8 minute read
Claremont Wellness
WELLNESS
Wellness in Claremont is a Blend of Old and New
Nestled peacefully below the broad expanse of the San Gabriel Mountains, Claremont has been described as a community that combines small town charm with cosmopolitan and academic sophistication. It is also highly regarded for its healthconscious atmosphere with easy access to miles of hiking trails, spacious tree-lined parks, winding bike paths, as well as state of the art hospital and medical services.
At the same time, Claremont is home to some of the most forward-thinking wellness spas and therapeutic healing studios in Southern California. Three local Chamber members, in particular, are demonstrating the strength that comes from a pro-active unification of mind, body and spirit.
WELCOME TO CLAREMONT’S WONDERFUL WORLD OF HEALTH AND HEALING
Freezing cold. The warming heat of the sun. The meditative reverberations of a gong. The rejuvenating effects of salt.
These are healing elements that have been known for millennia. Now Aurora Claremont (with its emphasis on cryotherapy); Blossoming Lotus (Gryotonic, Pilates and integrated manual therapies including immersive sound bath meditation); and Halo Spa & Salt (offering a variety of specialized halotherapy skin-rejuvenating treatments) are incorporating these elements in new and exciting ways with the aid of cutting-edge techniques and technology.
Meet Ariana and Ian Vanderburg (of Aurora Claremont), Steven Von Hargett and Laura Crittendon (founders of Blossoming Lotus) and Nini Wongplai (owner of Halo Spa & Salt) who are dedicated to improving the health, pain-free mobility and inner spirit of their clients.
STEP INTO MY FREEZER
Glowing a soft shade of blue behind its large glass door and a ghostly mist swirling inside, the Aurora cryotherapy unit looks like a cross between a walk-in freezer and the transporter pad on the Starship Enterprise.
Ariana Vandenburgh laughs when I make the comparison.
“This is an entirely new way to do cold therapy,” she explains. “It’s a new technology based on old ways of healing. Cold has been used forever as a way of bringing down inflammation in the body. Many people associate cold therapy with high performance athletes (like LeBron James) because it provides incredible post-workout recovery, or as a lead-up to a demanding sporting event (like a marathon). It’s great used that way. But many of our clients come in because they find helps them manage their pain. In fact, this form of whole-body cryotherapy was originally conceived as a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.”
Here’s how it works:
During a treatment, skin is exposed to subzero temperatures for two to four minutes. The body responds to this extreme environment by warming itself from the inside out. Receptors in the skin send signals to the brain to release a host of endorphins and beneficial biochemicals. Blood then rushes in to maintain body temperature within vital organs and is enriched with oxygen, enzymes, and nutrients before being recirculated throughout the body. This cold-induced vasoconstriction and subsequent dilation causes toxins in the body to be broken down and released naturally.
Receptors in the skin send signals to the brain to release a host of endorphins and beneficial biochemicals.
“Being in the chamber plays a little trick on the body and it goes into overdrive," Ariana explains. “The temperature is minus 124 degrees! We can also add wind-chill. When you’re in there, it can be incredibly liberating as parts of the body that are locked up are suddenly freed. It’s not a cure, but it can have an amazing affect. Some people often also have a very emotional experience that liberates deep feelings.”
Other specialized treatments at Aurora include: non-invasive, red-light therapy; compression therapy; the NanoVi inhaling system, an infra-red sauna pod, and special (nurse administered) vitamin infusions. Privacy is assured, and all the treatment rooms have the feel of a luxurious spa. Memberships and packages are available. https://www.auroramodernhealing.com
CRYOTONICS— PILATES MEETS BALLET
He was a professional skateboarder, motocross racer, martial artist and competitive kickboxer. (Hardly a low-impact career path). She was a highly skilled professional ballerina and modern dancer on stage and in music videos, as well as hula and belly dancing.
The shared experience that brought them together, however, was their injuries. And as part of their healing process, they specialized in learning a style of Pilates called the Gyrotonic Method.
