Teacher Appreciation Week

National Teacher Apreciation Week takes place  the first full week in May each year. For 2016 it falls the week of Monday May 2nd - Friday May 6th. For a nice change, teacher week does not overlap with National Nurses Appreciation this year! 

Teachers deserve to be recognized and honored for the work they do daily and for the broad scope of influence they have in the lives of children, parents, people they mentor and other teachers. 

Many parents, young students and adult students choose to give end-of-year gifts to their teachers. Thank you gifts come in many shapes and sizes. The key is to say thank you. 

Spa Gifts that we love for teachers:

1- Asian Foot Massage 

2- Signature Facial GC

3- Hot Stone Massage GC

4- Herbal Neck Pillow

5- Sweet Birch Pedicure 

6- An Organic Tea Sampler

7- Lavender Rosemary Body Scrub

8- An Hour of Spa Time GC

9- Spa Cash

For the budget conscious, we have created a list of great gifts for $20 and under $20

1- Lemon Verbena Bath Bomb singles 

2- Peace of Mind Herbal Tea

3- Clear Head Aromatherapy Soy Candle 

4- Invigorating Shower Bombs

5- Good Karma roll on Aromatherapy 

6- Lavender Bath Salts

7- Zum goat's milk soap bundles

8- Joy bath salts,scrub and foot soak 

Buy spa gift certificates, spa time and spa cash online, over the phone 706-613-3947 or in our store at 810 N Chase St, Athens, Georgia in the historic Boulevard District.

 Urban Sanctuary is for hire, for on location mini massages for school staff. 

Massage For Headache Relief

 

 

Massage is a powerful headache remedy, highly effective at creating headache pain relief for many.  Better yet, targeted massage is known to provide more than an ounce of prevention, effectively addressing the root causes of reoccurring headaches for those who partake.

 

At Urban Sanctuary, we have a host of specialty massages designed to address the most common root causes of tension headaches.

 

- Headache Massage

- TMJ Massage

- Neck Massage

- Cold Stone Face Massage

- Lavender Rosemary Face & Scalp

- Tea Tree Eucalyptus Scalp

- Sandalwood Scalp & Neck Massage

- Hot Stones Massage

- Lavender Lime Face & Scalp

- Myofascial Release

- Chinese Abdominal Massage

 

Common root causes of repeat headaches include:

- sinus tension and swelling
- stiff neck
- clenched or overworked jaws
- inability to sleep sufficiently
- dehydration
- poor posture
- knots in the muscles of the upper back
- knots and tension in the shoulders
- cramping in the abdominal muscles
- stomach tension
- tension in the muscles of the face and forehead ( worry and frown lines)
- hormone imbalance
- inflammation
- general hypertension
- exposure to toxins in the atmosphere or food
- worry and anxiety

The above list of massages recommended for headache relief is very long. If you think you know the cause of your headaches, that information can guide you in selecting your best massage. Or call our front desk at 706-613-3947 and we'll consult with you and make an informed recommendation.

At Urban Sanctuary, we make headaches go away every day.

Go with the massage type you are most attracted to first, get a recommendation, or try them all!

8 Benefits of Drinking Tea

- Immune System Support

- Increased Circulation

- Allergy Relief

- Stomach Soothing

- Restful Sleep

- Relaxation

- Breathing Ease 

- Clear Mind

These are some of the available health and well-being benefits of drinking tea. Green tea, black tea, red tea, white tea and herbal teas have a broad variety of health benefits. The benefits vary according to the blend. 

Green tea is known for boosting immunity, clarity of thought, circulation and respiration. Green tea has some caffeine but much less than black tea.

Black tea is highly caffeinated and provides a boost to energy and circulation. Black tea can provide relief from pollen allergies, headaches, inflamation, joint pain and sluggish circulation.

Red tea has a natural slightly sweet taste. It contains no caffeine unless added.   One of the most common red teas is red African roibos. Red tea is great for brain function, digestion, mood and memory. Red tea is wonderful for balancing the nervous system.

White tea is very good for metabolism, memory function, immunity, improved concentration and respiration. It has a minute amount of caffeine. White tea  is very restorative. 

Herbal teas come in many many varieties. Some popular ingredients include chamomile, one of natures greatest anti inflammatory agents. Hibiscus is cooling and soothing, as well as balancing. Peppermint tea is a great stomach soother. Echinacea acts as a powerful immune system booster. Cats claw is a known anti depressant. Cardamom, an expectorant and sleep aid. Cinnamon is warming and tonifying. Lemongrass, a metabolism booster. Rose hips tea is calming. Herbal teas blends come in thousands of extraordinary varieties, which usually without caffeine. 

