Therapists Learn the "Why" and "How" of Spa
Nancy Griffin
Thirty acres of stunning beachfront property Laguna Beach, Calif., is
the setting for the Montage Resort and Spa, which opened in February.
This world-class, yet casual, property has created a peaceful sanctuary
for its guests, sparing no detail in lodging, dining, art and service.
The 20,000-square-foot spa sets a new standard of excellence for resort
spas worldwide. Beyond the ocean views, superior facilities and luxury
amenities, one of the spa's key success factors is a commitment to selecting
the finest staff. Early in the project, Montage CEO Alan Fuerstman brought
in Barbara Schultz, the former spa director of the Ritz Carlton in Naples,
Fla., as Montage's spa director, and Anne Bramham, who has developed results-oriented
protocols for some of the world's most famous spas - including Canyon
Ranch, the Greenhouse Group and the Ritz Carlton - as a consultant and
trainer.
Five months before opening, Barbara and Anne were hard at work hand selecting
massage therapists and aestheticians. The therapists selected had eclectic
backgrounds but a common passion for holistic, noninvasive techniques
and continuing education. They took part in a three-week training where
they "basically started from scratch," as one therapist put it, and used
the resort staff as "guinea pigs," which helped to create awareness and
goodwill among the staff toward the spa.
The Therapists' Perspectives
Massage therapist Peggy Matthess left a 14-year position at a five-star
resort to join the Montage. "This was an opportunity to receive education
I could not receive elsewhere - at no cost," she said. "I could not pass
it up."
Suzanne DeFranco, an experienced holistic healer and acupuncturist, also
left a lucrative practice to join the Montage team. "After having my own
practice for many years, I debated whether I would be happy in a resort
environment," said DeFranco. "But when I heard about Anne Bramham's training,
I knew this was the right place for me." DeFranco especially identified
with the training in clinical aromatherapy, which is the foundation for
"aroma balancing," one of the spa's signature treatments.
Drawing from Oriental diagnosis and constitutional analysis, this technique
uses the specific application of oils along the reflex pathways using
applied pressure and connective tissue methods.
Interview with Anne Bramham
NG: What's different about the spa at Montage compared with a
typical resort spa?
AB: At Montage, the therapists have been trained to have an understanding
of the "why" and "how" of spa. They understand the physiological responses
of the body, and how the applied elements work with the body. Montage
is one of the first spas to make a long-term commitment to training its
therapists, and it is already paying off in the spa experience. The spa
just opened in February, and already people are coming back for their
second or third visit. Montage spa guests take home a program and become
involved in their therapy.
NG: I was told that you "hand-picked" Montage's therapists. What
are the qualities you look for when selecting treatment staff?
AB: In general, I look for therapists that have a sense of rhythm,
flow, contact, and an insatiable desire to learn about the human body.
Because of the buzz surrounding Montage, we were lucky to be able to attract
the best therapists in the area, but skill and number of years in practice
were not most important. We hired for attitude and potential, then taught
them the necessary skills, like how to identify the links between general
constitutions and the corresponding elements found in spa treatments.
NG: What is your biggest pet peeve about spas in the United States?
AB: In the US, most spas talk about "healing," but when it comes
to operating the business, they don't allow for the possibility for that
to happen. In Europe, there is a Badmeister program adhering to highly
standardized protocols using spa therapies in physical rehabilitation.
Much like our Western medical system, most spas don't take the time to
understand what will best complement an individual's healing process.
We as spa owners need to teach our therapists how to focus their efforts
towards specific results for the client.
For more information on Montage Resort, visit www.montageresort.com.
For information on Anne Bramham's training, visit www.asteccse.com
or email her at bramhami@aol.com.
Nancy Griffin
Petaluma, California
|
