Reservations can be made by calling the Golden Door Spa at 480.359.5038.

The Golden Door Spa at The Boulders is a 33,000 sq. ft spa where guests find restoration, pampering and renewed energy.  The facility incorporates the elements of feng shui and the Zen-like ambiance of the original Golden Door while staying true to the natural environs and Native American influences of The Boulders. Its 24 treatment spaces are complemented by such signature elements as a labyrinth (path to tranquility), an authentic Tipi for guided meditation and a Golden Door affirmation rock for individual guest reflection.

Training sessions are Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 2:00 PM and is limited to six people per session. Before starting the group sessions, each individual must go through a Private Balance Assessment to determine health and/or risk factors to be addressed during training. The fee for the Balance Assessment is $70. The fee for each Group Session is $35 per person.

Reserve your spot by calling the Golden Door Spa at 480.359.5038.

Sunday, January 8 at 11:30 AM 
Sunday, February 5 at 11:30 AM
Sunday, March 4 at 11:30 AM

In this group experience, you will learn about the mineral, plant, animal, human and spirit world and how they relate to our physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and life force aspects.  Then enjoy a ceremonial nature walk to discover a totem or ally from one or more of these worlds that will guide you in your everyday life.  90 minutes, $30 per person.  Reservations can be made by calling the Golden Door Spa at 480.359.5038.

Our 33,000-square-foot spa offers stimulating revitalization through the art of massage, the science of facials, and refreshing services. Beautifully infused with ingredients from the desert environment, therapies created over 50 years ago from the original Golden Door are expertly applied. This luxurious spa offers everything you need for soul-stirring renewal in the Scottsdale area.

December 10- Holiday Fun with Food for Pre-Diabetics and Diabetics
Diabetes has increased to epidemic proportions in this country. Learn how to manage your diabetes while putting the fun back into your holidays with health tips, food choices and food preparation designed to keep your body in balance.

January 14– Weight Management Strategies for the New Year
Kick start your New Year’s Resolution to lose weight and enjoy delicious, healthy foods as you shed pounds. Learn how our own spa Chef lost 110 lbs. while cooking wonderfully, delicious food every day. Find your ideal calorie balance needed to achieve your optimum weight goal, food choices, preparation guidelines and tricks to keep your foods healthy, low-calorie, and delicious!

February 11- Gluten-free Eating�
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects nearly one in every hundred people. Unfortunately 97 percent remain undiagnosed and untreated. If you or someone you know suffers from symptoms of gluten intolerance, with gastrointestinal complaints, fatigue, headaches, joint pain, anemia or itchy skin, it may be a symptom of gluten intolerance. Learn easy ways to prepare tasty gluten-free foods and start getting your life back.

 March 10- Detoxification for Health and Healing
Symptoms of toxicity include a variety of ailments including; allergies, sinusitis, fatigue, headaches, poor metabolism, colds, digestive problems and many others. Learn how toxins affect the liver and long-term health. Then, watch and learn how to prepare and enjoy nourishing, detoxifying juices and foods. Taste the freshness and purity of whole foods.

April 14- Vegetarian/Vegan Health
Vegetarians tend to maintain a lower and healthier weight than non-vegetarians, have lower blood pressure, less heart disease and cancer than the general population. Learn the unique qualities of a vegetarian/vegan diet and how to prepare the foods to insure adequate nutrition for optimal health.

The cost is $85.00 person and reservations can be made by calling the Golden Door Spa at 480.359.5038.

One minute a day for the BEST skin of your life.

The Clarisonic Cleansing System and Opal Sonic Infusion System have both been introduced to all facial services in this month at the Golden Door Spa at The Boulders!  We want you to be up-to-date and in-the-know about the latest and greatest in skin cleansing.

Research shows that Clarisonic Facial Cleansing does the following:  removes 6 times more makeup than manual cleansing; leads to 61% greater absorption of Vitamin C when compared to manual cleansing; helps improve the appearance of skin tone, texture, elasticity and firmness in mature skin; makes skin look and feel softer, smoother and healthier; is safe and gentle enough to use twice a day.

AND when using the Opal Sonic Infusion (for the eye area) 87% of women found an immediate reduction of the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles; twice daily use of Clarisonic Opal reduced the appearance of aging skin around the eye and leads to brighter, younger and healthier looking skin; increased skin hydration and gentle enough for daily use; and consistent use of the Clarisonic Opal leads to noticeably firmer skin.

These great facial tools are NOW being utilized in ALL facials provided at the Golden Door Spa at The Boulders.

To schedule your facial at the Golden Door Spa, please call 480-595-3500.  We look forward to providing you a Clarisonic Experience!

If you’re like most people, you think of pumpkin just twice a year: once as a glorified candleholder come Halloween and then again as the indulgent finishing touch to your Thanksgiving dinner feast. But this big orange orb is actually one of nature’s nutritional powerhouses — it’s packed with more than 100 therapeutic nutrients that can boost your beauty routine and enhance your health, including skin-protecting beta-carotenes and disease-fighting antioxidants. Here are the top reasons this gourd’s goodness is a treat you should indulge in all year. 

