Healing Through Loving-Kindness Practice: A Visit From Bhante Sujatha

On May 6 Bhante Sujatha, a Buddhist monk from the Blue Lotus Temple in Woodstock, IL, will be visiting Glen Ivy Hot Springs to teach guests a yoga and meditation class. Sujatha, a Buddhist monk for over 30 years, has taught around the globe to those wishing to learn the art of happiness and contentment through meditation. The teaching is centered around the cultivation of self love and the activities include: "What is Loving-Kindness?" and how to practice it.

Some other benefits of this beautiful workshop include:

• Reduced stress, anxiety, worry, and depression
• Healing and enhancing relationships with others
• Gaining a sense of empowerment over challenging issues in your life
• Insights into your life purpose
• Awakening to the blessings of the present moment
• Attaining unshakable inner peace

Make sure you join Bhante Sujatha for a Yoga class at 10am followed by a meditation class at 11am on May 6 at Glen Ivy Hot Springs. Bhante believes his purpose is to not only teach Meditation but also to "teach people how to be happy." For more information on Bhante and the Blue Lotus Temple click here.

Making a Difference: Chule Day at Glen Ivy

Lovable. Incredible. Giving. Generous. Those are just a few words that describe Dimitri and Vera Chule. The same words can also be used to describe the guests who donated non-perishable food items this past Saturday, April 3 in honor of "Chule Day."

With help from our guests, we were able to collect various food items that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank in Riverside. In addition to the food donations, Glen Ivy Hot Springs will also be making a monetary contribution on behalf of the Chule family and our Glen Ivy guests.

We'd like to sincerely thank all those who contributed donations and we hope everyone will remember:

"Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference."--Barbara DeAngelis

Meet Dave Zaboski

Illustrator Dave Zaboski will be joining us at Glen Ivy Hot Springs this Saturday, March 20 to to talk about how he brings stories to life through his illustrations. Join us at 11:30 a.m. in the Winter Lounge as Dave shares where he gets his inspiration from and how he has managed to master many artistic styles. Dave will also be showcasing his talent during a live sketch from 1:30-3 p.m. by the lounge pool.

Dave worked as a Disney Animator for eight years and helped to create Disney classics such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Pocahontas," and "The Lion King." Most recently, Dave illustrated Deepak Chopra's first children's book, You with the Stars in Your Eyes.

Glen Ivy will be featuring Dr. Chopra's book for sale in our retail store. Make sure you stop by to visit with Dave and watch his live sketch!

To learn more about Dave and his artwork, visit www.spiritfloweditions.com

March MUDness--Day 8

"The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful."

Weird, it's almost as if E.E. Cummings himself was describing March MUDness! Club Mud was indeed filled with "mud-luscious" people today! Yours truly even lathered on the mud and joined in to bring a little flower power to today's photos! Check out these muddy moments!

-Alyssa...Meow!-

-Mud dipped Rachel-

-Paulette and her guest-

-Yup...that's me!-

Lymphatic Drainage & Organ Detox

Do the words "drainage" and "organ detox" make you feel a little uneasy? Well you aren't alone because I felt the same way. But after having heard the wonderful, healthful benefits of lymphatic drainage and organ detox, I sat down with Glen Ivy's Primary Massage Therapist Mariah Villalobos to learn more.

Q: What does a lymphatic drainage massage do?
A: Lymphatic drainage is a light massage with a powerful body-wide response. This slow, methodical massage kicks in your parasympathetic nervous system, boosts the immune system, and moves toxins and debris out of your body, promoting regularity.

Q: What is the lymph system?
A: The lymph system is a special component of the circulatory system that is responsible for waste disposal and immune response.

Q: Why is lymphatic drainage massage beneficial?
A: The lymph system does not have a pumping system like our heart, instead lymph (tissue fluid) moves purely from muscular contraction and respiratory movement. Stagnation in the lymph system can result in a variety of health issues including edema, weight gain, poor bowel movements, and disease.

Q: What is Organ Detox?
A: Organ detox is a fabulous addition to lymph drainage, creating the ultimate body cleanse. It is a light massage, similar to lymph drainage, where the abdomen is massaged in a clockwise motion which begins the natural flow of fluids and relaxation.

Q: Who benefits from these types of massages?
A: It's a very positive experience to improve overall health. I'd recommend it for those looking to cleanse the body, promote weight loss, and boost the immune system, and also for those that have just started a new diet or exercise routine, for those experiencing poor bowel movements or suffering from chronic illness.

