Perhaps, you have never been to a spa before or availed yourself of its wonderful services.  If this is true, you should understand a few rules, etiquette as some people would call it, about spa service and treatments.  Grupo Mayan suggests that if you have never been before, take a friend who has and you will be more comfortable with the experience.

A spa session is unlike anything else in the world.  You have chosen to be pampered and revitalized.  Most spa treatments are hands-on and you need to be familiar with certain rules.  Always arrive early (especially if you are new to the experience).  You can tour the facility and become more familiar with the services that may be offered.  Some places may have some paperwork that needs to be filled out before you partake of the services.

If you have chosen a massage, a therapist should conduct you to a room to change and you will be provided with a robe and sandals.  It is your choice whether to keep your underwear on.  Strip or not, it is your choice.  You have the option to decide if you want a male or female masseur.  You are paying for the service, so do not hesitate to let your preference known.  Your therapist may ask you for some information about areas that you are feeling pain or discomfort in.  You are here to enjoy your treatment, so be sure to let the therapist know about any discomfort while the massage is being done.

When you are done with your message, please partake of the offered water to rehydrate your body.  You should not stay too long in the room after completion as a courtesy to the next person who may be waiting.  Your time is important but do not infringe on someone elseís time either.  A facial is another popular choice of women who are getting a body massage.  If you get both treatments, have your massage completed first.  Grupo Mayan spa technicians reveal that spas are great alone time situations, so consider leaving your children with someone else (husband, boyfriend, or girlfriend) and enjoying your treatment.

Tipping is another area that many women may not be sure how to deal with.  Tipping should be in the range of fifteen to twenty percent or ten to fifteen dollars per treatment.  Tipping should be given if you received satisfactory or above service.  Many spas provide envelopes at the front desk that you can place a tip in.

Are you planning a spa vacation in the near future?  Some important information that you should consider about the possible spas you might use is listed below.  Grupo Mayan hopes you will consider this information before making your next trip.

A successful spa vacation depends on many factors and not just the spa itself.  One of the best parts about taking advantage of the spa experience at Grupo Mayan is that your significant other can take advantage of the golfing experience while you enjoy the spas.  Not all spas are created equal.  Some companies use this term to describe a two room area in the back of a fitness center and others may mean a 22 room complete with all the amenities.

Your spa should offer many extras for you to enjoy.  A workout facility, wet and dry saunas, aromatherapy rooms, hot and cold plunge pools, quiet lounges, and complimentary classes, are just a few of these extras to look for.  Amenities can also include shower and beauty products, robes, slippers, towels, hair dryers, herbal teas, bottled water, fruits, and other healthy goods.

A great spa vacation does not have to involve complicated bookings.  You can arrive early and stay late.  Take advantage of the many other facilities that you can use while you are waiting for your booking or after you have finished.  Try steaming in the sauna, workouts in the gym, relaxing in the lounge before and after your treatment.  Check out what packages the facility might offer.  Many places have great deals to get you to try out treatments you may not have had before.

Do a little research about what each treatment includes.  You will feel more comfortable if you have some knowledge of the treatment than if you just show up and hope for the best.  Do not be afraid to ask questions.  You are paying for the service and deserve to know what you are getting for your money.

Make sure the people who will be providing the services are experienced therapists.  A therapist is passionate about the work he or she does and will make your experience a better one.  Avoid the kind of person that just does the treatment and moves on to the next person, without any regard for how you feel about the treatment.  If you can visit the spa in advance, you can get a better idea of what to expect.  Many companies have virtual tours available on their websites.

A spa vacation should be an experience to remember.  Grupo Mayan hopes these tips will help you to prepare for your next spa vacation.

This article is going to help you understand the processes that the body goes through when you visit a spa or give yourself a spa treatment at home.  Understanding how your body adapts to the environment you are providing for it, say the Grupo Mayan professionals, will also help you understand what type of spa treatments you need.  Sometimes you might just need to soak in a hot bath and other times you might need a little more TLC.

In this article the Grupo Mayan pros are going to show you the processes of adaptation that your body goes through and help you understand a little about each process so you can better evaluate your needs.
The first process the body goes through in the adaptation of a spa environment is homeostasis.
Homeostasis is when the body works at maintaining its internal balance and stress factors, mentally or physically, can throw that internal balance off.  Getting control of these factors will help the homeostasis process, say the Grupo Mayan professionals.

The next process according to the Grupo Mayan pros is the actual adaptation based on the task that lies ahead for your body.  When you are exercising or doing a strenuous job, your body eventually adapts to the activity and when you are done, the body also needs to adapt to a wind down from physical labor.  This part is considered positive adaptation, and a fundamental part of spa therapy.

