Here is the inside scoop on some great ways to enjoy some popular Willow Stream Spas.

Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Yangcheng Lake. This hotel in Kunshan–located on Yangcheng Lake Park and surrounded by lush gardens– is the perfect base for a journey to China. If you’re looking for an experience you’ll never forget, spa director Jenny Gray recommends The Lady Yang, a 120-minute, flower-infused bathing ritual, inspired by the legendary Chinese beauty Lady Yang Gui Fei. “We convert her history into our signature treatment,” says Gray of the ritual, estimated to be 5,000 years old. It includes a chamomile foot soak, exfoliation, a flower-accented bath, and a lavender and edelweiss massage and wrap. Need to unwind after a busy day? Try taking a dip in one of the therapeutic mineral pools, she suggests.

After your treatment, visit the spa’s tea room, Zhú Li Gua˘n, where, in addition to antioxidant rich Bi Luo Chun green tea, you can enjoy refreshments from healthy muffins to delicious bento boxes that combines local and Western cuisine, recommend Gray. “This is where our customers will find their energy,” she says. Much of the deliciously fresh spa cuisine—from tomatoes to melons—comes from the spas’ organic farm, about five minutes from the hotel.

Fairmont Zimbali Resort. Located on South Africa’s east coast, this hotel offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean in a uniquely decorated environment that reflects the Zulu heritage of the region. At the luxurious Willow Stream Spa, located on two stories of the property, you’ll be able to indulge in many authentically local experiences. Spa director George Pindak suggests the Detox Intonga Foot Treatment, where the intonga stick is used to massage the calves. Pindak notes that many guests at the spa enjoy trying the Africology range of products, made locally using native plants such as marula. “They use a lot of rooibos, an organic plant we use in our teas,” he adds.  If you’re looking to stay in shape while on vacation, there are plenty of options, from yoga classes to nature trail walks at sundown, says Pindak. After you’ve enjoyed the spa, you can relax in the great room, decorated with soft, draping curtains that create a cocoon-like atmosphere. “It looks out onto a beautiful pool area and outdoor mineral bath,” he notes.

Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa. Enjoy wine country in Sonoma Valley and nearby Napa Valley this year at this historic four-star hotel. The 40,000-square- foot Willow Stream spa—highly rated by Travel + Leisure magazine—is among the only luxury spas in the country with its own source of thermal mineral water. When the hotel received the prestigious Fodor’s Choice Gold 2010 Award Winner (http://www.fodors.com/fodors-choice/gold-awards/2010/best-resort-or-destination-spas-7/), a Fodor’s reviewer highlighted the spa and pointed to treatments like the signature Bathing Ritual, as well as the flotation experiences, where guests can experience weightlessness on our flotation table. The spa is also known for using treatments incorporating local ingredients like – you guessed it!—grapes. Try the Sonoma Grapeseed Body Scrub, filling with natural antioxidants to keep your skin looking its best.

But, let’s face it, sometimes life intervenes. If you’ve found that it’s been a while since you took care of yourself in a way that makes you feel great, we’ve got some good news for you. By taking just a few small steps every day, you can start the momentum going in a positive direction. Before you know it, you’ll be back on track.
There’s no better time to take the first steps than Spa. This spring, you can enjoy a bounty of special offers and gifts at the Fairmont Spas and our world-class Willow Stream Spas as we celebrate Spring from April 1 – May 31. Whether you treat yourself to a Sp’arty with friends or a one-hour facial, you’ll feel far more energized than you would if you let another week go by without recharging your battery.

Here are some small steps you can take now to move the needle on your personal wellness in the right direction.

• Book a one-hour massage – for next week. If your body feels tight and creaky after a long winter, it’s the perfect time to loosen up your muscles and joints so you can spring into your fitness routine. Willow Stream Spas offer a variety of ultra-relaxing massages, from the Stay Active Relief Massage to ease the aches and pains of working out to the firm but luxurious Hot Stone Massage. If you need more intensive TLC, we’ve got a whole Stay Active Rx program to help you.