Get Glowing – Pumpkin packs a powerful one-two punch when it comes to skin care, says dermatologist Audrey Kunin. It contains powerful alpha hydroxy acids, a natural fruit acid that helps lift away old skin cells to reveal a radiant, more luminous omplexion, plus vitamin A, which helps increase the rate of cell renewal to unveil younger-looking, softer skin.

Defend Against Disease – One of the most nutrient-rich foods out there, pumpkin is packed with disease-fighters, especially a turbo-charged combination of carotenoids, says Dr. William Clower, author of The Fat Fallacy. According to Clower, the National Cancer Institute estimates that up to 30 percent of all cancers can be prevented by eating the right foods, such as those rich in carotene, like pumpkin (just a 1/2 cup serving satisfies twice the recommended intake of alpha-carotene and 100 percent of beta-carotene).

Up Your UV Protection – There’s a reason your mom made you finish your carrots: Like our friend the pumpkin, they’re loaded with beta-carotenes, an antioxidant with serious oomph. Not only is beta-carotene responsible for pumpkin’s lovely, deep-orange color, it also provides potent protection against free-radical damage caused by the sun’s harmful rays. Applied topically, pumpkin extract can even enhance the effect of sunscreen and shield skin from other environmental factors, including air pollution, stress and secondhand smoke.

Make Every Night Date Night – The spicy scent of pumpkin is a surefire way to inject some sizzle into those stay-at-home evenings with your guy. According to studies at the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, the smell of pumpkin is probably one of your man’s top-rated aphrodisiacs. It’s also been proved to increase sexual functionality in both men and women — one more reason to serve pumpkin ice cream or light a pumpkin candle on a random Tuesday night.

Think Faster and Better – Want a no-fuss, no-muss alternative to the sometimes-awkward gourd? Try pumpkin seeds; they’re notable for being a great source of zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which not only help promote healthy bone density but can also sharpen your brain skills.

Erase Years – Rich in essential fatty acids, pumpkin is an effective way to diminish fine lines and wrinkles, says skin care expert Kimara Ahnert. It’s also loaded with vitamin C, which has been proved to spur collagen production and prevent the breakdown of elastin. Pumpkins are also jam-packed with sodium hyaluronate to help hydrate and plump skin.

Improve Oral Care – Looking to improve your dental care? Try a little pumpkin seed oil when cooking; it’s used to effectively help with the prevention of cavities and tooth decay.

 

By Dana Wagner for Bright Smile Beautiful You.  Dana Wagner has held positions at Vogue and Gotham, and she is the fashion and beauty director of Bridal Guide magazine. 

If you are ready for an adventure, then the Golden Door Spa at The Boulders is a great place to be!  Not only do we offer your typical spa services of massages, facials and body treatments along with our great fitness and wellness programs, but we offer outdoor adventures as well.  What other resort and spa can boast on-property rock climbing as well as desert hiking, mountain biking and night-biking??  The Boulders can and does! 

• Desert Hiking – Explore the scenic Sonoran Desert and learn about local flora, fauna and history from an experienced guide.  A variety of unique destinations are available, from modest rolling desert to challenging mountain terrain.  Hiking shoes are highly recommended, but any sturdy athletic footwear will do.  Wearing a hat is a great idea.  We’ll supply a fanny pack, water bottle and transportation to the trail head.

• Mountain Biking – Enjoy a guided tour on some of Arizona’s best trails, located just pedaling distance from The Boulders.  The rolling desert terrain is challenging and fun and the scenery is unforgettable.  Our mountain bikes are full-suspension models with disk brakes.  We’ll supply the helmet, water bottle and some expert riding tips.

• Rock Climbing – Experience the thrill of rock climbing on teh resort’s majestic granite.  Our program is a genuine rock climbing experience, with natural routes rising up to 75 feet.  Climbing is an activity that relies on technique and finesse, not raw strength.  Participants are often surprised by their own abilities.  Our expert guests supply all the gear and teach the basic skills.

Here are some great informative facts regarding water: 

• It seems that nearly everyone knows that we should drink 64 ounces of water per day, yet the average American drinks only about 36 ounces per day.  Where do you stand in your water consumption? 
• In a single day, you use two to three quarts of liquid performing natural bodily functions such as perspiring and breathing.  You lose even more when you breathe heavily or sweat profusely through exercise. 
• About 40% or our water intake comes from food.  Fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears and cabbage are between 85-95% water.  Poultry such as chicken is about 60% and most breads are as much as 30%. 
• Yet, the greater part of our fluid assimilation is represented by fluids.  Fruit juices, skim milk and herbal teas are good sources but can add unwanted calories.  Plain water is always the preferable source.

