Sweat365 » A Day At The Naked Spa

A client of mine recommended a spa that she has been frequenting for years. This place does full body scrubs, facials, body wraps and massage at fairly reasonable rates. The spa has mud and jade, charcoal, salt, sand, elvan stone, and meditation rooms. These various rooms supposedly aid in increased blood flow, reduction of PMS, and even help reduce blotchy freckled skin. She absolutely loves going to this spa. “The only problem is you gotta be naked.” she warned.

I decided to give it a try and booked an appointment after running the Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon. Prior to leaving Vegas, I took advantage of the Spa at Caesars. The dimly lit pools, saunas, and cold rooms were relaxing. Swim suits were optional and I didn’t have one. I quietly slipped into the pool after hanging up my robe. New age music, along with dim lighting provided a soothing environment. While I was a little uncomfortable at first, I was able to relax.

I thought the Naked Spa at home would be something like Caesars, and wouldn’t be a big deal. I was ready to get naked at the Naked Spa upon my return home.

I wanted to treat myself and recover from a long season of running and racing. I had run 5 half marathons and was feeling the wear and tear on my body. I chose the glowing package, which included a full body scrub, and an anti-aging facial. I arrived at the spa for my treatment and took a tour. I was given a bracelet with a number and instructed to spend at least 30 minutes soaking in the pool. Robes are worn throughout the mineral rooms, hallways and cafe. No clothing is allowed in the pool area.

As I walked into the brightly lit room, I am thinking this is nothing like Caesars! There is no ambiance, no dim lights and soft music. This is like being in a high school locker room.

I strip off my clothes and take a shower. I try to be inconspicuous as I walk buck-naked to the soaking pools. There are women of all shapes and sizes talking and lounging in the pools. They appear to be totally relaxed and uninhibited.

I was determined to keep an open mind, and I realize that being naked in front of a crowd has been a re-occurring nightmare for me.

Maybe, I’m not open-minded after all? There is a tickle in my throat and notice that my nose is getting a little stuffy. I don’t know if it was from the flight the day before or if I had caught a cold. I struggled not to cough.

I sampled the various rooms, but didn’t spend a lot of time in them. I was mostly waiting in the pool area for my number to be called. When it was my turn I was lead by a stout woman with muscular forearms into a curtained off area with a row of massage tables. Naked women were lined up on the tables without any partitions between them, one after another. They were receiving scrub treatments, massages and facials. Attendants are dousing the women with water to rinse off the residue of dead skin and sea salt. Some women are being slathered with lotions and massaged. Others are being wrapped in towels.

I laid down on the table in my birthday suit and closed my eyes. I felt like a piece of sushi laid out on the table, totally exposed. Soon I was receiving the scrub of my life. The attendant wore loo-fa mitts and rubbed 99% of my body almost raw. She scrubbed me like my mama hadn’t even scrubbed me as a baby. Every now and then I would open my eyes, only to see someone else receiving the same treatment.

I don’t know, I guess I’m a prude. I like privacy and I don’t want to see someone’s naked butt on the table next to me or at least not that close.

The attendant kept asking “Are you okay?” She must’ve noticed tension in my body as she moved me onto my side to scrub my armpits. I looked down to see all the dead skin that came off my body. The next step was a few minutes in the sauna and a ritualistic pouring of mineral water over my newly exfoliated skin.

Then I went back to the tables for a moisture massage and a facial. I laid down on my back while what appeared to be an avocado salad was piled high on my face, like a tower of guacamole. The stuff was so thick and heavy that I had trouble breathing. I thought I would sneeze or cough any moment and my salad would be all over the place. Again the attendant asked, “Are you okay?” as she placed cucumber slices over my eyes. I’m thinking no, I’m not okay. I’m about to lose it. Miraculously, I got through my facial without blowing salad throughout the spa.

Afterwards, I put my clothes back on and my skin felt amazing. The service at the Naked Spa is thorough even if it isn’t swanky. You can’t beat their prices for spa treatments. If you are comfortable in your own skin and don’t mind sharing space, it’s worth it.

However, I prefer dim lights, privacy, a little ambiance even if it costs more.

Filed under: A Day At The Naked Spa, Day Spa, Half Marathon, Massage, Running, ambiance, birthday suit, body scrubs, fitness, fitness recovery, half marathons  |  Digg! this story.  |  Leave a Comment