some issues with others who have had a similar problem. You can’t imagine how much information you can garner in one week on topics ranging from financial to political, to something as important for some as plastic surgery. There are experts who give speeches at night, but more importantly, there are old and new friends who have the time to share and even more important , to listen. To a person, the people I spoke with felt that they had enjoyed a week with little pretense. At any moment, it is impossible to tell the judge from the national celebrity as workout clothes look about the same, and with little or no make up, we all seem to blend together. My friends spoke of getting in touch with who they really are and not who they try to be, a feeling they long for sometimes during the year. At a spa this is not a hard task to accomplish. It may take a day or two for the type A personality to fade a bit, and it may start to return as you pack to leave, but in-between, you have days of feeling like you, perhaps a you that you recognize from years ago before the complications of life gave us all responsibilities that help form our days. Some of those I spoke to described a cleansing due to the change in food. This spa focuses on vegetarian meals although you can get cans of water-packed tuna, cottage cheese, and other extras if you want them. Because you exercise more than usual, you drink water regularly during the day and that also feels cleansing; but perhaps it’s the fact that most of what you eat is grown organically on the Ranch’s farm, you know that what the waiters bring to the table is the best of the fields for that day. It’s easy to taste the difference. The vast majority felt that they laughed more during this week than they had in many months before. They were given permission to try new things, fail or succeed, not compete with the person next to them in a group, and take that young child lurking inside all of us out for some time each day. Whether it was indulging themselves with a massage, trying to jump rope with a heavy weight boxer, or making a dried flower and herb wreath, that experimental youngster had an exciting time and everyone was glad to have these experiences. Listening to 160 people in the dining room at dinner laughing, knowing that we live in a complicated world and that many of these people have troubles of their own, is a joy. Lastly, the group felt that they benefited from the philosophy of the spa and its staff. We all know that all of this sense of safety and growth as well as laughter, introspection, and change are supported by the organization which runs the facility. There are spas where everyone dresses for dinner and there are those where ‘roughing it’ is routine. When you find your place, you’ll know it. What’s new this year that I can pass on to you so you can find it where you live? The Ranch has a long list of treatments from regular massages, to wraps (aromatherapy, herbal and seaweed) to loofah salt glows and scalp treatments. Having a massage is relaxing, but next time you’re at a day spa ask about something called a hot stone massage. If I was brave enough or brazen enough, I would have included a picture of me during the process here, but I’m afraid not in this life time. The massage is lovely though. The smooth stones are heated and then massaged with oil into your muscles, allowing them a deep relaxing release. Check your skin type before this one, and make sure the masseuse knows his or her business, as we’ve heard of people being seared a bit around the edges at some spas. At the Ranch, my hot rock massage was heaven on earth. I was so relaxed, it was hard to get up from the table. My best friend went from the hot rock to the loofah scrub just to make sure she came home with all new skin. She radiated that night a dinner. Try it. One thing you, as a diabetic, need to know is how hot the treatment will be. I no longer get hot wraps as they may interfere with my diabetes control. The hot rocks are localized and the rocks do not keep their heat for very long as opposed to being wrapped in seaweed or towels on a heated table which keeps getting warmer. One other treatment that many people enjoy is a scalp treatment. If you don’t mind the oil on your scalp, the massage is a winner. Again, ask in your area. most of these are available. Here in Oklahoma, masseuses are licensed so ask about your state. Do tell the person who works on you that you have diabetes. This is important, especially for a whole body massage where someone may be working on your feet. But, and this is a big but, do treat yourself to this type of experience. There are friends of mine who say they would give up a shopping trip to make sure they had a few massages a month. For me it’s a toss up, but the massage may well win after a day at work. What’s new in the gyms of the spa? My favorite was the African Dance Workout because I laughed for most of the class thus I never knew how hard I was working. If you have an aerobics dance class in town, ask if they do some of these African dance classes. Basically it’s