Brrrr! We are approaching a dose of cold weather and winter has just begun in Pennsylvania. Here are two of Spa Shawnee and Salon's personal favorite suggestions for keeping warm this winter:
1. Get regular massage! As most of us know, #1 benefit of massage therapy is "improved circulation". The reason most of us have cold feet, hands, noses, and achy muscles during these frigid months is "poor circulation". There isn't a better way to keep the blood, oxygen and energy flowing.

2. Step it up a notch and book a "Hot Stone" massage. Depending on the price, therapist, etc. hot stone massages come in different varieties. Sometimes stones are placed on the body for healing or chakra balancing or integrated into a full body massage session. In our own River Stone sessions we incorporate stones and hand manipulation. The stones provide warmth to the tissue encouraging relaxation as well as a feeling of true roundedness. You literally melt into the table.

So, don't forget to take care of yourself this winter and get regular massage. Plus, massage gift certificates make the perfect holiday gift.. Spa Shawnee is offering the Give and Get Gift Card Set. By purchasing a $50.00 Experience Shawnee Gift Card, you get a $10 Gift Card for yourself. Purchase a $100.00 Experience Shawnee Gift Card and get a $25 Gift Card!

Spa Shawnee and Salon is located in the lower level of The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, just adjacent to the Golf Shop. Spa Shawnee is a full-service spa offering guests massages, facials, body treatments, hydrotherapy, manicures, pedicures, body scrubs, and full salon services.

Spa Shawnee and Salon offers Wyndham guests an exclusive discount on spa and salon services. SpaShawnee.com

I Need and IPhone

“I need an iPhone”. That is what I heard for the last few weeks from my dearest friend. “Why?” I asked. “Because I want one and it can do so many things that you would not believe” she responded. Yeah, it can do so many things, but do we really benefit from ALL those things that occupy our minds constantly. Yes, constantly. Checking your phone for new messages, who called, who did I miss, how did they respond to my text, and on, and on.

At the same time we are bombarded with ideas of holistic healing, finding peace and quiet within yourself, trying to balance your life, and so on. May I ask: How am I supposed to find peace within with my iPhone next to me? Sorry, does not work for me. Why do we do it to ourselves? Why do we complain that we cannot find time for x,y, or z, but we do find time to check our phone, e-mail, IM, facebook and all other “socializing” places. Why can’t we find time to MEET those important people who text us, post on facebook, and write (or not any more since facebook invention) e-mails to us. If anyone has an answer, please let me know. I am really curious.

I hope I will never NEED an iPhone to talk to someone.

Think Green

Green has comes in so many colors. Sometimes it is hard to call them by name. On my recent trip to the lake, my friend and I were trying to come up with a name for beautiful shade of water on that rainy and cloudy day. We thought it was blue, but green. When we looked at the water – it seemed to be blue, but surrounding mountains and clouds made water and air look green. Nature is just awesome regardless of weather. Green is a big word now. Many people want to be “green”, because it is trendy; save “green” being “green”; be “green” for future generations, for themselves, and so on….

I catch myself being obsessed with thinking “green”. Yes, it does save some “green” being “green”, but where is the limit of being so eco-logically conscious? Sometimes I think I am the only freak who separates organic from recyclable and other waste; buy only necessary items, drag my eco-bags and reuse every possible shopping bag, lower AC/heat at work (do not have AC at home), donate everything possible to others, reuse containers, do not buy processed food, reuse water from fresh flowers to water other plants; reuse old towels and clothing for rags… and the list goes on and on. Where do I stop? I like “eco-me”, but I get so discouraged seeing trash on the side of the road, explaining recycling to my co-workers over and over again, or even worse – to my friends who DO NOT CARE! How do I change their thinking? I was lucky – I was brought up with green philosophy. My parents were always very “organic”. Back then it was easy, especially in my country (Poland) where McDonald’s did not exist, but what about others? I do not want to be the only “freak” on the green block…

Oh...Man!

Why aren’t more men getting spa treatments? Athletes get massages, go to saunas and steam rooms. Some of the most renowned spas in the world are often patronized by affluent men. So what are normal Jacks and Johns afraid of? Maybe it is because I am a woman, but I see it differently, I think it is sooo… macho for a MAN to get a face treatment, manicure, pedicure, or massage. As a woman I find it attractive for a man to take care of himself, look good, and what is most important –feel good.

Hello MEN! Feeling good, relaxed, and pampered is OK, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. Dealing with a soar neck or back by yourself is not going to heal it. Yes, that pain will go away, but you will feel much better and relieved quicker if you get professional a massage or facial.

A lot of our male population have occupations that require them to be outdoors, or in tough to handle work environments such as warehouses, factories, roofs, mechanical rooms, trucks (just imagine driving for hours!). GUYS! You do need good a massage or rejuvenating face treatment as much as or even more than women. Spa treatments are more about your wellness than beauty. Just think about the number of men with high blood pressure. They do not even want to take pills because they think that there is nothing wrong with them (if they do not feel pain of discomfort, it means they are fine!). Just get a massage once a month, take that time and treat yourself instead of another evening with a can of beer or soda in front of the TV.

I know, I know, some will say: “Waste of money” because they do not SEE the results. Ok, do some research and type in “benefits of massage”…. Endless…

Not convinced? Do it for your significant other. Do it together, get couples treatment, make her happy, or whatever reason is best for you. Just try it. You will like it and you will FEEL better.
I guarantee it!

April - Nature

When I think about this coming summer, I realize that it will be my third summer working at The Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort, and fourth summer for Spa Shawnee and Salon. Oh my… time flies… When I think of the future, I still see myself here, on the banks of Delaware River, watching how seasons unwind, the river flows by, geese come and go, and Shawnee grounds get more beautiful every day. We are so blessed to work here, and share all those beautiful surrounding with our guests. Those who visited our destination once know what I am talking about. It is an amazing experience to live AMONGST this environment to be part of it.

I came across an article referring to the upcoming Earth Day lately, and realized that often time’s we-people do not consider ourselves as part of Nature, but think that we own the Nature. We do things to preserve Nature, environment, and limit natural resources used by our civilization, and so on… (You know - all green efforts). Well, we are wrong; at least that is what I think. We ARE only a tiny part of this massive creation, this mastered to perfection existence. A tiny part that thinks it is smarter, better and able to rule this creation. We should start with RESPECT, and then we would not have to go back and fix what we messed up.

I love to hike. The Pocono’s is one of the greatest places to hike that I know of. You can discover new things every time you go on the same trail. Although you take the same path, the trail is not the same – it changes. Constantly… When I hike, I love to listen. Listen to the trees, and try to comprehend what those trees have seen and have gone through. It makes me bow to them and think of my tiny “me” and my tiny issues (family, work, bills) that overwhelm me on the daily basis. When I am hiking, there are no issues, no worries, just a thought: “These Mountains have been here forever (in human sense of time, I mean) and they will be here forever, after I am long gone with my little “issues”.

I love to listen. Listen to the Nature.