Q: What Glen Ivy services would you recommend?
A: You would want to book an 80 minute Custom Massage. Make sure that you communicate when making the reservation that you would like Lymphatic Drainage so we can place you with the appropriate therapist and also continue the open communication with your therapist regarding your current health situation and goals.

Make sure and stop by the Winter Lounge at the Hot Springs on Saturday, February 27 at 1:00pm to listen to Mariah go more in depth about improving health and wellness through massage .

Q&A with Author Phyllis Pilgrim

Author Phyllis Pilgrim will be joining us at Glen Ivy Hot Springs on Thursday, February 25. Join us at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Winter Lounge as Phyllis shares her amazing story. Until then, here's a little bit more about our friend Phyllis including her philosophy on life and three things she can't live without...

Q: What made you decide to write a book about your experience?
A: To better understand my adult choices and behaviors infuenced by the war years and to leave a legacy for my son and granddaughter.....it's a verbal history and memoir.

Q: What is your philosophy on life?
A: To have my doingness come out of my beingness that in turn comes from a place of love; to know who I am and live positively.

AWhat are 3 things that you can’t live without?
A: Love, friendship and positive work.

Q: Have you always been interested in Yoga and the spa atmosphere?
A: Yes since the age of 15 when my mother introduced me to yoga back in 1951, and the Rancho la Puerta experience for the spa experience since 1981, although I lived a wholistic life before that in both London and Barbados.

Q: What is it that draws you to yoga?
A: The completeness of the overall practices of body, mind and spirit interwoven into one harmonious whole.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A: "To do what I love" given to me by a doctor friend of my parents when I was 14 years old.

Q: Do you have a personal motto to live by or a favorite quote?
A: "May the beauty that you love be the beauty that you do, there are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth" - Rumi.

Q: What inspires you?
A: When ordinary people do extraordinary things ....and also The Dalai Lama inspires me.

Meet Phyllis Pilgrim

Author Phyllis Pilgrim will be joining us at Glen Ivy Hot Springs on Thursday, February 25 to share her compelling story about her childhood experiences as a prisoner of war during WWII in Java with her mother and brother in Japanese internment camps for women and children. Join us at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the Winter Lounge as Phyllis shares her story of survival and courage, answers questions, and tells how her early experiences provided the insight to shape her adult life and career choices.

Glen Ivy will be featuring Phyllis' book The Hidden Passport, My Childhood Journey Through Japanese Concentration Camps in Java for sale in our retail store. Be sure to stop by to meet Phyllis and hear her amazing story.

Phyllis is currently a yoga instructor at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, where she also teaches and directs the "Specialty and Spirit Week" programs. For more information about Phyllis and her book, please visit her website at http://www.phyllispilgrim.com/.

Do You Know How to Brow?

If eyes are the windows to the soul then eyebrows are the frames. Creating a brow shape that is right for your face shape and the kind of eyebrow you have to work with is key to achieving a polished look. Most of us are nervous about attempting to shape our own brows, so consulting with a professional about shape, color, size, and maintenance will ensure that you achieve the look you want.

On Saturday, Febraury 6 at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona, we'll have a "How to Brow" event with appointments from 11-4 so you can get a one-on-one consultation with a pro. The cost to reserve an appointment is $10, which can be applied toward any gloTherapeutics or gloMinerals purchase (like maybe a new brow kit or brush?).

I sat down with Glen Ivy Skincare Product Specialist, Justyne Balthazor, to get some insight into the brow shaping and here's what I learned:

Q:Why should I get my eyebrows waxed/shaped?
A: Since your eyebrows frame your face, well formed eyebrows will help to balance the face while accentuating the eyes. You want your brows to compliment your face and best features not to distract from them. [But hey, why not make your brows your best feature?!]

Q: How often do I need to get my eyebrows waxed/shaped?
A: You can tweeze unwanted hairs inbetween waxings, but don't go overboard. Maintain their shape by seeing a professional every 2-3 weeks. Consider it part of your beauty routine, just like regular haircuts, color, and mani/pedi appointments.

Q: Should brow waxing be done before or after a facial?
A: You should have your eyebrows or any other facial waxing done before your facial. This will ensure that you receive maximum benefit from the products used in your facial service.

Q:What is the difference between tweezing and waxing?
A: Waxing is more effective for shaping the brow. Waxing will remove even the smallest of hairs and will help you acheive a cleaner look. Don't put those tweezers away yet, though - keep them around for getting rid of stray hairs.

