Where Relaxation Meets Wellness
Interview with Owner Cindi Flanagan by Tiffany Yancey // Photos by Kelsey Walters
Q: When did Abundant Health Day Spa first open and what is your mission?
A: I acquired Abundant Health Day Spa in November 2013. It had already been here about 10 years. I visited the spa and saw a vision of what it could be. I had been in the spa/athletic club industry for years prior to coming home to New Smyrna, so it was what I knew. Not to mention, I’m… shall we say, an “avid spa enthusiast.” It just seemed like the natural path for me. Our mission is to offer state-of-the-art treatments that provide optimum wellness for our clients, with the highest level of professionalism by elite spa therapists, as well as provide education for our clients to take control of their wellness outside the spa; all performed in a luxury environment that is calming to your mind, body and spirit. We want to be a part of our client’s wellness journey.
Q: What sets you apart from other day spas in our area?
A: First, we have very good spas in our area, each with their own personality and flair. I feel like we create a journey for our clients that rivals a high-end spa, but with a boutique feel. We are results driven with each service being personalized to the client based on their needs. From the moment you walk in our door, your service starts. You begin your treatment in our relaxation lounge with a warm neck wrap to help start loosening your muscles and tension, and you can enjoy our Serenity Dream Reef. Just enjoying the aquarium can lower blood pressure and ease stress and tension. Your Spa Specialist will come to get you for the actual treatment you are receiving. Once your treatment is over, you are welcomed back into the relaxation lounge with a warm neck wrap and fruit-infused water or tea for hydration and so you can gently come out of your zen zone rather than dashing right out to reality!
Q: Explain how your business slogan, “Where relaxation meets wellness,” is achieved.
A: We believe that spa is the pathway to wellness. Sure, you come to a spa to relax and feel pampered, but more important is the result you get from that. We want to ease your pain or “provide maintenance to your body,” if you will, so that you are well and can enjoy your life.
Q: You recently announced the addition of Float Therapy to your extensive list of services. Tell us all about it and how you can benefit from it?
A: We are so excited about this addition to our spa. We are the only place in Volusia County with Float Therapy! It is working its way into the mainstream as an important way to maintain your health and wellness. Basically, you float inside a pod that is approximation 9.5 feet long by 5 feet wide. Each pod is filled with eight to 10 inches of water and 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt. This is taking relief to a whole new level. When you float in the pod, you naturally float because of the density of the salt, which is denser than the Dead Sea. By putting your body in a zero gravity state, you get a natural chiropractic release. By allowing your mind to disconnect, you can reboot yourself, which more of us need to do. We are so connected 24/7 these days, we have to shut down somehow to clear our minds and reset. It helps with chronic pain and inflammation, muscle recovery after intense sports and athletic training, fibromyalgia, arthritis pain, migraines, stress and any stress-related illness, PTSD, anxiety disorders, insomnia, mental focus, clarity, creativity and so much more.
I truly believe that this therapy can help so many people for a range of reasons! We have had a client come in with a migraine – she floated and walked out with minor remnants of a headache. Clients have come in after a golf or tennis game to alleviate some aches and walked out ready to go play again. I think runners and biking athletes in our area would benefit greatly. I have talked to people that were on anxiety meds, but after floating on a regular basis, they were able to go off their meds. It is such a powerful way to achieve total body wellness.
Q: You have such a range of spa services you offer under one roof! I want to start with the basic, or most common services, and then get into the specialty ones. Tell me about each of these services and why you offer so many versions of each one.
A: Facials: So, our most popular facial is our Abundant Health Signature facial. It’s an infusion of oxygen, plant-derived stem cells and botanical enzymes, to encourage regrowth and rejuvenation of the skin. This facial also includes LED light therapy that encourages release of collagen and elastin. Our estheticians will consult with you at the beginning of each service determining what your skin needs are and make suggestions to you regarding what would be best for you. All our facials are customized to you.
Have you ever had a FULL BODY FACIAL? You can now! Imagine everything we do in a facial for your whole body. Exfoliation to buff away impurities, a mask/firming crème to tighten and tone skin, a neck, face and scalp massage, and finally moisturizer to leave skin feeling smooth, toned and hydrated!
