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Past Issues: Vol07, Issue 06 Vol07, Issue 05 Vol07, Issue 04 Vol07, Issue 03 Vol07, Issue 02 Vol07, Issue 01 Vol06, Issue 26 Vol06, Issue 25 Vol06, Issue 24 Vol06, Issue 23 Vol06, Issue 22 Vol06, Issue 21 Vol06, Issue 20 Vol06, Issue 19 Vol06, Issue 18 Vol06, Issue 17 Vol06, Issue 16 Vol06, Issue 15 Vol06, Issue 14 Vol06, Issue 13 Vol06, Issue 12 Vol06, Issue 11 Vol06, Issue 10 Vol06, Issue 09 Vol06, Issue 08 Vol06, Issue 07 Vol06, Issue 06 Vol06, Issue 05 Vol06, Issue 04 Vol06, Issue 03 Vol06, Issue 02 Vol06, Issue 01 Vol05, Issue 26 Vol05, Issue 25 Vol05, Issue 24 Vol05, Issue 23 Vol05, Issue 22 Vol05, Issue 21 Vol05, Issue 20 Vol05, Issue 19 Vol05, Issue 18 Vol05, Issue 17 Vol05, Issue 16 Vol05, Issue 15 Vol05, Issue 14 Vol05, Issue 13 Vol05, Issue 12 Vol05, Issue 11 Vol05, Issue 10 Vol05, Issue 09 Vol05, Issue 08 Vol05, Issue 07 Vol05, Issue 06 Vol05, Issue 05 Vol05, Issue 04 Vol05, Issue 03 Vol05, Issue 02 Vol05, Issue 01 Vol04, Issue 27 Vol04, Issue 26 Vol04, Issue 25 Vol04, Issue 24 Vol04, Issue 23 Vol04, Issue 22 Vol04, Issue 21 Vol04, Issue 20 Vol04, Issue 19 Vol04, Issue 18 Vol04, Issue 17 Vol04, Issue 16 Vol04, Issue 15 Vol04, Issue 14 Vol04, Issue 13 Vol04, Issue 12 Vol04, Issue 11 Vol04, Issue 10 Vol04, Issue 09 Vol04, Issue 08 Vol04, Issue 07 Vol04, Issue 06 Vol04, Issue 05 Vol04, Issue 04 Vol04, Issue 03 Vol04, Issue 02 Vol04, Issue 01 Vol03, Issue 26 Vol03, Issue 25 Vol03, Issue 24 Vol03, Issue 23 Vol03, Issue 22 Vol03, Issue 21 Vol03, Issue 20 Vol03, Issue 19 Vol03, Issue 18 Vol03, Issue 17 Vol03, Issue 16 Vol03, Issue 15 Vol03, Issue 14 Vol03, Issue 13 Vol03, Issue 12 Vol03, Issue 11 Vol03, Issue 10 Vol03, Issue 09 Vol03, Issue 08 Vol03, Issue 07 Vol03, Issue 06 Vol03, Issue 05 Vol03, Issue 04 Vol03, Issue 03 Vol03, Issue 02 Vol03, Issue 01 Vol02, Issue 26 Vol02, Issue 25 Vol02, Issue 24 Vol02, Issue 23 Vol02, Issue 22 Vol02, Issue 21 Vol02, Issue 20 Vol02, Issue 19 Vol02, Issue 18 Vol02, Issue 17 Vol02, Issue 16 Vol02, Issue 15 Vol02, Issue 14 Vol02, Issue 13 Vol02, Issue 12 Vol02, Issue 11 Vol02, Issue 10 DEPARTMENTS: Dining Health & Beauty 30 Days (events) Nightlife & Music Arts Style & Shopping Home & Design Sports & Adventure ONLINE EXCLUSIVES: Table of Contents Subscribe Promotions Seanbaby Archive Article Archive Download Issue (PDF) Submit an Event RESOURCE GUIDES: 2007 Spring Super Guide 2007 Health & Wellness Guide Wine Guide 2006-2007 Ski & Snowboard Guide 2006-2007 Sharks Guide Day Spas Weddings 2006 Annual Manual Readers' Choice Awards Bed & Breakfast Guide The Great Escape Not long ago, TIME Magazine chose its “Person of the Year.” That person was “You.” Congratulations! We always knew you had it in you. But while you’re out there blogging, voting with your dollars, and doing whatever else it is you do, consider giving yourself a break. Somewhere nearby — perhaps around the corner, perhaps next door — there’s an oasis of indulgence with your name on it. Silicon Valley has more spas, salons, gyms, dieticians, masseuses, and personal trainers than you can shake a well-manicured fist at — and, this being Silicon Valley, many feature the most advanced methods of pampering and beautifying available. So sit back and relax. We’ve done all the research; all you have to do is make the appointment. The 2007 Health & Wellness Guide  This is a Medi-Spa  Chop, Chop!    Bad hair today, better hair tomorrow.  San Jose Spa Highlights  Get Fit    The new you awaits.  Speak Fluent Spa    Lomi-lomi, or shiatsu?  Plug In and Push Up    Cyberspace is getting physical.  Yoh-Guh  Tanning Terminology  Light Therapy  Detox Diet    Hollywood heavyweights have rediscovered the    master cleanse - but is it for everyone? This is a Medi-Spa Looking for a dayspa retreat to revive yourself? Why not take it to the next level: Introducing the “medi-spa,” one of the hottest trends in the Silicon Valley personal maintenance. As the name suggests, medi-spas, or “medspas,” combine medical procedures with a spalike setting. So, in addition to a massage, and a facial, you can get some Botox injected into your laugh lines, your skin revived with a chemical peel, and varicose veins removed with the latest high-tech lasers. Though staffed by medical doctors and nurse practitioners, medi-spas offer an environment that’s totally unlike a typical doctor’s office. These getaways feature soft colors, comfortable seating, themed rooms, soothing fountains, and other staples of the day-spa scene. “We wanted to create a spa retreat. We want clients to feel at home,” says Andrew Georgitsis of Emerge MediSpa. “This is about people wanting to feel better about themselves.” Below are some of the more common treatments available at San Jose’s many medi-spas: AIRBRUSH TANNING – Forget the old-fashioned, Star Trek-style tanning pod – the hip trend these days is airbrush tanning. Using the same high-pressure misting sprayer that an airbrush artist uses to paint a canvas, a tanning specialist will paint a fake tan on your skin that’s much easier to achieve than the real thing. And because of the detail available, tanning artists can shade one’s ab muscles for better definition, or even add a subtle contour to the arms with just a little spray paint. Results last for seven