Q: Why do I break out around my eyebrows after I get them waxed?
A:Waxing pulls the hair directly from its follicle. The absent hair leaves an open follicle that is susceptible to oil and bacteria. A day or two after your service, I suggest using a light exfoliant like gloTherapeutics Pumpkin Enzyme Scrub.

Justyne also suggests that the shape of your brow stay as natural as possible and that the distance between your brows should be equal to the size of one of your eyes.

Do you have any other brow related questions? Let us know and we'll ask the expert.

Look and Feel Your Best for Your Big Day

Attention all you brides out there! Are you feeling a little overwhelmed with the wedding planning process? While you no doubt have a ton of things on your wedding to-do list, one thing a bride must do: RELAX and enjoy this special time! As someone who recently tied the knot, I know all too well the amount of time and energy that goes into planning a wedding, so hopefully I can help to alleviate some stress with a few suggestions:

• Set up a series of facial appointments to get your skin ready for all those pictures! Your esthetician can recommend the best products to help you work toward your skincare goals at home.
  
• Your wedding is a special time to enjoy with friends and family so make sure you get quality time together. How about asking your future mother-in-law or sister-in-law to join you for your next mani/pedi appointment?


• Schedule massages to work out those tie-the-knots in you shoulders. I'd highly recommend the Stress Reliever!
  
• Want a natural-looking tan? Try the Infinity Spray Tan at our Brea location to get an all over, even glow for the big day.


• Need flawless makeup for engagement photos, the bridal shower or The Big Day? Call us to schedule your appointment in Brea.
  
• Grab your best girls and spend an entire day relaxing in one of our cabanas at the Hot Springs. Cabanas are perfect for bridal showers and bachelorette parties - call and ask for Georgia and she'll help you plan your day. Your cabana concierge will take care of your party all day so everyone can simply relax and enjoy!
  
• Bring your fiance to the spa for some quality time together. Leave the bridal magazines and checklists at home and take a day for just the two of you to enjoy each other's company.
  

If you're still in planning mode and want to check out some great vendors, make sure to stop by the Brea Bridal Show on January 30 from 11-3 to get some inspiration, vendor contacts, and of course, visit Glen Ivy's booth for a chance to win some pre-wedding pampering prizes!

We'll also be at the following bridal shows coming up so stop by to say hello:
Jan. 31 - Coyote Hills Bridal Show (Fullerton, CA)
Feb. 18 - Corona Public Library Bridal Show (Corona, CA)

We'd love to hear from you: Have you been to a bridal shower or bachelorette party at Glen Ivy? What's your special memory of wedding festivities at Glen Ivy?

National Domestic Violence Awareness Donation Drive

Every October National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed. National, state, and community organizations for violence prevention and victim services mark this month with various events in an effort to help end violence against women and their children.

During the week of October 12-16, Glen Ivy will be helping to raise awareness and donations at each of our locations and the donations will be given to local shelters.

• Corona Hot Springs- Guests who bring in a new clothing item for any age will receive $10 off spa admission for the day. Donations will be going to the Casa De Paz shelter in Riverside, CA.


• Brea- Guests who bring in new and unused toiletries will receive $10 off a 50 or 80 minute spa service. Toiletries must be valued at $5 or more. Donations will be going to the Women’s Transitional Living Center in Orange, CA.


• Valencia- When guests mention that they would like to make a donation to domestic violence awareness, Glen Ivy will donate $10 of the service price to the Domestic Violence Shelter of Santa Clarita. Service must be a 50 or 80 minute service.

Remember, families who go to shelters often leave all of their possessions behind. Any donation will help them to feel secure in their new surroundings. Other ways to help raise awareness is to volunteer your time at a domestic violence agency, be supportive when a battered person tells her story, and be a loving and supportive parent.

At Glen Ivy we strive to elevate life’s experiences and here is your chance to help! We hope that you will join us in the creating awareness and celebrating the strength of battered women and their children.

If you have any questions please contact meghann.carreiro@glenivy.com.

25,000th Guest of the Month

Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa honored their 25,000th guest of the month on July 31, 2009!-- Congratulations to Sheila.

Sheila and her guest received complimentary spa admission for the day and plenty of smiles! Thank you Sheila for letting us be a part of your day!

