Treat the Inner and Outer You with Facial Reflexology
Bethany Cox, LMT & Certified Facial Reflexologist
- by Bethany Cox, LMT & Certified Facial Reflexologist.
Medicine, cosmetics and massage: three ever-changing aspects of wellness are finally wrapped into one treatment method – Facial Reflexology.
The term “reflexology” refers to a process of stimulating reflexes in specific parts of the body by manipulating points on the hands, feet, and face, for the purpose of creating and maintaining homeostasis, or balance, within the body. Facial Reflexology, as the term states, is a homeopathic face treatment for this very purpose. It stems from ancient oriental and Indian techniques coupled with modern neuro-anatomy to create a relaxing and productive compliment to modern medicine.
Whether you’re suffering from a chronic disease or crow’s feet, Facial Reflexology is a wonderful, relaxing face and scalp treatment that can not only polish the outside appearance, but also treat the root cause of your current health issues. The cure is found in the balance of the body’s energy flow. When your body is in homeostasis, you look and feel your best. Facial Reflexology is the calm, comfortable step to a better, brighter and more beautiful you!
I was recently given the opportunity to travel to Denver for an eight day course of four intense Facial Reflexology modules taught by Lone Sorensen, the originator of these specific treatments. During that week we were taught not only the 7-step treatment plan, but also about the physiology and anatomical make-up of the human body. It was an amazing experience to learn from someone who is so dedicated and passionate about her work and how she pours her heart and soul into helping improve the quality of life for her clients all over the world. Her enthusiasm was contagious!
At Seasons – The Spa, we are excited to add Facial Reflexology to our wonderful menu of services. If you are interested in finding out more about Facial Reflexology or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our certified facial reflexologists, please call us at 318.255.1155. Facial Reflexology is available Monday – Friday in our Ruston location.
The 6-Month Countdown to a Beautiful Bride
Image by George Eastman House via Flickr
The church…the flowers…the dress. Every bride dreams of that special day, that combination of time, place, and unique elements that make a wedding day memorable. The planning begins months in advance. Armed with a head-to-toe countdown plan, Seasons has just what every bride needs to look her best.
6 months prior to the big day…
- Complexion analysis. An analysis by our VISIA Imaging System will measure vascular and melanin conditions such as pigmentation, pores, wrinkles, texture, porphyrins, UV spots and photodamage. The computer-generated report gives recommendations for facial rejuvenation treatment and ongoing skin care to reverse the ravages of life on your face. Complimentary with any treatment.
- Microdermabrasion. Seasons skin care specialist Joy Smith advises microdermabrasion monthly for skin treatments to be effective. “Your skin cells regenerate every 28 days so it is important to exfoliate,” said Smith. “Products are most beneficial when they are able to penetrate the skin.” Suitable for most skin types, microdermabrasion is a non-surgical mechanical exfoliation that removes the outer layer of dead, dry skin. Regular treatments stimulate cell regeneration and improve the appearance of brown spots, shallow acne scars, sun damage, enlarged pores, and fine lines.
- Skin Care. You’ll want to complete the skin care countdown plan with great products such as Obagi Medical Products or Guinot skin care products. Regular skin care will slow down the aging process and allow a healthy glow all day everyday.
- Hair removal with IPL. While on your honeymoon to some exotic and relaxing location, unwanted hair should be the last thing on your mind! IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) treatments should begin 6 months in advance. Hair removal with IPL is fast and very effective in eliminating large areas of unwanted hair. Light is absorbed by the pigment in the hair and converted to heat in the follicle. The heat damages the follicle and disables it from growing new hair. Excellent for areas such as the lip, under arms, or even the bikini area, this treatment lasts only 10 to 15 minutes, works best on darker hair, and is recommended in a series of four to six treatments. Consultation required.
- Cellulite reduction. Does the thought of wearing a bikini on your honeymoon make you cringe? Using our cellulite reduction system, Smooth Shapes, can reduce cellulite so you have less worrying and more time to enjoy yourself! Smooth Shapes is a pain-free treatment uses dynamic laser and light energy with the ultimate result of tighter and smoother skin. Collagen is regenerated, circulation is improved and metabolic processes are restored. Recommended in a series of eight. Consultation required.
