Think spas are predictable? Try adding a little animal magnetism to your next spa treatment. Ranging from the bizarre and even frightening to treatments that can sincerely improve inner growth, animal therapies are moving into the spa. For something adventurous check these five animal spa treatments out:
1) Leech Therapy. When Demi Moore announced on David Letterman that she's a fan of leech therapy, part of a detox program in Austria, it upped the hip quotient of the medieval practice of bloodletting. The secret, apparently, is an enzyme that these creepy crawlers release into your blood which somehow optimizes your health. Hmm. Did the ancient Egyptians who practiced bloodletting know something we don't? Beyond the hype, however, leech therapy is effective in some medical cases particularly to clean wounds and stop blood clots.
Where can I try it?
Why would you want to?
2) Fish exfoliation. Is that a fish chewing your toes? For a novel type of exfoliation, try fish therapy at Malaysia's new Sampuoton Spa near Kuala Lumpur, where minnow-sized Garra Rufa fish eat the dead skin cells off your body as you soak. You may think an organic papaya scrub would exfoliate just as well, but according to Joe Ng, the Director, this painless treatment "is the most natural way of dead cell peeling. The longer the fish nibble on us, the more relaxation we might experience."
Where else can I try it?
If Malaysia is too far to go from Toronto but you don't want to miss out, the Garra Rufa Fish Therapy is available in Montreal at TAMI Beaute des Ongles at 60, rue Duluth Est.
3) Horse-2-Heart. Start horsing around. You can learn a lot from a gelding named Boomer - especially about yourself. The Horse-2-Heart equestrian experience at Ste Anne's Country Inn and Spa in Grafton, Ontario, just an hour east from Toronto, can help you learn to interact better and tune into your own body language. You can't tell a horse what to do, it relies on nonverbal clues, and how it reacts to you can provides insights into the way you present yourself to the world. Ordering your horse to step onto a platform doesn't show leadership if it doesn't obey. Convincing it through confident posture and assured intention does. A surprisingly profound therapy.
Where else can I try it?
The famous Miraval Resort & Spa in Arizona offers a Miraval Equine Experience in Tucson.
4) Snake massage. Is that a snake on your back? For the truly daring, a snake massage at Ada Barak's Spa and Carnivorous Plant Farm in Northern Israel will get that blood flowing. Having non-venomous California and Florida king snakes writhing over your body is supposed to be relaxing - if you don't die of fright first. Located in Talmey El'Azar, Israel.
Where else can I try it?
The zoo?
5) Visualizing Flipper. You might not be really swimming with the dolphins but you can pretend that you are. A rejuvenating Virtual Dolphin Therapy at La Quinta Healing Arts in California recreates an underwater sanctuary with a multi-media mix of dolphin sounds, a screen showing frolicking dolphins and a vibrating sound wave table. Next best thing to being in the water.
Where else can I do it?
In the ocean.
Comments
Howzabout leaving those animals alone?? Why do they always have to service humans?
I don't think the leeches mind.
With what's been happening in the ocean lately, perhaps someday Virtual Dolphin Therapy is all we'll have left:(
Sounds relaxing, though!
Spa industry must be in BIG trouble to have to resort to such nonsense!
snakes? leeches? yikes! interesting read!
I like that the dolphin therapy is virtual.
eeeewwwwww!
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!