These Feet Were Made For Walkin’

As a beauty blogger, I get lots of opportunities to try out unique treatments in hopes that something will strike me as new, different and inspired. Recently, I was invited to the Ona Spa in Los Angeles for a totally novel treatment that I had never experienced before: a Full Body Massage conducted predominately with the feet. I have had many, many massages but never one done with the feet, this was a whole new arena of me–I was intrigued!

This signature service is called the Ona Pada (Pada is the Sanskrit term for foot) and it is a full body massage treatment using the feet as the massaging tools. This unique approach to massage therapy is supposed to increase joint mobilization and release tensions in the large muscle groups. What is unique about using the feet to conduct a massage is that they can exert much more pressure than the hands can, however the surface area of the foot is much bigger than the hands, so this more intense and stronger pressure is more spread out. In other words, it’s a much more powerful massage, but you feel it less cause the intense pressure is spread out.

So let me tell about my divine Ona Pada with Daniel, the creator of this extraordinary massage, who has the gentle presence of a healer and the feet of a God. We meet in the relaxation room to discuss the treatment, how it is different, what to expect and he gives me an opportunity to share any specific problem areas I have (Yes, my neck and shoulders please!)

We enter the Pada treatment room, and I notice that above the massage table mounted to the ceiling are bars and harnesses to support the masseuse when the feet are doing the massaging. OK this is going to be REALLY different and I love it! The massage actually starts with me seated upright in a little supportive chair and a couple of drops of Jasmine oil that I rub into the palms of my hands to increase the feelings of euphoria (way to start!)Starting upright,  gives Daniel an opportunity to loosen and stretch my muscles before the foot work begins. I have never been stretched like this before a massage, and I really liked it because it instantly showed me how skilled he was and it also allowed him to get into my problem areas right from the start. Already I could tell this was going to be good!

Then I climb onto the table and nirvana begins. Daniel rubs the most aromatic ginger and lemongrass scented massage oil (reminiscent of the Far East where the inspiration for this treatment came) on my back, climbs on the table and the foot magic begins. At first his feet are cold, but they warm quickly and he gradually works his feet around my back and body getting into my problem areas rather quickly. It feels really cool (as in different), relaxing and therapeutic at the same time. I couldn’t believe it was his feet that were working this magic. It was so relaxing and satisfying that I almost dosed off several times. I really like the kind of broad pressure the feet can exert and feel it did a really effective job releasing my tension.

When the massage is finished, I feel relaxed and calm but somehow different. It is more than a massage, more like an experience that transforms you and puts you into a rejuvenated state of mind. I kid you not, this euphoria and lack of tension lasted for days and made me wonder why it has taken me so long to discover the magical healing powers of the feet. I highly recommend checking out this terrific treatment if you are in the Los Angeles area.

Ona Spa 7373 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036  (323) 931-4442 or www.onaspa.com