- Holy Yoga. Begin a fitness routine that tones your body and soothes your spirit. Flexibility, strength, muscle tone, pain prevention, stress reduction, and improved breathing are all benefits you’ll find in a Holy Yoga class. Instructor Megan Peters is the only certified Holy Yoga instructor in Louisiana. Classes are held in the Resource Room at Seasons in Ruston.
3 months prior to the big day…
- Infrared Sauna. If you are trying to kiss those last few pounds goodbye you may want to try our infrared sauna. It’s designed to help you burn calories by simply relaxing.
- Swedish Relaxation Massage. To replenish your energy and rejuvenate yourself, there is nothing better than a Swedish relaxation massage. This particular massage is designed to relax your entire body and mind. After this treatment, you will feel refreshed and ready to take on any planning task.
- Hydradermie Lift. Hydradermie Lift provides a “youth revolution” by stimulating facial muscles to give them new tone and exerting a lifting effect on the features. Using galvanic currents, the hydradermie lift stimulates the muscles of the face, neck, and eyes giving you the effects of a face-lift without the surgery. This relaxing procedure encourages lymphatic drainage of the face and neck, reducing swelling and leaving your face with a youthful, healthy glow.
1 month prior to the big day…
- Hot Stone Massage. Relax and enjoy a complete mind, body, and soul treatment with the benefits of a deep tissue massage without the deep pressure. This massage promotes healing and well-being on all levels by using hot stones.
- European Facial. For all skin types, this relaxing facial includes cleansing, exfoliation, aromatherapy, steam and extractions. The pampering continues with an upper body massage followed by a custom mask and a moisturizer to finish.
- Paraffin Therapy. Experience this warm and relaxing therapy for hands or feet. Healing heat penetrates deeply and promotes relaxation. This therapy is ideal for achy muscles, arthritic joints, and rough, dry skin.
Confused? Overwhelmed? Let Seasons create a countdown plan for your big day with a free consultation. We’ll customize a treatment plan to fit your lifestyle, your budget, and your needs. Let us help you glow for your special day. Call 318-255-1155 (Ruston) or 318-340-1778 (Monroe) to schedule a consultation.
Massage On The Rocks
Hot Stone Massage by Bethany Cox, LMT
With so many wonderful massage choices available, you may find your self stressing about how to de-stress. The Hot Stone Massage, a new massage technique using heated stones, has many benefits that might just be right for you.
Therapeutic Benefits of Hot Stone Massage
In a hot stone massage, stones are heated and places on specific areas of the body relax the tissues and muscles. The stones’ heat makes the muscles pliable and prepares them for deep manipulation by the therapist. Muscular relaxation helps the therapists release deep-seated muscular tension and reduce stress levels.
Relaxation and stress reduction. Hot stone massage promotes overall relaxation and reduces stress levels. High stress levels can cause headaches, depression, muscular pain, overeating, digestive problems and sleeping problems. Our therapists use the stones to apply Swedish massage strokes, which consist of gentle, long and circular strokes that promote relaxation and re-energize the person receiving the massage.
Revitalize and relax muscles and muscle tissue. If you are recovering from an injury, a massage can speed recovery and improve muscles weakened due to inactivity. In addition to reinvigorating muscles, massage can provide relief to “trigger points” in the muscle. By relaxing tense muscles in one part of the body, other regions of the body will benefit as well.
Improve circulation. Hot stone massage improves circulation. The circulatory system is responsible for carrying freshly oxygenated blood from the heart and lungs to the rest of the body. Poor circulation contributes to peripheral vascular disease, which occurs when arteries are not able to send sufficient amounts of blood and oxygen to organs, arms and legs. Although hot stone massage does not reverse artery damage, it does contribute to improvements in circulation and aids the body in delivering oxygen and blood to surrounding tissues and muscles. While massage, in general, can improve circulation, hot stone massage is fantastic at achieving this goal due to the use of heat therapy. Therapists warm the stones to a perfect temperature, which allows them to inflate tiny blood vessels in your body and quicken circulation.
