Novato, CA Spa and Massage

The staff at The Fifth Avenue Spa showers clients with a repertoire of soothing treatments amid white leather couches and swaying sprays of cut flowers. Décor characterized by shades of sand lets accents of purple leap from sunset photographs, blooming orchids, and images of flying people-eaters gracing the walls. With contented sighs drifting free after massages and body wraps, patrons shutter electronic devices so as not to break the relaxing spell. The intimately lit treatment rooms make eyelids increasingly heavy and delight off-leash shadow puppets during waxing treatments and facials.

A wildly successful alternative to traditional day spas—its more than 300 locations blanket 36 states and half a dozen countries—Planet Beach Contempo Spa is a futuristic relaxation station where state-of-the-art machines administer all the spa and tanning services. These friendly automatons sometimes replace familiar treatments, as in the Luminous facial, a light-based service that delivers blemish-busting results similar to those of a conventional facial. But other equipment maps out new spa territory entirely: the Hydro-Derma Fusion chamber moisturizes the whole body with nutrient-rich steam in order to offset the effects of a dry climate or a rear-end collision with a salt truck. Other machines whiten teeth, spray tan skin, and massage muscles.

Planet Beach operates on a gym-style membership system, meaning that members purchase packages or pay flat monthly rates. As members spend more time at the spa, they get to know the helpful assistants who are always on hand to demonstrate how to use the equipment without activating its ability to cry.

Susan Renaud’s healing abilities stem from a lifetime spent developing a natural insight and intuition in regards to the well-being of others. From athletic pursuits to teaching, she has always found a way to empathize with and assess the source of pain in those around her. Today, through spiritual healing, she aims to enhance the lives of her clients by manipulating the natural flow of energy through their bodies.

Susan’s process employs energy healing at the cellular level, meditative regression, and other techniques to help to soothe physical ailments. More intuitive than an airport scanner, Susan probes inside the body to heal on physical and spiritual levels. Remote healing also helps Susan to unearth bodily complaints from afar or from beneath couch cushions. Once established, healing programs can include a variety of remedies from exercise and dietary changes to meditation and herbs.

At Perfect Day Massage, certified muscle menders customize massages to each client’s desires and corporeal cues, enhancing treatments with aromatherapy and gliding hot stones. Sessions may cycle through a number of modalities, from the stress-relieving strokes and kneads of Swedish massage to the therapeutic techniques of deep tissue and reflexology. Clients can choose from a number of all-natural essential oils, each equipped with fragrant aromas, distinct cleansing, and curative properties that can help clear respiratory passages, soothe irritations, or wash away lingering bacteria and clingy personal assistants. Therapists then skate soothing hot stones across sore backs, softening taut tendons. Upon request, sessions can conclude with tips on easing everyday discomfort through simple life changes, such as drinking tea or cushioning insoles with heaps of cotton candy.

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Lea Wildflower has practiced massage and holistic treatments for more than two decades. In that time, she has become an expert at relieving pain and tension, and she is especially adept at treating those who have structural imbalances or repetitive-use issues. During massages, Lea employs techniques such as hot-stone therapy, deep-tissue work, and Thai massage, which incorporates yoga-type postures and stretching. Additionally, she teaches self-care classes for people with insomnia.