Catch a bit of the Caribbean
at Ananda Salon & Spa

By Cayce Johnson

The perfect balm for a weary mind, body or spirit awaits you at Ananda Salon & Spa. Inspired by natural elements found on the island of Jamaica, the Aveda Caribbean Body Therapy treatment will help melt even the most persistent stresses away.

My treatment began with a warm greeting from Angela, the tour guide for my Caribbean journey, who led me to a quiet, private room complete with soft lighting and soothing sights and sounds. After she explained the steps my treatment would take, I was given a blind test of three scents to choose from. Whichever one gave me the best “ahhh” feeling would be used, Angela explained. My choice turned out to be vanilla; it was a light, yet warm and soothing scent that added an immediate feeling of relaxation.

I was left alone to disrobe, don the oh-so-fashionable disposable panties and crawl under the cozy sheets on the heated massage bed. Angela returned, and with the smell of vanilla dancing in my head, she began a quick, gentle massage that relaxed me immediately. Then came a “dry exfoliation,” using mitts with a texture that resembled extremely nubby bath towels. It was just the right amount of abrasion — not too harsh but enough to do some good. The exfoliation, which began on my front and continued onto my back side, seemed to send heat radiating through my skin. By the end I felt soft and warm.

Next came a seaweed masque. Since I was lying on my stomach at that point, Angela began on my back. Warmed to a delicious temperature, the masque was slowly rubbed over my back, shoulders and legs. After helping me flip over, Angela continued on my upper chest, arms, stomach and legs, all the while keeping my modesty intact and making sure I was completely comfortable. Fully masqued, I was wrapped firmly in the soft bed linens. With a warmed pillow placed behind my head, I could imagine myself on the beach in Negril or Ocho Rios, the warm sand radiating heat from below as the Jamaican sunshine basked me in a glow from above. I felt safe, cocooned and utterly relaxed, with natural Jamaican elements like sea salt, cane sugar and ginger treating my senses to a getaway.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, my head, face and neck massage began. Comprising gentle rubs and firm pressures, it rendered any type of thought impossible.

I was revived by a gentle spray from the ocean … wait, no, it must have been the refreshing, delicately scented Aveda Flower Water that Angela was misting over me. I was then unwrapped slowly, allowing my skin to breathe again after its nap. The next step was a shower to clean off the excess masque and then, it was back onto the massage table (complete with fresh linens that had been put on in my absence).

The last phase of the treatment was a full body massage using Aveda’s Caribbean Therapy Body Cream. The cream gave a wonderful silken texture to the massage, but wasn’t greasy or sticky in the least. Skin that just that morning had felt dry and neglected was quenched and pampered.

Treat yourself to the Caribbean Body Therapy today, or whenever you need a little boost of island spirit. Better yet, make a day of it and head over to David’s Jamaican Cuisine (5734 Monona Drive) after your visit to Ananda, for some fantastic, authentic Jamaican food, washed down with a bottle of Ting (Jamaican grapefruit soda) or Red Stripe beer to celebrate!

Ananda Salon & Spa is located at 2929 Atwood Avenue in Madison; 244-2161. A second location is set toin Hilldale Shopping Center in mid- to late summer. The Caribbean Body Therapy lasts 90 minutes and costs $125.