to 10 days. IONITHERMIE DETOX – Developed in France nearly 30 years ago, this non-surgical alternative to liposuction is available at most medi-spas. The treatment uses mineral-rich algae from the ocean, which is placed on the area you want firmed up. This is then covered with a clay mask that can conduct electricity. Yes, you read right. You’re going to be shocked by special electronic equipment (don’t worry, it won’t hurt). The result: firmer skin, more toned muscles, and – with multiple treatments – significant weight loss. MESOTHERAPY – A variety of homeopathic remedies are injected into the mesoderm, just beneath the outer skin. Depending on the treatment, these injections claim to melt away excess cellulite and can be used in body contouring procedures. Sometimes they can also be used to accelerate target-specific weight loss. Many local medi-spas offer a new form of mesotherapy that is needle-free. MICRODERMABRASION – Let’s break down this big word and see if we can figure it out. Micro: okay, that means “small”; derm definitely refers to something related to dermatology; and abrasion sounds, well, painful. Which means that microdermabrasion is just a fancy way of saying that a doctor will use special tools to sand down your face, the way a carpenter would sand down a piece of wood. The upside of this unpleasant-sounding procedure: permanent removal of acne scaring, dark sunspots, scars, and other blemishes. Truth be told, technology has rendered microdermabrasion virtually painless, and recovery times can be very short. PHOTO REJUVENATION – Also known as Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), this procedure is not unlike laser skin treatment. The difference? Where a laser uses just a single wavelength of light, IPL treatments shine a wide spectrum of light to do everything from removing hair and reducing wrinkles, to treating rosacea. The procedure is painless, and results are immediate. TUINA – Most people are familiar with acupressure, the method of using pressure points on the body to relieve stress, pain, and other maladies. Tuina is a form of acupressure used in traditional Chinese medicine. Instead of kneading or pressing, tuina uses brushes, rolls, cups, and other props to bring the body back into balance. While primarily used to relieve sports injuries, the method is also used in medi-spas both as a weight-loss stimulant and as a natural alternative to Botox injections. LOCAL MEDI-SPAS: About Beauty Medi Skin Spa, 2910 Stevens Creek Blvd., San Jose (408) 557-8188 www.aboutbeautyspa.com Artemis Laser Skin Care, 2242 Camden Ave., Suite 105, San Jose (408) 559-0700 www.artemislaser.com Auraderm, 2060 Aborn Rd., San Jose (408) 238-5999 Bay Area Body Enhancement, 5131 Moorpark Ave., Suite 303, San Jose (408) 253-2223 www.babeclinic.com Cagliostro Medi Spa, 234 Los Gatos Blvd. (408) 395-2960 www.cagliostromedispa.net Cupertino Medical Laser Center, 20279 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino (408) 868-4899 Derma-Cure, 145 N. Jackson Ave., San Jose (408) 729-2168 www.derma-cure.com Emerge MediSpa, 500 E. Remington Dr. #28, Sunnyvale (408) 387-9297 www.emergemedispa.com Faces By Tammy, 3803 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 100, Campbell (408) 559-7177 Face Forward Skin Care, 1610 Blossom Hill Rd., Suite 3, San Jose (408) 206-2426 www.faceforwardskincare.net Jeune Derm Medical Center, 889 Castro St., Mountain View (800) 590-2077 www.jeunederm.com Morphosis Rejuvenation, 377 Santana Row, Suite 1080, San Jose (408) 984-9800 www.morphosisstudio.com New Image Skin Care & Day Spa, 14432 Union Ave., San Jose (408) 371-5974 www.newimagedayspa.com Nuderma Medspa, 3700 Thomas Rd., Santa Clara(408) 986-1700 www.nudermamedspa.com Sna MedSpa, 2880 Stevens Creek Blvd., Suite 240, San Jose (408) 248-7662 www.snamedspa.com Women’s Care for Life, 14651 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 110, Los Gatos (408) 356-8681 www.womenscareforlife.com Chop, chop! Bad hair today, better hair tomorrow. Bad hair day numbers alert: If you’re experiencing two or more bad hair days a week, you are at level orange on the INOS system – In Need Of Stylist. No need to panic. Many Americans find themselves at level orange at one time or another. Simply turn yourself over to one of the authorities below. Bella Bella Salon, 2688 Union Ave., San Jose (408) 559-4247 Ciana Salon & Day Spa, 111 Main St., Los Altos (650) 941-1285 (Salon), 107 Main St., Los Altos (650) 941-1285 (Spa) www.cianasalonspa.com Coco Cabana Salon, 290 E. Main St., Los Gatos (408) 399-7797 Delphi Salon & Day Spa, 540 N. Santa Cruz Ave. #D Los Gatos (408) 395-7260 www.delphidayspa.com Durand Hair Dressers, 201B N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408) 354-1050 Faux Salon, 378 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408) 378-3289 www.fauxsalon.com Five Color Cowboy, 1445 The Alameda, San Jose (408) 869-3542 www.5colorcowboy.com Hair International, 232 Stanford Shopping Ctr., Palo Alto (650) 324-2007 The Island Pedicure, 140 W. Main St., Los Gatos (408) 395-3722 www.theislandpedicure.com Mac Salon, 48 S. First St., San Jose (408) 287-2294 www.macsalon.com Nimbus Salon, 65 W. Main St., Los Gatos (408) 354-7717 www.nimbussalon.com Nirvana Aveda Concept Salon, 224 