My time at Red Mountain Resort and Spa was amazing and I can’t even begin to describe the incredible environment where the spa is located. The pictures and descriptions do not even begin to capture the beauty of the brick-colored mountains.
I began most days with a hike and as the week progressed, ventured into the more challenging hikes. My confidence soared as I walked thin ledges, crab-crawled vertical inclines and slid down steep embankments. You cannot visit this location and not venture out into the amazing hills for the morning hikes.
Being in the massage industry, I am a pretty good judge of massage sessions and I have to say I had one of the best massages. Jennifer was not only excellent at the technique part of doing a massage, but excelled in the soft skills. We break a massage into sections and there are key things which are important within each section. She delivered in every area:
- The greeting: We encourage all therapists to make eye contact, state their name and shake the hand of the guest.
- The intake: This is the time to see what the guest is looking for in their massage and if there are any concerns to be aware. It is also a time when the therapist can offer to customize the massage based on the feedback the guest has provided, making the guest massage meet the guest's current needs.
- The first part of the session: Very quickly a therapist should check in on pressure and ensure they are working at the right depth. Pressure is subjective and should always be gauged by asking, “For the pressure, would you like me to go deeper, come out or stay here?” This forces the guest to choose what pressure they desire.
- Customization during the massage: Mid-massage, I asked for her to skip my arms and work extra with my feet. She was more than happy to accommodate this “in the moment” request.
- Presence during the massage: Often I have found that therapists check-out during the massage. I could tell my therapist was staying present with me and the strokes she was applying. This makes a huge difference in the quality of touch delivered.
Great Job Jennifer! Love, a very relaxed Debra
