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In November, I came home from Europe to lead a yoga retreat in Costa Rica and attend my cousin's wedding. I got in lots of family time, and since I'd been dealing with some sciatica issues from all the traveling, she suggested we go to the spa for a massage. She was like, 'We just have to avoid this one lady because she's so strong, it really does feel like you might break your back."
I like a deep tissue massage, so I just shrugged and said I was down for whatever.
So we get to the place, right? The lady is Chinese and speaks very little English and says, "Get on table!" It was like a drill sergeant, and it's funny in hindsight because I was just reading this article about how in Chinese culture, being polite actually has the opposite effect. Anyway, I rushed to get on the table.
"You like pressure?" she said.
"Yes, please," I said, as I closed my eyes.
The next 15 minutes can only be accurately described as the most painful in my entire life. I mean I seriously was bracing myself for each touch. I involuntarily let out a yelp or two, and she did not let up!
This must've been the woman my mom was talking about. I was panicking in my head because it was honestly so unbearably painful I was trying to think of excuses I could use to get out of there!
"Please! Not so hard!" I pleaded.
{It's} "Good for you!" she said.
OMG. I was honestly near tears, so finally I just sat up and said, "I'm sorry, I have to go!"
Haha, it was the worst!
Totally unrelated, one of my best friends texted me a few months back and said, "Candace, I normally go to massage envy every month, and you get a different therapist each time. Well, this guy had such a long beard that it was TOUCHING MY SKIN AS HE WAS MASSAGING ME!!!!!! I WANTED TO DIE!"
Hhaha and this all got me thinking - what has been the funniest or weirdest thing to happen to you while at the spa?! I want to know! Tell me everything.
Today's giveaway has some goodies so you can create an at home spa day, where, let's be honest, we are probably most comfortable.
1. Revival Body Care Sugar Scrub - This stuff smells incredible, exfoliates like no other, and I love that it is has healing properties between the peppermint essential oil (anti-inflammatory), coconut oil (anti fungal), and himalayan salt (has lots 84 nourishing minerals). Use coupon code YOGA10 for 10% off valid until June 29, 2015.
2. Refreshing vanilla citrus massage oil by NOW - This massage oil smells fantastic and is a blend of a number of different oils including jojoba, almond and apricot kernel that feels luxurious and to be honest, way better than what you normally get at the spa. Bonus: Have your significant other watch this video I made a while back with my massage therapist cousin for the basics on massage (or check out these massage tips I made with my mom, also a massage therapist).
3. Diffuser by ZAQ - The other day I shared a video of my favorite things featuring this diffuser, and I'm telling you, it's a game changer for me. I use it all the time in my home office to stay calm and focused with essential oil blends, but I also love the idea of putting it in the bathroom during a bubble bath for an at home spa day.
4. Detoxifying facial mask by TruSelf Organics - This has become my go-to mask lately (as you can probably tell, if you follow me on instagram). It really pulls everything up to the surface, makes your skin burn (the good burn, all my mask ladies know what I'm talking about), and it's oddly addictive.
5. Lip balm by Henne Organics - This is a favorite lip balm of mine. It's super luxurious with coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil and more, and a little goes a long way. It smells amazing as well, and I can't get enough. Use coupon code INTHECART for 30% off your purchase!
To enter the at home spa day giveaway:
Just leave a comment telling me about your funniest or strangest thing to happen to you at the spa. Or, if you're coming up empty, tell me - are you more of a massage person or a mani/pedi person? What's your go-to treatment at the spa? After you've commented, make sure to use the rafflecopter widget below to let me know you've commented.
For a separate entry, you can enter on instagram, just share a photo and tell a little about the giveaway along with a tag to @yogabycandace in the caption. Just be sure to upload your screenshot here so the entry is counted. Sometimes people have trouble with the uploads, but I promise they go through even though it may not look like it does. Often times if you refresh the page you'll see your entry. :)
If you have a separate email address you use for promotional correspondence, you may want to consider using that because by entering you'll be entered into the YBC newsletter and you may receive occasional promotional emails from the brands sponsoring this post. Thanks for supporting the brands that support YBC!