N. Santa Cruz Ave. #B Los Gatos (408) 354-7979 www.nirvanasalon.com Planet Hair Studio, 314 Town & Country Village, Sunnyvale (408) 245-7322 www.planethairstudio.com Rage Salon, 565 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408) 866-4247 Salon Blu, 2251 The Alameda, Santa Clara (408) 246-HAIR Salon De La Vie, 1044 Lincoln Ave., San Jose (408) 277-0911 www.salondelavie.com Scandalous Hair Design, 1324 Lincoln Ave., San Jose (408) 294-2004 Tangerine, 119 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose (408) 998-0433 www.tangerinehairstudio.com Thee Gallery Salon, 15466 Los Gatos Blvd. #217 Los Gatos (408) 356-4264 Umbrella Salon, 135 W. Santa Clara St., San Jose (408) 293-4446 www.umbrellasalon.com Vail Concepts Hair Salon, 30 Post St., San Jose (408) 287-8245 San Jose Spa Highlights While few indulgences are as relaxing as a day at a spa, choosing from the dozens of local establishments can be daunting. To help narrow your search, we’ve scouted out the most unique services available in San Jose. Chances are, at least one of the luxury services below will catch your fancy. AMORE (for couples) – What could be more romantic than a candlelit tub? How about if the tub is an extra-deep hydrotherapy bath with a variety of jets and a soothing aromatherapy scent? Follow the soak time with a side-by-side hour-long massage and his-and-her facials. Spa lunch is included. Available at: Dolce Vita Spa, 630 N. First St., San Jose (408) 287-0200 www.dolcevitaspa.com MOCHA LAVA PEDICURE – Begin by soaking your aching feet in a soothing milk bath – the perfect starting point before your feet are exfoliated with a chocolate cake scrub (yes, really!). Next, a chocolate mask is applied while your calves receive a hot stone massage. Finish it off with a reflexology foot massage, performed with chocolate oil. Available at: La Choza Day Spa, 1451 Foxworthy Ave., San Jose (408) 448-0573 www.lachozadayspa.com SEVEN-HOUR GRAND ESCAPE DAY-SPA PACKAGE – Start out by clearing the toxins from your body in an aromatherapy sauna. Finish the job with an herbal body scrub and some down time in a giant bathtub, before getting in a quick facial and hour-long massage before lunch. Return from your meal for the deep heat of a paraffin manicure and pedicure. Available at: La Concho Spa, 1042 Lincoln Ave., San Jose (408) 286-8612 www.laconchaspa.com BLISS – Say farewell to acne, fine wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation with the Alpha-Beta Pumpkin Facial. This unique treatment uses a pumpkin peel combined with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids to tighten skin. While the masque sets, enjoy a scalp, face, and neck massage. Next, move over to the table for a complete body polish using either a mud or aloe vera body wrap, followed by an aromatherapy massage. Available at: JEM Skincare, 1370 El Paseo De Saratoga, San Jose (408) 674-1356 THE CELESTIAL JOURNEY – Natural sea salts are mixed with citrus fruit to create a deep-exfoliating mask that is applied to your body and then buffed away to revive the skin. You are then wrapped in hot towels while you receive a scalp massage. Finish off with an Epicuren enzyme facial treatment that uses chemical-, fragrance-, and color-free proteins to diminish wrinkles and tighten the skin. Available at: Angel Face Day Spa, 833 S. Winchester Blvd., San Jose (408) 247-3233 www.angelfacedayspa.com EMILEE’S INTRIGUE – Start off with a combination of massage and hot-rock therapy to unwind. Once relaxed, you’ll be covered with eucalyptus leaves and wrapped in steaming hot towels. The natural oils of the eucalyptus penetrate the skin and are alleged to boost the immune system. While wrapped up, your exposed face and scalp will be massaged, and once the towels come off, a full body massage finishes the experience. Available at: Burke Williams Spa, 355 Santana Row, Suite 2010, San Jose (408) 241-0071 www.burkewilliamsspa.com QUEEN FOR A DAY – Lay back for a lavender body scrub, followed by a seaweed-mud wrap. Clean off afterwards in a hydrotherapy bath before taking in an aroma facial, a pedicure and manicure, and a relaxing Swedish massage. Light lunch provided at midday in the “tranquility room.” Available at: Serenity Day Spa, 1123 Luchessi Dr., San Jose (408) 448-7546 www.serenityds.com JAVANESE LULUR ROYAL RITUAL – Experience the same treament undertaken by royal brides in Yogyakarta, Java: A Balinese massage with jasmine frangipani oil, followed by a tumeric, jasmine, and rice body scrub. Cool off after with a yogurt body splash that leaves the skin glowing. Finish up in a jasmine-scented rose petal bath. Available at: Plum Spa, 74 S. First St., San Jose (408) 971-9713 www.plumspa.com WRAPTURE – Start off with a head-to-toe exfoliation, performed with a mango body polish and Dead Sea salts. Then prepare to be wrapped in paraffin wax wrap while your head and feet are massaged. The result: soft, supple skin with improved tone and elasticity. Available at: Sachs Day Spa, 1375 Lincoln Ave., San Jose (408) 298-1735 www.sachsdayspa.com POOL PARTY MIRACLE PREP – Achieve an instant California look (relaxed and tanned) with this package. Kick back for a spa-style manicure and pedicure, followed by a minifacial. Then you’ll be cocooned in a warm seaweed-and-herb