My first thought, as soon as I walked into the reception area, was "What Spells My Wife Cast". If you don't know the show, the wife - Samantha - had magical powers: she would wiggle her nose twice and things would fall into place in two seconds. I found it incredible how much Andrada Soarice had changed in just a few months since I had visited Silena Mountain Spa, in the winter, shortly after the Spa Manager had moved in with Lorena Nicolescu - the new head therapist.

First of all, they totally diversified the concept. They started from the idea that the forest has always been the place where we relaxed and recovered our health.

Since ancient times, our ancestors have been invigorating their mind and body with medicinal herbs, essential oils and nature's energy.

Concept Silena Mountain Spa is now based on the local tradition of phytotherapy, therapies with wine products and essential oils.

From the moment I entered the therapy area, I was greeted by a very fresh forest aroma.

Everywhere we found the elements of the forest and mountain: wood, water, rocks and flora.

Obviously, I had started out with the idea of doing a signature ritual, although their massages sounded very tempting, as did their facials - including for hyper-sensitive skin.

I got stuck when they started telling me about rituals, because I really didn't know what to choose.

In the end we were left with a short list of 3 options: Purity of the Sphinx, Royal Bucegi Plants Ritual and Bear's Claw - Moor Wraping Ritual. The first two were with a plethora of local plants - from the Bucegi Mountains: thyme, pine and poplar buds, lime blossom, cuckoo's chickweed, burdock, ash, juniper, nettle, Bear's Claw and others.

In the end, reluctantly, I chose Bear Claw - a full body ritual with Pevonia Botanica products.

Andrada told me that she uses the Pevonia brand for their menu for the results they get: the active ingredients are made from skin-friendly oils, algae or vitamins, the micro-molecules ensure absolute absorption of the product, so there is no waste - just results.

In addition, with this brand she was also able to create rituals for pre-teens and teenagers.

At that moment I thought of my boys who were climbing the mountain at that moment. I had chosen to come to Spa, but I must admit I hadn't even thought of scheduling them. We'll come to Sinaia next time.

We chatted a bit with Lorena, found out that she is a physiotherapist with extensive international experience in Ireland - where she also went to college. She initially worked in a hospital, then moved into the spa area, working only in top spas with a holistic approach, including a few years at the famous Four Seasons chain.

After that I filled in the medical form, had a glass of spa water and entered the treatment room.

Bear Claw Ritual - Moor Wraping Ritual

started with a lavender essential oil inhalation

Lorena then applied the natural mud with Pevonia essential oils.

He had warned me that the mud was cold, but I wouldn't have expected it to be so cold. I was literally trailing with each application. But if you've read my articles before, you know I have a real problem with feeling cold.

On the other hand, the mud was also very flavorful. Even the flavors were cold, and they seemed to contribute to that sensation, but on the other hand, I liked them very much. I asked Lorena and she said they were eucalyptus, mint, pine and rosemary.

He also told me that their mud is a water soluble paste, which contains: minerals, amino acids, phyto-hormones, vitamins, enzymes, natural antibiotics, humic and salicylic acid, minerals, amino acids, phyto-hormones, vitamins, enzymes, natural antibiotic, humic and salicylic acid. This mix of natural ingredients helps relieve muscle aches and pains, possible sports injuries, rheumatic pains, but at the same time detoxifies and leaves the skin moisturized and rejuvenated. Heals, detoxifies, rejuvenates the skin and relieves aches and pains.

After he applied mud all over my body, he wrapped me in plastic wrap and put me in a heat blanket.

He explained to me that during the time spent in the thermal blanket the pores dilate, the blood circulation is activated and all the natural ingredients in the mud penetrate deep down.

When he turned it on, I would have expected a heat wave. But the funny thing was, it didn't.

I felt as if I had flakes of ice all over my body and the heat from the heater couldn't melt them in any way. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't cold. But while I was in the heat - the 20-30 minutes or so - I constantly had this dual impression of cold and warm at the same time. It was one of the most interesting sensations I have ever experienced in my life.

He asked if I wanted a scalp massage.

Although before we started the ritual, when they were presenting me with the options, I had already told them that I would definitely do it - because I would never refuse a scalp massage - now I said no.

I was way too intrigued by this feeling of cold directly on my skin and warm all over yet I still wanted to fully savor this unique moment. 

After the 20 minutes, they invited me into the shower - which is in the same room. I removed the mud mask with just water. There was also shower gel, but I preferred to keep the mud ingredients on my skin, so I didn't use it.

After the warm shower, he massaged me with "Micro-Emulsified Massage Oil" - a flavored cream-oil

It contains sofranel, geranium and orange oils. She told me that by massaging with this oil - which looks more like a cream (unique in its composition - it's not liquid, not yellowish in color, doesn't drip, doesn't stain clothes or paper) it activates circulation, restores skin elasticity and deeply moisturizes the skin because your pores are still dilated after the heat from the hot shower and hot shower.

After each area where she applied the oil-cream, she applied another cream: "Preserve Body Moisturizer"

I found it strange that she also gave me cream after oil and I asked her why. She replied that it is a cream rich in oils, vitamins and phytoextracts that replenishes the lipid levels essential for the skin.

And the truth is that at the end of the treatment I not only had velvety soft skin, but there was no oily feeling either.

At the end of the ritual, he had me inhale and exhale deeply 3 times - like an inhalation of organic peppermint essential oil, to awaken the senses and clear the airways.

Before she left the room, Lorena asked me not to enter the pool or the sauna immediately after the ritual.

The truth is that I never go into pools and saunas after a spa treatment, because I prefer to keep all the nutrients from the products on my skin. If I make it before, fine, but if not, no matter how tempting the area looks, I don't. This time I didn't manage to fit in, so the area with the adults-only pool, eucalyptus steam steam sauna, herbal bio sauna and more, I'll leave for next time.

When he lifted me out of bed - I felt like I was in full verve, as if I had extra energy

This is the first time this has happened to me after a spa treatment. In general, I leave feeling super well, very relaxed, floating. I feel like the batteries are charged, all the tension is gone - it's quiet, I'm myself and I'm feeling great. But to come out of the treatment room full of momentum has never happened to me before.

And I admit that until now I wouldn't have suggested to anyone to go to a spa ritual to come out immediately afterwards with a surplus of energy.

But it's clear to me that I still have some Spa secrets to discover and I'm grateful to Andrea and Lorena for opening another door for me to explore.

The photos and videos were taken by Bianca Spulber - a very young physiotherapist, who had been at Silena Mountain Spa for a few days, still mesmerized by everything around her and by the Spa. Previously she worked in the medical field. Thank you so much for her patience, attention and involvement.

Ioana Marian, founder of despreSpa.ro