Finding Wellness in the Bliss of The Standard Spa
Though I thrive off the hustle and bustle of New York City, I take any opportunity I can to get away. Whether it is a retreat upstate, a weekend on the shores of Long Island, often just for a night, or even if it's a day at a local spa, I will never miss a chance to escape the city.
A one day getaway is a mental health day, something I organize quite often. Even more beneficial is a mental health weekend, which comes in many forms. Last week I was so fortunate to participate in one such weekend down in Miami Beach where I changed the pace and relaxed basking in the sun, savoring good food, good music and enjoying the company of good friends.
We are all familiar with planning a vacation, and the excitement in having something to look forward to. Hopefully we are aware of the benefits too, returning from a vacation inspired and renewed. How come we don't treat ourselves more often? Nowadays flights are not as expensive as they once were, even last minute. Miami is just about a two and half hour flight from New York, three hours from Toronto. It is a vacation destination, perfect for a weekend, with so many hotels along the brisk waters of the Atlantic Ocean bound to have a room available, plenty of good restaurants (especially in the design district) and a healthy nightlife for those so inclined. It's often more exciting to just pick up and go: pack a light bag and head south - show yourself some love! Even though we're all fearful of the state of the economy, it's important when possible to put something aside and to prioritize your well being, in particular during times of stress. Miami is accessible with a little planning.
Every other weekend on Lincoln Road is the Sunday Market, not to be missed as it's riddled with coveted antiques and collectibles. This time around, my favorite dining experience was at Michael's Genuine Food and Drink, where natural and pure ingredients are skillfully arranged into delicious and complimentary flavors. The highlight of my vacation, however, is always the extra time I make to do something special that takes extra care of my body, the shelter of my essence, my soul. On my last day in Miami Beach, we took our bikes (courtesy of the friendly fellows at Keirin Bicycle), which provided convenient transport the whole trip, to The Standard Spa Miami Beach.
Unlike his South Beach paradise The Raleigh, which happens to be my favorite Miami hotel, Andre Balazs' spa hotel is situated off the crowded strip and on the quiet Biscayne Bay. As a center for holistic wellness The Standard Spa Miami Beach offers in addition to spa services, several yoga classes daily and a Center for Integral Living. Once you've checked into the spa, you are fitted with a chic evil-eye beaded bracelet that, in addition to serving as a traditional amulet to ward against envy, gives you access to all the spa's amenities including the hotel's stunning bayside pool and delicious poolside dining, The Lido Restaurant and Bayside Grill, serving fresh seafood (I loved the shrimp ceviche and grilled lobster special) and organic vegetables; the Lido prides itself on it's nutritional philosophy based on the Mediterranean diet. The staff is friendly, service in top form, and the ambiance is perfect, charming and peaceful.
After sunning a few hours, I retreated to the Hammam, where I lay on the soothing heated marble amongst other spa guests lounging, others enjoying the steam, the sauna, or soaking in tubs. The hydro-therapeutic focus, an age-old preventative health system for cleaning the body and refreshing the mind, is certainly palpable. The hotel is a playground with many indoor and outdoor bathing options. The communal bathing experience dates back to the ancient Roman, Russian and Turkish traditions, all known for their social atmosphere, in addition to their physical benefits. It is deeply comforting to be surrounded by so much healing energy, from the atmosphere of the whole spa to the staff and the guests who engage in the variety of individualized treatments and services.
For the next hour and a half you are my queen, said Klodi as he welcomed me to a massage room, Please let me know what I can do to accommodate this experience. I've heard similar phrases plenty before a massage or spa treatment, but this time I felt a sense he actually meant and cared for my well being. The K.I.S.S (Keep It Sensual and Satisfying) Combination Cure was about the most sensual and satisfying treatments of any experience I've ever had!
The 60-minute massage was anything but standard," customized for my needy upper back, integrating Shiatsu and Deep Tissue therapies complete with hot and cold towel applications. My favorite touch was the lavender essential oil infused headrest. Klodi's experienced hand indulged and fulfilled my desire to experience healing energy through touch. From our massage we moved back into the Hammam, where I laid once again on the warm marble for a Turkish Hammam Rub and Scrub consisting of bathing, gentle exfoliation and more massage. This whole experience was topped off with a traditional Chinese herbal elixir - The Essential Sex Tonic - that came sort of unexpectedly. Only later at check out did I look up exactly what I had signed up for and discover why I felt compelled to give Klodi a big hug farewell; it was how he applied his caring touch in combination with the carefully designed treatments that got my blood-a-flowing. I'm not alone in my love for this place, the Condé Nast Traveller's Reader Spa Awards 2009 voted it the best spa in the Americas and Caribbean. Special thanks to Dennis Stovall, Spa Manager at The Standard Miami Beach.
I packed my new vintage finds in my carry-on bag, as the Nina Simone: Anthology, our weekend soundtrack, played over again, taking notice of my sun-kissed, soft skin, the soft curls that developed in my sea salt hair, and the overwhelming refreshed feeling in my mind and over my whole body. I thought to myself, I'm so excited to get back to the city. For just as much as I love to escape, I am equally thrilled as my yellow cab drives over the bridge and the Manhattan skyline comes into view. It's the most irresistible love I know and renewed, I keep coming back for more.
More From Katia:
The Standard Spa Miami Beach
40 Island Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 673-1717
Keirin Bicycle Sales/Rental Services
235A 9th Street
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 531-6684
Michael's Genuine Food & Drink
130 NE 40th St
Miami, FL 33137
(305) 573-5550
 Katia Tallarico, Relationships 2.0 | |
| About the author: | |
Katia Aurora Tallarico, born and raised in Toronto, currently lives in Manhattan. As an undergraduate at McGill University, she lived in Montreal where she studied Psychology and later pursued a graduate degree in Counseling Psychology at Columbia University in New York City. Katia integrates both Western and Eastern approaches to her mental health practice and credits her own well-being to a dedicated meditation and yoga practice. She has worked servicing chronically mentally ill adults in lower Manhattan and currently works as a Mental Health Counselor with foster children in the South Bronx. In addition, Katia is an active supporter and Young Benefactor Committee member of Free Arts NYC (www.freeartsnyc.org). | |
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