wrap before finishing off with a professionally applied sunless tanning treatment. Available at: Tova Yaron Day Spa and Salon, 1600 Saratoga Ave., Suite 411, San Jose (408) 866-8682 www.tovayaron.com TAJ MAHAL PACKAGE – Heal your body and spirit starting with a hand or foot massage and exfoliation. Next relax with an Abhyanga massage, a blend of traditional Indian massage styles and herbal oils. Finish up with a facial, traditionally given to brides, to cleanse and detoxify your skin. It will leave your skin glowing like it did on your wedding day. Available at: AYOMA LifeSpa, Hotel Valencia Santana Row, 355 Santana Row San Jose www.ayomalifespa.com Get Fit The new you awaits. When it comes to beauty, it’s what’s inside that counts...like all those toned muscles. Silicon Valley is so pumped with fitness clubs that any excuse involving “can’t find” or “too far” just doesn’t hold water. Put down this magazine – no, wait, take this magazine with you (you’ll need reading material) – and head for one of these gyms immediately. 24Hour Fitness, Fourteen (14) Silicon Valley locations www.24hourfitness.com Club One, Five (5) Silicon Valley locations www.clubone.com Gold’s Gym, Six (6) Silicon Valley locations www.goldsgym.com Bally’s Total Fitness, 1570 Hamilton Ave., San Jose (408) 267-1900; 2920 Aborn Square Rd., San Jose (408) 223-4411 www.ballyfitness.com The Blitz, 785 W. Hamilton Ave., Campbell (408) 379-7901 www.timetoblitz.com Pinnacle Fitness, 150 S. First St. #119, San Jose (408) 924-0500; 15445 Los Gatos Blvd., Los Gatos (408) 358-3551 www.pinnaclefitness.com Right Stuff Health Club, 1730 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408) 866-8855; 1325 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose (408) 445-3310; Women Only: 1145 S. De Anza Blvd., Cupertino (408) 973-1088 Curves for Women, Forty (40) Silicon Valley locations www.curves.com YMCA of Silicon Valley, Six (6) Silicon Valley locations www.scvymca.org Milpitas Health & Fitness, 1000 Jacklin Rd. (at Hwy. 680) Milpitas (408) 946-2151 www.milpitasfitness.com Almaden Valley Athletic Club, 5400 Camden Ave., San Jose (408) 267-3700 www.avac.us Decathlon Club, 3250 Central Expwy., Santa Clara (408) 738-8743 www.decathlon-club.com Touchstone Climbing, 200 S. First St., Suite 70, San Jose (408) 920-6000 www.touchstoneclimbing.com/sj Industrial Strength Kickboxing, 1282 White Oaks Rd., Campbell, (408) 377-3169 www.isk-xfc.com Ultimate Outdoor Fitness, 110 N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408) 910-8684 www.uofitness.com U.S. Fitness Pros, 5353 Almaden Expwy., San Jose (408) 265-1600 www.usfitnesspros.com Bay Area Adventure Fitness, 1566 La Pradera Ave., Campbell (408) 425-9475 www.bayareabootcamp.com Planet Granite, 2901 Mead Ave., Santa Clara (408) 727-2777; 100 El Camino Real, Belmont (650) 591-3030 www.planetgranite.com Perennial Fitness, 148 N. San Tomas Aquino Rd., Campbell (408) 370-3399 www.perennialfitness.com X Body Fitness, 2140 Bering Dr., San Jose (408) 526-0400 www.xbodyfitness.com Xtreme Training Fitness, 499 Reynolds Cir., San Jose (408) 437-0556 www.norcalfightfactory.com Speak Fluent Spa Lomi-lomi, or shiatsu? Without question, the most popular service offered at any day spa is massage. To make things simple, browse the list below and pick which one suits you best before you show up for an appointment. Most spas can tailor their services to your needs, but the more you understand what they’re talking about, the more relaxed you’ll be. SWEDISH MASSAGE – When most people think of professional massage, this is what they are picturing: long, smooth strokes and kneading on the outermost layers of muscle. Usually done with oil or lotion, it’s the most gentle of the massage styles. SHIATSU MASSAGE – Unlike the flat-palmed Swedish massage, the Japanese-influenced shiatsu massage utilizes the strength of the practitioner’s fingers as they rhythmically locate and apply deep pressure to acupressure hot spots. While the massage is firm, it is generally slow and also relaxing. THAI MASSAGE – While you will leave a Thai massage feeling as relaxed and loose as any other style, don’t just expect to lie there in peace while you receive the treatment. Traditional Thai massage will have the masseuse bending and stretching your body in a variety of poses. Think of it as yoga without doing any of the work. REFLEXOLOGY MASSAGE – To the untrained eye, reflexology is simply an hour-long foot massage. But to the expert applying the technique, the foot is a map of the entire body, and by using various techniques and pressure points, nonfoot ailments can be relieved. Have a sore neck? The masseuse may spend extra time on your big toe. Aching joints? A hard squeeze on the heel may do the trick. To the uninitiated, it sounds pretty hokey – but this is among the most requested (and most relaxing) treatments available. SPORTS MASSAGE – You don’t have to be a professional athlete to enjoy sports massage. This is a firmer, more aggressive version of Swedish massage that pays specific attention to those muscles most used in athletic activity. This style is also used by those recovering from an injury, or just looking to prevent recurring ones. HOT STONE MASSAGE – As the name suggests, several smooth, flat stones of