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A Day in the Life of a Massage Therapist

Many of us have enjoyed a good massage and know just how relaxing it can be. A massage can relax your body and mind, knead your sore muscles, or transport you to a place far away; however, very few of us know what it’s like from the other perspective—the massage therapist.

We have interviewed our very own  Kyle Kolashinski, massage therapist at the Salon and Spa at Garden of the Gods Club, for his perspective on his work. Kyle has more than 19 years of experience as a massage therapist and is also trained in medical massage. Read on for a glimpse into the world of a massage therapist!

GGC:  How does your day at work begin?
Kyle Kolashinski:  I arrive at the spa in the morning to set up the room, turn on the heating bed, and take a look my schedule for the day and upcoming week. Every day is different because everyone’s body is different, which enables me to address different concerns or requests at each guest’s visit.

GGC:  What do you love most about your job?
KK:  I love coming into work each day because the Spa and Salon at Garden of the Gods Club draws people from all over the world, allowing me to meet new people all the time. The most important reason I love being a massage therapist is that I am able to help people. Guests visit us for various reasons (i.e. to release stress, address an injury, or for relaxation) and I am able to make people feel better or help them to forget their day for a period of time. That’s really special.

GGC:  What are some of the main reasons people come to you for a massage?
KK:  Relaxation massages are popular because many of our guests have hectic and stressful schedules or they take care of someone in their personal life or for their job. These massages allow us, as massage therapists, to cater to them and let them leave their worries behind.

The other popular reason for a massage is for therapy. Since many of our Members and guests are golfers, we see some common strains to the lower back, neck, and shoulders as well as some sports injuries.

GGC:  How often should one get a massage?
KK:  I recommend at least once per month. Massages are good on many levels—the skin, muscles, skeletal system, and even the organs. Don’t think of it as a luxury, think of it as maintenance. Just like our houses and our cars, our body needs work. So take care of yourself!

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To learn more about the massage services offered at the Spa and Salon at Garden of the Gods Club, or to request an appointment with Kyle or another talented massage therapist, please contact the Spa Concierge at 719.520.4988 or ggcspa@ggclub.com.

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The Health Benefits of Hiking

For many Coloradoans, hiking is a part of life. In addition to being an economical form of exercise, hiking also carries many health benefits. You don’t have to be an expert hiker to reap the benefits of the exercise. No matter what your hiking experience level may be, there is no doubt that being outdoors is good for your mind, body, and soul. Read on for some of the health benefits of hiking according to our own Lauralee Beerman, sports club manager at Garden of the Gods Club.

1. Hiking helps prevent heart disease. “Hiking decreases triglyceride levels and increases HDL [good cholesterol], which can reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes,” Lauralee explained.

2. Hiking eats up extra calories. “Hiking is a great form of weight control, as it burns calories; you can burn 300 to 500 calories per hour,” Lauralee said.

3. Hiking can make your bones stronger. Going on regular hikes can help develop strong bones and slow down bone loss. In her Livestrong article “Ten reasons why hiking is good for you,” Kathryn Meininger writes that “the CDC encourages those who have arthritis to hike for 150 minutes per week because it keeps the joints flexible and also helps prevent joint stiffness affiliated with osteoporosis.”

4. Hiking promotes holistic wellness. According to a 10-year study on green exercise conducted by Dr. Jo Barton and colleagues from the University of Essex, exercising outdoors far exceeds indoor exercise when it comes to its effects on mood and self-esteem. The University of Essex’s Green Exercise Study found that outdoor activities, like hiking, minimized feelings of tension, anger and depression in three out of four participants and raised self-esteem levels in almost two-thirds of its participants. “Unlike an indoor exercise class, hiking allows you to connect with the beauty and smells of the outdoors and enables you to see new areas as well as meet new people,” Lauralee added.

5. Hiking helps stabilize blood sugar levels. In her article “Ten reasons why hiking is good for you,” Meininger also writes, “Regular hiking can help control, or even prevent, diabetes by lowering your blood sugar levels. Hiking exercises your muscles, which moves glucose from the bloodstream for energy.” So if you went a little overboard on dessert last night, not to worry! Lace up your hiking shoes and get out for some fresh air and gorgeous Colorado views!

6. Hiking helps you catch some “rays”. Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium helps you maintain strong muscles and bones. Ten minutes of direct sunlight daily is all you need to maintain your vitamin D levels, so get out there and hike your way to better health!

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Aside from the great health benefits, hiking is a wonderful outlet for meeting new people and connecting with nature. For more information on sports memberships at Garden of the Gods Club, which include access to personal training, group fitness classes, and hiking and biking clubs, please contact Director of Membership Tracey Kalata at 719.520.4980 or tkalata@ggclub.com.

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Three Easy, Classy Hair Updos Perfect for Warm Summer Weather

With the heat of summer approaching, the last thing you want is your hair sticking to your neck! Check out these easy and classy up-do hairstyles we have created for you just in time for summer! These up-dos are not only cute and classy, but they are easy to create for all hair lengths and take only minutes to create.

1.  Side-braided low chignon.
Start by French-braiding your hair along one side of your hairline (either side is fine). Anchor the braid at the end with a bobby pin. Once the braid is pinned, gather your remaining hair and twist it into a chignon (bun). Then anchor the look with a hair tie and/or bobby pins.

2.  High ponytail with front poof.
Gather the top front section of your hair, lifting and pushing it forward for some height, and then pin it in place. Put the remaining hair into a mid-ponytail and anchor it with a hair tie. Then take a small section of hair from your ponytail and wrap it around the hair tie. Anchor this piece of hair with a bobby pin; make sure to hide it within the ponytail so the metal is not exposed.

3.  Chignon with front twists.
Around the front of your head twist small sections of your hair and anchor each piece with a bobby pin. Create as many twists for your own unique look. After the twists are pinned, gather the rest of your hair and twist it into a chignon. You may need several bobby pins to anchor the chignon.

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For further assistance in creating any of these looks, or if you would like to schedule a hair styling appointment at the Spa and Salon at Garden of the Gods Club, please call the Spa Concierge at 719.520.4988.

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