I am as tightly wound as they come.
Type A
Anal
High-strung
Whichever adjective you choose for someone who lives a life heavy on self-imposed stress and light on relaxation, the description fits me. I work hard. I work out hard. I wish I could say I played hard too, but with three small children, two careers, and one house that I struggle to keep from being condemned for unfit living conditions by my town’s authorities, there’s not much time for that.
Sleep is for the weak, right?
And so it’s surprising that prior to my visit to The Spa at Midtown a few weeks ago, I was a spa virgin.
I had not experienced so much as a manicure, facial, or neck massage. I was under the mistaken impresson that spa trips were something other people did.
You know, more relaxed, more zen, more chill people. Definitely not me.
Don’t worry. I know what I’ve been missing now.
About a month ago, I sustained a painful calf strain during the weekly long training run for my half-marathon. When the pain didn’t subside, I called a chiropractor recommended to me by trainer Bruce Hedlund. He suggested I get a calf massage. And desperate to heal my injury quickly, that’s exactly what I did.
Once I entered the waiting area of the spa and closed the door, I instantly forgot that I was at Midtown. There was pleasant instrumental music playing. The lighting was soft. I could not hear a sound from the club. The spa is really its own insular, peaceful entity amidst the bustling energy of the rest of Midtown.
I was soon greeted by Aimee Brodeur, who is one of the spa’s Licensed Massage Therapists. And while I was a bit apprehensive about what to expect, she immediately put me at ease with her calm and welcoming demeanor.
She led me into a dimly lit room, and then left me to get situated. Once she came back in, we chatted a little, but then I allowed myself to just…relax. This is something I do not do on a regular basis. I lead a pretty hectic and highly scheduled life. And while I pride myself on my ability to keep most of my balls in the air at all times, doing so requires a lot of effort.
During my 30-minute massage, I was somehow able to completely let go. I was comfortable. The massage felt wonderful. And perhaps most incredibly, stressed-out, sleep-deprived, chaos-driven me was thisclose to falling asleep mid-massage.
Image courtesy of Annville Inn
It felt that good.
And it was over too soon.
If I had know that that was what I had been missing all those years of shunning spa services, I would never have let 34 years elapse before receiving my first one.
And it certainly won’t be that long before I get my next one.
I have nothing with which to compare spa experiences, but in showing The Spa at Midtown brochure to several friends and to my mother, a spa veteran, I learned that the extensive services offered at the club’s spa are extremely affordable when compared with some other spas in the area. You do not need to be a member of Midtown to book services at the spa.
And Aimee was fantastic. She is friendly, professional, and extremely good at what she does. If she could make someone like me feel completely relaxed and practically fall asleep on the table, I’m confident in saying that she must possess some magical powers in her hands. Book a massage with her. You won’t regret it.
What do you like best about spa services? What’s your favorite Spa at Midtown service?
Think you know everything there is to know about Midtown? Whether you’ve belonged to the club for years, or you’re enjoying your first month as a member, I think at least one thing on this list will surprise you.
I asked Midtown managers and staff about the services, amenities, classes, and general features of the club that they feel are under-utilized simply because members might not know about them.
Here’s what they had to say.
Category: Pool
Secret: You CAN Find a Quiet Reading Spot
If you’re like many Midtowners, you choose your spot on the pool deck based on where the sun is shining (or isn’t shining) and where the crowds are (or are not). However, that much-sought-after quiet spot to read or catch a cat-nap is sometimes elusive.
However, what many don’t know is that the club uses Sonos, a highly advanced music system that divides the pool deck into zones. Members in each zone can hear different music played at different noise levels. According to Tim Auerhahn, Aquatics Director, those in search of a serene place to read should head to the East deck (near the apartments) or the South deck (near the tennis courts). The music in these zones is generally much quieter.
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Secret: Workouts in the Water
If you’re looking for a way to mix up your daily workout, train for a triathlon, or swim more laps in less time, look no further than the Adult Fitness Swim program. Your coach will put you through a competitive-style practice in the pool. You’ll receive individualized attention because the group is small, and your coach will put together your entire week of water workouts. This year’s coach has a great pedigree in swimming. The session begins on June 2nd, and you can sign up at the front desk.
Category: Mind/Body
Secret: Pilates Reformer Training is All About Results
Want to strengthen your core and transform the way your body looks, feels and performs? Check out Pilates Reformer Training, which is gaining in popularity because of the results achieved by those who have taken it. Check out the information wall for the schedule, and then sign up at the front desk.
Category: Mind/Body
Secret: Start Your Weekend Off Right with Guided Meditation
Before you pitch the office printer into an open field or begin harassing your co-workers about your missing stapler, you might want to try a little meditation. Every Friday morning from 8:20 until 8:40, you can attend a guided meditation class. No experience is necessary, and you can either wear your workout gear or your professional clothes.
Category: Front Desk
Secret: Yet Another Use For Your Cell
Keep misplacing your membership keytag? Check into the front desk with your cell instead! Simply take a photo of the barcode on your membership card with your cell phone’s camera, and then use the image on your phone to check in at the front desk.
Category: Housekeeping and Facilities
Secret: Keepin’ It Clean and Orderly
If you’ve ever been crushed upon finding your favorite treadmill out of working order, you can help bring it back to life sooner simply by picking up the phone. Members can dial #264 from any public phone at the club to access the voicemail box of the Housekeeping and Facilities Hotline. Let staff members know of an area in need of housekeeping attention, a broken piece of equipment, or a rack that requires towels. Messages are checked three times a day.
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Secret: Package Makes Perfect
It’s shower, wedding, and graduation season, and a gift of luxury and relaxation from The Spa at Midtown is sure to please. You can purchase a soothing massage, rejuvenating facial, or a stylish nail service, or package them together and save 10%. And don’t forget to stop in for a treatment for yourself. You’re worth it.
Category: Events
Secret: First Tri’s a Charm
Competition will be fierce among the triathletes competing in Midtown’s very first Mini-Triathlon. You’ll swim, spin, and run for 15 minutes each (kids ages 7-14 will compete in three 10-minute sections), and then you’ll get to see where you rank among the club’s tri-stars. Tim Auerhahn says this event will sell out, so sign up early.
Category: Business Office
Secret: My Kids Bought How Many Bagels?
Curious about the price of that cafe smoothie, or want to double-check your monthly Midtown expenses? Your up-to-the-minute club transactions are just a few clicks away. Head to midtown.com/rochester, and click on Member Login in the upper-right corner. Log in with your username and password (or create an account if you haven’t already), and you can not only check your daily purchases, but also your past statements as well.
Do you have a lesser-known aspect about the club you’d like to share with fellow members? Let’s hear it!
Shanita Ray
Nail maintenance is part of overall wellness and is just as important as skin care, hair care, and dental care.
Nails are not meant to scrape or scrub during housework or even to scratch off your winning lottery tickets!
Working one’s nails too abrasively can cause splitting and even lifting, which can lead to fungus growth. This is important for both women and men to remember.
Drink lots of water, and use a hardener and cuticle oil daily to help maintain strong and healthy nails.
In addition to good nail care, these will also allow your fresh new manicure to last twice as long!
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Shanita Ray has been a nail technician since March of 2010 and performs manicures, pedicures, and gel nail services. She’s also in training to provide other spa services at The Spa at Midtown.