Massage Therapy: We have a wide variety of massage treatments all for targeting different things or a combination of issues with the body. You will consult with your therapist to ensure the massage is tailored to your needs and preferences. We have a lot of specialty massages such as cupping, which is an alternative to deep tissue. We have manual lymphatic drainage massage to move lymph through your body alleviating swelling. Many people get this treatment for sinus relief and relief in their arms and legs where common swelling occurs. Our Total Balance massage uses a combination of relaxation massage, foot reflexology and Reiki. Foot reflexology refers to trigger points in your feet that connect to other areas of your body from sinus, to liver, to digestive functions and so much more.
All of our treatments can be done as a couple’s treatment, where you and your significant other or spouse can enjoy your treatment together in the same room.
Waxing: We use both hard and soft wax depending on what part of the body is being waxed.
Q: Now on to the specialty packages your spa offers for the mind, body and soul. Explain each of these services and how they help your clients.
A: Ayurvedic Treatments: We are so excited to have a full menu of Ayurvedic services. Katie Castellanos, our spa director, is also a certified Ayurvedic practitioner. She has developed a menu to include Shirodhara, Tibetan Singing Bowls and Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultations. Ayurveda is an ancient Indian health system that promotes prevention, rejuvenation and longevity by ensuring that we are living within our own unique nature, or Dosha, using diet and nutrition, exercise, mindfulness and body treatments. Katie can consult with you to determine your Dosha and then make the recommendations you need to live within your Dosha.
Third Eye Massage and the Serenity Massage are Ayurvedic treatments that incorporate Shirodhara, which is warm oil streaming over the forehead, or Third Eye, to provide balance and sooth and nourish the senses. It is great for headaches, anxiety, insomnia and nervousness.
In the Serenity Massage, Abhyanga is added to shirodhara, which is an ancient massage technique that uses warm herbal-infused oil.
Abhyanga and Tibetan Singing Bowls are used in our Good Vibrations Massage. The bowls invoke a deep state of relaxation, which naturally assists with meditation. It is a great treatment for stress reduction, insomnia and balance.
Reiki: We have Reiki Masters who have studied for years to assist with the movement of energy through your body. We even have a massage therapist who can do Reiki crystal healing, which is part of The Nirvana Massage. I personally find this particular massage to be very powerful and love to share some of my experiences with clients when they come in!
Q: We all have those special occasions where we want to spoil ourselves from head to toe. What services do you offer where your clients walk out ready to conquer the world?
Cranial Sacral: We also now offer Cranial Sacral Treatments. This is a gentle pressure and manipulation to the joints in the skull and spine to release restrictions in the craniosacral system improving the function of the central nervous system. It is a highly specialized treatment and we were lucky to recently have a massage therapist join our staff who is certified in Cranial Sacral Therapy.
A: We can have you red carpet ready for any event; whether it is for a wedding, a gala or some special personal event where you want to look your best! For makeup, we use airbrush makeup for its long-lasting and photographic benefits. We can do lash applications with makeup applications or for longer lasting results for a trip or a great everyday look that is mascara free…full eyelash extensions.
Q: How often does your average client book services?
A: Most clients visit us at least once a month, sometimes twice a month and then there are those that come in each week. We currently have memberships for floating. Depending on how often you want to float, you can pick a membership for 1x, 2x and 4x per month. We also have an unlimited float membership for weekdays during non-prime time (before 4 p.m.). We have an annual membership that can be interchangeable with massage, facial and float therapy. You have to use the float option at least three times during the year. This is becoming a popular membership and if it continues to go well, we may consider adding other memberships for just massage and other specific services.
Q: Since you are always adding new services and products to the spa, how often does your staff go through training?
A: Our staff is continuously going through training both for their licenses and personal aspirations as well as learning the new treatments we bring in to the spa. Not only do we do specific therapy training, we do a lot of team building training and customer service training.
ABUNDANT HEALTH DAY SPA
Where Relaxation Meets Wellness
1852 Renzulli Rd., New Smyrna Beach 32168
(Located in the Winn-Dixie Plaza)
386.423.9244 // http://www.ahdayspa.com