by Kerri Creel

Imagine these clues on $100,000 Pyramid: A good hair cut? A relaxing massage? An invigorating workout? Answer/Category: Things that make you feel gooood!

In these difficult times of maintaining physical distances from each other, many people are craving ways to engage in work and hobbies in a different and creative fashion. Perhaps others are concerned that they have more of a sedentary lifestyle than they had before COVID. Or still others are growing more health conscious as they attempt to build immunity to fend off illness. And then there are some who have been working from home for over a year and have turned off their Zoom cameras to hide their uncut, messy hair and weight gain.

In scenarios like these, most people are seeking a return to a healthy, active lifestyle. Incorporating self-care into one’s life is integral in restoring or finding “wellness.” In the Lake Anna community, there are many opportunities for self-care, beauty, and wellness. Here are a few.

Spavauna Massage & Day Spa

Recently, the lake area gained the expertise of Aundria Galanti and Kathleen DeAngelo when Aundria moved her business, Spavauna Massage & Day Spa, to Kentucky Springs Road in Mineral. Formerly known as Therapeutic Massage in Downtown Louisa, Spavauna now serves Lake Anna with massages, waxing, and facials/skin care.

With the combined experience of nearly 30 years, the skills, goals, and personalities of these two women complement one another to provide a perfect blend of wellness: the beauty of the spa industry and the effectiveness of massage.

The therapists customize each massage to their clients’ needs, whether those needs are relaxing, deep tissue massage, restoration, pain management, or assisting the body in recovery. Additional methods used include cupping therapy, hot stones, aromatherapy, and MPS – an FDA-approved technique of non-invasive, electric microcurrent that aids with combatting the symptoms of neuropathy, the relief of chronic pain, and post-surgical breaking up of scar tissue.

Aundria, specializing in rehab and trigger point therapy, uses neuromuscular and myofascial release therapy to provide pain relief, break up restrictions and adhesions, and counter the effects of fibromyalgia. Aundria became interested in becoming a massage therapist after seeing the benefits of massage first-hand when her father found relief from his chronic back pain.

She attended school in Michigan for rehab sports management and has devoted her career to helping people with natural and alternative methods. Aundria loves coming to work because every day is new and different. “It is super special to watch a client walk out of the room, nearly falling over from total relaxation,” she remarked. “I’m so grateful for a gift and talent that helps people, feeds my family, and it’s something that I love to do.”

Kathleen’s journey began in aesthetics (skin care) when her family decided to pamper a loved one with a half day beauty treatment. “We wanted to do something for my mother-in-law who was suffering with terminal cancer,” Kathleen explained. “She couldn’t receive flowers, and she didn’t eat much, so we opted for a present that made her look and feel like a person again.”

Two weeks later, Kathleen was enrolled in school for aesthetics and massage. “Since then, I’ve been a walking spa and have learned everything under the sun, from laser to electrolysis to medical massage,” she said.

Clients can choose sessions ranging from 30, 60, or 90 minutes to a full two hours. “The combination session of 30-minute facial and 30-minute massage is the perfect blend of what we do,” Aundria emphasized. “And we have an organic skin care line that smells like fresh fruit and berries. Wellness is beautiful!”

Lake Anna Wellness Studio

Beth Shenton of Lake Anna Wellness Studio was a yoga client during the previous ownership of the business. When the owner moved, Beth purchased the studio in 2019. “There were not many fitness locations at the lake, and I wanted to make sure we kept this opportunity in our community,” Beth remarked. With an ACE certification to teach group fitness/training and a Certification of Yoga (RYT-200), the studio provides yoga and pilates for all levels.

Currently, Beth hosts an array of classes, which one can find in detail on the company’s website. Overall, the studio offers a balanced schedule of three key elements:  various types of yoga, pilates with apparatuses, and individual, private training.

Beth explained that yoga has an emphasis on flexibility, stability, and balance by moving and stretching the body in conjunction with controlled breathing, which is different than pilates. “Pilates is long, lean, and strong,” she said. “Classical pilates exercises build and maintain the core of the body, creating a powerhouse core. Not a six-pack of abs, but how to hold your body straight and strong; to retrain the body and the musculature; and focus on finding ways to bring the body back into alignment.”

Some clients participate to combat the day-to-day nature of what people do to their bodies, while others seek to continue the healing benefits gained from completing physical therapy (post-illness or post-injury). Other individuals crave the refreshment, relaxation, and relief of yoga stretching, and still others request an off-site group session such as a girls’ night out.

“We have people who only want pilates, or just yoga, or PiYO (which is blend of pilates/yoga),” Beth explained. “I think it’s awesome that there are members who come every day and want to do everything they can for their bodies.”

In the past, Beth tried to do yoga on her own with online videos, so she understands the benefit and the difference in having a teacher. “It helps to have a class that is specific to you,” she said. “The personal touch enables you to receive cues that help and focus.”

Private training takes that idea a step further. In a class of many, some may not get the level of support they need, or they may feel self-conscious being with more advanced clients. “There has been a tremendous uptick in private training,” Beth explained. “Doing yoga doesn’t have to look like an ad or scene on TV with the perfect Amazonian beauty holding the perfect stretch and pose. There is a place for everyone here – all ages and all body types.”

Holmes “In Home” Fitness

Tim Holmes of Holmes “In-Home Fitness” brings the gym experience to the customer by using a workout approach that is customized for anyone’s personal aspirations.

