Editorial
Front Page - Friday, October 16, 2009
Weekly Indulgence
Samara Litvack
I got to A Better You Salon and Day Spa around 3 p.m. last Thursday. I was greeted at the door by smiling faces and once I checked in, I was led through the salon to the massage areas. There, I met Kita, my massage therapist, who directed me to the bathroom. There, I changed into a white terrycloth robe, then I went into the massage room, where I slid under a sheet on the massage table.
My ABU Signature Body Glow treatment began with me lying face down. Kita started the invigorating, full-body exfoliation on my back. To be honest, it hurt a little, but in a completely good way. She began at my shoulders and worked her way to the small of my back, kneading the muscles as she went.
A Better You’s signature body scrub has a minty, almost menthol smell. It is made in house from seven essential oils, mixed with salt, and is used in each of the spa’s signature services (the body glow, facial, hair service, massage, hand and foot treatments).
The body scrub is relaxing and soothing, and as I closed my eyes and listened to the light music and sounds of rainfall (with occasional faint thunder), that smell was just what I needed to completely relax.
Kita exfoliated the backs of each of my legs, working from the foot to the calf, from the hamstring to the hip. She worked up each arm, from the fingers to the shoulder, and then I flipped from my stomach to my back so she could finish the
treatment.
After she worked on the fronts of my arms and legs, she focused on my neck, chest and the tops of my shoulders. At that point, the scents of the body scrub went from relaxing me to waking me up a bit. When she finished, I took a warm shower (there’s a stand-up shower, right there in the massage room), toweled off and waited outside while she changed the sheets.
My skin felt amazing. I have fairly dry skin year round. (If it weren’t for Johnson & Johnson’s 24 Hour Moisture lotion, you’d be able to draw white lines on my legs with your fingernail any day of the year.) My skin was soft, moisturized and felt exceptionally healthy, after just a 20-minute scrub down. (And it smelled amazing too.)
Once I was back on the table, face down, Kita began what she called a “light massage.” Thankfully, she applied more than “light” pressure. In fact, it was the perfect amount. I like to feel my massages. I tend to carry stress throughout my neck and back, and appreciate any chance I get to relieve some of it.
She used a blend of the seven essential oils from the body scrub to loosen up each of my muscles under my freshly glowing skin. Again, she focused on my back, legs, arms and neck, and she ended with an amazing face-up massage on the back of my neck and my scalp. Once she finished, I was so relaxed that it took me several minutes to open my eyes, and several more to find the motivation to get up off the table and get redressed.
I spoke with Kita afterward, and learned that she is only three months out of school. She is a licensed massage therapist and manicurist, and received her training at Miller Motte Technical College, right here in Chattanooga.
I swear, if someone had asked me, I’d have guessed she was a seasoned veteran. Kita was very polite. She was very gentle. She created an exceptionally relaxing atmosphere and made sure I was comfortable with the pressure she applied throughout my massage.
“I imagine it’s me being on this table,” she said. “I give my clients the same thing that I want, because if you come in here for a massage, you must be stressed. Your muscles must be hurting. I’m going to give you the best massage ever.”
Kita mentioned a teacher she had who told her she’d gotten into the spa business because she wanted to help others. That stuck with Kita, and she tries to work with that thought in mind each day.
“I like hearing people when they say that felt good,” she said. “It makes me feel good. It makes me feel like I’ve done my part.”
Kita does massage, manicures and pedicures at A Better You. On staff is also Lori, a hair stylist, manicurist and makeup artist; Samantha, who does hair, manicures, pedicures and facials; and Jessica, the salon’s front desk coordinator.
Visit www.abetteryouspa salon.com for more information, and be sure to click the Kids Spa link, as “Spa La Petite” is one of A Better
You’s most unique offerings. The kid’s spa and salon offers everything the adult side does for ages 2 to 17, and even private parties for birthdays and special events.
For a sneak peek at what the spa has to offer, attend its Wine, Women and Makeup event, to be held at A Better You Salon and Day Spa (right off Shallowford Road, at 2255 Center Street) on October 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The girls will be offering complimentary chair massages, hand paraffin treatments, makeup consultations and door prizes. Make sure you reserve your free ticket in advance online or by calling 423-894-0078.
Contact Samara at samara@hamiltoncountyherald.
com.
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