varying sizes are heated and then placed over your back, arms, legs, and other regions the masseuse needs to loosen up. The result is a deep heat that turns muscles to jelly. Most massage styles can also add hot stones to the routine by request. LOMI-LOMI MASSAGE – This deeply spiritual Hawaiian massage style uses elbows, forearms, and firm, two-handed techniques to stretch and massage muscles. Meditation and slow, rhythmic breathing are encouraged during this massage, which was designed to “release the body’s energy” in a manner consistent with ancient Polynesian tradition. Plug In and Push Up Cyberspace is getting physical. BY KRISTEN KIMOKE The internet makes many things convenient. We can shop, pay bills, take classes, work, even earn degrees online without stepping outside our homes. It’s no wonder that the web has often been blamed for our physically inactive lifestyles. Until now, that is. Over the past seven years a new concept has been on the rise, one that may show critics that the internet is capable of inspiring actual physical interaction. So what’s the buzz about? Online diet and fitness programs. These websites gather teams of personal trainers, dieticians, and nutritionists to customize exercise and diet plans for a monthly fee. Members answer questions about their personal interests, fitness levels, and time and equipment availability, and the experts come up with a tailored routine. Many sites also include exercise demonstrations, healthy recipes, and directional printouts for strength, cardio, and exercise routines. On some of these websites, members are even given their very own virtual personal trainers, who provide their clients with weekly goals and can answer questions via email. Lauren Shroyer, certified personal trainer and general manager of the Axis Performance Center in Mountain View, think these online programs serve as great guidelines. “It’s surely better than trying to put something together for yourself,” she says. However, guidelines are simply there to guide. “The problem is that just because a person is given a routine, that does not mean they’re doing the movements correctly, which may lead to ineffectiveness or – even worse – injury. One-on-one training helps with that.” Personal training sessions at Axis range from $73 to $83 an hour (depending on the trainer’s experience). It may sound pricey, but Shroyer promises, “You get what you pay for.” She compares the body to a computer. “If I had problems with my computer, I wouldn’t sit there and try to fix it myself, I’d hire someone who knew about computers to fix it. You should apply the same thought process when thinking about your body. If it needs fixing, hire a professional!” Matt Johnson, founder and CEO of ChangingShape.com, agrees. “If my clients can budget a session with a personal trainer, I always recommend [they] do it. A personal trainer or dietician can make huge improvements in your lifestyle,” he says. Johnson also realizes, however, that, “price is a concern for many.” But for a six-month membership at ChangingShape.com, “you get six months of service that is half the price of one personal training session,” he says. Owner of WorkoutsForYou.com and certified personal trainer Lynn Bode also recognizes cost concerns. “I created Workouts For You after seeing a specific need for alternative methods to provide fitness coaching to individuals of all economic status and fitness levels,” she says. Bode feels personal fitness training has generally been available to elite circles because of financial requirements. Bode has reached out to thousands of clients in seven continents through Workouts For You. Johnson has also been hugely successful through Changing Shape, serving well over 50,000 clients since launching in 2001. “This year has been our best and we are continuing to grow at a consistent rate,” he says. When looking for an online program, Shroyer and Bode recommend making sure that the programs are personalized. “There are many programs available now that ‘claim’ to be customized, but they are simply computer-generated systems with little to no human interaction,” Bode says. Shroyer agrees, saying, “Everyone’s body is different. There’s no black-and-white, no right or wrong, and no one-size-fits-all. A good routine will give you variety.” Adds Johnson, “You need to find an organization that is dedicated to designing programs specific to what is realistic for you based on your lifestyle, behavior, needs and goals. Don’t be afraid to email the company [you] are interested in and tell them what you need specifically.” Whether you want to drop a few pounds, gain muscle, tone up, increase stamina or even train for a marathon, online fitness programs could be a good guide. Just be careful where you click. WEB TOOLS: To learn more about healthy eating and weight management, turn to these online tools. Virtual Grocery Store Tour vgs.diabetes.org/grocery_tour.jsp www.healthyeatingisinstore.ca/vgs/vgs_en.html If nutrition labels give you a headache, the American Diabetes Association and other organizations offer educational virtual grocery store tours on the web. Some of these virtual grocery store tours are interactive and animated, like the Canadian Diabetes Association and the Dieticians of Canada tour, where