Formerly very underweight, Tim began weightlifting at age 20 when he realized that his younger brothers had passed him in height and size. He soon joined a fitness center and was initially trained by the gym’s owner, Vinny Liguria, who had been a competitive bodybuilder. “I gained ground fairly quickly, and people started asking me how I was getting bigger,” Tim recalled.

Eventually, Tim sought his AFPA comprehensive certification and became a professional fitness trainer qualified to train all ages “from 8 years old to 80.” He first started training clients through a gym 15 years ago. Tim advertises that he “specializes in the young, elderly, disabled, and excuse-riddled,” and some of these “excuses” prompted him to see the need to offer private training.

“People can be intimidated to go to the gym,” he said. “Also, many places lack the trained staff to help clients know how to use the weight systems correctly.” So when the gym where Tim was offering his services eventually closed down, one of his clients offered a space in her home to continue training. This sparked Tim’s vision to begin in-home, personal training. Now, taking his equipment, his dedication to his clients’ success, and his fitness knowledge with him, Tim travels to clients’ homes to instruct them with personally-designed training sessions.

Using resistance bands, free weights, and body weight exercises, Tim offers a variety of ways for his clients to reach their individual goals. These goals often include improving cardio ability, toning, losing weight, or gaining mass. Since people don’t usually have high-tech equipment in their homes, Tim developed creative ways to mimic the movement or exercises of a gym machine.

Not only does Tim provide the exercise know-how, but he also makes the session as safe and fun as possible. His clients have become his friends, and he creates a comfortable atmosphere in which to work out. Tim doesn’t want people to dread exercise or to not like him as the trainer. “I like to keep them laughing,” he said. “I play music, and we have fun. Everybody is safe. I collect medical information ahead of time, and they are hooked up to a heart monitor during the session.”

No previous gym experience is required. Tim enjoys being part of the process and the progress of a person reaching their personal fitness goals.

Off the Hook Hair & Nail Salon

The mother-daughter duo of Dana and Taylor at Off the Hook Hair & Nail Salon can do anything related to hair and nails: manicures, pedicures, haircuts/styles/colors, and waxing. Dana Roberts has been a licensed nail technician for 33 years, and she specializes in pink and white acrylic nails and colored acrylic nails. Taylor Witherspoon, Dana’s daughter, is in her sixth year of hair, nails, waxing, and make-up, and she specializes in extra-long nails.

Formerly called Dana’s Tips and Toes, Dana and Taylor changed the name, expanded their salon, and switched to their mermaid-themed new location in November 2020. “We have a better location now for both appointments and walk-ins,” Dana explained. “We feel more of a sense of community here and have definitely enjoyed a warm welcome and positive feedback.”

The two ladies strive to make their clients feel beautiful and pampered. “Especially for whatever we’ve all been going through lately, we want people to feel good about themselves and be able to forget about the outside world for a little while,” Dana said.

One example of a particularly happy client was a woman who hadn’t had toenails for thirty years and therefore never wore flip flops or sandals. “When I made her toenails out of acrylics, she was so happy, she was literally crying!” Dana recalled. “She went out and bought multiple pairs of flip flops right away.”

Dana and Taylor are very laid back and like their clients to feel at home and comfortable. They are excited about the arrival of a 3-D nail art printer in which they can take a picture of anything or anyone and put it on a fingernail in 30 seconds.

Aries Eleven Electrolysis Studio

Carrie Heflin opened Aries Eleven Electrolysis Studio in the spring of 2019. For a number of years, she received electrolysis (hair removal) treatments in downtown Fredericksburg, but eventually her commute to work, marriage, and kids took over her schedule.

When she was ready to resume treatments, Carrie discovered that her electrologist had retired. Feeling ready to try something new, Carrie decided to go to school for electrolysis and open her own studio. “I sold a tractor to go to school in New York,” Carrie said with a laugh. “It took one year to set up business. I had to create my own website and buy core essential machinery, tools, and accessories to provide services.” Now she owns a successful private studio in her home residence.

Carrie wanted to come up with a business name that stood out, and the unique name of “Aries Eleven” was decided upon due to a few whimsical reasons: her birthdate (April 11) and astrological sign (Aries), many coincidences with the number 11 appearing, and a conversation with her mailman (on Route 11) who showed her a video of the night sky from his recent Mexican vacation.

According to Carrie, electrolysis was developed in the late 1800s, and even though the machinery has been modernized, it is based on the same principles. As opposed to laser treatments, electrolysis works on all colors of hair and all areas of the body. “It serves a population of people struggling with hair issues for either cosmetic reasons or self-confidence issues. It is permanent hair removal. By providing electric current inside the follicle, it destroys the growth material at the root and causes the hair to release,” she explained. “Then we remove hair by hair. It is not instant; it takes time.”

Client services are based on time rather than body area, so clients choose 15, 30, or 60-minute sessions and then continue with consecutive treatments as maintenance. Carrie mentioned that clients see noticeable results in approximately one or two years’ time when they stay on cycle and treat hair at the appropriate stage of its growth. Treatment time depends on the amount of hair and thickness.

In addition to her equipment being technologically-advanced, keeping sessions confidential, and giving up-front and honest consultations, Carrie also has an easy-going nature that makes people feel comfortable. She enjoys working with clients of all ages. “You’ll be coming for a while if you stick with this, but hang in there and know that you’ll see results,” she encouraged.

Comfort Close to Home

A few recurring themes resounded from all the business owners profiled. They are passionate about what they do, they want to expand and grow their services/offerings, and they desire to serve the community. Take time to visit them for help with beauty, self-care, and wellness needs in a friendly and comfortable atmosphere around Lake Anna!