A Note From Tracy
Your Shoulders Are Not Earrings and Other Spa Vacation Truths
This past week I had a massage with Janet Blevins. My neck and upper back were killing me and the headache that went with it was almost too much to bear. As I was complaining to someone on the staff, they reminded me that we had a group of very talented massage therapists here on property that just might be able to offer some relief. Duh? So off to the miracle worker I went. Now I don't know how many of you have had a massage with Janet, but she is wonderful. She has been a key member of our staff for many years and often teaches classes on the healing power of sound. As we were in the midst of a therapeutic and sometimes painful massage, Janet offered one of the greatest truths I can remember: "Your shoulders are not earrings". Well there it is - a constant reminder to take a deep breath, relax, and drop my shoulders. What a brilliant statement. In the past week, I have taken that statement to heart in trying to consciously work on relaxing my neck and shoulders.
Janet's statement got me thinking about what other spa truths we know in our heart, but at times don't "remember". One of the most important applies to vacations taken with close friends, mother-daughters or other family members: It is great to share a vacation, but you don't have to share every single experience. I think I see this with Mother-Daughter combinations the most, but two people traveling together are not required by some unwritten law to do every class, every meal, every treatment, etc. together. So many mothers who arrive with their daughters on a school break will express their frustration at how difficult it is to get their daughter out of bed by noon and how they are missing everything. No doubt, this causes some frustration on the ‘daughter' side of the equation as well. Well, here is the truth - just because you are traveling together does not mean that you are in need of the same vacation. One person may be trying to kick start a wellness and exercise program while the other is exhausted from school/work/family and just needs to rest. It is okay for each of you to share the vacation yet achieve the health benefit of a spa without doing everything together. So next time you travel to Lake Austin Spa Resort with a companion, plan to meet for a meal at least once a day, then enjoy some time to do what your body is telling you it needs!
Last, one of the greatest spa vacation truths ever, that you all know but seem to be unable to give yourself permission to embrace: At Lake Austin Spa Resort, we encourage you to do as much or as little as you like. I know you know this, but daily, a guest arrives with a color coded spreadsheet detailing activities, spa services, meal times and it seems, potty breaks, carefully planned and scheduled. Well I am here to tell you, you are missing the point. I say this all the time, but one of the greatest pleasures of a spa vacation is that you are offered time, precious time, and how you spend it is totally up to you. You are given time when you are accountable to no one but yourself. There is no greater gift. And as I am known to say, "Time you Enjoy Wasting, is not Wasted Time!" So give yourself the most precious gift the next time you visit with us - permission to do as much or as little as you like!
Now, let's review.
- Your shoulders are not earrings!
- A shared vacation does not require being joined at the hip for every moment.
- And last but certainly not least, do as much or as little as you like.
From all of your friends at Lake Austin Spa Resort, may you have a wonderful holiday season.
Be Well!
Tracy
General Manager
Contact Tracy directly at tyork@lakeaustin.com.