all those aerobic moves you know to a beat that is contagious. One class I would recommend for anyone over 25 years of age is the Better Back class. Aspects of this one are usually incorporated in stretches at a good health club or spa, but an hour every so often is important. Here we focused on correct posture, exercises, and techniques to prevent back problems. Strengthening of back, abdominal, and hamstring muscles are incorporated in this class. Have you ever heard of Feldenkrais? I hadn’t, but basically during this class you discover your own range of motion through free style movements. Flexibility becomes more and more important as we age and this class is a help. Another class that can help is Fitball. We have been using these balls in Tulsa for about 3 years and knew of the benefits, but the 55 or 65 cm. diameter balls are used at the spa to improve posture and alignment. They also improve flexibility. Many of the stretches that we did in other classes take on a whole new meaning on the ball and you can use it for a relaxing, stretch, and massage in front of the TV. In years past I tried to get into Pilates which is basically mat work exercises which emphasis stabilizing the torso while improving flexibility. It was developed for ballet dancers who had been injured to help them remain strong, and it focuses on developing muscle strength in those muscles closest to the bone. This year, I finally got it, and to tell the truth, I liked the results. The endurance and strength that I gained in my abdominal muscles were significant in just a week or at least that’s what I told myself. Pilates is sweeping the country so if you don’t like jumping around in an aerobics class look into this exercise regime. Some teachers actually have a Reformer, the Pilates machine that helps you do the exercises. My last new aerobics class was N.I.A. or Neuromuscular Integrative Action. This too has sprung up across the country as attested to by the members of the class. Here you dance with eastern movement forms, jazz, and modern dance which combine into a different aerobic class which strengthens but also nourishes the spirit. I, for one, liked it after I got over my self consciousness as I am not a dancer. Now what else did we all do? Yoga was high on the list for all of us as was stretch, abdominal classes, water aerobics, bar bells, body sculpting, Tai Chi, dance classes, aerobic classes, circuit training, meditation, and our morning walk before breakfast around the meadow, up three hills and directly into the dining room. We counted almost 60 different classes from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. not counting the various hikes and men’s classes. All you have to do is set a goal for the week and then fit in the classes you want, and at the Ranch you add Spanish class to your exercise regime. Most spas have other attractions. There are evening lectures, crafts, and self improvement talks on how to live healthier life and how to cook for good health. We all availed ourselves of the hot tub, for a minute or two (no longer for the diabetic and check the temperature first) , and the sauna. Last year we shared some of the recipes from Rancho La Puerta. Go back and take another look at them. There are many spa cookbooks available. The Ranch has a new one, but all of theirs are worth a look see. I’ve also read other spa cookbooks, many of which are not only beautiful, but offer a healthy slant on cooking. Next time you’re at the book store look some of these up. You can also discover them at book sites on the internet. Going to a place where the amount of exercise you will be doing is five times longer and harder than you’re used to can be a challenge for the diabetic, just ask my roommates. Do talk to your health team about how to modify your meds for more exercise and a different style of eating. There are days when I have to take up to 40% less insulin and others when I needed almost as much, so know how to control your blood glucose levels. After all you don’t want to spend your days in hypoglycemia land rather than enjoying your vacation. Also, tell the kitchen that you have special needs. It makes getting all the fresh fruit you need in your villa an easy task. Tell others that you have diabetes , especially for those activities during the day when you are prone to low blood glucose levels. It works and you and your friends can relax and enjoy your time together. What you don’t want is to make your friend a doctor who has to constantly watch you or who is responsible for your well being. My friends know that first tell tale signs as I start to pale and slow down. An orange in the hand and in a few moments, I’m back again. I also watch for the numb lips or pins and needle knees, and jump in with glucose tablets, If I wait much longer than this, I won’t be able to think clearly enough to intervene, so I don’t. Do carry your water bottle, key, and glucose tablets; that way you are prepared, as the Boy Scout’s Motto demands. Now, enjoy, get fit, laugh, share, grow, and learn something new. A week at a spa awaits.