It’s all about the universe.

If you’re like me and believe things like “everything happens for a reason,” you’ll probably be interested in learning more about Reiki and energy healing, one of the lesser-known gems of the wellness lifestyle. I’ve never experienced it myself, but I have two very good friends whose mothers are Reiki masters, so I’ve been curiously attuned to it.

Speaking of attuning, I had a brief conversation yesterday with my Reiki Master Angela, who I’m meeting today. She explained that in order to access the Reiki (Universal Life Force) energy, one must be trained in the Reiki attunement process, which involves a “ceremony of spirit.”

Angela practices her healing at Vada Spa in New York City’s West Village, where I’ll be having my Reiki session today. According to her personal website, IsisLight.com, she describes Reiki as a Japanese healing technique that utilizes deep relaxation to calm the mind, reduce stress, relax the mind and ease the spirit. The “divine life-force” energy is brought to you through light touch over your clothes.

Reiki works by “channeling the appropriate frequency into the body to bring the damaged area(s) back to a harmonious state of being.” Angela prefaced she’d be asking me questions about my goals, concerns, my emotional and physical fatigue, any life crises I’m going through or decisions I need to make.

But let me say no more for now; tune in (attune in?) here to watch the live-recorded Reiki treatment on Live Spa TV:

Spa Week named Reiki and Energy Work one of the top 12 spa trends for Fall, and while sessions are usually upwards of $90, you can try it during Spa Week for just $50.

Reiki/Energy Healing during West Coast & Chicago Spa Week, September 13-19 – BOOK NOW at the following spas:

In Chicago…

Ruby Room
$50 Treatment: Energy Healing Treatment AND Enerssage Treatment

SpellBound Bodywork & Beauty
$50 Treatment: 60 Min Holistic Massage with an Energy Reading

www.spellboundbodywork.com

In Arizona…

Agave at the Westin Kierland
$50 Treatment: 100 Min Meditation Calmquest

In Los Angeles…

CityLife Medical and Fitness Spa
$50 Treatment: 75 Min Stretch. Sculpt. Heal. Package: 45 Min Private Yoga Session followed by a 30 Min Reiki Healing

Vada Spa and others TBA will be offering Reiki during Spa Week on the East Coast/Midwest, October 11-17. (Directory launches September 13th. Sign up to receive updates.)

Vada Spa & Laser Center
387 6th Avenue
New York, NY 10014
212.206.1572

Let’s roll ‘em baby! Or not. By day five of your Hangover style excursion, you’re bruised and battered by the heavy cameras of clumsy tourists, every sight has been seen, and your tummy can’t handle another all-you-can-eat buffet. Curiosity is piqued and now you want to experience life off the strip. We got the scoop on all there is to do in Vegas from the gurus at Vegas.com. Some of city’s best attractions are tucked behind the limelight.

Start Your Engine

Pole Position Raceway Las Vegas. Curb your need for speed at the Pole Position Raceway Las Vegas. The track is open Sunday to Thursday 11am-11pm and from 11am to midnight on the weekend. The prices are for 2 races per adult is $55 3 race per adult is $80. Score an All-You-Can-Race Day Pass for $125. For more information click here.

Climb

Keep those abs, arms and legs toned and ready for more poolside lounging at the Red Rock Climbing Center. If you ever wondered what a huge mountain trapped in doors would look like, here’s your chance. The walls stand at a towering 35 feet, with routes measuring 100 feet in length. For the daredevils, there is also 1,000 square feet worth of overhangs and roof routes. Go Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Grab a day pass for $15, or a monthly pass for $60, 5-climb punch card available for $60, 10-climb punch card available for $90. Equipment rental (shoes and harness) for $8. For more information click here.

Indulge

After a long day of sight seeing and extreme sports you’ll need a big meal to get your energy back up. The Tillerman Las Vegas is a classic, upscale eatery that has been in business for 30 years. Fill up on hearty steaks and tasty seafood. Each day, the freshest, highest quality fish is brought in by Chef Miguel Magana for that night’s dinner service. Delicious turf-style appetizer choices include Asian crackling baby back ribs, Cajun beef and escargot in portabello mushroom caps. For more information click here.

Be Dazzled

What is a trip to Vegas without a stopping by the kingdom of high  exuberance? Step into the glamorous mirrored world of Liberace and you’ll see an extravagant piano covered in tiny mirrored squares, a dazzling mirrored covered Rolls Royce, flashy costumes, and unlimited amounts of sparkling bling.  Created in 1976, his non-profit Liberace Foundation for the Performing & Creative Arts helps college students receive scholarship assistance. For more information click here.