AND YET, WATER HAS SO MANY BENEFITS: Are you tired during the day? Drink some water. Dehydration is the #1 trigger of fatigue. 

• Dehydration of the skin’s surface should also be a daily concern. Does your skin feel itchy?  Drink some water. Itchy skin is a symptom of dehydration. 
• If you feel thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Thirst lags far behind the body’s need for water. When your kidneys sense water levels are low they send signals to the rest of the body telling it to retain water and slow down. Once that happens, your mouth feels dry.  
• The optimum temperature for shower or bath water is 90-95 degrees F. Tepid water (80-90 degrees F) is energizing, perfect for the morning bath. However, do not linger. Soaks longer than 15 minutes, or more than two baths or showers a day dry out the skin. Water above 95 degrees makes people perspire and strips the natural oil from the skin, dehydrating the skin. 
• Feeling hungry? Drink some water. Almost 40% of us can’t tell the difference between thirst and hunger because our thirst mechanism is so weak. 
• Do you have joint pain? Drinking 8-10 glasses of water could significantly alleviate joint pain in the majority of sufferers.

Most important of all is the fact that our internal organs function at their peak when they are hydrated. One of their functions is to burn fat. Lacking proper water, you won’t burn as much stored fat as you do when hydrated. So if you want to become a “fat burning machine”, drink water! 

• And remember; don’t count beverages with alcohol or caffeine such as coffee, tea, or colas toward your water consumption goals. The caffeine and alcohol will actually deplete your body of fluid; they act as a diuretic. You need to make up for this consumption by drinking an extra glass of water for each glass of caffeine or alcohol that you consume. At that rate you won’t have time to eat. Maybe that’s the whole point! 

We at the GOLDEN DOOR SPA at THE BOULDERS RESORT wish you a wonderful visit with us, no matter how long your stay may be. We do hope that you heed our advice every day but especially while you are visiting with us here in the Sonoran Desert.

One of the more popular forms of yoga is Hatha yoga.  Offered at the Golden Door Spa several times per week, it focuses on the physical poses and controlled breathing.

POSES – In a typical hatha yoga class, you may learn anywhere from 10 to 30 poses.  More experienced yoga students might know many more, including more advanced poses that require advanced stretching and twisting.  Poses range from the seemingly easy, such as the corpse pose, which involves lying on the floor, completely relaxed, to the most difficult poses that take years of practice to master.

Remember, you don’t have to do every pose your instructor demonstrates.  If a pose is uncomfortable or you can’t hold it as long as the instructor requests, don’t do it.  Good instructors will understand.  Spend time sitting quietly, breathing deeply until your instructor moves the class on to another pose that’s more comfortable for you.

BREATHING – Controlling your breathing is an important part of yoga.  In yoga, breath signifies your vital energy.  Yoga teaches that controlling your breath can help you control your body and gain control of your mind.

You’ll learn to control your breathing by paying attention to it.  Your instructor may ask you to take deep, regular breaths as you concentrate on your breathing.  Other techniques involve paying attention to your breath as it moves into your body and fills your lungs, or breathing through alternate nostrils.

Overall, yoga offers a good means of relaxation and stress relief.  Its quiet, precise movements focus your mind less on your busy day and more on the moment as you move your body through poses that require balance and concentration.

To see a monthly schedule of fitness classes offered (including a variety of yoga styles) at the Golden Door Spa, please click here.  Namaste …

What happens during a Watsu session?  A Watsu massage is based on the therapeutic principles of warm water and Shiatsu massage by incorporating gentle twists, stretches and pressure point work into the massage.  The person receiving Watsu is stretched and floated in the water while the therapist uses the weight of the guest’s body to perform Shiatsu pressure point work.  The continual support that warm water can provide is ideal for allowing the spine to become free.  The water makes vertebrae weightless and allows the muscles to completely relax.  The combination of water resistance, buoyancy and a weightless environment make a Watsu massage a truly multi-dimensional experience. 

The benefits of Watsu include:

• Deep relaxation
• Strengthening of muscles and increased flexibility
• Increase blood circulation and decreased muscle spasms
• Pain control

 Watsu will benefit those guests with:

• Fibromyalgia and Arthritis
• Neurological disorders and orthopedic dysfunctions
• Chronic and general aches and pains
• Sleep disorders and stress related challenges

 After you step into the warm Watsu pool (about 98 degrees, body temperature) your therapist will give you a few simple instructions.  With your eyes closed and your ears submerged (ear plugs provided), you will be floated in blissful silence.  Throughout the session, the therapist will connect with your breath, being sensitive to your individual rhythm and response.  You will experience stretches and deep point work.  All of these movements will blend into one, deep, healing dance of relaxation!

 The results of a Watsu session … Watsu brings relaxation to the body, mind and spirit.  Guests can experience heightened awareness even when reduced oxygen requirements in the weightless water environment help calm respiration and achieve great relaxation.  Watsu involves both letting go and a new awareness of what is means to be relaxed!  Just let go and enjoy the ride!