Savor the Serenity of Santa FeAt the Shanah Spa and Wellness CenterBy Madelyn Miller
So you will find lots of good food and great massages. But my mission is always to find the best (and I certainly enjoy every calorie and back rub in the process).
Nestled deep within the loving arms of the Sangre de Cristos, on lands that are steeped in the culture of the Pueblo Indians, the spa feels like it is in a spiritual vortex. The area was the home of ancestors to the Anasazi—the ancient ones—and is imbued with the rich culture of Spain and Mexico and now home to some of the best healers in the world. ShaNah, which means vitality and energy is more than a spa to pamper. It is a sanctuary where one can take time out to be nurtured by Mother Nature, guided by ancient wisdom and touched by angels. Whether you come for a week, a day, or an hour, you will be giving yourself the gift of time, space, and knowledge. It may change your life. At ShaNah Spa, all sessions begin with an optional drumming and blessing to set the intention and open the heart. Each full 60 and 90 minute session is focused on the synergistic dance of therapist and guest. My therapist, Lenka, is one I will always remember, as much for her skillful touch as her healing, nurturing aura.
The Spa Treatment Menu offers a wide variety of services, each one created to invoke the bodies' natural healing response. From Native Stone Massage to the Tesuque Clay Wrap, Abiyanga to Desert Fusion, the treatments go beyond your highest expectations. Abiyanga. After a light dry brushing with raw silk gloves to exfoliate the top layer of the skin cells to allow the oils to deeply penetrate, guests are massaged according to traditional Ayurvedic principles, utilizing the exotic, aromatic oils of India. These are chosen to balance specific dosha of Vata, Pitta, or Kapha. This treatment concludes with an herbal infused sheet accompanied by a head, neck and scalp massage. Tesuque Clay Wrap. This unique high desert treatment begins with a light dry brushing, then a mineral rich clay masque is applied, nourishing and detoxifying the skin. The treatment is finished with a light massage using the spa's signature blend oil infused with native herbs to balance and moisturize the skin, leaving guests feeling wholly refreshed, nourished and balanced.
Herbal Detoxification Wrap. The lymph system is often considered the other circulatory system of the body and is instrumental in the integrity of the body’s immune response. This treatment begins with a 30- or 60-minute lymphatic stimulation followed by an application of Santa Fe clay spread over the lymph zones. A body wrap envelopes guests in herbal infused sheets, creating a private sweat bath. This is a perfect treatment for a total systemic detoxification.
Purification Polish: Native Americans use ground corn to cleanse and purify the skin. Borrowing from this widsom, blue corn is blended with mineral salts and Aloe Vera gel to make a refreshing and nourishing body scrub, which is then rinsed off in our invigorating Vichy shower. The treatment is finished with a hydrating massage. Skin is refreshed, and leaves with a healthy, vital glow. (Please do not shave or exfoliate skin 24 hours prior to polish.) 60 minutes/$105
If you are serious about pampering your body, consider a package 1 Night Spa/Breakfast Package. Package includes deluxe accommodation, two 60-minute spa treatments per room, breakfast, resort fee, gratuities and tax. Rates quoted are per day, double occupancy. Buy 3-nt package and save $79.70/day, or 5-nt package and save $114.07/day. 50% deposit; balance will be charged 14 days prior to confirmed arrival date. Prepayment non-refundable 14 days in advance of confirmed arrival date. 50% deposit when reservation is made. Balance will be charged to credit card on file 14 days in advance of confirmed arrival date. Total prepayment non-refundable 14 days prior to confirmed arrival date. Reservations for these packages will come via SynXis, SpaFinder, SpaQuest, Based on availability; blackout dates apply I am not the only one who loves ShaNah. It was named Most Outstanding Spa in North America and the Caribbean by Conde Nast Johansens Recommended Hotel Guides The Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa You might be so blissed out, you will never leave the resort. But here are a few of my other favorite things to do in Santa Fe WHERE TO EATFuego (and be sure to try the foie gras) 505-982-5474 Inn of the Anasazi, 505-988-3236 Geronimo’s 505-988-5531 The Restaurant at the Inn at Loretto 505-988-5531 The Compound Restaurant, 505-982-4353 The Old House, Eldorado Hotel, 505-988-4455 Fuego Restaurant, La Posada Resort, 505-954-9670 SantaCafe, 231 Washington Ave. 800-252-8570 or 505-984-1788. Café Pasquals, 505-983-9340 (if you are traveling alone or in a hurry, ask to sit at the community table) Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill 505-820-2862. Healthy