• Squeeze in a 10-minute walk today. Even if your schedule is booked solid, you can probably find a few minutes for a stroll around the block. You’ll clear your head and remind yourself of how great it feels to be in motion.

• Do five minutes of the “basics.” Set a timer and take a quick breather sometime today to do as many sit-ups and push-ups as you can while you take five. You’d be surprised at how much you can get accomplished – and the results you’ll see in a week or two if you stick with this small step every day.

Once you’re ready for a more extensive fitness routine, our spa team can help you design a customized program that will keep you feeling your best.

• Commit to eating one ultra healthy meal today. Trade in a pastry for a bowl of whole grain cereal and milk at breakfast. Or add a salad to your dinner. The difference that seemingly simple changes like this can make in your energy level may amaze you!

Sometimes, daily life can be so demanding that it’s near-impossible to get moving on your own. If you need some motivating, treat yourself to the Spa Season Bed & Breakfast Package, which includes a relaxing overnight stay. You’ll get one night’s accommodation plus a healthy breakfast the next morning. You can step out of the daily grind, unwind and use our exercise facilities with help from our on-site trainers. And you’ll receive $25 in spa credits that you can use when you come back in the future – more motivation to stick with the healthy changes you’re making.

21 by Adele. This hit album by the young, Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter will have you singing along, whether you’re entertaining outdoors or driving to your next appointment with CD player turned up.

Glee: The Music. Even if you never got hooked on the hit show, this popular, upbeat compilation is infectious, with songs from I Feel Pretty to Go Your Own Way.

So Beautiful or So What by Paul Simon. Best known as half of Simon & Garfunkle, soloist Simon has won critical acclaim for what many consider his best album in years. You’ll find his mellow melodies hard to forget.

Il Volo. These three talented teens got their start on an Italian talent show and have charmed the world. This release bridges cultures with romantic and moving songs that are in Italian, Spanish and English.

In Your Dreams by Stevie Nicks. As a solo artist, Nicks is just as engaging as she was in Fleetwood Mac. With the first new songs since her Trouble in Shangri-La came out a decade ago, this album is wowing fans with songs like the bewitching ballad Italian Summer.

Sounds of Summer by the Beach Boys. How can you possibly think of summer and not think of the Beach Boys? Some of their greatest hits were released during the summer of the sixties. Sing along to some of the classics including “Kokomo”, “Surfin’ USA” and “California Girls”.

Greatest Hits on the Radio by Donna Summers. This collection of Donna Summers’ greatest hits is a must for summer. These tracks are sure to get you up on your feet. You won’t be able to survive without it.

Madonna by Madonna. Summer is a time to have fun. And who knows how to have fun more than Madonna? This album put her on the map. “Borderline” skyrocketed to the top of the charts in the Summer of 84’. Her upbeat vibe, is sure to get your energy going!

We Like to Party by Venga Boys. This album was at the Top of the Billboard 100 charts in the early 90’s. Their Eurodance Pop flavor will surely get you up and moving.

Willow Stream Spas can help. Through the Stay Active Rx Program, visitors to the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Turnberry Isle in Miami can first get a free assessment to determine the root cause of their aches and pains – and then walk away with a custom designed workout to help remedy them, says spa director Kirstie Bolitho.

The exams are done by chiropractic sports physician Matthew Cooper, owner of USA Sports Therapy & Enzyme Nutrition, which provides consultations and coaching from the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont Turnberry Isle in Miami, or by the staff of Bommerito Performance Systems, which is run by top performance coach Peter Bommerito.  “They tell the trainer what is wrong,” says Bolitho. “The trainer then comes up with a workout routine.”

Not staying as active as you’d like to be because of sports-related aches and pains? Here are some ways the program can help you.

You’ll end your guessing. It can be frustrating to live with a persistent joint or muscle ache without knowing exactly what’s causing it. If someone comes into the spa with a physical complaint, Cooper says, the team will arrange for a complete physical and neurological exam to pinpoint exactly what’s wrong.