Toxin release. Perspiration serves not only as the body’s air-conditioner, but also aids in the release of toxins. By using heat therapy, such as hot stone massage, the increase of the body’s temperature causes perspiration to push toxins out of the skin’s pores. This can have a tremendously helpful effect on your overall health.
Hot Stone Massage available in 60 or 90 minute sessions. Hot Stones can also be added onto any Therapeutic or Swedish massage. For more information or to schedule your Hot Stone Massage, call Seasons – The Spa at 318.255.1155.
Fit4Baby Prenatal Classes at Seasons
Pregnancy is the perfect time to commit to you and your baby’s health! Stroller Strides and Seasons have teamed up to offer Fit4Baby. Fit4Baby is a prenatal fitness program created to safely and effectively teach women in any stage of their pregnancy to exercise.
Instructor and Ruston mom, Maryanne Smith, is nationally certified in pre- and post-natal fitness. Classes include warm-up, strength training, cardio, stretching, and balance exercises.
- 1 class = $10
- 12 classes = $100
- Fit4Baby Package: 6 Fit4Baby Classes, 60 minute Prenatal Massage, B-12/Folic Acid Sprayology = $145
- Fit4Baby Plus Package: 6 Fit4Baby Classes, 60 minute Prenatal Massage, B-12/Folic Acid Sprayology, Guinot Stretch Mark Cream = $219
Fit4Baby classes are held in the Resource Room of Seasons – The Spa in Ruston located at 1809 Northpointe Lane, Suite 202. Classes are held every Monday beginning January 3, 2011. Space is limited. Participants should call 318-255-1155 to reserve a spot for each class.
It’s Me, Bethany!
- Bethany Cox, LMT
College, for most people, is a time to really figure out what career path to choose. It’s a time to branch out, experience new avenues, and make life-long friends. For me, only part was true. I came to college knowing exactly what career path I wanted to take, which, ironically, did not require a bit of college in the first place. I wanted to be a massage therapist.
Choosing my major was not too difficult. A degree in health and exercise science was going to give me the anatomy/kinesiology background I would need to get a jump-start on the massage classes I would need to take in the future. Graduation came and went, and I was headed to Nashville to fulfill my career dream.
Massage therapy school at Natural Health Institute was one of the best years of my life! I really believe I learned more about myself in that one year than I did all through those four years of college. I began studying for my board exam in March, but experienced that typical “crunch time” those few days before the test in the beginning of May.
Nashville experienced quite a devastating flood during that same time (May 2010). That whole weekend I was stuck inside studying as the torrential rains came down. As horrible as that time was for Country Music City, I did get some good quality studying in. The end result: PASSED!
Being back in my hometown and working at Seasons – The Spa has been nothing short of a blessing! I’m happy to be back, and excited about this career. Here at Seasons, we like to think “outside the box” when it comes to healing and all-around well-being.
Massage therapy is a great way to help circulate healthy oxygen to muscles, increase flexibility, and send natural nutrients to all parts of the body. It also de-stresses the body. With our crazy schedules and hectic lives, we all need some time to just relax. My favorite part of this job is when my clients leave with a smile. You deserve a break! Call in or drop by to schedule your massage today!
Seasons Offers Massage Therapy
That’s right. We do massage therapy for relaxation and internal healing. It’s one of the many ways we seek to help our patients’ through total wellness.
So how does massage therapy contribute to internal healing and total wellness?
It relieves stress. And stress kills, you know?
But more than that, we believe there’s healing in touch. That’s a lot of why massage therapy is so powerful. I believe human touch helps to heal us.
That’s why Seasons offers different types of massages. Traditional Swedish massages for relaxation. Hot stone massages. Essential oil massages. Athletic or deep tissue massages to help repair damaged tissues and muscles from athletic injuries and other kinds of injuries.
We cover the gamut—from helping people who come to us with strained muscles to relaxing people who are just stressed out and need a relaxing Swedish massage.
