Think Bamboo ~ and what comes to your mind?  For me,  it’s peace and tranquility.   The sound of bamboo wind chimes outside my home office window soothes my spirit on any given breezy day.   A lush bamboo forest we had visited while on vacation in the island of Oahu was filled with  lovers names carved on the trunks of the trees (image below).   Many other uses of bamboo may easily come to my mind.  I couldn’t, however, completely fathom a Warm Bamboo Renewal spa treatment until I had to opportunity to try one out recently.  Heavens!   I mean, heaven!

Spa Vitale in San Francisco

Bamboo on my mind

Spa Vitale is the penthouse spa facility at  Hotel Vitale,  Joie de Vivre’s boutique luxury waterfront property by the Embarcadero in San Francisco .   It had been a busy week for me, prepping to finish what I had lined up for work and rounding up  my holiday errands before the rest of my family was off from work themselves.  A pit stop to a spa sounded divine and the thought of this new and unique treatment certainly intrigued me.  It was a very foggy day which required some  white knuckle driving across the bridge for me so by the time I arrived, I was ready to release some pent up tension.   Spa Vitale is the only spa in San Francisco to offer this treatment which is described below.

An innovative technique incorporating polished bamboo rods, massage oils, and soothing heat in conjunction with hand massage, the Warm Bamboo Renewal treatment promotes circulation and provides a deep sense of relaxation and well-being. The treatment can help with lymphatic drainage and sensory nerve perception when preformed with a light to medium touch, but also has the capability of releasing knots and trigger points with deep work, making it a versatile option for guests.

Welcome to Spa Vitale

There are four treatment rooms at this rooftop spa and right outside, through a sliding glass door and on sunny days, there are two deep tubs enclosed only by walls of bamboo for tired souls needing a bathing ritual.  Alas, it was winter time and the nippy California weather required layers of clothing to keep one warm.  But still, had it been later in the day, I may have opted for a hot dunk and soak.  The thought even now as I write this in terribly tempting.

I was pleasantly surprised to meet the equipment that would be gently used on my tired body.

Warm Bamboo rods

Gentle reminder of how tired you can be

 This is  all that is needed for a rejuvenating experience.  And the relaxing strokes courtesy  of my therapist Carrie’s magic fingers.

During the massage, trained therapists utilize polished bamboo rods of varying lengths and diameters to knead and roll knots and relax tense muscles.  Warmed with a heating pad, the bamboo rods offer a pleasing sensation to the spa guest while allowing the therapist to effectively massage tense muscles, focusing on deep tissue work.  The bamboo rods vary in shape so they can easily be used to massage all areas of the body – with longer sticks used for gliding strokes and smaller ones for more detailed work such as relaxing knots and relieving tension by focusing on trigger points.  Following the treatment, muscles are looser, joints are more flexible, and a sense of rejuvenation results.

The Warm Bamboo Renewal is a wonderful option for anyone who is overly stressed, as this massage will counteract tension and lack of rest due to the soothing combination of the traditional benefits of massage along with the comforting qualities of heat.

My treatment started with some cleansing breaths inhaling Spa Vitale’s Headache Zapper ~ a concoction of rosemary, lavender and peppermint oil (I did purchase a bottle and have used it for myself and for the husband!).   The combination of the use of the bamboo rods and Carrie’s long and slow strokes were hard to differentiate.  Only the soothing heat gave it away.   It was relaxing ~ and smooth.  And deep.  (I was blogging in my mind, trying to think of words to describe this unique treatment).  Marvelous to the point where I enjoyed every.single.stroke.

It was really one of the most exhilarating non-rushed treatments I’ve ever had.     I felt brand new and raring to go, loosened up and thoroughly relaxed.

I had a few minutes to take in the San Francisco view from the outside; loving being on a rooftop.

Rooftop, right outside the spa. Behind the bamboo are the tubs for the private Bathing Ritual

View from my treatment room, after the fog dissipated

Rooftop view from the recliners

And that, I definitely did.