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Spa for 2
by author Ann-Marie Metten

When the sizzle has clearly begun to fizzle, enhance the romance in your relationship with an at-home spa. Stimulate all five senses and you’ll both benefit from a little break in routine.

 

Let’s work through the first four sense stimulators of flavour, scent, sight, and sound in a few advance preparations before getting to the most important sense of all—touch and the therapeutic oxytocin release it brings.

 

Flavour

Set the mood

Prepare something light to eat such as fresh seafood, local cheese and fruit, or maybe grapes glacés – frozen grapes make a delightful little nibble – or chocolate-dipped strawberries that you’ve purchased or made yourself (see sidebar).  Organic wine can often soften the mood; or liven things up by serving sparkling water with citrus slices.

 

Scent

Add a subtle aroma to the room with clean-burning soy or beeswax candles. Or infuse the space with calming essential oils such as ylang ylang, patchouli, clove, sweet orange, and clary sage – all boost sensuality.

 

Sight

Now create visual excitement with deep, rich colours in fabrics and finishes. Hot pink, raspberry red, even purple and terra cotta, all flatter the skin and warm the look of the room. Most commercial spas relax the eyes with cool whites, but for this at-home spa we want to create intensity, so go with red.

 

Sound

Ravel’s Bolero is an old reliable when it comes to sensual sound, but it might be more interesting to play something exotic, such as the Sanskrit chants of Deva Premal’s Embrace (White Swan, 2003) or Krishna Dal’s collaborations with Sting and other contemporary artists on The Best of Krishna Dal (Triloka, 2007). Or rise with the soaring vocals of Ashana in All Is Forgiven (White Swan, 2006).

 

One last thing: an hour before your spa, set the thermostat at a comfortable 75 F (24 C) for maximum enjoyment. Just remember to turn it back down later.

 

It’s business time

With preparations out of the way, it’s time to get down to business. Welcome your partner home and serve up a little something to eat—then maybe offer a shower to wash away the stresses of the day.

 

Before climbing into the shower, get the blood flowing by brushing the body with a dry loofah; then scrub with a soothing lavender or invigorating eucalyptus exfoliating wash. While you’re enjoying the warm cascade, put the aaah back in your relationship with a little scalp massage. It won’t take long, but it sure feels good!

 

Touch

Towel off and wrap up in slurpy soft robes before heading into the spa room, where you’ll light the candles and make your partner comfortable.

 

Warm massage oil by rubbing a few drops between your palms; then spread the oil slowly with even, circular strokes. Knead the back of the neck; rotate the shoulders; stroke up and down the spine. Massage the hands, feet, and ankles. Repeat movements at least three times, and watch your partner’s reaction—it’s all about communication.

 

Communicate and connect

Ann-Marie Metten researched these techniques as an antidote to the reno-blues that were plaguing her relationship. Guess what? They worked.

Source: alive #316, February 2009