Tips for Instant Neck and Shoulder Relief

We’ve all heard the benefits of having good posture, but we may be doing more damage to our posture than we know, especially when sitting in front of a computer screen for hours on end each day.

The neck and shoulders are most vulnerable to stress, and when these muscles tighten, other muscles throughout the body weaken leaving the body tired and sore.

Here are a few tips to help relieve neck and shoulder pain before it becomes chronic:

1. Take short break every 30 minutes to stretch your neck and shoulders. This will help keep your body limber.

2. Position your monitor so the top of the screen is at eye level. This way you won’t have to twist and crane your neck as much while typing.

3. Check your posture regularly. Roll your shoulders back, and sit in such a way where your knees are at right angles with both feet comfortably resting flat on the floor.

Need a little help limbering up? Come in during your lunch break for a half hour Head and Shoulder Massage. This spa special combines soothing and healing elements of Shiatsu and Swedish Massage techniques that will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated! >>

Reflexology for Happy Feet

Has the long winter left your feet tired and achey? Try a little reflexology foot massage to revitalize your tootsies before sandal season hits!

Reflexology is a practice that targets certain areas of the feet and hands with specialized pressure to increase circulation, relieve tension and improve organ function.

A good foot massage will help stimulate the thousands of nerve endings in your feet—keeping your feet (and body) happy and healthy!

Sweeten any spa pedicure by adding 10 extra minutes reflexology for only $20! >>

How Prioritizing Self Care Can Help You Keep Your New Year’s Resolutions

So you’ve made a fabulous list of resolutions this year– GREAT! but some may be asking, “How do I actually make it happen?” The USC School of Social Work explains that most don’t follow through with their plans after three months (see infographic below).

Mari Miyoshi, an occupational therapist and director of the Brain Gym Learning Center NYC, shares how prioritizing self-care can propel you to accomplish more things faster:
“Ensure you participate in activities weekly that bring you ease, and help you relax. By making this a priority, your brain’s electro-chemical activity enhances, allowing you to release stress, rest better and have more energy left over to take on new challenges.

Prioritizing self-care means ensuring you are taking necessary steps to limit the amount of stress (whether it’s emotional, mental, physical, etc.) you feel on a daily basis. As you take conscious steps towards fulfilling your resolutions, the fear of change will quickly turn into the exhilaration you feel after you’ve tried something new.“

How do you plan to keep your resolutions this year? We’d love to hear from you!

Aromatherapy Tuesday anyone?

After Black Friday and Cyber Monday and all the days from now til the new year, there’s bound to be some hullabaloo in store for all. We figure there’s always ying and yang right? To temper your holiday excitement, try relaxing your nerves with some aromatherapy. The National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy says, “Aromatherapy can be defined as the art and science of utilizing naturally extracted aromatic essences from plants to balance, harmonize and promote the health of body, mind and spirit.” Some holistic health specialists claim that aromatherapy can help transform anxiety or even depression.

At Shizuka NY we offer an aromatherapy treatment called AromaScape Massage, with three themed options to choose from: Center, Glow and Inspire. Our massage therapists create a wholly calming and intricately crafted experience, combined with massage, to take you away on a journey through your senses. You can also create your own aromatherapy experience wherever you are. Use your favorite essential oils in a diffuser, in the bath, or even throughout the day as perfume.

Here’s a quick list of some more popular scents and their uses (from Oprah.com’s Dr.Oz):

Lemon
Uplifting and relaxing, it can be used as a purification agent in skin cleansing, taken internally to soothe indigestion or as a home deodorizer.

Clary Sage
For pain and insomnia relief, and it can be helpful for balancing hormones. Should be used topically on the skin.

Roman Chamomile
Relaxing, soothing to muscle aches. People often drink chamomile tea for the same reason, but you can drop this essential oil in a cup of hot water or apply it topically to your skin.

Rosemary
Stimulating and uplifting. Taken internally, it helps to promote good digestion and immune health.

Myrrh
Used as an antiseptic, this is my family’s secret weapon against canker sores. Simply swill a mouthful of water plus a drop or two of myrrh in your mouth for 30 seconds twice daily and watch them disappear!

Read more of Dr. Oz’s article on Aromatherapy here >>

Find out more about aromatherapy including safety tips from the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy here >>

Check out our other aromatic products, like our Maddison Avenue soy candles or Alora Ambiance 8 oz. Reed Diffusers (diffusers not sold online) here >>

Reminder from Shizuka

Hello Clients,

I would like to remind you that our excellent massage therapist, Gary, is offering his time to SHIZUKA new york.

Experienced massage therapist Gary’s healing hands have been featured in Sports Illustrated for his work on US Open athletes. Gary offers the following specials:

Lunch Time Shiatsu Massage 

Mon – Thurs / 11am – 2pm (this service must be finished by 2pm)

25 Min – $50 (reg. $65)
35 Min – $60 (reg. $85)
50 Min – $80 (reg. $105)
TGIF Swedish Massage /3pm to 8pm on every Friday

25 Min – $50 (reg. $65)
50 Min – $80 (reg. $105)

Please take advantage of this promotion.  More information about our newest promotion, please find at Spa Deal.