Today, Steven and Laura (as husband and wife) are the owners and instructor/therapists at Claremont’s Blossoming Lotus Gyrotonic. Located off Foothill Blvd. (behind Trader Joe’s) they specialize in: fitness, whole body strength and flexibility, rehabilitation and moving beyond chronic pain, pediatric scoliosis management, traumatic brain injury, guided meditation and immersive sound baths— all dedicated to the art of aging gracefully. Their moto is: Move Better, Feel Better, Age Better, Live Better.
“Laura and I both have medical backgrounds,” says Steven. “We’ve been well trained in physical therapy and are certified instructors in Gyrotonic Pilates. We also have a deep understanding of what it means to be in pain.”
The Gyrotonic Method was conceived in 1977 by the premier Hungarian ballet dancer, Juliu Horvath. Its goal of improving the body’s circulation and tone is accomplished through a unique system of exercises that incorporates movement principles from yoga, dance, gymnastics, swimming and t’ai chi. Central to the practice are a set of elegant wooden devices specially designed with rotational discs and weighted pulleys that allow the exerciser to strengthen muscles through specific exercises that incorporate circular and spiraling movement patterns.
“With Gyrotonic exercises,” Steven explains, “each movement is carefully crafted to flow from one into the next, allowing the joints to move through a natural range of motion without jarring or compression that serves to improve balance, strength and flexibility. Our Gyrotonic exercises are practiced in group or private classes.
“We are also STOTT PILATES instructors. We owned and operated the number one Stott Pilates and Rehab Pilates studio on the Big Island of Hawaii for 15 years, prior to moving to Claremont. We are trained and certified on all the apparatus and all levels. Our clients tend to be older and are often dealing with pain issues. They want to be able to do the things they used to do, like hiking. Our goal is to make that possible. Laura is also an expert at sound baths and guided meditation.”
https://blossominglotuspilates.com
CARING FOR YOUR SKIN
We’ve discussed Cryotonic freezing and Gyrotonic movement. Halo Spa & Salt and its owner, Nini Wongplai, are expert in the application of The GlyMed Plus 4-Step Skin Care System founded by Christine Heathman. The company’s specialized products are formulated with certified organically grown ingredients and clinical strength actives that are sold through licensed professionals.
As explained, “the system is designed to help properly care for and promote optimal skin health. It does so by employing pharmaceutical grade actives and nature ingredients in a unique 4-Step System that helps keep skin active, healthy and looking youthful.”
And while the climate of Claremont tends to be beautiful, the combined forces of sun, dryness and air pollution are challenging over time on skin.
“We know your skin is unique. Your lifestyle and the environmental stressors you’re exposed to will change your skin over time. At Halo Spa, we tailor each treatment to your current needs to deliver healthy, glowing beauty. The highest quality products and cutting-edge technology provide safe and effective skin therapy in a tranquil setting. You deserve the very best.”
The therapy that gives the spa its name is Halotherapy (dry salt therapy) where 99.99% Pure Grade Sodium Chloride (salt) is heated and then ground and crushed into very tiny microparticles. These dry aerosol microparticles of salt are then dispersed into the salt room, salt cave, or salt chamber during a typical session. As an individual relaxes, the microparticles are inhaled. The particles penetrate deep into the lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, and alveoli to aid respiratory concerns, while the non-inhaled salt particles are absorbed by the body to combat skin conditions. Most people are familiar with ‘wet’ salt therapy. Whether you’ve put salt in a bath, had a saline solution treatment, used a Nettie pot to clear your nasal passages, or gargled with saltwater, wet salt has its benefits. Dry salt is different, and the drier the salt, the better.
Other services offered include: Reconstructive Facelift Massage— a practical, non-invasive method of aesthetic face and neck correction due to age-related changes; Hydroimpact Plus (hydrogen skin treatment) and its water-jet application; and the Sugaring Hair Removal process known as Halawa.
It is abundantly clear that Claremont is a wonderfully healthy place to live. Even so, Claremont’s abundance of fine medical facilities, in conjunction with body and mind enhancing spas and studios, makes an enriching environment even richer.