You’ll understand the mechanics. After the medical exam, the team does a physical assessment, looking at biomechanical issues that could be contributing to problems such as shoulder pain when playing tennis or achy knees when playing golf. This knowledge will help you to modify the way you exercise, so that you don’t aggravate existing problems or cause new ones.

You’ll get a customized fitness routine. The spa will pair you with a strength coach or trainer, to come up with a customized fitness routine that meets your goal – whether it is getting back into marathon running or simply feeling better. Here again, the approach is based on science. “We design a program with a doctor and a trainer,” says Cooper.

Most people come away with routines that involve working out three or four times a week, he says. Typically routines run about 10 sessions, with the cost running about $100 an hour, Bolitho says. “You get professional advice, you get to find out why you’re in pain, and you strengthen and work on specific areas you need to work on.”

No one said that getting rid of aches and pains – or achieving your fitness goals – has to be boring!

For more ideas, check out her upcoming book Love for No Reason: 7 Steps to Creating a Life of Unconditional Love (Free Press, December 2010).

Charity: I’ve been involved for about three years with the East River Development Alliance (ERDA) in New York City, where I sit on the board. They do really spectacular work. They have gone into two of the biggest public housing communities in the country in Long Island City and Astoria, N.Y. and put programs in place to improve the quality of life for the residents. They work with the schools on college training programs, and they do a number of programs regarding financial stability — teaching participants how to manage their money and save. They opened their own bank, the ERDA Federal Credit Union. Their broader plan is to help public housing residents get out of poverty.

Inspiring person: My dad. He’s my number one. He’s an entrepreneur and has built his own businesses over the years and worked for himself the same way I’m trying to do. And he’s just a good dad.

Way to relax:There are a bunch of different ways I de-stress. I like eating in general. I love great sushi. I love great Italian. I love a great steak. I like hanging out with my wife and my friends, and people unrelated to business and getting a real departure that way. I also love physical activity: going to the gym, going for a run, playing tennis or football. But my favorite way to decompress is reading, although I don’t do it often enough. I can only really relax and get into a book when I’m traveling.

Indulgence: I have tons of them. It’s tough to pick one thing. I love a crazily unhealthy, gigantic decadent cheeseburger as well as anyone else. I love a really amazing strong gigantic beer. It all comes back to being a glutton. For me that’s what it’s all about: consumption of unhealthy things. I go to the gym before! I get it done first thing in the morning so I can do what I want during the day.

Book: I guess my favorite is Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, by Jonathan Safran Foer. Love, love, love that book! My favorite author is my brother in law, Gabe Rotter. He has a new book, published by Simon & Schuster, called The Human Bobby. It’s awesome, because I know him so well, and I can see his humor and personality in it.

To help you get rolling, we spoke with experts for their best tips.

Step out of your normal routine. It’s often easier to start a fitness routine if you give yourself a break from the stress of day to day life. “I think a spa is an incredibly good place to introduce a new plan for your life,” says Linda Taylor, a longtime teacher of disciplines such as Pilates as founder of Taylor Wellness Arts in New York City. A fitness-oriented spa may be able to help you develop a plan you can take home with you, she points out.

Identify your “buts” and “whys.” Elizabeth Lombardo, a physical therapist and psychologist who is author of the bestseller A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness, recommends identifying the reason you aren’t exercising, when you say, “I’d like to exercise, but…” (For instance, “I’d like to exercise but I’m working longer hours at work and don’t have time.”) Also make a list of the positive benefits you get from exercise, such as setting a positive example for your children, relieving stress, looking better or feeling better. These are your “Whys.” When you find yourself focusing on the “Buts” and avoiding exercise, remind yourself of the “whys,” she says.