you can tour and shop at their virtual supermarket, Rainbow Mart. Visitors can select a number of common foods found in local grocery stores by clicking on different aisles. At the end of the game, you can print recipes and nutrition tips. The site basically teaches you to use nutrition labels when purchasing packaged foods as a way to make sure you are making healthy choices. My Pyramid Tracker www.mypyramid.gov This United States Department of Agriculture site aims to help you choose the right foods in the right amounts. By entering your age, sex, and activity level in the MyPyramid Plan box, you receive an estimate of what and how much you need to eat. You can also receive a detailed assessment of your food intake and physical activity level by using the MyPyramid Tracker. Other features on the site include a My Pyramid for Kids, in which children are able to play a “blast-off game,” and other materials designed to help them learn about the food pyramid. Online Calorie Counter www.MyFoodDiary.com This calorie counter helps you learn more about how your body responds to food and exercise. Members are able to track their daily calorie consumption using a simple color-coded chart. For $9 a month, members can choose from over 40,000 foods, and can track their daily intake of fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrates, fibers, sugars, protein, and vitamins. [Yoh-Guh] If you’ve ever been curious about yoga, the preferred exercise regimen of Hollywood actors and Silicon Valley engineers alike, there are few better places to give it a try than right here in California. While yoga – a combination of stretching, meditation, and resistance training – originated in India more than 4,000 years ago, Silicon Valley’s array of practice studios provides a thoroughly modern take on the ancient exercise. The variety of methods can be confusing. Those looking for a more relaxing, meditative experience should hunt down a studio offering viniyoga yoga. While it isn’t uncommon to drift off to sleep during a soothing viniyoga session, that’s less likely to happen in a class offering hatha yoga – a style focusing more on the traditional yoga “poses” that students imitate to stretch and strengthen muscles. Another popular type of yoga is ashtanga, which uses similar poses to hatha, only at a much faster pace for added aerobic benefit. If you want to integrate yoga into a vacation workout, pay attention to studios specializing in iyengar yoga, which uses blocks, belts, ropes, and balls to help students feel the burn with unique one- and two-person stretching routines. And those really looking to break a sweat should seek out bikram yoga studios – these classes lead students through the most difficult and strenuous poses in a room heated close to 100 degrees. Bare Yoga, 227C N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408) 354-5912 Bikram Yoga Studio, 5289 Prospect Rd., San Jose (408) 255-9910; 1500 Norman Ave., Suite 201, Santa Clara (408) 562-0055 www.bikramyoga.com California Yoga Center, 570 Showers Dr., Mountain View (650) 947-9642 www.californiayoga.com Cambrian Yoga, Pilates & Fitness, 1900 Camden Ave., San Jose (408) 377-3866 www.cambrianyoga.com Dahn Yoga Center, 1082 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara (408) 241-0328; 42130 Blacow Rd., Fremont (510) 979-1130; 1776 Miramonte Ave., Mountain View (650) 960-1717 www.dahnyoga.com Evergreen Yoga and Tai Chi, 1658 E. Capitol Expwy., San Jose (408) 279-2955 www.sjyogataichi.com Los Gatos Ballet & Pilates, 16 Lyndon Ave., Los Gatos (408) 399-7577 www.bodyinmotion.com Nature Life Yoga, Sunnyvale, 114 Town & Country Lane, Sunnyvale (408) 245-YOGA www.naturelifeyoga.com Reformation Studio, Campbell, 1357 Dell Ave., Campbell (408) 370-YOGA www.reformationstudio.com Siddha Yoga Meditation Center of San Jose, 4115 Jacksol Dr., San Jose (408) 559-1716 Willow Glen Yoga, 1188 Lincoln Ave. #4, San Jose (408) 289-9642 www.willowglenyoga.com Yoga Center of Los Gatos, 9 Montebello Way, Los Gatos (408) 395-5356 www.yogacenterlosgatos.com Yoga Fitness, 397 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408) 777-YOGA www.iyoga.com Yoga Source Los Gatos, 227C N. Santa Cruz Ave., Los Gatos (408) 315-2096 www.yogasource.com Yoga Los Altos, 343 Second St. #3, Los Altos (650) 941-9642 www.yogaoflosaltos.com Yoga Source Palo Alto, 158 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto (650) 328-9642 www.yogasource.com Tanning Terminology A tan is a tan, right? Wrong. Tanning has evolved into several fairly specialized subspecies, as technology has advanced. No longer do tanning devotees have to put up with orange epidermis or skin-drying tanning beds. Today’s tans can make you appear slimmer, moisturize your skin, and make you look exactly like Jessica Simpson (results may vary). AIRBRUSH TANNING – A method of sunless tanning using a tanning agent that is sprayed on the body by a trained staff member via a machine that forces the agent out using compressed air. The tanning agent is usually DHA (dihydroxyacetone; see below), mixed with a bronzing colorant. The color lasts five to 10 days. Expert airbrush tanners can highlight areas of the body to create a slimming effect or to enhance muscle definition. BASE TAN – Tanning before