From Shizuka

Halloween Week Spa Specials

Hey Shizuka NY Insiders!

With Halloween right around the corner, you’ll scream at these Halloween Week Specials, good October 24th – 31st, 2011. Appointments are going fast, so reserve your spa TREATment now by requesting an appointment online, or calling (212) 644-7400.

Geisha Facial®, $90 (Reg $180) Save 50%!

Halloween beauty never looked so good! Save a whopping 50% on this exclusive facial, seen on TV broadcasts and magazines internationally for harnessing the unique Japanese geisha tradition of cleansing the skin with nightingale droppings. This 50 min. facial also includes cleansing and light pore extraction using products from the all-natural Shizuka New York Skin Care System, a camellia oil facial massage and a green tea Collagen Mask.

Gel Nail Manicure – solid color, $38 (Reg $50)

Show off your Halloween spirit with our solid color Presto LED gel nails. Better yet, bring in a sample of your costume and let us create a custom color just for you. Mix things up a bit with festive stamps, hand drawing and glitter for an additional $10 and up.

50 min. Shiatsu or Swedish Massage , $80 (Reg $105)

Almost as sweet as a bagful of candy, our Shiatsu and Swedish massages will leave you feeling rejuvenated minus the empty calories! Treat your body and spirit to a 50 min. massage by one of our highly skilled massage therapists.

Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel , 1.7 Fl oz/50mL – $56

If you don’t feel like carving pumpkins this year but still want to indulge your festive side, try Naturopathica’s best selling Pumpkin Purifying Enzyme Peel. By utilizing pumpkins’ powerful carotenoid antioxidant qualities, this refining peel is formulated to slough away dead skin cells for a clean, clear and radiant complexion. For an additional $30, sample it by asking your esthetician to add it to your favorite facial (already included in some). Or, simply take some home for yourself and let your skin glow like a jack-o-lantern all year round!

Spa deals are available October 24th – 31st, 2011. Schedule your appointment now by using our online request form or call (212) 644-7400.

Have a Safe & Happy Halloween!

News letter update! Vol. 101: The After Summer Issue

Hello Shizuka new york fans

Our current news letters has been updated!

(Don’t forget to subscribe for our deals and updates! –> Click here)

Please check out the News letter Vol. 101 and book your appointments with latest deals!

After Summer Spa Deals:

Through October 31, 2011

Express Facial (40min) – $60 (Reg. $95)

The Express Facial cleanses the pores with signature all-natural products from Shizuka NY. If you’d like to enhance this facial, try adding an Enzyme Peel, Extra Extraction and/or Collagen Mask. Please ask our receptionists for prices.

Lightening Facial (80min) – $140 (Reg. $180)

The Lightening Facial is the perfect marriage of pore cleansing and skin brightening, reducing the appearance of dark spots.

IPL Spot Treatment – $150 and up (Reg. $200 and up)

The IPL Spot Treatment focuses primarily on reducing hyperpigmentation on specific areas of the skin with Intense Pulsed Light (IPL).

Spa deals are available through October 31, 2011.** Schedule your appointment now by using our online request form (promo code: summer) or call (212) 644-7400.

The end of Summer brings our Shiatsu Lunch Special to a close. The last day to save up to 30% on this popular spa treatment will be September 30th, 2011. Our Brazilian Bikini Wax and Eyelash Perm Lunch Specials will be ongoing.

**Spa Deals may not be combined with any other coupons or promotions, including Spa Finder gift Certificates.

Shizuka New York Day Spa in Time Out NY

Shizuka New York Day Spa is featured in the current issue of Time Out New York in “Convenient Pampering.”

TONY lists the best spa deals that can easily be squeezed into a busy NYC schedule, including Shizuka New York Day Spa’s lunchtime spa deals on Japanese-style shiatsu massage and Brazilian bikini waxing.

You’ll want to inhale your turkey sandwich at your desk, so you can sneak off to this midtown haven for a mind-numbing shiatsu massage…The golden-hued space is run by aesthetician Shizuka Bernstein, who incorporates elements from her native country of Japan—for instance, you’ll be provided with a yukata, or lightweight kimono, to wear, and receive herbal green tea and rice snacks posttreatment. The latter should help you avoid experiencing afternoon slump later on at your desk.

More spa deals like these >>

[Time Out New York, August 11-17, 2011]

Father’s Day Deals

Father’s Day is June 19, 2011.

Treat Dad to relaxation and rejuvenation with a soothing treatment from Shizuka New York Day Spa and take 15% off all men’s facials and massages June 13-26.

If you make an appointment for yourself with Dad, you can also enjoy 15% off any of our spa facials and massages.

Also, enjoy free shipping on all Shizuka New York Day Spa gift certificates when you order online.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dedicated dads out there!