You also need to understand the influences that your body goes through and help balance them out and try to control them as well.  There are 2 forms of body influences that are external, say the Grupo Mayan experts, and these are called hard influences and smart influences.  Smart influences are things that will improve your bodyís well being while staying within the boundaries of your bodyís stimulation.  Hard influences are the ones you will want to always keep in check because these influences that cause unnecessary stress to the body will make you over exert yourself and have a negative effect on your body.
These are all things to keep in mind, say the Grupo Mayan experts, when you are contemplating just how much you need to benefit on any particular day that you plan to visit a spa or do your own spa treatment at home.

Like stated earlier, there will be times when you have not been through too much hard influence so just a simple relaxation technique will work for that day and other days you will find yourself needing a lot more pampering.

As with most things, mud baths have their pros and cons and doing it at home in your own spa treatment like area is no exception, say the Grupo Mayan experts in spa treatments.

In short, a mud bath is a series of natural products that you can purchase at any bath store and use at home.  The ingredients consist of all natural things found around you and around the world and are typically safe for all skin-types.  Make sure that you read the labels on the products for any skin allergy warnings before buying the product, recommend the Grupo Mayan pros.

If you have ever been to a spa and had a mud bath treatment, this is probably why you are exploring your options of giving yourself one at home.  The process in an actual spa is effortless on your part, but you have to know that doing it at home is going to require some work on your part.

You can also buy the mud online, according to the Grupo Mayan spa professionals and the benefit of ordering online is that sometimes you can get the product cheaper because they will ship it to you straight from the factory cutting out the middle-man.

There are a few choices of mud treatments that are also referred to as peloid treatments, and the first kind is a saltwater mud that has a very high mineral content and since the minerals are so rich, this will help the body and skin to stay nutrient rich.  There is also the organic mud types referred to as saporpel and moor.  There is not one that is more beneficial over the other according to the Grupo Mayan experts, this choosing process boils down to personal preference, but you can consult with the spa you usually go to and ask which type they use especially if you have had mud baths there because you know whatever type they use is going to work on you already.

There are a couple of drawbacks to doing a mud treatment at home and you should examine these along with the product to determine whether or not you want to risk it.  The first is the fact that mud sticks to mud, so keep that in mind if you are expecting a high concentration of the mud treatment to actually penetrate your skin, because it wonít.  Another problem is that a lot of the ingredients in the mud are not water soluble and may cause your bath tub to plug up.  This is why, say the Grupo Mayan spa professionals there are special bathtubs that the spas use for these treatments.  Some, on the other hand, have no problems with draining or clogging your tub drain, just do your research.  I have found that the best alternative to avoid these issues is purchasing a mud that is already prepared because it has gone through extensive refining processes and is eco- as well as, user friendly.

Once you have made it through this process the rest is a breeze and you should be able to thoroughly enjoy a mud bath right in your own home.

For the longest time, day spas were a retreat where mainly only women ran to.  Not that men were not welcome, say the Grupo Mayan experts, but it used to be that this was a womanís getaway and men chose to go play their favorite sport, like golf to get away.

More and more we see men seeking out the need for a physical and mental break from the everyday stress of life.  This is not only good news for them, but good news for the spas as well.  According to the Grupo Mayan pros, since men outnumber women almost 4 to 1, there is a good percentage of the population that have not been taking advantage of all that a spa retreat has to offer.

Men, regardless of age or social status, love massages.  For the spa therapist and its owner, this is a great selling point for you because men will never turn down a massage and the more creative you are with explaining what goes into a massage and the benefits, the more packages you will be able to sell.

Women are much easier, say the Grupo Mayan professionals, because they just want to be pampered.  Women pay good money to have someone else take care of their needs for relaxation so the more things you can include in your packages as perks for spending more cash, the more likely they are to order the biggest package you have to offer.

Some men are not comfortable with the thought of having another man do their massage, say the Grupo Mayan experts, so as a manager or owner of a spa, it is important that you offer your client, regardless of gender, the option of picking the gender of therapist they prefer.

Another service for men at day spas that is becoming more popular is waxing.    Grupo Mayan spa professionals think this is because there are a good portion of men out there that have hairy backs and this is either unattractive to most, or they are just self conscious about it and prefer to get rid of it all together.

The next area that is becoming more popular for men is the facial and the manicure.  There are plenty of businessmen who are out there every day, dealing face to face with the public and naturally they want to look their best.  One of the things about the facial for men, say the Grupo Mayan experts, is that this facial is specifically designed for them, different from a womanís facial so this sets their treatment apart.

A destination spa is unlike an ordinary spa.  The entire environment has been geared to providing a special atmosphere and service that you will remember as an experience.  Fitness, health, relaxation, and renewal are all key parts of a destination spa.  If you are looking for the perfect destination spa experience, Grupo Mayan professionals recommend that you consider some important factors before making your choice.