going out in the sun, through use of tanning beds or self-tanners. Some people think that having a base tan helps to avoid sunburn, but there is no scientific evidence to back this up. BOOTH SPRAY TANNING – An automated form of DHA tanning, in which the tanning agent is sprayed at all parts of the body at once inside a booth. The tanner is able to choose the level of color he or she wishes. Many spray-tanning formulas include a bronzer, so the tanning effect is immediate. DHA – Dihydroxyacetone, the ingredient most common in self-tanners. It’s a carbohydrate, or sugar, derived from plant sources. It affects only the outer layer of the epidermis, and is approved for use by the FDA. The affects of DHA are seen after an hour or so, and last for five to 10 days. HIGH-PRESSURE TANNING BED – Tanning beds or booths that filter out most of the UVB light, which is considered the most harmful wavelength of ultraviolet light. Similar to regular tanning beds in appearance, they claim to establish a “base tan” much more quickly. MYSTIC TAN – A popular brand of booth spray tanning. It uses a patented method called “MagneTan,” which purports to make the particles of the tanning agent more attracted to one’s skin, and also moisturizes. SELF-TANNER – Self-applied tanning agents. Typically lotions and sprays, but gels, foams, and mousses are increasingly popular. Self-tanners also come in individual “wipes.” The principal ingredient in all formulations is DHA [see above]. TANNING BED/BOOTH – In either a stand-up (booth) or lay-down (bed) tanning machine, ultraviolet rays (UVA and/or UVB) are emitted by bright lights. These rays mimic the effect of the sun and darken the skin. UVB rays can damage the skin; UVA rays are thought to be less harmful. Most modern tanning beds use primarily UVA. LOCAL TANNING SALONS: Planet Beach Tanning Spa, 1360 El Paseo De Saratoga, San Jose (408) 378-4826; 109 Bernal Rd., San Jose (408) 362-0551; 3988 Rivermark Pkwy., Santa Clara (408) 986-1332 www.planetbeach.com Beach Club Tanning, 2045 Camden Ave., San Jose (408) 559-9500; 2306 Almaden Rd., San Jose (408) 694-0380 Magic Tan, 451 Saratoga Ave., San Jose (408) 985-8266; 5450 Thornwood Dr., San Jose (408) 225-5688; 1767 Landess Ave., Milpitas (408) 946-8267; 2000 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara (408) 241-2489 www.magictaninc.com The Tanning Rage, 531 E. Campbell Ave., Campbell (408) 866-2253 A Perfect Tan, 19676 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino (408) 366-2226; 875 El Camino Real, Menlo Park (650) 322-9900 Being Spa & Tanning, 1415 The Alameda, San Jose (408) 298-2900 www.beingspa-tanning.com Willow Glen Tanning, 1111 Meridian Ave. #3, San Jose (408) 979-1751 www.willowglentanning.com Sole De Paradiso, 1039 El Monte Ave., Suite G, Mountain View (650) 969-1888; 65 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto (650) 325-7653 www.soletan.com Made in the Shade, 1010 Blossom Hill Rd., Suite C, San Jose (408) 978-6255 Coco Cabana, 290 E. Main St., Los Gatos (408) 399-7797 Light Therapy LED (light-emitting diode) lights have been in the news a lot lately, lauded for their longevity and energy conservation when compared to regular incandescent lights. The electroluminescent diodes are being used in everything from flashlights to traffic lights to photonic textiles – and now, the beauty trade is adding to the voltage. Phototherapy – also called photo rejuvenation, or light therapy – using LEDs is the current buzzword in skincare. Two Planet Beach Tanning locations in San Jose feature the newest of the genre, a treatment called Lumiere light therapy. The patented process claims to reduce acne, soften fine lines and wrinkles, reduce pore size, fade age and sunspots, lift sagging skin, lighten dark circles under the eye, and reduce eye puffiness – all with the flip of a switch. That’s a lot to claim. But light therapy does have some medical cred to back it up. Patti Decena, owner of the Bernal Road Planet Beach Tanning, says that in studying treatments of noncancerous melanoma, some skin lesions, and use with diabetics, experts realized that certain light frequencies seemed to help the skin heal faster. “Just like UV light can change your skin, different light in different areas of the light spectrum does different things,” says Decena. Lumiere light therapy emits a narrowband red light, delivered at 633 nanometers. According to some studies, visible red light at the wavelength used in Lumiere light therapy has been shown to increase collagen production temporarily. And the procedure is much less expensive than microdermabrasion or pulsed light. At the very least, the experience gives you a blast of nondamaging sunshine. The treatment begins with the client applying topical skincare designed to complement the procedure. After that, the client relaxes on a comfortable spa-style bed. The machine is brought down around the face, and the panels inside brighten to intensity. “The light is bright,” admits Decena. “Some people, if they are too sensitive to the light, will wear protective eyewear, but after a few sessions they get used to it.” A single session yields results along the lines of a traditional facial: surface lines and wrinkles are less noticeable, and the skin’s texture is slightly