REVIEW: Iyashi Bedrock Spa Hot Yin Yoga Class

Spa:Iyashi Bedrock Spa’s

 

Address: 2662 Yonge St  Toronto, ON M4P 2J5

Website: www.iyashibedrockspa.com/

E-mail: info@iyashibedrockspa.com

Phone Number: 416.488.ROCK (7625)

Hours of Operation:

Open Daily:

Open Daily	10am-9pm
Tues, Thurs & Sun (30 min earlier)	9:30am-9pm

Hot Yin Schedule:

Mon	7-8:30pm
Tues	9:30-11am
	6-7:30pm
Wed	7:30-9pm
Thurs	9:30-11am
Sat	9:30-11am
	5-6:30pm
Sun	9:30-11am
	12-1:30pm
	7:30-9pm

Parking: There is some metered parking (a few dollars required) on Yonge St. and there is free parking on the side streets (1 hour limit). We find that on Lytton Blvd or Craighurst Ave. that there is less chance of being ticketed (if you are over the hour) if you park near the Church. If you park on the side streets West of Duplex there is no time limit. There is also a Green P parking a few streets down from us, off Yonge St., closer to Eglinton Ave.

Service Received: Iyashi Bedrock Spa’s Hot Yin Yoga class (1.5 hours)

Price of Service: Sponsored! Check out their website for all things prices

Cleanliness: AMAZING! Beautiful and Clean :)

Fun and Free Extras: Free green tea, water, towels (to use while you are there) and disposable flip flops - just incase you need anything! They also have q - tips and cotton balls near the taps. So useful!

For a little more LOL: It is right at Yonge and Eglinton! There are hundreds of little restaurants, movie theatres, and boutique stores to hit up. Be sure to book some extra time before and after for a coffee and shopping!

Review:

T’s take on Iyashi Bedrock Spa’s Hot Yin Yoga class!

When we were contacted to give Iyashi’s hot yoga class a try, I was pretty excited! I’ve tried hot yoga classes at several different places before, ranging from an I-better-go-for-a-run-after-this-so-I-at-least-get-a-workout class at GoodLife to a please-god-let-me-just-survive-the-next-90-minutes Bikram class in a crazy hot studio. I would rate the difficulty of this class in between these two extremes!

The class starts with 30 minutes of ‘rock bathing’, in which you get the chance to just relax and zen out on the lovely hot rock platform. This part was very relaxing, and great for a chance to de-stress! I also felt like it gave my muscles and joints a chance to loosen up before I expected them to keep up with all the yoga poses!

The yoga class involved only sitting poses - no standing ones. Probably a good call because I feel like I would have slipped and fallen if I was standing on one foot!! I would say the poses were heavily focused on hip and shoulder mobility especially, so if this is a concern for you, this is the class for you! I also loved some of the poses where we got to lie on our backs with our feet up the wall - so comfortable!! We also got a break midway through the class where we were able to step out, cool down and grab a drink.

Overall, if you’re looking for a hot yoga class that is relaxing and rejuvenating, then you have GOT to try Iyashi’s class! Make sure to come early enough for the rock bathing - so nice. If a hard core, difficult class that gives you a heck of a workout is what you’re looking for, then Bikram might be more your style.

PS...the women’s changeroom and shower area? GORGEOUS!!

Oh, and last thing? If you have any trouble with stairs, this isn’t the place for you...the stairs to get up to the second floor are pretty intense!!

C’s take on Iyashi Bedrock Spa’s Hot Yin Yoga class!

Okay, so as most of you know already - I am a HUGE fan of Moksha Hot Yoga, so I was uber excited to try something I assumed was along the same lines. How different could a Hot Yin Yoga class be...right? Wrong! It was a completely different experience - but a great experience overall!

As T already mentioned, the class begins with 30 minutes of ‘rock bathing’. For me, the 30 minutes was a little much - I just couldn’t handle sitting still for that long. I found myself turning around every 10 - 15 minutes, just to move. Also, I found it odd that the room had a clock. I found myself constantly watching it, to see when our next break would be or to see how long I had been laying for. I found that I would always go back to the clock throughout the class - this for me was a negative. Clearly, I have issues and I need to learn how to relax! I’m fairly sure it would be good practice to continue to try and build up the amount of ‘relaxing’ I could do within 30 minutes. Afterall, that is what yoga is all about - being in the moment.

The Yin style of yoga involves holding poses for long periods of time. This differs from the yoga that I’m used to which moves from laying positions, to standing positions, to balancing positions, and finally seated positions. Within Yin Yoga, you are able to really focus on yourself in the pose because you do get the opportunity to hold it for so long. The hyperactive child inside me wasn’t okay with this at first - but I began to appreciate these moments where I could just connect with myself and my body.

Despite my own issues with time and being antsy - I REALLY enjoyed this beautiful studio and it’s class. I would totally go again and again. It was a great cleanser for the body - you really will sweat through all your clothes. So here’s a tip: Don’t wear pants like I did! Shave those legs ladies and throw on some shorts! You will be happy you did.

