By Julie Register –
Spa Feedback
I entered the relaxation room at The Spa at Primland warm from the whirlpool and steam room and a little restless.
I poured a cup of Victory Tea and noted the books on the shelf below the refreshments that I might want to read later:
- Earth Medicine: Ancestor’s Ways of Harmony for Many Moons
- The Philosophy of Native American Circles
- Walk with Spirit, a Native American Approach to Spirituality
I casually flipped through the pages of comments from previous spa guests. Odd, I thought. I went through them again more slowly. Hmmm. The third time, I read each one of them. From the first one in May 2010 to the last one written just that morning, I could not find one criticism or suggestion. Not only that, the comments were positively gushy. From anniversary and birthday celebrations to secret rendezvous – from near and far away – everyone had only good things to say about The Spa…
- “Outstanding…We enjoyed the unity room for our massages. Beautiful & serene setting. Perfectly balanced & great staff.” California
- “What a wonderful healing place – we’re leaving here relaxed, refreshed, renewed, recharged. Blessings on this place, all who work here & visit here in all the years to come.” North Carolina
- “Truly spectacular resort…Our stay at the lodge has been heavenly – pampered in luxurious surrounding and unparalleled attention to detail.” Minnesota
- “We came to Primland to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary. Not knowing what to expect, but with high expectations, the staff and facilities have exceeded anything we could have dreamed.” Ohio
- “Wow! I’ve been to spas all over the world, and it is clear that Primland has taken its place as the equal of any, anywhere! This world class spa is simply the icing on the cake of a perfect jewel of a resort.” New York
And on and on and on…My expectations had been driven sky high. I wondered if the spa experience I was about to have could possibly live up to them. The short answer is yes, it could. And it did. First, a little background…
Spa Inspiration
Garance Primat, the owner who guided The Spa’s creation, found inspiration in the physical and spiritual nature of the mountains on which Primland is located. She envisioned The Spa as an uplifting space where guests could go to relax and rejuvenate in harmony with nature while honoring the land and the people of the land. Over many years, eight American Indian tribes have lived where Primland now stands including Cherokee, Iroquois, Monacan, Sapony, Tutelo, Melungeon and Saura. Garance and French spa consultant, Sylvie Keo, spent over a year meeting with native descendants and local historians gathering information so that they could bring authenticity to The Spa environment. A few of the concepts that influenced the design of The Spa include:
- The medicine wheel – The American Indian medicine wheel is a compass of life that connects the outside world to the personal world of heart, mind, body and spirit. The spa and treatments are intended to work in line with energies of nature, turning as do the seasons, in an ongoing cycle.
- The use of the color turquoise to create an aura of tranquility – The turquoise stone is, to the American Indians, a piece of sky fallen on earth, building a link between the spiritual and earth energy. The Indians believe that the stone harmonizes the body and the spirit.
- Sweat lodge – This sauna-type experience was used by the Indians for both health and religious reasons.
In Native American Teachings, Turtle is the oldest symbol for planet Earth. It is the personification of goddess energy, and the eternal Mother from which our lives evolve. We are born of the womb of Earth, and to her soil our bodies will return. In honoring the Earth, we are asked by Turtle to be mindful of the cycle of give and take, to give back to the Mother as she has given to us.Turtle has a shell which is similar to the protection that Earth has employed for centuries as her body has been defiled. Mother Earth’s protection has come in the form of changes – new plant growth, the creation of new land masses by volcanoes, and climate alterations. Like Turtle, you also have shields that protect you from hurt, envy, jealousy, and the unconsciousness of others. Turtle teaches you through its habit patterns, how to use protection. If you are bothered by the actions or words of others, it is time to go inside yourself and honor your feelings. If you are attacked, it is time to give a warning snap.If you have chosen the Turtle symbol, you are being asked to honor the creative source within you, to be grounded to the Earth, and to observe your situation with motherly compassion. Use the water and earth energies, which represent Turtle’s two homes, to flow harmoniously with your situation and to place your feet firmly on the ground in a power stance.If you draw the Turtle card, it augurs a time of connecting with the power of Earth and the Mother-Goddess within. This is a reminder of the ally you have in Mother Earth. It does not matter what situation you have created; ask her for assistance, and abundance will follow.Mother Earth is calling to reconnect in some way. If you have felt alone in your time of need, she is calling. If you have been struggling financially she is your medicine – use it. You are not alone…ever. You are a child of Earth. All acts of pleasure, joy and abundance are given by the Mother of the creative force. Use her energy to aid you, and you will be healed enough to share this energy with others. You are not a victim, and you are not helpless, no matter how much it may seem like this is the case in your present situation. To right the ill-dignified turtle, you need only list the things you are grateful for and from that grateful place in your heart, look the abundance of alternatives the Mother Earth gives.
