As the New Year gets off to a great start, many spa owners all over the nation are brainstorming about what new spa treatments, wellness therapies, fitness and beauty treatments they can offer that will attract more customers to their business and increase their revenue. Spas are shifting their focus from simply pampering their customers to offering entire wellness packages focused on a healthier lifestyle approach. Fitness, nutrition, yoga and medicine are powerfully pushing their way to the forefront of the spa industry. Here are the top 10 spa trends emerging for 2009.

1- Energy Therapies: Nowadays, everyone is talking about how they can save energy. Energy therapies, such as Reiki, healing touch, acupuncture, chakra balancing, as well as magnetic light and sound therapy will become much more popular than in the past. Energy medicine is...

While there are many positive benefits of receiving a massage, such as increased relaxation, loosened muscles and much needed stress relief, can it really contribute to weight loss? As it turns out, yes. Massages have a powerful effect on muscle-burning capabilities, fitness levels and weight loss. For those considering losing weight, a massage can be just what the doctor ordered to help you achieve your goal.

• Research has shown that deep-tissue massages increase blood flow and circulation, which distributes vital nutrients to the muscles. The increased blood flow to the tissues directly increases tissue metabolism. Basically, it’s as if your tissues are being exercised. Think about it- after you’ve worked out, you need to supply the lost nutrients back into your muscles somehow so that they can repair themselves.
• A massage can quickly maximize...

Planning a wedding can be extremely difficult and time consuming, no matter if you are the bride-to-be, the mother of the bride, or the maid of honor. There are countless details to choose from, including: when and where the event will take place, what time, colors, dresses for all the bridesmaids and maid of honor, the flowers, cake, accessories, decorations, a dj or a live band, honeymoon locations, travel arrangements, transportation, gift registry, priest, judge or bishop selection, pre-wedding parties, rehearsal dinner, the reception, etc… Making all of these decisions can be incredibly stressful and wind up being quite expensive. Some weddings can end up costing what you’d pay for a down payment on a home! During such a stressful time, why not plan a mini-spa getaway to relax and unwind?

Spa services are the perfect treat for the bride and her bridal...

A Vichy Shower is a piece of spa equipment that originated in Vichy, France and has been incorporated in many spas and salons throughout the world. It has 5 to 7 shower heads positioned above a cushioned wet table, set in a wet room. Wet rooms are tiled rooms that are similar to a bathroom, but much larger with a drain in the middle. The Vichy Shower is typically used to aid in body treatments, such as salt scrubs and body wraps. Instead of having to get up to go shower off the salt or mud in a personal shower, Vichy showers allow you to remain lying on the table as the water rinses your skin. The gentle cascade of water has been described to being in a warm rainfall.

Vichy showers can rinse the skin, ease muscle tension, aid in circulation and promote relaxation. The pressurized shower heads can be adjusted to focus on specific areas, or can pivot for an...