T’s Rating: 3.5/4

  

 

C’s Rating: 3/4

 

Your Ladies of Leisure,

 

Review: The Spa at the Hilton Suites Markham

Spa: The Spa at Hilton Suites Markham

Address: 8500 Warden Avenue
Markham, Ontario
L6G 1A5

Website: http://www.spaathiltonsuites.com/

E-mail: thespa@markhamsuites.com

Phone Number: (905) 470-8522
Toll Free:  1 866 470-8488

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday 10am - 9pm
Saturday    9am - 6pm
Sunday   10am - 5pm

Parking: The Spa is located in the busy Hilton Suites Markham. There is paid parking at the hotel, however, if you have booked an appointment with the Spa they will take down your licence plate upon checking in - parking is FREE :)

Service Received: Thai Yoga Massage (T) and Swedish Massage (C)

Price of Service: Thai Yoga Massage: 115$ Swedish Massage: $100 (both prices do not include tax & tip)

Cleanliness: The actual spa was super clean! However, the spa is in the middle of re-branding/construction. This was not so pleasing to the eye.

Fun and Free Extras:

• pool
• hot tub
• sauna
• gym
• tea, coffee, and Mrs. Fields cookies 
• • 

For a little more LOL:

• Markville Mall
• Restaurants
• First Markham Place Movie Theatre

Review:
C’s treatment was a normal Swedish massage. So instead of spending the blog discussing what was a fantastically normal Swedish massage, C will briefly discuss the awesome amenities at the spa and T will write about the ‘Thai Yoga’ massage.

Amenities:
The Spa at the Hilton Suites share many of the same amenities as the larger spas. However, it is important to remember that the Spa at the Hilton Suites is located in Markham (not downtown Toronto), so the amenities are scaled down.

The spa is connected to ‘Club Markham’ (the gym). This gym has aerobic studios, squash courts, treadmills, ellipticals, pool, hot tub, sauna, child care, and a chiropractic/physiotherapy clinic.

The gym has two aerobic studios with schedules for the various classes posted outside. We decided that we would try to schedule a quick workout in before the massage. I mean, what could be better than working hard - and getting a relaxing treatment after, right? After giving the schedule a quick look, we found a bootcamp class that fit perfectly into the short time frame we had.


When we walked in, the class had already started. There weren’t a lot of people, which was perfect - however, it felt hardly difficult enough to be boast the title ‘bootcamp’. In fact, I don’t think either of us broke a sweat once. On top of it, the ‘bootcamp’ instructor was quiet and didn’t really try to push any of us to our limits. It was a little underwhelming overall.

However, the gyms selection of equipment was fantastic! Bosu balls, heavy bars, weights, steps, and mats lined the walls. There is GREAT potential for awesome-ness to occur within those studio walls!

Immediately following our massage, we walked back over to Club Markham to take a dip in the hot tub. Their pool and hot tub are simple, but still amazing. Hot tubs are always fantastic.

Though the amenities added to the experience, we might not say that the amenities were the highlight of the experience. So instead of taking time discussing these - here is T’s take on her unique ‘Thai Yoga’ massage

.

So, a ‘Thai Yoga’ massage. What does that mean, exactly? Here’s the description from their website:

“A deep massage performed on a futon mattress that involves a lot of stretching, the Thai Yoga massage is ideal for those with lower back or leg pain and will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated”.

Price: $115 plus tax & tip for 50 minutes (Expensive, but at least you also get access to the Markham Club?)

Okay…not that much info. It’s on a futon on the floor, and it involves stretching. The lady on the phone wasn’t especially helpful and referred me to the website for this description when I asked for more details.

Something that would have been nice to know? You wear CLOTHES in this massage! Fortunately C and I worked out in the Markham Club prior to our massages, so I had a sports bra and shorts to wear. The RMT suggested I also wear a T-Shirt so that I didn’t get cold. This is something that the receptionist should ABSOLUTELY be telling people when they book!!

My RMT was very nice, and when I asked she told me that this particular Thai Yoga massage is specific to their spa only! One of their RMTs studied Thai Yoga massage in Thailand for 2 years, then came back to Canada, re-designed the massage to focus less on specific breathing techniques and more on the massage/stretching parts, and taught the rest of the staff! Very cool.

She began the massage by telling me that she had just washed her hands and feet. Her feet? Uh…okay…sure. Good to know…I guess?! This seemed like a random bit of information at the time, but soon became very relevant!

We started with me sitting, and began by stretching out my shoulders (I had asked for some specific attention to my shoulders). When she brought the shoulder to the end of its range of motion in each direction, she would then proceed to massage the tight muscles with her hands while holding the stretch in place. Feels pretty nice! At this point I’m thinking alright…this feels pretty nice, I could get on board with this!

We then moved on to my legs with me lying on my back. To my surprise, she would stretch my legs in their different directions…and then use her feet to either massage them or hold them in place!! Don’t get me wrong, it felt great but was still a bit…different. If you have an issue with feet (even clean ones!) touching you, then this massage is not for you!

