It’s a new school spa.   And yes, it’s relaxing…  But more than just melting away every day stress, Soleil Body Cleansing Studio can help you melt away weight, pain, tension, toxins, disease and illness.  The studio itself is beautiful, naturally clean and seems to ooze with positive vibrations.  It is made up of five private treatment rooms that all feature a far-infrared sauna.  Three of the five rooms offer massage services.

I’d like to first speak about the massage, because this is not your traditional hands on spa massage, this is massage-by-machine.  Prior to my experience with the Inada Shiatsu Chair my opinions on massage chairs came from your typical coin operated Lazy Boys that can be found parked in the mall.    I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical at first to be getting my massage from a chair here, but it wasn’t long before my skepticism turned to sheer bliss.  I was truly amazed at what this “chair” had to offer.   To my surprise, it came equipped with hands and knuckles and was able to massage me from head to toe, sometimes doing both at the same time!!! It was like having an entire massage “pit crew” right there working on me. Not only did this machine have what felt to me like real hands, it also seemed to have brains.  Upon sitting down the chair performs a full body scan, using infrared technology to detect your individual hot spots.  These hot spots determine where you are holding tension.  The massage is then carried out accordingly.    I’d like to tell you a few wonderful things about getting a massage from a chair, apart from the obvious that it feels physically amazing, that you may not yet realize…  For one, you can wear your clothes during this treatment.  Secondly, there is nobody touching you.  And nobody touching you means nobody talking to you, so you can truly relax.  Nobody touching you also means there is nobody to tip after!!!  Take my word for it, this is luxury massage. I left feeling light, energized and relaxed all at the same time.  Don’t believe me?  Try it!

Now to discuss the far infrared saunas, which you may or may not have already heard all about.  There are endless benefits from regular soaks in these saunas.  On the surface, it’s relaxing…  Warm on a cold winter day…  And it makes your skin feel so soft…   More benefits are perhaps less seen and more subtly felt but in the bigger picture are so great in terms of long term health.  Most of these benefits stem from detoxification, the body cleaning out waste products, allowing it to function better, less like a used car and more like a well oiled machine.  Through regular use of the saunas poor blood circulation improves, high blood pressure is regulated, weight is lost, pain is relieved, tension is released, recovery times speed, skin conditions clear and the immune system is boosted.  Individuals who suffer from arthritis, eczema, fybromyalgia, chronic fatigue, bursitis and cardiovascular disease will all benefit.  The best part?  It’s easy.  Anyone can do it!  If you can sit, you can sauna…

Before I wrap this one up, I’d like to quickly introduce you to the owner of Soleil Body, Kimberly Sterling.  Kim also writes for ilovekelowna.com and if you are interested in the services offered at Soleil Body, I suggest reading her column, Lighten Your Load.  It will offer even more reasons why you should “lighten your load” and detoxify your body.

There is more information for your curious mind available on the studio’s  website, www.soleilbody.com.  Soleil Body can be found downtown in the cultural district; unit #104-1353 Ellis St. tucked in across from the library, you’ll see the sign on the sidewalk. It’s totally affordable and takes as little as half an hour.  Believe me its worth it and so are you!!!