Bliss Out

Finally, after that Vegas style triathlon, it’s time to indulge in some much needed spa time at Facelogic Las Vegas. Conveniently located 15 minutes from the South end of the Las Vegas Strip the relaxation haven embraces Southern Nevada residents, as well as visitors from out of town to experience high end facials at an affordable rate. For Spa Week, September 13-19th ($50 treatments !) Facelogic Las Vegas wants to glam you up with facials, massages, and more! Indulge in any of the treats below. 4360 Blue Diamond Road, Las Vegas, NV 89139, (702)- 531-3223

1. 65 Min Customized Signature Facial & Brow Wax, Including Décolleté, Neck, Arms and Hand Massage
2. 60 Min Diamond Point Microdermabrasion Elite Facial, Including Décolleté, Neck, Arms and Hand Massage
3. 60 Min Casmara European Mask Facial, Including Décolleté, Arms and Hand Massage & Choice of 8 Masks

Images courtesy of Lamborghini Car Reviews, Frugal Vegas, Food Mayhem, nndb.com, Good Luxe Daily and Chic Travelista Blog

Many sneeze-stricken souls in sniffly sinus situations are seeking the spa for solace. (Repeat that 5 times fast.) Fighting Allergies is #1 on our list of top 12 treatments for Fall. Why? Because more than 50% of you suffer from allergies (fact!) and allergy relief has not only become more common in spas, it’s also one of the most tangible ways to reap the health benefits of the spa lifestyle.

One of our Orange County spas, CloudMover Day Spa, is offering a Sinus/Allergy Relief Massage combined with their signature HB Facial during the upcoming Fall Spa Week (Read: $50). With your nasal passageways in mind, we asked CloudMover a few questions about this treatment:

Who is a candidate for a Sinus/Allergy Relief treatment?

The clients that benefit the most from this treatment are those who suffer from intense sinus pressure, migraines and stress headaches.

In your own words, what can a client expect during a Sinus/Allergy Relief Massage?

When providing an Allergy Relief Massage we always begin with soft lighting in the treatment room, in case the client suffers from light sensitivity due to migraines. We also keep all scents to a minimum as to not over-stimulate the client.

We then proceed to wrap the client’s lower body in a cocoon-like fashion giving them a sense of comfort and security. Essential oils are combined with an oil-free massage solution to prevent clogging of pores. Eucalyptus oil is recommended to maximize the treatment’s circulation stimulation properties.

Using our essential oil blend, pressure point massage is then gently applied to several areas including BL1 (just above inner eyes), BL2 (inner brows), GB21 (back of neck) and ST2 (below the pupil). These pressure points stimulate the movement of congestion in the sinus cavities alleviating headache pressure and inflammation.

To get the best results we include a scalp and shoulder massage to stimulate lymphatic flow, leaving the client with a feeling of total relief and relaxation.

If we want to supplement a treatment with Allergy Relief when it’s not Spa Week, what do you suggest?

We recommend a 15 – 30 minute service for best results. Cost: $25 for 15 minutes and $45 for 30 minutes.

Are there medical risks associated with this treatment?

Trained providers are required for CloudMover Allergy Relief Massage. When working with pregnant women certain pressure points like the HOKU (point between thumb and forefinger) can affect the pregnancy. CloudMover always uses client intake forms to identify allergies and health conditions that are contraindications.

Do you have any quotes from your allergy-prone clients?

“I felt like my head was in a vice when I came into CloudMover for the service. When I left the room my headache was gone and I could breathe out of my nose again. Even more important, Marisa was well trained and took into consideration for my pregnancy.” –Alana C., Client since 2006

“I don’t know what you do but even with a custom facial massage you relieve the congestion better than any allergy medicine I’ve ever taken.” –Leslie M. Client since 2007

Want to book this treatment for yourself? Let CloudMover uncover your sunny, smiling side during Spa Week for just $50. Booking has begun, and this treatment is in high demand. Sign up for Spa Week and give them a call to book and learn more:
CloudMover Day Spa
7368 Center Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714.890.0900

The $50 Spa Week treatment: 60 Min HB Facial with Diamond Peel or Sinus/Allergy Relief Massage

Photo courtesy of http://sinusinfection.provenremedies.info

The Concrete Jungle is a scary place—iPod listeners bump into you on the subway, tourists come out of nowhere to form solid brick walls on the sidewalk in front of you, and you could literally get hit by a bus at any moment.

The solution? Improve your proprioception. You’ve probably never heard of it, but you need it. It’s the ability to sense the position, location, orientation and movement of the body and its parts. Put simply, it is the body’s process of maintaining balance and equilibrium. Once you master that, you can then go on to master your surroundings.

