By: Marcia Abramson
One of the prominent families who became synonymous with the Catskill Mountain resorts were the Grossingers, who migrated to this area because a member of the family suffered from that disease and needed the clean mountain air for survival. Grossingers became the favored destination of entertainers, champion athletes and wealthy business entrepreneurs. Unfortunately, this changed in the 70s when vacation trends changed. Also, inexpensive airfares and faster planes to Europe after World War II resulted in a different traveling public and traveling industry and the demise of Grossingers.. The story goes that the surviving Concord Hotel came into being because an important guest could not get a reservation at Grossingers for the High Jewish Holidays when accommodations at that hostelry were at a premium. That potential guest was hair tonic king, Winarek, whose product is that blue liquid comb and hair brush antiseptic still found in barber shops everywhere. He threatened to build a bigger hotel than Grossingers with two golf courses, indoor tennis courts and spas and proceeded to do just that. Even today the Concord offers some spa services in addition to meetings and conferences. However, in this Catskill region, I did find New Age Health Spa, solely a destination spa, that offers a complete selection of spa treatments from around the world. Shiatsu, Swedish massage, Hydro Colon Therapy, Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and Ayurveda are just a few of the offerings. I was informed that New Age Spa Healing Stone Treatment is more than just the currently familiar hot stone massage. This treatment comprises the healing traditions of aromatherapy, chakra balancing and gemstone therapy for a complete, mind, body and spirit experience. Warm balsalt stones, specially selected for their ability to absorb and conduct heat, are used to massage the body from head to toe, softening tissue, increasing circulation and decreasing muscle spasm. The six fragrant essential oils are layered up the spine to improve the body's internal organ function. The treatment concludes with the placement of the colorful gemstones upon the basalt stones at the corresponding seven major charkas. Each chakra acts as a whirling vortex that uses energy to heal the body. This 100-minute therapy is unique to the New Age Health Spa and certainly sounds like a wonderful treatment for me since I have recommended the Hot Stone Massage for years since I first discovered it in Mexico. New Age Health Spa is located on 280 lush green acres nestled into the Catskill Mountain region of Sullivan County (an area known for its breathtaking beauty and clean air). There are also a plethora of ongoing classes. Classes, which are intended to collectively exercise the body, strengthen the mind and to invigorate the spirit, include aquarobics (water exercise), strength training, cabaret dancing, yoga, meditation, Tai Chi and indoor and outdoor swimming. For outdoor hiking enthusiasts, I understand that New Age Health Spa has over five miles of groomed nature trails throughout its 280 acres that are designed for daily guided nature tours or independent exploration walks. From May to October, the Spa Challenge Course as well as off-site hiking excursions and American bald-eagle watches are available weekly. The Challenge Course was especially intriguing to me. It consists of what they aptly named the Alpine Tower, a 50-foot-high structure that can be climbed via logs and ropes. I will leave this challenge to my daughter, Jill Wasser. She might find scaling this Alpine Tower just the thing to relive the sense of accomplishment and excitement associated with her childhood playground. She might even enjoy showing her children, Bradley and Maris, what she can still accomplish. There are also full-day hiking excursions to Minnewaska State Park, covering 6-8 miles of terrain with backpacks and picnic lunches. A knowledgeable guide on the habits of the bald eagles is also available to direct you to a nearby nesting area to observe this awesome sight. I believe that an attendee at New Age Health Spa will find enough to do without missing that television and radio in her room and the escape from the cell phone a blessing in disguise. I can certainly understand why Spa Finder's Reader's Choice Awards named New Age Health Spa "Best Small Spa in the USA" in 2003. The Spa also received Top Ten Spa Finder Awards in Hiking, Winter Sports, Yoga, Spiritual Programs and Value. For more information you might want to call your travel professional or 1-800-682-4348.
© Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail:mascribe@aol.com