Sneak in short exercise breaks. “We’re such an all or nothing society,” says Dr. Lombardo. “We think `I have to exercise for an hour or why bother?’” Change your mindset, so that you use the little time you do have to exercise and applaud yourself for it, even if you only have 5 minutes to get down on the carpet and do some sit-ups and pushups, she suggests. Even short bursts of exercise add up. “Research shows that three 10- minute segments of exercise are as effective as a half hour segment,” says Dr. Lombardo.

Pay attention to body alignment. If you are a runner, tennis player or fan of another sport who keeps getting derailed by repetitive stress injuries, you may need some help from a professional in designing an exercise routine that helps to prevent them, says Taylor. You may need to work on issues such as breathing, sitting and walking properly, so you don’t exacerbate any underlying problems when you work out. “You really need to understand your body,” Taylor says.

“When people pace themselves, they get a lot more done,” he says. “If you don’t take breaks, you make mistakes. You can’t turn the human being into a machine.”

Want to make sure you return to work renewed after your next vacation? Here are some tips.

Commit to taking a break. Tell yourself, “I’m really going on vacation. This is a chance for me to rebuild and restore my mind and body – and I’m really going to use it,” advises Dr. Edlund.

Don’t overschedule yourself. Many people come back from a vacation more tired than when they left because they treat it like a job, says Dr. Edlund. Instead of creating a list of things to do – like seeing 16 castles in two cities or mastering yoga, pilates and racquetball over four days – allow yourself time to enjoy the place where you are staying in a more spontaneous way. “You don’t want to race through your day,” he says. Give yourself the breathing room to experience “flow,” where you are so completely engrossed in what you are doing that you don’t notice the time, he suggests.

Leave your goals at the office. Vacations are about enjoying experiences that you’ll remember for a lifetime. If you are staying at a spa, pay attention to how you feel when you are getting treatments, instead of turning your visit into a project by saying “I’m going to lose X number of pounds while I’m here,” advises Dr. Edlund.

Get in touch with your natural sleep cycles. Many people are so sleep deprived that they don’t remember how good it feels to be rested, says Dr. Edlund. A vacation can be a great time to restore yourself by taking naps. It can also give you the freedom to get in touch with your natural sleep cycles, by going to bed when you are tired and waking up when you’re rested. “There’s a very different clock for different people,” he says.

Be social. Allow time for relaxed conversations with your traveling companions, and chatting with new acquaintances – which can renew your zest for life in unexpected ways. “A large part of the spa experience is meeting interesting people you can connect with,” says Dr. Edlund.

Prolong the positive effects. Once you’re back at work, you can return to the relaxed state you experienced while, say, getting a massage with a simple exercise known as paradoxical relaxation. Sit down, close your eyes, and focus all of your attention on a spot on your body that feels tense. Your body will completely relax as your focus goes to that one point, where the tension will soon dissipate. “You can do it anywhere, any time,” Dr. Edlund says.

Spring is such a wonderful escape. Being outside – even just looking outside – makes us feel good: the sun is shining, the grass is turning green and birds are chirping again. It’s relaxing and energizing at the same time.

There are other ways you can find your energy and feel great no matter what the weather is, and a few brilliant people at California State University got together to talk about three strategies you might want to  consider:

1. Music seems to turn a mood around and raise your energy level, while reducing tension. All kinds of studies show that music increases productivity in the workplace. Even elevator music can lift your spirits!

2. Exercise is a very effective way to improve your mood. If you start moving – a brisk walk, a dance aerobics class – your endorphins will increase and you find yourself smiling and feeling more energetic.

3. Being with other people can improve your mood, too. It seems that people who socialize a lot are just plain happier, more upbeat.

Other ways to feel energetic and spring free include giving a pep talk (to yourself or someone else), thinking positive thoughts and doing something you like. For example, when your friends talk about “shopping therapy”, they’re onto something; shopping, reading, doing chores and spending time on hobbies all tend to lift our spirits.

Remember “Don’t just stand there, do something.”? It works.

Less successful ways of feeling good are watching television (especially soap operas), eating, and drinking coffee (though we might disagree with that part of the study.)