Body treatments, now popular at spas worldwide, have been a fixture at Rancho La Puerta since 1940. Ranch co-founder Professor Edmond Szekely sought a balm for the aches and other muscle discomforts that afflicted some guests who were unaccustomed to dawn-to-dusk exercise. He adapted and modified the 19th-century naturopathic techniques of Father Sebastian Kniepp (1821-1897). Today our treatments are as effective and soothing as ever, promoting circulation and relaxing tense and sore muscles.

Energy Balance Therapy

Energy healing is a profound and fundamental part of holistic therapy. This massage catalyzes spiritual healing in your energy field, helping you break free of any negative energy that may be limiting your mind and spirit. With distortions gone and your chakras balanced, your body can restore lost energy and regain its holistic health.

Healing Therapy (Trigger-Point Techniques)

This focused approach clears pain and releases chronic patterns of imbalance and tension in the body. We customize each treatment to address specific problem areas using a variety of techniques such as trigger-point, myofascial release, neuromuscular release, and muscle-energy techniques. The relaxation that follows is profound and enduring. Any temporary discomfort triggered by working on long-locked-up tissues is a small price to pay for unprecedented freedom from pain or restricted movement. (Note: this treatment is not necessarily a full body massage.)

Five Elements

The ancient medical Chinese tradition of seeking equilibrium and interconnection between all living beings inspires our"Five Elements," and our goal is to balance
and restore the Qi (Vital energy of the body and mind). The Aromatherapy blends for these five treatments connect and balance body and mind with the five natural elements:

WATER—A Lymphatic body treatment using long undulating body
movements to facilitate drainage.

WOOD—Relaxing, intensive oleation that stimulates skin to breath, expand
and repair itself.

FIRE—Focuses on the nerves and muscles along the spinal column to balance
emotions.

EARTH—Stimulates the two cerebral hemispheres by using cross body
movements and shiatsu techniques.

METAL—Treatment involving firm pressure with pulling and twisting to restore
the mind and body's harmony.

All Five Element treatments start with a relaxing body brush, that stimulates
circulation and prepare the skin to receive the benefits of the essential oils.

A Guide to The Five Elements Therapy (PDF) is available. Click here.

Life Flow

A renewing body ritual, followed with a detoxifying body polish and light skin oleation with the purifying powers of juniper and cypress essential oils, herbal extracts and the emollient richness of Apricot Kernel oil for intense hydration. This treatment has powerful detoxifying effects for the entire organism through a seaweed mask applied on the back that leaves the skin supple and hydrated.

Choice of dry brush or Loofah is available.
Cleansing
Recommended for: Sensitive skin

Inner Force

A restorative body scrub with a rose and pomegranate body wash containing balsam, sea salts and clays. A wrap with natural blend of essential oil of rose, rosehip seed oil, and sallow thorn seed oil moisturizes and helps restore the skin from sun damage, promoting cell renewal for an even tone.

Restoring
Recommended for: Mature / normal skin

Renewing Moments

This treatment begins with a honey and ravintsara essential oil blend applied on the back with a suction technique to detoxify the organism. Then, a relaxing body wash with a creamy, foaming balsam imparts deeply calming effect to skin and senses, followed by a gentle skin oleation with essential oils that strengthens the skins
ability to hold moisture and restore its elasticity.

Relaxing
Recommended for: All skin types
Recommended for men with relatively smooth backs

Brighten the Mind

An energizing body exfoliation to feel refreshed and awakened. Blends of ginger and lime essential oils have a unique effect toward increasing the energy in the body,
while a spice aroma brightens the mind. Leaves the skin nourished and protected. A choice of light or medium exfoliation is available.
Energizing
Recommended for: All skin types

Loofah Salt Glow

Promotes baby-soft skin. A brisk massage with a salt, almond-jojoba- macadamia oil, honey, and oatmeal paste is applied to the entire body (except the face), thoroughly cleansing the pores. Dead layers of skin cells disappear and circulation is stimulated.
Avoid sun exposure before and after treatment