Gift Ideas Part 1 for Mom's Day Big: Two Ultimate Spa Treatments in Walnut Creek

Liz Taylor-sized baubles are lovely gifts to present to mom on her special day. But what about another totally over the top, fabulous gift that doesn't cost quite as much but will provide lasting benefits?

Have mom spend an hour or even half a day at a Walnut Creek spa getting pampered.

At two deluxe Walnut Creek spas, Miraculum Spa and Changes Salon and Day Spa, your mother can relax, unwind and have someone dote on her.

These spas offer a variety of facials, massages and other treatments that ease tensions but also invigorate certain parts of the body in ways that will leave mom glowing and feeling wonderful  — and ready to be taken out to dinner.

Patch editor Martha Ross and writer Donna Lynn Rhodes recently checked out signature treatments at both spas. (Yes, it was a tough job. But someone had to do it.) We wanted to report on wonderful gift ideas for your mother or for other special people in your life.

Changes' Nature’s Gift Pure Energy Massage

If Changes Salon and Day Spa is the queen of Walnut Creek spas, having been in business 25 years and received numerous awards, then massage therapist and educator Sergio Luis Casco is the prince. He has been at Changes for 10 years and has helped bring an Eastern influence to some of its massage treatments.

Consider a "Thai Yoga" treatment or the "Satori massage," which emphasizes shiatsu, energy points and chakra balancing—designed to take you "into a state of bliss."

Several years ago, I went to Casco for a massage. He is certified with the Deepak Chopra Center in the spiritual laws of yoga and helped relax me — and I guess my nervous system, too — with his Ayurvedic massage, based on a 4,000-year-old method of healing. 

This time around, I went to Casco to try out Changes'  "Nature’s Gift Pure Energy Massage." Changes touts this treatment as "the ultimate massage."

I can't argue with the "ultimate" massage bravado.

This massage indeed pulls together elements of Eastern and Western styles to provide a lengthy and luxurious head-to-toe pampering. 

The treatment started with a foot bath in one of Changes lounges. Casco had me choose one of three scents that would be the aromatic theme of the session, present in the lotions and oils he would use. I chose a blend of citrusy orange and lemon. 

A very gentle foot massage started things off. Then Casco rubbed smooth, hot stones coated in soothing oils along my legs, arms and shoulders. When he placed small warm stones between my toes, I drifted off into some fantasy of being on a beach on a summer-washed Greek island lined with Aegean-smoothed pebbles.

As I was wandering off into my own revelry about far-away romantic places, Casco delicately massaged my scalp. He ended with an exfoliating treatment for my feet, hands and back. 

One thing I greatly appreciated about Casco's approach was that at several key points in the session he asked me to take deep breaths. Most massage therapists don't ask this, and now it seems like a natural request. 

I've done yoga on and off for 13 years, so I've learned, in my amateur way, that even the most simple breath work lets you control your level of relaxation and meditation. In this instance, Casco was asking me to help with my own relaxation by taking three slow, deep breaths at key times. I think I went deeper into the relaxation than I would have had I not engaged in the breathing exercises.

After the massage, I enjoyed a few minutes—but not too many, it gets pretty hot!—in Changes steam room, then lazed about in the Aqua Terra room that Changes added when it expanded several years ago.

This room is so named because it has an entire wall of moving water, as if it were a small waterfall in a glade of trees. The soothing sound provides the perfect backdrop for unwinding after a massage or facial. You can lie back on thickly padded lounge chairs, sip complimentary tea and nibble on nuts, dried fruit and little bits of chocolate and read your best seller—or your fun bad magazine.

Changes Nature’s Gift Pure Energy Massage lasts 90 minutes and costs $128.

For the more budget conscious, you can buy a $35 self-pampering treatment. It allows your mom to enjoy the amenities of a Changes spa day—the steam room, hanging out in the Aqua Terra room. You will be given lotions for a self-exfoliation.

You also can buy Changes $100 and $200 gift certificates for Nature Days products: lotions, cleansers and other products.

Changes is at 1475 N. Broadway in Walnut Creek. For more information, call 925-947-1814 or visit www.changessalon.com

--Martha Ross 

Miracullum Spa

I have walked and driven by Miracullum Spa on North Main Street thousands of times but never had a treatment there. 

Talk about a before and after – I was literally glowing when I left there and can’t believe how one hour relaxed and transformed me inside and out.

The lobby and "storefront" is very unassuming but as soon as I walked inside there was a sense of calmness and a wonderful aroma that instantly relaxed me. I was greeted warmly. After filling out a few questions about my skin, I met Jennifer, who would be doing my facial.  She was stunning and her skin was perfect. 

After I changed into a fluffy robe and socks, Jennifer led me to a room where she had me sit down in front of a machine called a derme.ca Skin Scanner. It’s all quite simple. The scanner lights your face with a radiating source of ultraviolet light and it detects dry, dehydrated, keratinized, oily or aging skin. And what’s more, because there’s a mirror inside, I was able to see what the technician was seeing and she could explain what the scanner analyzed. It was really amazing.  

After I understood the true condition of my skin, we went to the facial room. I tend to get a little dizzy when I am lying flat on my back and Jennifer assured me not to worry. As soon as I was comfortable under the blanket, she flicked a switch and the whole table contoured and formed to ergonomically fit my body.  My head and neck were raised, my back and knees supported and my feet placed at the perfect angle.  I was in heaven.  

Jennifer used a variety of lotions and serums all customized for what my skin needed. There wasn’t a one-lotion-fits-all here – and everything was explained. She started with a wash and then did an enzyme smoothie under steam, which was just the right temperature. Instead of leaving the room or just chitchatting while I was under the steamer, she stayed and gave my hands and arms an incredible message.  She told me that this was part of the service: Talk about “You had me at hello” — I was putty in their hands.

I appreciated that Jennifer explained everything she was doing and the products she was using, but didn't try to sell me on my next service or point out all the bad things on my skin that I should come back and have treated or buy hundreds of dollars in products to use.

After the mask and the message came the dreaded extractions, which, surprisingly, I didn’t even feel. Next came a photo light, then another amazing ampoule and finally a Vitamin C rubber mask – a mask like the one that Robin Williams wore in Mrs. Doubtfire – and yes, it comes off in one piece!  Again, while this wonderful mask was drying, out came those message hands and Jennifer gave me a décolleté (shoulder, neck) message. 

I could have stayed there for hours. After we (of course I wanted to help) peeled off the rubber mask, my face felt incredible and I thought the treatment was finished. But there was still more pampering with a Hyaluronic cream and finally sunscreen – of course the sunscreen!

Facials at Miracullum start at $50 and are customized to your needs.

There are special spa packages for Mother’s Day including facials, massages, body wraps and more.  Miracullum is at 1355 N. Main Street (across from the Pottery Barn Starbucks). To learn more or to make an appointment, call 925-943-6146.  Gift certificates can be purchased at www.miracullum.com.