How to Asian Spa in Northern Virginia
One thing I can tell you after many trips around Asia is how to Asian Spa. I just got back from Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, and oh my gosh the spas! Good massages for around $30 is just an amazing thing in life! I got massages in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia—my favorite massage was a Thai Herbal Compression Massage, or Luk Pra Kob, which focuses on deep compression, stretches and applied pressure on certain parts of the body using heated, herb-filled muslin pouches to relieve muscle pain, reduce inflammation, and enhance circulation. If you see one of those in the United States, try it!
Now, there are some nuanced differences from an onsen in Japan, a spa in Thailand and those here in Northern Virginia, but here is a ritual guide of steps you can use for your visits at home or abroad that has you covered!
No Shoes Inside. This is common all over Asian culture, and in most all spa culture, inside you wear no shoes or house shoes, outside shoes are put on at the door to go outside. Most places provide socks, slippers or slides and a separate locker for your shoes when you first walk in. However, always check policies, if a place doesn’t provide them, and you will want to have your own for the unisex areas.
You Will Be Naked, Get Over It. Even in the United States, please expect that in the female or male only parts of the spa which have whirlpools, steam rooms and saunas, it is expected that you be naked as this is seen as more cleanly than bringing an outside item into the wet areas. No one cares what your bits look like, you will see all shapes and sizes and bodies there and no one cares, your small towels are to wipe off when getting out of an area and to sit on in the sauna and steam room. You will be provided with a uniform to wear to unisex areas and should be clothed in those areas.
Wash Thoroughly on Entry and Between Rooms. The fastest way to get the attendants at the Korean Spa to yell at you is for not washing upon entry to the spa! Use the showers and wash thoroughly. This is part of the Asian ritual! The bath house is to get a deep level of cleanliness. Often people brush their teeth, scrub their bodies thoroughly with exfoliant and then lather well before proceeding to the baths, sauna or steam. Also, if you get sweaty in a treatment room, the expectation is that you will shower again after. It’s part of the routine, so enjoy it as such!
Respect the Quiet. This is a self-care ritual, it’s meant to be taken in peace. Any conversation should be minimal and in a very low voice. Boisterous conversation may be appropriate at some European spas, but quiet is the expectation at an Asian spa. Also, you will be expected to leave your phone in your locker, this is a time for self-care not screen time.
Remember to Cool Down. In between warm treatment areas your body needs to cool down. This should be done via a cold pool or cold shower, give your body a little rest between the high heat treatment rooms.
The Scrub and Massage is Fierce In the Best Way. If you get a scrub, which you should, feels like several inches of skin might be taken off. You also should expect that areas that many Americans are a bit shy about being touched in will be scrubbed. The attendant might fling your arm up to scrub your side, move your legs, and you will be told to turn from face up to side, to face down to side. But oh my gosh, your skin will feel baby soft after! A massage often focuses on stretches and deep tissue work, so if you like a gentler massage, a bath house massage, as opposed to a Swedish massage may not be your thing.
Your Hair Will Be Washed. And left in a wet towel, the locker room will have hair dryers, and often brushes, but I always bring deodorant, a round brush, and some styling product for post spa.
I love the Asian spa experience and find it deeply soothing, but it helps to know what you are getting into before you go! I was asked by two people at the spa last time on how it worked and was happy to answer questions. My run-down of the Asian Spas in Northern Virginia?
Balian Springs— is the adult spa equivalent to Great Wolf Lodge. The unisex area is large and bathing suits are permitted. It is expensive, but fun to go with a group for the day to try out the different treatment rooms and jetted pools. The unisex area is not quiet like at most spas. The massages and scrubs are more pricey, but are more like European treatments with private massage rooms.
Parkside— this is your small spa that packs a punch. They have the unisex area with a salt sauna and cold room, and the ladies locker room area with non-jetted whirlpool, steam and sauna. The scrubs and massages are in the mid-priced range.
Riverside— a little less luxurious than Parkside, but the scrubs and massages are just as good if that is the purpose of going, and prices a little less.
King Spa— they have a much larger unisex area, and bathing suits are permitted in the unisex area, making this an alternative to Balian if you are going as a couple, but more traditionally Asian than Balian Springs, and the price is a bit gentler for a day pass.
Spa World— the OG of Korean Spas in Northern Virginia, they have more whirlpools with various jets than Parkside or Riverside, the unisex area is definitely larger than the small spas. The focus is more on treatment rooms than scrubs and massages, although of course those are available.
Meraki Head Spa— our very own little slice of Asian Spa experience here in Alexandria, they focus solely on the hair washing portion of the ritual, and it’s deeply soothing.
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