improved. There is no redness or pain associated with the procedure. Decena says that it really takes from six to 12 sessions over the course of a month to see dramatic improvements. “After you get through [the initial] intense treatment you go into more of a maintenance routine, once a week to once a month,” she explains. Like UV light, a session of Lumiere light therapy releases endorphins in the body, which makes it a relaxing treatment. Accompanied by soothing music, it almost becomes a meditative experience. So go ahead, move into the light – there’s better-looking skin on the other side. ONLY AVAILABLE AT: Planet Beach Tanning Spas, 109 Bernal Rd., Suite 20, San Jose (408) 362-0551; 1360 El Paseo De Saratoga, San Jose (408) 378-4826 www.planetbeach.com Detox Diet Hollywood heavyweights have rediscovered the master cleanse – but is it for everyone? BY NIKKI ANDERSON On a late 2006 episode of Oprah, actress and singer Beyoncé Knowles mentioned that she’d recently lost 20 pounds in 10 days. When an astounded Oprah asked how she’d achieved this feat, Knowles confessed that she’d done a “master cleanse.” It sounds like a housecleaning ritual foisted on us by Martha Stewart, but the “master cleanse” is actually a fasting technique that has been around for 30 years. The program was originally presented in Stanley Burroughs’ The Master Cleanser in 1976, and is most currently espoused in Lose Weight, Have More Energy & Be Happier in 10 Days by Peter Glickman (who cautions in the first few pages that he is “not a licensed health professional”). Also known as the Lemonade Diet, the 10-to-40-day regime is touted as the closest you can get to a colonic without the tube, promising to clean out all the internal debris that drags us down on a daily basis. How does it do this? Let’s just say there’s a lot of time spent close to your toilet. The program involves drinking an herbal laxative tea nightly, drinking one quart of salt water every morning, and subsisting for nutrition on a special lemonade: a mix of fresh-squeezed lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water. The practice clearly goes against the grain of the Western medical tradition, which makes it nothing if not controversial. Proponents of the master cleanse, however, claim that by giving the digestive system a break and increasing the circulation, the body is able to release and flush toxins stored in the GI tract and lymph nodes. Melissa Golden, a registered nurse, takes issue with this claim. “We know the lymph system is responsible for filtering and destroying harmful substances that invade the body,” she says, “but [a cleanse] won’t necessarily make that happen. There is no substitute for a consistently healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate exercise to stay healthy.” This echoes what health professionals have recommended for decades. Golden also emphasizes that while there can be material that remains in the GI tract because it isn’t as reactive to digestive enzymes, it usually would only cause minor blockages that are moved through the body naturally, although more slowly. Only rarely do healthy people need medical attention for this. As far as whether this fast can aid in cleaning the colon, she laughed, “I’m not saying it wouldn’t work to clear things out if you’re taking a laxative and drinking lots of water, but it’s not healthy.” Golden strongly opposes the idea that fasting is a healthy practice, much less a necessary one. Still, there must be something to be said for the perceived, if not proven, benefits of this practice. There is no doubt that Beyoncé achieved her goal “to make a physical transformation.” And she isn’t the only one. Robin Quivers, famous for being Howard Stern’s sidekick, lost a reported 70 pounds after following the master cleanse at least three times in a year. Holistic nutritionalist Sylvie Nalezny of Lite for Life in Willow Glen says, “People get excited about dropping weight quickly and detoxing, which can happen,” she assures, “but first you need to build up your body.” Lite for Life always recommends a permanent diet that revolves around promoting a stable blood sugar level and a calorie intake of no less than 1,200 calories each day due to the possible counterproductive side effects. “Undergoing an extended fast or very low-calorie diet with no protein may lead to the breakdown of muscle mass and a lower resting metabolic rate,” Nalezny cautions. These problems, which actually prevent permanent weight loss, are especially likely for those who have been yo-yo dieters in the past. Nalezny was also quick to point out that fasting can have positive effects when there is a healthy diet already in place. “People should do it,” she says, provided they consult a physician first. As for how you feel while undergoing the cleanse, Beyoncé is quoted as saying, “I felt grumpy.” No surprise. When a Grammy-winning vocalist with a growing film career gets low blood sugar, even Oprah had better watch out. *This Article appeared in Volume 7, Issue 02 of The Wave Magazine. Home ·  Subscribe ·  Promotions ·  Submit an Event ·  Current Issue ·  Corporate Site ·  Current Masthead About Us ·  Contact Us ·  Advertise With Us ·  Terms and Privacy Statement ·  Employment ©2001 - 2007 The Wave Media.