Boy spa virgin. How was your first time?
10/27/2009
I sat nervously on the leather couch at Garth Modern Day Spa Brisbane waiting for my massage. I had never had one before and really didn't want to be there only I had been given a gift voucher for my birthday and it was due to expire any day now.
My partner had encouraged me to go - "Go on - you'll love it", she said.
Arriving at Garth located in the inner city Brisbane suburb of Teneriffe, I was quite relieved to see other blokes in the entry - either arriving for or at the end of a treatment.
"Come through please", I was led into what I thought was going to be a torture chamber - it turned out to be heaven. A cosy inviting room warm with the smell of oils and fresh towels with upbeat chill out music - no wave sounds and whale songs. "I'm Alana, take off your clothes - leave your underwear on and lay down on the table, cover yourself with a towel if you feel cool - I will be back in a minute". Great, I get to leave my jocks on and I have some privacy while I strip off.
Moments later Alana was back, "we will start on your back, roll over", "let me know if the massage is too hard or soft". My pre-therapy questionnaire asked what areas of my body I would like focussed on and what level of intensity I prefer. That was good as it meant that I didn't have to explain everything during the massage - my legs were sore from jogging the day before and I store tension in my back and shoulders so I listed those; intensity - I played it safe with 'medium'.
Face down in the hole of the table and with my arms on the rests below Alana started her magic. Perfectly warm massage oil was followed with soft rhythmic slides that worked up to firmer movements across my back, onto my shoulders and neck.
I was apprehensive and hanging on for a while, not sure if I should be enjoying it… finally I let go, really relaxed and was pure jelly.
My calves and thighs were next - a variety of hand movements and grip techniques really soothed my legs and the back of my thighs which surprisingly included my butt cheeks. I rolled over and Alana continued on my shoulders, arms, chest and even my face. I felt totally relaxed, calm and comfortable, and I could feel the tension leaving my body. The massage finished with my feet which was different, but felt good.
It was all over - for an hour I was transported into the clouds, back on my feet my body felt like it had new elastic shock absorbers. What was I worried about? Alana gave me a card with the full list of treatments available - "maybe a facial next time" - "I do get dry skin" I thought. "Waxing" - (I do have that hair on my back) - " I can take care of that" said Alana. That got me thinking...summer is almost here.
It's amazing what an hour in good hands can do - have I come out of the Metro closet?
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