Learn more and request an appointment >>

More spa deals like this one >>

Get a Half-Priced Bird Poop Facial

Get our famous Geisha “Bird Poop” Facial at 50% off the regular price April 11-17, 2011.

The Geisha Facial® has been featured on television programs internationally as well as People Magazine, PerezHilton.com, and more, for using powdered nightingale droppings to cleanse and brighten the skin.

Normally $180, Shizuka New York Day Spa is offering the Geisha Facial® for $90 (50% off!) during a week of spa steals that also include deals on Shiatsu and Swedish massage, and 10% off the treatment of your choice when combined with a spa steal.

Get your appointment for a half-priced bird poop facial today by using our online request form (Promo Code: Spa Steals) or calling (212) 644-7400.

More spa deals like this one >>

4 Hours of Spa Bliss for $250

This March, we at Shizuka New York Day Spa are pleased to offer one of our most popular spa packages at an even better deal than normal.

The Total Body Spa Package, valued at $285, is available for $250 March 1-31, 2011.

Including a detoxifying Infrared Sauna session, a 50-Minute Swedish Massage, Classic Facial, Classic Manicure & Pedicure, this spa package is the perfect break from your hectic life.

Use our convenient online appointment request form (use the Promo Code “Spring Forward”) and you will soon be on your way to 4 hours of relaxation and rejuvenation!

11 Spa Deals for 2011

If you’re still recovering from the holiday season, take advantage of these awesome spa deals to ring in the new year. Shizuka New York Day Spa is offering 11 spa deals on our most popular facials, massage, body, eyelash and nail treatments through January 31, 2011.

Learn more about our 11 spa deals here >>

Shiatsu Lunch Special – Save over 20%

Are you in need of some serious relaxation? Give yourself a much needed break and try our Shiatsu Lunch Special with Japanese-Style Shiatsu Specialist, Yukitoshi.

These special prices for Shiatsu Massage are available every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 11am – 2pm.

To take advantage of this great massage deal, you can request an appointment online (enter “Lunch Special” as the Promo Code), or call (212) 644-7400 for spa reservations.

Valentine’s Day at Shizuka New York Day Spa

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at Shizuka New York Day Spa with soothing couple’s massage (the perfect date idea) and a V-Day spa package designed to provide much-needed pampering to the singles out there. Receive a complimentary chocolate and champagne toast with either of these Valentine’s Day spa treatments February 12 – 19, 2010.

50 Minute Couples Massage, $200 per couple
80 Minute Couples Massage, $290 per couple
Find more NYC couples massages here

Single (And Loving It!) Spa Package

2.5 hours, $195, Available 2/12 – 2/19/2010.

Celebrate YOU with a detoxifying infrared sauna session, Coffee Break Mud Wrap, Express Facial, and a special champagne toast for one!
Find more NYC spa packages here

Spa Week in NYC Includes $50 Bird Poop Facials

Are you ready for Fall NYC Spa Week?  You had better get ready because bookings begin today!

Last Spa Week, Geisha Facial®s saw a huge response from hundreds of New Yorkers looking to be slathered with bird poop!

Back by popular demand, Shizuka New York Day Spa is once again offering this legendary bird poop facial for $50 during New York Spa Week (October 12-18).

Normally $180, the 45-Minute Spa Week Geisha Facial® includes cleansing with Shizuka’s all-natural skin care products, exfoliation with the original nightingale droppings bird poop facial mask, pain-free pore extraction and hydration.  The story of bird poop facials has been seen around the world, recently in People Magazine, and even on Oprah.

The Fall Spa Week Event includes over 750 spas nationwide and in Canada who are all offering $50 discounted spa treatments including facials, massages, body treatments, and laser hair removal. In addition to the 45-Minute Spa Week Geisha “Bird Poop” Facial, Shizuka New York Day Spa will also be offering a 45-Minute Swedish Massage at the $50 price.

Appointments begin today and a full list of participating NYC spas and discounted spa treatments is available at SpaWeek.com.

In case you haven’t seen it already, take a look at this hilarious bird poop facial video:

Celebrity Spa Treatments in People Magazine

Look for the Bird Poop Facial in People Magazine on newsstands today!

The one-page spread in People highlights three $50 Spa Week treatments from New York, Los Angeles and Dallas that are favorite celebrity spa treatments.  One of these celebrity beauty secrets is Shizuka New York Day Spa’s Geisha Facial®, usually $180, which is a favorite of fashionista and former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham!

Other discounted spa week treatments featured are “The Musk Try” manicure and pedicure in L.A., a favorite of celebrity Anne Hathaway, and a Warm Oil Massage and Scalp Treatment in Dallas that Hills star Lauren Conrad loves.

Spa Week in New York will be October 12-18 and numerous NYC spas will be offering discounted spa treatments for $50.

Bookings for the 45-Minute Spa Week Geisha Facial® begin on Friday, September 11, 2009. Shizuka New York Day Spa is also offering a 45-Minute Swedish Massage for New York Spa Week.

P.S. There is a special contest through People and SpaWeek.com for 50 Spa Week gift cards valued at $50 each!