Noam Tamir, your certified virtual fitness coach and president of Flex4Fitness, shares 3 simple exercises to advance

your proprioception, lessening your chances of getting hit by a bus or a tourist:

1. Balancing on one foot

Shift your weight onto one leg. Stand on that foot and stretch the other leg out in front of you, a few inches off the floor.  Hold that one leg up for a ten count.  Slowly return your leg to the starting position.  Repeat with the other leg. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

2. Side Leg Raise

Stand straight, directly behind table or chair, with your feet slightly apart.  Hold the table gently for balance if you need it.  Slowly lift one leg to the side, 6-12 inches off the ground.  Hold position and slowly lower your leg.  Your back and knees are straight throughout exercise.   Repeat all reps on the first leg before switching to the next. Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

3. Step Ups

Stand in front of an elevated surface about 15 inches high or lower (ie: bench, stairs, ottman).  Make sure you pick a comfortable height where you don’t compromise safety. Begin by lifting either leg and step-up as you were walking up stairs, followed by the other foot.  When coming down, the last leg to go up is the first leg to come down. Return to the starting position and then repeat.  Repeat all reps on the first leg before switching to the next.  Do 3 sets of 10 reps.

Image courtesy of Taji on Maui’s Blog

Have you planned your weekend yet? Hosting a fabulous spa party, no doubt. Actually, you’re probably not. And that’s fine. Which is why we love hearing from Miss Cozy each week with her top cheapie weekend picks around the US of A.

Miss Cozy’s Tip of the Day: If you forgot to re-apply sunscreen after your beach outing, you probably walked away with raw tight skin, the color of a tomato. To soothe sunburned skin, heat a cup of regular oatmeal with one-half cup whole milk until cooked. Let cool and apply to burned skin. The oatmeal soothes and the milk acts as a gentle exfoliant to remove dead cells.

(Check out CozyWallet.com for more swank ways to save money)

If you have the chance, try to stop by one of these great events this weekend:

Huntsville, Alabama – Feel like you put on a few pounds recently and want to get back in shape? A triathlon might be the solution. Starting at 7am enjoy a 3 mile run, 6 mile bike and 400 meter swim at Brahan Spring Park. The race starts at the South End of the Old Huntsville Airport and ends at the Huntsville Natatorium. (3770 Ivy Avenue) For more info, check out  Huntsville Sprint Triathlon.

Phoenix, Arizona – Another chance to get fit this summer with free workouts courtesy of CrossFit Scottsdale and Zenergy Yoga (all workouts are designed for any fitness level) Fridays @ 9:30am til 10:30am located at the Fountain Court across from Mojo Yogurt. It’s recommended to bring a mat to yoga classes as mats are limited. Receive 10% off your morning coffee at Press Coffee Food Wine just for coming. For more information visit City Center of City North.

Atlanta, Georgia – Creative Loafing brings cool beverages to the streets of Atlanta with Highland Avenue Beer Fest this Saturday, August 21st! It’s going to be a party in the streets from noon – 6 p.m. with over 100 craft beers, live music and great food from local eateries. The festival will be held in Inman Park at Highland Ave and Elizabeth. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door. For more information visit clatl.com.

Detroit, Michigan – It’s that time of year again.. in Metro Detroit when classic cars come to cruise. GM, Ford and Chrysler—The Big Three—all have roots tied to Woodward Avenue. In the cruisin’ era, urban legends grew that the Big Three tested their prototypes on Woodward. Famous nameplates such as Pontiac’s GTO, Chrysler’s Hemi cars, and Ford’s Mustang variants. On August 21st, check them out on Woodward Avenue, Get a chance to see latest iterations of the Mustang GT, Chevy Camaro and Dodge Charger. For more information visit The Woodward Dream Cruise.

Nashville, Tennesee – “Meet Us at the Barre” for the second annual Beer at the Ballet! Friends of Nashville Ballet invites the public to attend the second annual beer tasting event, Beer at the Ballet, on Friday, August 20 from 6:30pm – 9:30 pm – The evening will feature beer samplings from Yazoo Brewery, Dan McGuinness, and Magic Hat Brewery, along with food tastings provided by local restaurants Virago, The Mad Platter, The Local Taco, Zumi Sushi, and The Cupcake Collection. Included in the ticket price, each guest will also receive a complimentary membership to Friends of Nashville Ballet, which provides various perks and discounts throughout the year for Nashville Ballet performances and events. Tickets in advance are $40 and $50 the day of the event. For more information visit Nashville Ballet.com.