Valencia Anniversary Spa Party

Imagine this—it’s Saturday evening in Valencia, California. You are making your way towards the music, passing Birds of Paradise, palm trees and exotic flowers. You reach the door and are welcomed by flashing lights and friendly faces. It’s paradise after dark …

Join us as we celebrate the 4 year anniversary of Glen Ivy Day Spa, Valencia on Saturday, June 27th, '09 from 5 – 8 p.m. Not only are we commemorating the 4th anniversary of our Day Spa but we are also celebrating YOU for making this event possible!

Get glō-ing as we launch our new glōtherapeutics skincare line with complimentary skin scanner consultations, product samples and a chance to win a glōtherapeutics gift basket valued at $230!

Your visit to paradise after dark will also include chair massages, hand treatments, foot soaks, spa tours, refreshments, and hors d'oeuvres.

Be sure to arrive early! Not only do the first 25 people receive complimentary Grotto treatments but we hear that some feathered friends might be making a special appearance. Who would want to miss that?

We look forward to seeing you! Glen Ivy Day Spa at the Valencia Town Center, 24320 Town Center Drive #100, Valencia, CA 91355. Feel free to extend the invite to friends and family!

Click here to RSVP!

You're Invited

Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa, Corona
Saturday, April 25 & Sunday, April 26





We are excited to announce glō skincare as our source for professional treatment and personal skincare products, now featured at all Glen Ivy Spa locations!

glōtherapeutics are:

• Blended with Superior Ingredients
• Chirally correct
• Pharmaceutical grade
• Free of dyes and parabens
• Potent Concentrations
• High level of active ingredients
• Results driven clinical formulations
• Customized to Specific Skin Conditions
• Made to Simplify your Skincare Regimen

Visit us this weekend at Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa for:

• FREE Product Samples & Event Exclusive SALES
• Skincare Tips from glō Professionals
• Complimentary Individual Skin Consultation & Scan
• Product Demonstration & Personalized Product Recommendations
• Workshops on Optimal Aging and Repairing Sun Damage
• Free Gift with Minimum Purchase
• Refreshments provided by Hansen’s® Self Beauty Elixir™

Want your skin to glō? Call 888-GLEN IVY to book your appointment today or click here to buy glō products online!

Glen Ivy's very own celebrity

If you have been to Glen Ivy in the last few days, you probably saw more than a few colorful blankets wrapped snuggly around Glen Ivy team members. These hand-woven wool blankets were lovingly made by the Chule family and given as gifts to Glen Ivy staff members that Chule has come to know and love (which, to say the least, is a lot of people!). There were quite a few blankets around the spa today to show Chule, who was here to visit, how much everyone loves them.

In his honor, we had a small gathering in the Tiempo Lounge for team members and guests who wanted to meet and greet Chule, Glen Ivy’s very own celebrity, and we all enjoyed Chule’s presence, yummy cookies and delicious lemonade made by Chef Bill Wavrin. (I will admit, the cookie tray closest to me went fast so I apologize if you didn’t get a cookie) :-)

I was so happy to spend time with Chule and see how genuinely happy he is to meet new people and his sincere ability to make everyone feel significant. Each person that walked in - friend or stranger (not for long!) - was greeted with a hug and a kiss by Chule!

We have a massage therapist, Karla, who learned to knit from her grandmother and wanted to share her gift with Chule and presented him today with a blanket – a bit of a role reversal as he was the receiver instead of the giver for a change.

I also got some great personal notes for Chule from some Glen Ivy team members:

“Chule is so lovable and the blanket he made me is just incredible! I love it and I love him!” -Leigh-Ann Davidson

“Chule personifies the spirit of generosity. He has always lived his life with a giving philosophy. In his late 80's, he is still our Macedonian Zorba, a dancing delight in many people's lives.” -John Gray

“In 2005, I wrote this Contemporary English haiku for Chule. He had given me the most perfect pink blanket and the words just came to me. Chule and Vera have that gift of giving that finds the best in a person – you can't help but feel thankful.”

Generosity
wraps a warm pink wool blanket
round my grateful heart
-Anne Fees

You know the saying, “There are some people out there who just light up the world with their smile”? – well, that’s Chule. We are honored to know him and if you’d like to learn more about Chule and the family blanket business, please visit their website. You can even purchase a Chule blanket for yourself!

As well, we’d like to sincerely thank our guests today who, in the spirit of Chule’s kindness and generosity, donated food in an overwhelming way. We’ve filled barrels and barrels full of food that will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank in Riverside – we’re so excited to show up with a truck full of food!

Here are some photos of some our guests and Chule– enjoy!