What are you looking for from your destination spa experience?  Consider what the facility has to offer, its prices, amenities, and programs.  What do you hope to get out of the experience?  If you are hoping to lose weight, you may want to choose a different spa than one that will help you to rev up your fitness goals.  Some destination spas help by providing detox programs or may teach you to meditate.

If you plan to lose weight, do you want a location that restricts your calorie intake?  Some spas provide all you can eat buffets as part of their services.  That will not work out very well for you if you want to lose weight.  Are you hoping to have alcohol and caffeine while at the spa?  While these are not normally associated with the spa, some places do offer them.

If you have any medical issues you may want to address, there are certain spas that have medical programs in place to help you.  Learning more about the spa experience is important and can help you to determine if you are looking for an intimate experience or a spa that has a larger setting for meeting other people.  Check out what the minimum requirements are for your stay at a destination spa.  Some will require at least two nights minimum while others require longer stays.

What type of room are you hoping to have when you go to a destination spa?  Grupo Mayan reveals that many resorts have a basic room included with a destination spa since you are not expected to spend much time in the room.  If you want a luxurious room, you may have to spend more money on the room.  Destination spas can include different spa treatments in your package deal.  You will have to determine if these will meet your needs or if you may want to make some changes.  Adding extra treatments is always allowed, no matter what package you might choose to begin with (for a fee of course).

This article is going to help you understand the processes that the body goes through when you visit a spa or give yourself a spa treatment at home.  Understanding how your body adapts to the environment you are providing for it, say the Grupo Mayan professionals, will also help you understand what type of spa treatments you need.  Sometimes you might just need to soak in a hot bath and other times you might need a little more TLC.

In this article the Grupo Mayan pros are going to show you the processes of adaptation that your body goes through and help you understand a little about each process so you can better evaluate your needs.
The first process the body goes through in the adaptation of a spa environment is homeostasis.
Homeostasis is when the body works at maintaining its internal balance and stress factors, mentally or physically, can throw that internal balance off.  Getting control of these factors will help the homeostasis process, say the Grupo Mayan professionals.

The next process according to the Grupo Mayan pros is the actual adaptation based on the task that lies ahead for your body.  When you are exercising or doing a strenuous job, your body eventually adapts to the activity and when you are done, the body also needs to adapt to a wind down from physical labor.  This part is considered positive adaptation, and a fundamental part of spa therapy.

You also need to understand the influences that your body goes through and help balance them out and try to control them as well.  There are 2 forms of body influences that are external, say the Grupo Mayan experts, and these are called hard influences and smart influences.  Smart influences are things that will improve your bodyís well being while staying within the boundaries of your bodyís stimulation.  Hard influences are the ones you will want to always keep in check because these influences that cause unnecessary stress to the body will make you over exert yourself and have a negative effect on your body.
These are all things to keep in mind, say the Grupo Mayan experts, when you are contemplating just how much you need to benefit on any particular day that you plan to visit a spa or do your own spa treatment at home.

Like stated earlier, there will be times when you have not been through too much hard influence so just a simple relaxation technique will work for that day and other days you will find yourself needing a lot more pampering.

The following are some of the services offered by contemporary spas:

The first and most common service is the massage, say the Grupo Mayan professionals. There are many kinds of massages and it is good to know the difference.

The Swedish Massage
The Swedish massage is perhaps the most common kind of massage in US today, say the Grupo Mayan experts. To do the massage, a therapist uses long circular strokes, smoothly kneading the superficial muscle layers. Various massage lotions or oils can be used to lubricate the movements.

Aromatherapy Massage
Aromatherapy massage complements ordinary massage with treatment using one or even several scented plant oils. These oils are called essential oils and are very helpful in relaxing, energizing and reducing stress in the body, say the Grupo Mayan spas professionals.

Reflexology
Reflexology is variously referred to as foot massage. It basically involves applying regulated pressure on certain points of the foot. These points are said to correspond to certain key systems and organs in the body.

Hot Stone Massage
In this massage, smooth stones are first heated and then placed on particular body points to warm and loosen the tight muscles as well as the balance energy centres, say the Grupo Mayan experts. The therapist can also hold stones while applying gentle pressure on them.  Hot stone massage is particularly good for people with muscle tension.

Deep Tissue Massage
This massage targets deeper layers of the muscles and the connective tissue. Usually, a therapist will use slow strokes or even friction techniques all along the muscle grain.  Deep tissue massage is very effective for chronically painful or tight muscles, strain, postural problems, and delayed recovery from muscle injuries, say the Grupo Mayan professionals.

Shiatsu

The Shiatsu massage is essentially a Japanese form of bodywork that’s done using localized finger pressure in typical rhythmic sequences on precise acupuncture meridians. It helps improve energy and balance in the body.

During a massage, you don’t have to be naked, say the Grupo Mayan experts. You can wear a swimsuit or underwear or even leave your robe on. Although it’s not a must you tip after a massage, a 15% tip is conventional in most spas. You can request for a male or female massage therapist according to your preference.