fast food, made fresh. Truly where the natives eat. BAR WITH THE BEST VIEWBelltower Bar in La Fonda BEST SUNDAY BRUNCHELDORADO HOTEL BLACK BOOK FOR CHOCOLATE LOVERS (maybe I should say dark semi-sweet brown book) Café Paris Bakery, 31 Burro Alley, (505) 986-1688 Gourmet Fudge and Wedding Favors Bumble Bee’s Baja Grill 505-820-2862 Try anything baked by Katalyna. She does a mean cowboy crunch and Mexican Espresso Brownies. I love the cowgirl kisses WHAT TO DOBrowse Canyon Road. This gallery row features an amazing assortment of fine art, crafts, antiques, jewelry, clothing and restaurants. Santa Fe School of Cooking Santa Fe Opera. One of the most famous in the world. www.santafeopera.org. FLEA MARKET. If you are there on a weekend, check out the flea market by the Opera. Tesuque Flea Market is the official name, but no one calls it that. The land it is on is owned by the Indians. Only open in warmer weather. SHOP FOR ART AND COWBOY BOOTSStop by Back at the Ranch, where Wendy Lane has been making fashion cowboy boots for the past 15 years. I believe she pretty much "owns" this niche. She has lots of celebrity clients, including the Governor of New Mexico. ART BROWSINGSITE Santa Fe is located at 1606 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, NM La Puerta Architectural Antiques is a spectacular place near downtown that has more than 15,000 pieces of hand-carved and antique wood from around the world, particularly the Middle East and Mexico. It's usually a must-see stop for people who are looking for that special piece of furniture or detail that always has a history or interest behind it. www.lapuertaoriginals.com Minkay Andean Art GREAT TIMES TO VISITDon’t miss the ArtFeast benefit event in late February. Souper Bowl Project Wine and Chile festival Annual Santa Fe Market, a free public celebration of the colorful arts, crafts, jewelry and cultures of Native Americans and the American Southwest. Usually the first weekend in April GREAT GUIDEBOOKSHidden Southwest LET’S GO ADVENTURE GUIDE SOUTHWEST USA 2003 Ski America and Canada has the best and most detailed overview of Santa Fe from a winter tourist/skier/snowboarder's perspective. MORE ABOUT NEW MEXICOTHE OLD WEST MOON HANDBOOKS NEW MEXICO FOR MORE INFORMATIONSANTA FE: 800-777-2489 BEST FREEBIEThe Official 2004 Santa Fe Visitors Guide - A Free Guide to Santa Fe: BEST WAY TO GET THERESOUTHWEST AIRLINES: 800-435-9792 |
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Santa Fe is known as a Mecca for spirituality and good food. And it seems everyone is either a chef or a massage therapist or lives with someone who is.
I have a well-educated palate and my body has been rubbed all over the world. But one of my peak spa experiences was at the Sha Nah Spa and Wellness Center at the Bishop’s Lodge Resort and Spa in Santa Fe.
ShaNah spa is a cocoon-like space, everything you need is nearby. It is well-thought out, but not overly elaborate because they recognize that the most important asset of the spa is the therapist. ShaNah empowers their therapists to do their best work in an environment that enhances their healing energy, their ShaNah.
I signed up for Native Purification Polish and Native Stone Massage. My plan was to have a late afternoon treatment and then go to dinner in a relaxed state. Well, Lenka did such a good job of getting me relaxed, I could barely make it back to my room (thank goodness for the courtesy vans) and I ended sleeping through dinner. My own personal rating scale for a massage is how well I sleep after one---and so my ShaNah treatments get the top rating.
Desert Fusion: Essential oils have a profound effect on body, mind, heart and soul. Before the session, essential oils are custom-blended to specifically address the needs of the guest. Treatment begins by dry brushing the skin with raw silk gloves to increase circulation and the effectiveness of the oils. This is followed by a balancing massage with the custom-made oil. The session concludes by a light body wrap in blankets, accompanied by a head, neck and scalp massage. As an added bonus, you take home the custom blended oil. 
Native Stones Massage. Healing with stones is an ancient form of therapy used by various cultures throughout the ages. Massaging the body using smooth, heated basalt river rocks and Swedish massage techniques, the body deeply relaxes as the warm stones melt away the tension and stress of living. Come dance with the special energy of the Stone Clan People and reconnect with your spirit. 
Watsu Massage. This extraordinary form of aquatic bodywork is based on stretching techniques and Shiatsu. The therapist provides continuous support to the body, which floats in a 96-degree private pool. The warmth of the water and the freedom from gravity allow flexibility of the spine that is rarely achieved through traditional massage methods. For guest comfort, a swimming suit is worn for this session.