10 years ago I was fascinated by the VOYA advertisements in European Spa Magazine and I wondered how many years before they will be in Romania.
I didn't know he brought them to Romania recently, Maria Rendeș, the spa consultant who designed the menu and concept at Alma Wellness & Spa, Lacul Sărat, Brăila. I found out when I was in the car with her on the way to the resort's official opening Alma Health & Spa Retreatwhich includes the Alma Spa center. For a few seconds I couldn't articulate anything, then a "Wow, another big plus for the Romanian spa market!”
VOYA is the world's first certified organic seaweed-based skincare range. It was created on the west coast of Ireland. Since the 18th century, over 800 species of seaweed have been identified in Irish waters. Harvesting seaweed dates back to 1900 using ancient harvesting traditions passed down through generations; VOYA's expert harvesting team harvests the seaweed by hand to protect the ecosystem and the environment and to avoid disturbing aquatic life.
The main choices used in this luxury range are Himanthalia Elongata, Bladderwrack, Fucus Seratus, Laminaria Digitata. The products also contain various organic oils depending on the product and its purpose. There may be essential oils from orange, bergamot, ginger root extracts, litsea cubeba, primrose - also excellent for balancing hormones - and others.
The latest VOYA scientific research confirms that seaweeds, in particular their algae Laminaria Digitata and Fucus Serratus, improve the production of type 1 collagen in the skin (the collagen that makes up 80% of the total collagen present in human skin) by more than 200% and 140% respectively.
These algae moisturize the skin with up to 700%, are excellent antioxidants, protect the complexion and skin against environmental pollutants, have a strong anti-aging effect, improve blood circulation, etc.
I entered the Alma Wellness & Spa center right after the 3 mud treatments I told you about here. We didn't plan to have another treatment that evening, but we wanted to schedule for the next day.
The first impact was muffled music, then the aroma of gardenia. It sounded like running water in the distance, but it was right in the waiting area.
Involuntarily, instead of going after Maria, I went to the fountain. There I discovered walls covered with stabilized green moss, said to enhance relaxation and purify the air. Then I noticed other spa walls covered with bamboo sticks. Next was a long hallway at the end of which was a large whirlpool tub, but as it was almost 9pm, I figured I'd discover it the next day. I lingered a few more moments to savor that atmosphere of peace, tranquility and zen.
I followed Maria to the reception. Simona, one of the therapists had already recommended a VOYA Ritual - anti-aging facial.
I was looking at their menu of 11 signature VOYA treatments. I would have chosen an algae body wrap, but I wasn't quite decided.
"You have to go through this experience" Maria told me. And she suggested a full body 360* experience called Voyager Massage - 90 minutes. I read the description and I didn't understand why I was getting that particular massage. From the description, it sounded like an oil and then cream massage - a combination of stretching massage techniques... scap massage... I didn't understand what could be so special about it.
Diana, the receptionist, immediately complemented Maria: "And my recommendation is to try the Voya signature ritual. It is absolutely exceptional, you won't find this protocol anywhere else. You also have an exfoliation with a special brush with natural 100% 100% cactus bristles. The products are a delight - they're seaweed based, organic, eco-friendly, hand-picked. You've certainly never experienced anything like this before!"
They were right, but it wasn't until after the treatment that I realized: he chose it because it was unlike any other massage. At least, not the way my therapist, Mikhail, personalized it for me. I'll tell you about it in a minute.
Mihail Lalu is a head therapist, a graduate of kinetotherapy and motor skills. He also did a master's degree in kinesiotherapy and many other courses, some of them with Daniela Dumitru, international trainer, for Shirodhara, Abyanaga, Chakra Balancing, Ayurveda, Herbal Thai Compress, Thai Massage, Lomi Lomi, Sacred Pedi Pudja, Lymphatic Drainage with honey, Yumeiho and others.