Besides the massages, there are several other services offered by spas.  These include facials for skin treatments, cleansing wastes, exfoliating dead cells and extracting blackheads. Salt scrubs are also done to exfoliate and hydrate the skin with salt, oil and aromatics like lavender or lemon.

The Grupo Mayan resort spas offer our guests lavish spas where they can relax and be pampered.  If you have scheduled a Grupo Mayan vacation and are planning your first spa visit the Grupo Mayan spa team have some tips for you.

A first time spa guest will usually feel a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.  You probably can not wait to be pampered but may be a little nervous about disrobing in front of strangers.  You can be assured that the Grupo Mayan spa professionals respect our guests´ modesty and make every effort to make you comfortable with complimentary drapes and wraps.  Several services can even be performed by our spa professionals while you are wearing your clothes.
Here are few tips from the Grupo Mayan pros for first time spa clients.

• When making your Grupo Mayan reservations ask the Grupo Mayan representative to send you a spa brochure so you can preview the services we offer in our spas.
• After looking through the spa brochure you may have questions about specific spa services.  You may call our spas directly and speak with any of the Grupo Mayan professional spa staff.  They will be able to answer your questions and make suggestions for you.
• Once you arrive at your Grupo Mayan resort you will book your spa appointments.  You can book short spa visits scheduled out over several days or reserve a whole day for pampering.  You can also call head before you arrive and schedule spa visits.
• On the day of your first spa visit you should check in a few minutes early so you will have time to orient yourself.  You can ask for a tour of the spa before your treatments begin. Let the receptionist know this is your first spa visit and she will be happy to provide you with any information you need.
• A spa professional will take you to the spa´s comfortable locker room.  You will be given a locker with a lock for your clothes and personal items.  The Grupo Mayan spa staff will provide you with a plush robe and spa sandals.
• You will change in your own private stall and lock your belongings in your locker.
• After you change you can go to the private sitting area and relax until your therapist arrives to whisk you off for your first service.
• Once in the room reserved for your spa service the therapist will help you onto the table and remove herself from the room so you may remove your robe and cover yourself with the provided spa drape.

The therapist will return after you have disrobed and begin your first spa service which is usually a calming massage.  After the treatment is completed you will be escorted back to the sitting room to wait for your next service.

We know you will enjoy your first spa visit with Grupo Mayan. Our professional staff will see to your every need.

The Grupo Mayan spas offer clients a full range of spa services.  All of our clients have their favorites and two of our most popular treatments are the Vichy shower and the body scrub.  Both of these services are great for your skin, say the Grupo Mayan spa teams.
Unless you have been to a spa before you may not have heard of a Vichy shower.  This French treatment is a shower taken while lying on a table.  The Vichy shower equipment is quite unique.  The water streams from seven shower heads while you lay on a wet table.

Many times, say the Grupo Mayan spa pros, the Vichy shower is used after body scrubs and mud baths so you do not have to get up and go to another area to rinse your body.  For modesty, the Grupo Mayan specialists will drape towels across your lower waist and breast area during the shower.  Many guests leave our spas wishing they could install one of these wonderful showers at home.

Another favorite service of many Grupo Mayan guests is the body scrub offered at our spas.  Most scrubs are made using salt or sea salt mixed with oils, lotions, and aromatics.  Some scrubs mix ingredients for body detoxification with the salt.

The body scrub will exfoliate and hydrate your skin.  This treatment is performed in a room with a Vichy shower.  You will lie on a table with a thin sheet beneath you.  The Grupo Mayan staff will provide you with disposable underwear if you prefer.  As you lie on the table, your Grupo Mayan spa specialist will rub the salt scrub onto your skin with a light massage technique.  When one side of your body is finished you will be asked to turn over so the specialist can work on the other side.

After your scrub is completed the Grupo Mayan spa specialist will set up the Vichy shower.  This will allow you to rinse off without having to move to another area.  As mentioned earlier, the Vichy shower is a treat itself.  After your body has been rinsed, the specialist will apply lotion or cream to your body for extra hydration.  After this treatment your skin will feel wonderful.

If you plan to have other spa treatments while on your Grupo Mayan holiday the spa teams recommend having a body wrap, (seaweed), after your body scrub.  The seaweed will help eliminate toxins from your body and works especially well on skin that has just been stimulated with a body scrub.

Massages are a great spa treatment and pair especially well with body scrubs.  Not only will your skin feel rejuvenated, the Grupo Mayan staff says you will feel better all over because the massage will relieve stress and increase the circulation of your blood.

The Grupo Mayan spa teams look forward to your spa visit.  We will work with you to design the perfect spa package depending on your needs.  Be prepared to be pampered at Grupo Mayan!