To: YOU! From: All of us at Glen Ivy

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"Why should you never iron a 4-leaf clover?"

"You don't want to press your luck!" -I know you are all laughing! I am! :-)

We celebrated at Glen Ivy with green eggs, ham, pancakes and cupcakes! How did you celebrate?

Some pictures for your enjoyment!

Here is a fun recipe for St. Patty's Day! Enjoy!

Wedding Expo Recap

As you all know, Elizabeth and Jennifer set up at the Wedding Expo which took place at the Corona Public Library on Thursday, February 12th, 2009. I stopped by to say HI to guests and to see if the rumors were true- AND THEY WERE, there were cake samples!

Here are a few photographs of the event:

While we were there, we collected spa goer forms from guests to raffle off two admission passes to the Hot Springs Spa. Best wishes to our winner, Gwen!! We look forward to seeing you at the spa real soon!

Cabanas were a hot topic at the wedding expo! Not only are they great for bridal parties, but also for birthdays, anniversaries or just because you deserve it!!

Congratulations to all the brides (and grooms of course) - we wish you the best for peaceful planning and a beautiful wedding!

Wedding Expo at Corona Public Library

Tomorrow Elizabeth and I will be at the Corona Public Library Wedding Expo from 5 to 8 p.m. This will be our second wedding-related event of the year and I'm really looking forward to it since the first one was so much fun. (my fingers are crossed for delicious appetizers and cake samples again!!)

There are going to be tons of fantastic vendors at the library so be sure to stop by the Glen Ivy booth, say hi and enter for a chance to win spa admission passes to Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa!

We'll be sure to post pictures next week.

Coyote Hills Bridal Show recap

On Sunday, Janell and I went to the Coyote Hills Bridal Show in Fullerton (see previous post). The golf course is gorgeous and there were tons of amazing wedding vendors, a great bridal fashion show and wonderful food. In fact, my elevating moment was when I finally gave in and snagged a delicious baked brie and pear appetizer - yum!

Here are some highlights:

Janell and me at our Glen Ivy table

Some of the amazing wedding and themed cakes that were on display

Guests watching the bridal fashion show inside the banquet room

The wedding ceremony site at Coyote Hills Golf Course

It was so fun talking with brides and their spouses, friends and families about their plans and ideas for the Big Day. Here’s a snippet of the conversations we had with brides at the Glen Ivy table:

• Mani/Pedi parties for bridesmaids and the bride
• Cabana rentals for bridal showers and bachelorette parties
• Visiting the spa with out of town guests for quality time together
• Setting up facial appointments to get flawless, glowing skin for pictures
• Scheduling massages to relax amidst the stress of planning

While we were there, we collected spa goer forms from guests to raffle two admission passes to the Hot Springs Spa. Congratulations to our winner, Jennifer! We look forward to seeing you at the spa soon!

Congratulations to all the brides - we wish you the best for stress-free planning and a wonderful wedding!

Hit the Trail recap

On Saturday, Glen Ivy Hit the Trail (see previous post) with the City of Santa Clarita to celebrate health and wellness. Here are some photos from the day:

The first group of bike riders arriving at Bridgeport Park

The Mayor of Santa Clarita addressing the crowd

The Jamba Juice Banana Man came to visit me at the Glen Ivy booth

My elevating moment of the day was seeing how much fun everyone was having with their friends and family despite the rainy weather. Glen Ivy is proud to be a part of such a positive and spirited community!

Throughout the day I collected spa goer forms to raffle off two admission passes to the Hot Springs and passes to The Grotto at Glen Ivy Day Spa, Valencia. Congratulations to our winners: Nicole, Jean, Irene and Stella! We'll see you at the spa!

Here come the brides!

Wedding season is just around the corner and to help brides prep, plan and de-stress during their special time, Glen Ivy will be at the Winter Bridal Show at Coyote Hills Golf Course in Fullerton on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

I’m eager to share what Glen Ivy has to offer brides as they prepare for the Big Day and all the celebrations that surround this joyous time in their lives. If you’re a bride-to-be, the vendor showcase at Coyote Hills is sure to be full of great planning resources and ideas. Stop by the Glen Ivy table and say hi! I’ll be sure to post photos from the event next week.

Have you been to a bridal shower or bachelorette party at Glen Ivy? Or perhaps you were a part of a bridal party that had a spa day to prepare for the wedding? We’d love to hear your special memory of wedding festivities at Glen Ivy!