Now, (you’ll learn something new about us each time we write, I’m sure!) T is a bit of an anatomy geek - so for those of you out there like me, I was impressed that she stretched each muscle from insertion to origin, as well as origin to insertion. This means that for my hamstrings (for example) she did one stretch where she straightened my knee, then lifted my leg into an ‘L’ position as far as it would go, then held and massaged the muscles. On the next stretch, she bent my knee and flexed my hip bringing my knee as close to my chest as it would go. The next step was she kept my knee in place near my chest, straightened my leg as far as it would go, then held and massaged. She continued with me lying on my side for some of the other leg stretches, then had me lie on my stomach to stretch out my lower back. And man, were some of the lower back extension stretches intense!!

By the end I felt relaxed, loose and stretched out. Would I get this done over a typical Swedish massage? Not every time…Swedish massages have a special place in my heart. But I would definitely go again if I was feeling tight and wanted to get my joints moving better!

Also, I think this massage would be ideal for anyone involved in sports like dance, gymnastics, figure skating, competitive cheerleading, etc. Any sports where flexibility is an asset! This is definitely the massage for you!

Overall, I found the Thai Yoga massage a bit too expensive for me to go to regularly, but it definitely worked really well loosening up the muscles and joints and increasing range of motion! If that was my primary concern, I would absolutely get one again!

Rating: 3.5/4

Your Ladies of Leisure, 

Extra bonus...hilarious sign in the Club Markham locker room. Good to know!

Review: Go 4 Nails&Spa Markham

Spa: Go 4 Nails & Spa


Address: 150 New Delhi Dr.
Markham, Ont,
L3S 0B5

Website: http://www.go4nails.com/en/

E-mail: info@go4nails.com

Phone Number: (905) 201-1117

Hours of Operation:

Monday		09:30 AM - 07:30 PM
Tuesday		09:30 AM - 07:30 PM
Wednesday		09:30 AM - 07:30 PM
Thursday		09:30 AM - 07:30 PM
Friday		09:30 AM - 07:30 PM
Saturday		09:30 AM - 07:30 PM
Sunday		11:00 AM - 06:00 PM

Parking: Go 4 Nails & Spa is located in a busy plaza. There is always parking available within the plaza itself. It is also just off the Mount Joy/Markham Station Go Bus stop.

Service Received: Shellac manicure

Price of Service: $30

Cleanliness: Okay. Not the cleanest I’ve been to.

Fun and Free Extras: Usual arm massage. Flat screen TV where they play some sort of Chinese Soap Opera/Movie.

For a little more LOL:

·      Cora’s Breakfast (found in the plaza across the street)

·      Markville Mall (5 minutes away)

o   www.markville.ca

·      Historic Main St. Markham (1 minute down the street)

o   Loads of restaurants and little boutique shops are found here

o   www.mainstreetmarkham.com

Review:
I often pride myself in being extremely organized, however, I have realized over time that when it comes to making appointments…I SUCK! I am extremely last minute and will drive around until I find someone who has time to take me. This is how I happened upon Go 4 Nails&Spa, preparing myself, last minute, for a girlfriends engagement party.

I walked into 3 of my ‘old reliable’ nail joints, only to find them packed with absolutely no time for a manicure. “You should have booked an appointment” they all said. I get it – I know. I should have booked an appointment. But I didn’t – so who can take me!

Go 4 Nails & Spa was located on the way to my hair and make-up appointment (also booked last minute), so I stopped in there, fingers crossed. To my delight, they were dead – not ONE person sitting in a manicure or pedicure seat. SCORE!

Now, they receive 1 point for being completely dead. However, I would soon come to realize why. I requested a Shellac manicure, this should only take – at most 45 minutes. ESPECIALLY IF I AM THE ONLY ONE THERE. My Shellac manicure took almost 1.5 hours! I was late for my next appointment. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I HATE being late. 

The nail technician was meticulous with my nails, and the application of the Shellac polish. However, this meticulous application took forever. It’s not brain surgery – it shouldn’t take 1.5 hours. Further, she did not speak to me once – but she did answer her phone. Rude. The entire time spent within the ‘Spa’ was extremely awkward. I couldn’t even waste time watching their beautiful flat screen TV because they were showing Chinese Soap Opera’s and Movies. Ones which, for lack of knowledge in the Chinese language, I could not understand or get into.

NOTE: I assume they were Chinese because they clearly state on their website that they speak both English and Chinese…I don’t see why they would be playing television in a language other than the ones they speak – no offense meant by my assumption.

By the end of the manicure, I was pleased with the job. However, I assumed with 1.5 hours needed for application – my nails were going to shoot lasers or fireworks. I was disappointed to find out that this was not the case, and they were just as normal as all the other Shellac manicures I have received. (They didn’t even last longer)

I wish I could recommend Go 4 Nails&Spa as a low budget gem for a quick fix – however they weren’t even quick! If you are in Markham and need somewhere to get your nails did – go somewhere else…unless you have 2 hours to spare.

Rating: 1.5/4



Your Ladies of Leisure;


T & C