Dolphin speaks to us of the breath of life, the only thing that humans cannot go without for more than a few minutes. We can live without water and food for days, but oxygen is the source of our sustenance. Within the breath we encounter the rhythm of energy that all life emits. In changing the rate or rhythmic texture of our breath, we can tap into any other life form or creature. This is a very easy way to connect with divine energy coming from Great Spirit, as well as with your own personal rhythms.
Dolphin is the keeper of the sacred breath of life, and teaches us how to release emotions through Dolphin breath. Dolphin creates rhythm, swimming through the water and breathing before submerging, then holding its breath for the duration of underwater travel. As Dolphin comes above water again, it blows its breath out in a manner resembling the popping of a cork. We can use this same technique to pull the stopper on our tensions and create total relaxation. This is a good exercise to use before entering the silence.
Manna is life force. Manna is present in every atom, and is Great Spirit’s essence. Dolphin teaches us how to use life-manna through our breath. It revitalizes each cell and organ, and breaks the limits and dimensions of physical reality so that we may enter Dreamtime.
If Dolphin has appeared to you today, frothing through the waves in your spread, you are to be a link to some solution for the Children of Earth. This can be a time when you are to link with Great Spirit and bring answers to your own questions or to those of others. In addition, this can mean a time of communication with the rhythms of nature. You are put on notice to be mindful of your body rhythms and the patterns of energy being fed to you from the Creator. Imitate Dolphin and ride the waves of laughter, spreading joy in the world. Breathe and experience the manna so freely given. Break existing barriers and connect to the Dreamtime or Great Star Nation. Know that we are all whole in the eyes of the Everliving One.
If Dolphin appears reversed, know that you are forgetting breathe. You may be under stress, and your body may need manna. You may be starving your cells and organs no matter how many vitamins you are taking. Your natural cycles may be fouling up. Pay close attention to your health and your feelings. If you are on edge or just tense, take time to relax and breathe the life force into your muscles. Focus on releasing old breath at the bottom of your lungs and refilling your respiratory system with regenerative manna. Breathe from the diaphragm and fill the lungs to capacity. Then exhale from the chest to the belly, allowing your body to totally relax as you breathe out.
Another message of contrary Dolphin is that many signals are carried through universal tides or waves, and you may be failing to use your sonar. To detect these wave-patterns you may need to realign yourself with natural rhythms within your body. Then it is necessary to use the Dolphin breath to connect to universal awarenesses and signals.
Dolphin says to dive deeply into the water, to play by the coral reefs, and to discover the beauty of the rhythm of breath.
Spa Facilities
- A reception area and boutique that offers products that are used in the spa.
- A women’s locker room with a steam room and “Spa horizon” hydrospa.
- A men’s locker room with a sauna and Turkish bath.
- A relaxation room where guests can savor herbal teas, healthy drinks and snacks while enjoying the amazing outside views.
- Five treatment rooms – There are four named after the elements are dedicated to different experiences. The Water room has a soft pack tub and treatment table. Another has a waterbed treatment table. Another, facial equipment. The Unity Suite is a couple’s room where a couple or mother and daughter can enjoy a whirlpool with chromotherapy lighting.
- A studio where yoga, pilates, meditation and Chi Kung classes are held.
- A salon that offers manicures, pedicures and hair-styling.
- A fully-equipped Technogym fitness room with views of the golf course and the nature beyond.
- A chlorine-free indoor swimming pool carved from the local Virginia granite with a large whirlpool on one end and a waterwall that spills into the pool by way of a gently cascading waterfall on the other. The pool overlooks the golf fairway and opens onto an outdoor terrace where guests can stretch out in the sun on the lounge chairs or enjoy the warmth of the outdoor fire pit.