Wow. What an experience. What a weekend.
Just a little background information, I was asked last year to be a bridesmaid in my Sorority sister's wedding. Fast forward to the weekend before her wedding and it's her bachelorette weekend. Just not your typical TV version. Instead, her maid of honor set up a spa getaway weekend for all of us to enjoy. More the bride's style. For privacy purposes I won't be using names and I'll be focusing more on what we did and everything through my eyes.
The bachelorette party of 4 arrived to Shoji Spa & Lodge around 4:00pm on Saturday and checked in. The drive up was fairly easy. At least until we were 2 miles away and leaving the highway for a skinny and curvy road up into the mountains. Nestled into the side of the mountains is the lodge.
After checking in we explored our lodging area. It really felt like being in a cabin so it had a homey vibe to it. Two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room with two futon couches. There was also a huge wrap around porch but bees were outside and none of us were having it.
At 5:40pm we made our way to the spa check-in desk, and were given robes, sandals, and a towel. We were then guided to the showers so we could bathe before getting into the hot tub and sauna. Afterward, we were guided to our party's hot tub where champagne and glasses were waiting for us.
Of course we laughed and played around. We kept turning the jets on every time they went off and we just enjoyed ourselves. Girl time essentially. We all chose not to utilize the sauna. Also, we chose to wear swimsuits but that's optional. You can totally go nude.
Time for the massage!
When our group was called over the loud speaker we got out, re-robed and went to the waiting area to meet our massage therapists. My message therapist was Sierra. She brought out the essential oils and I smelled several different ones before deciding on Citrus Burst. Next, we were escorted upstairs to the "Quiet Area". The Quiet Area was darkened with really warm lamps placed around giving you just enough light to see where you're going, what you're doing, and who you're talking to. Our group was split into two and we were asked to undress out of our swimsuits. I later found out that the other half of our group kept their bottoms on. My group? Nope, we got completely undressed and under the covers onto the massage table face down.
The table was like laying on soft mattress foam that's been heated. It felt amazing. Sierra, my masseuse, comes back and starts with like a hello, gentle technique. Just slightly grazing over my back, legs and arms. Then she starts going in on my back. Left side. Right side. Down the middle. At one point Sierra placed a hot towel over my back and began kneading my back. The heat was welcomed. She also focused on my arms from shoulder to elbow. It felt like forever because it was great but in actuality it was only 15 minutes.
Then she moved on to my legs. She covered my back with the covers and uncovered my left leg and my hips all the while not making me feel exposed. I thought she really worked my back but boy did she apply pressure on my legs. It was like my legs had all this built up tension in them. Which makes sense. I use them a lot walking around my classroom and I've been working out a bit more consistently now. It hurt, but it was like a good type of pain. Like every time she went over my legs the tension was stripped away. Of course at some point she moved onto my right leg during that time.
Finally, Sierra had me switch over to lay on my back. She held the covers up to where I was shielded from the other person in the room but also to where she couldn't see me. Like when you're changing in a communal shower area and your friend holds a towel up for you to change. When I turned over this time she worked on my forearms and worked through my hands. Then moved on to the final part: a last once over of my legs. She applied a hot towel to each leg, wrapping them mainly around my calves, ankles and foot as she worked on those same areas. And then it was over. Sierra told me my robe was on the table with me and to take my time getting re-robed.
My thoughts during the massage
The entire time Sierra was really quiet she only spoke when needed and just reassured me that I could tell her if I ever needed her to readjust her pressure.
Personally, I was sitting there thinking about how good everything felt and commentating on it as of I was blogging. I half wished all of my thoughts could have been telepathically recorded on a Google doc for me to go back and edit.
I also thought about how the money was really worth it. I can see why people get massages. I'd love to do a couples massage with Kevin on the future. You just feel like your body is getting loved on.
And of course I couldn't avoid thinking about my breathing. I tried to take normal deep breaths but sometimes Sierra would press so hard into my back it was like she was waiting for me to exhale so she could push deeper; so I would just force myself to breathe rather than hold my breath lol.
Highlights
Outside of the spa, we also enjoyed a nice spur of the moment dinner at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Asheville. The girls managed to get me to try calamari! I had the best crab cakes EVER. And the following morning, before checkout, breakfast was cooked and we enjoyed bacon, eggs, and bagels. Then it's bags packed in the truck and we're off on the road back home.
What have you done to go #BeyondYourWindow recently? Share on social media with the hashtag, comment below, or send me a private message!