Drinking tea is a wonderful way to relax before bedtime and throughout the day. Teas benefits are as broad and beautiful as the herbs and flowers grown across the globe. 

DIY Clear Your Head Aromatherapy Blend

This blend will open your sinuses, clear your head and clear your mind. This handmade blend is a great gift. Blend a bottle for yourself. Inhale as needed to clear your head. Massage onto scalp and sinuses for rapid headache and congestion relief.

Keep this bottle in your purse, gym bag or car console. This Clear Your Head Blend travels well as long as it's in a proper blue or amber glass bottle protecting the essential oils from the light. Keep it in a cool dark place, like the medicine cabinet at home. Do not leave in a hot car. 

To make your blend, you will need:

• Half ounce of organic sunflower blending oil
• 16 drops ESS Organic Pepermint Essential Oil
• 9 drops ESS Organic Eucalyptus Essential Oil
• 8 drops ESS Organic Rosemary 
• 20 drops ESS Organic Grapefruit Essential Oil
• 1 half ounce size blue glass bottle and dropper top

Blend the ingredients in the order listed, fasten the top on your bottle and turn it upside down several times. Let your blend sit 30 minutes before applying directly to your skin. Do not apply to sensitive skin. 

Enjoy!

Spa Gifts For Under $20

For delicious smelling gifts that bring comfort and joy home for the holidays, Urban Sanctuary is your one stop shop! Shop with us online or stop by the spa and browse our vast selection of eco-friendly, man-friendly, organic and natural gifts for bath and body, house and home. These are some of our favorite items available for under $20.

• Good Karma roll on aromatherapy $15
• Calm Bath Salts by Herbivore $18
• Fig and Honey soap wrapped in beautiful craft  paper $8
• Zum Body Lotion Sandalwood  $7
• Prayer Bead Bracelets handmade by our own Sheri Stout $12
• Clear Head Soy Candle Tins by Way out Wax $8.50-$14.50
• Lavender Chamomile Bubble Bath $14
• Vitality Tea handcrafted by Naturopathica $18
• Eucalyptus and Lime Bath Bombs $3 for one or $18 half dozen
• Menthol Cucumber Shower Bombs pack $7.99
• Hand In Hand Vetiver Candle $12
• Zum Goat's Milk Soap Bundles $10

How To Make: Peace Of Mind Body & Bath Oil Blend

This is a lovely aromatherapy blend combining essential oils that promote relaxation, well being, peace of mind and comfort. The blend is in an organic sesame oil base which makes it a great choice for a body oil, massage oil or a bath oil.

This makes a very nice hand made gift. An 8 ounce bottle of this blend lasts many months as a bath and body oil and has a fairly long shelf life if kept in a cool dark cabinet when not in use. It could last a year or longer.

For Peace of Mind Blend, you will need:

- 8 ounces of Organic Sesame Oil

- a blue glass 8 or 16 ounce bottle/lid

- Organic Grapefruit Essential Oil

- Clary Sage Essential Oil

- Organic Cedarwood Essential Oil

- Sweet Basil Essential Oil

- Wintergreen Essential Oil

Blend 20 drops of Organic Grapefruit Essential oil into your Organic Sesame Oil base. Drop in the Grapefruit, put the cap on your bottle and gently shake. Next add your Clary Sage Essential oil. 12 drops. Add 12 drops of Organic Cedarwood aromatherapy oil, 8 drops of Sweet Basil and 4 drops of Wintergreen. Fasten the lid tightly and shake the blend gently. Let it sit for 30 minutes before applying to your skin or bath to allow time for the essential oils to bind.

Rub Peace Of Mind oil onto your chest and temples at bed time to slow down a racing or restless mind. Use for therapeutic massage, foot massage. Use 1/2 ounce to a full ounce in a warm bath to release mental and emotional stress. Enjoy...

Great Gifts For Under $50

•  Half Hour Swedish Massage $45
•  Brocade Neck Pillows $44
•  Herbal Ease Canvas Neck Pillow $39
•  Asian Foot Massage Gift Certificate $45
•  Fig + Yarrow Hygene Kit $36
•  Patch NYC Stag Soy Candle $36/$48
•  Sweet Birch Mineral Bath Flakes $36
•  Scalp Massage Gift Certificate $45
•  Cardamom Coffee Body Scrub $48
•  Hot Stone Pedicure $40
•  Acupressure Neck Pillow from Bed Of Nails $39
•  Monarch Deluxe Spa Bathrobe $40