First a Cat walk, then he cleaned my feet with Voya Squeaky Clean and wiped them with warm towels. Mikhail also did acupressure on certain areas over the towel. He then asked me to take 3 deep breaths, during which time he gave me to inhale some lime and tangerine flavored oil.
This was followed by dry brushing with the Voya brush with 100% natural cactus bristles. When I heard "cactus" the thought immediately flew to my spikes and I really wondered how relaxing it could be. But I was surprised to feel the brushing so soft. This brushing helps to remove the layer of dead skin and prepares the skin for massage and oil absorption.
Mikhail told me that I could choose between 3 oil variants: Mindfull Dreams for general well-being and relaxation; Serenergise for muscle relaxation and relaxation and Angelicus Seratus - a remedy for the soul (Uplifting).
I had read that Serenergise is 99.96% Organic, so I chose it.
I started to realize that something was different from the very beginning, when Mikhail did a kind of waves with both hands on my leg, a circular motion and then a deeper smoothing with the forearm from the ankle area to the thigh. Later, when I showed Maria the video, she told me it was one of Voya's signature moves. It feels incredible!
At the end, she applied a moisturizing Softly Does it cream, which is also lemon and tangerine flavored. Incidentally, at the end of all areas, after the oil massage, the skin was pampered with this cream.
Mihail told me that he made a fusion between the Voya protocol and an intuitive massage, because I am very weak, and certain movements - like elbow to shoulder blade - cannot be performed because they cause me pain. That, after all, Voyageur is a relaxing and de-stressing massage, not a therapeutic one. And the truth is, it was more than relaxing.
This was followed by front body massage, foot massage, face massage and... a great reflexology moment. I generally relax best when we get to facial and scalp massage.
But this time, through the reflexology he gave me, Mikhail managed to relax me so well that I seemed to have landed in a waking state. Still I was trying not to fall asleep, to be able to enjoy, to savor the moment.
They were done with My little Hero serum, and for the scalp massage she used Forget me not hair conditioner. I liked that she insisted a lot on the neck and shoulders - she also told me that, on a holistic level, all the worries are concentrated in this area and that's why she insisted.
I came out of the massage so zen that I don't even know when I got to chat with Andreea, Spa Manager of Alma Wellness & Spa.
Andreea told me that her goal is to put this SPA on the map of Romania and, why not, beyond the country's borders.
It wants to have the best feedbacks for the services offered as well as for hospitality, communication, way of expression. To meet guests' needs. It wants dedicated and passionate staff.
They're not necessarily looking for very experienced therapists because she's a trainer and she can train them, she can give them all the details about everything that goes on in the spa.
When there is a guest at the reception desk and they want a massage, the receptionist does not give them the menu, but asks questions and recommends spa services that suit the guest's goals. She explains to them in as much detail as possible the options of therapies and rituals that are appropriate for their goals.
We chatted with her a bit more and found out that her first spa job was in 2011 as a fitness instructor at Imperia spa - Marina Regia Residence.
That's where he first met Daniela Dumitru and was fascinated by the Lomi Lomi massage, which led her to become a therapist herself. She believes that because she has worked in all positions in a spa: from fitness instructor, spa therapist, trainer, spa advisor (spa reception), sales manager and now spa manager, she has the great advantage that she can empathize with all colleagues, she can understand both therapists and reception girls, she knows the pluses and minuses of each one.
The Alma Wellness & Spa includes 4 massage rooms, a couple's room, a Vichy shower and a hammam where you can enjoy therapies. Shared facilities include a dry sauna, steam bath (wet sauna), ice fountain, saline room with Himalayan salt walls and a splendid Jacuzzi overlooking the Lac Salrat, where you can admire the sunset. Sadly, I wasn't there long enough to try them out, but that's for next time when I have to do a VOYA algae pack anyway.
Alin Coman, Alma Wellness & Spa therapist, also a graduate of physiotherapy, shot the videos. Many thanks for his help, but also for the passion he put into these shots!
Founder despreSpa.ro
