Stress can come from a million things, big and small, and everyone reacts to stress in different ways. For some it is emotional and for others, it can be an intense physical reaction. Self-care isn’t always a spa day but every so often it is. The connections between the mind and the body are deep. Recently, I visited the beautiful Silverleaf Spa to decompress and meet Sharon Narduzzi—a renowned spa director of this ultra-exclusive haven in the desert.
A World Away
Located at the stunning Silverleaf Club, tucked into the gorgeous canyons of the iconic McDowell Mountains in Scottsdale, the spa is a perfect sensory escape. There is a blanket of quiet calm that envelopes you as soon as you arrive. When you first walk through the gates, you’re surrounded by the cool and soothing sounds of water. The fountain is actually a perfect temperature, and there’s a crystal clear lap pool in the courtyard.
The design is unassuming; rural Mediterranean nestled into the beautiful Arizonan mountains and that influence includes tiles and doors that were brought in from Europe and are hundreds of years old. You can feel the whispers of history from the gorgeous beams to the warm tile floors. The gorgeous windows were thrown open to allow the perfect Arizona March weather to fill the room with warmth and sunshine.
What is in Bloom
Sharon Narduzzi has created a space at Silverleaf that is not only warm and welcoming but also a place for guests to rejuvenate their minds, bodies and spirit. Sharon is so incredibly grounded that immediately I felt welcome. Our conversation covered everything from the design to the custom products to the specialty events that the spa holds.
We talked in length about how she wanted to create a place of escape and to integrate the surrounding desert without making another Arizona-centric spa. Enter the partnership with Lotuswei. Lotuswei’s founder Katie Hess worked closely with Sharon to develop products that truly encompass the essence of the desert for the spa. All of the treatments and essential oil blends are created by Lotuswei using flowers found in the McDowell Mountains to create unique and holistic experience.
Sharon says, “Flowers and plants are energy systems, and these energy centers relate to the body through healing the parasympathetic nervous system.” Sharon recommends to ‘use what’s in bloom’ with essential oils of flowers that are natural to your local environment for increased impact and benefits.
Rejuvenation at Silverleaf Spa
Sharon and I also discussed the treatments that include experiences such as the Clay Bake Treatment. It begins with a full-body exfoliation followed by an exhilarating outdoor shower. The volcanic clay’s high mineral content uses the earth’s natural healing properties to draw out and absorb surface impurities on the skin, while ‘baking’ under the high-desert sun in Scottsdale causes the mud on the skin to tighten as it dries. After a good rinse and massage, skin feels fresh and new. She also talked about the Science of Sleep. Sleep is the first step to rejuvenation and our society is always on. So, Sharon has introduced a new therapy that evaluates and educates guests and clients on the scientific insights to sleep better at night.
I got to personally experience the new Chakra Balancing Massage. Chakras are the belief that the body has seven main centers along the spine that not only admit life but also absorb energy. These are:
- Sahaswrara, the crown
- Ajna, the third eye
- Vishuddha, the throat
- Anahata, the heart
- Manipura, the naval
- Svadhishthana, the sacral
- Muladhara, the root or spine
Our energy is deeply impacted by the world around us and I have been feeling out of alignment physically and emotionally. According to Sharon, there are a variety of therapies that can be used as part of your chakra balancing program, including acupuncture, Reiki, color and light therapy and shiatsu.
My treatment was otherworldly. Maria, my therapist, was so in tune with me that without mentioning things she was able to focus on places that I naturally carry stress and some soreness I have from old injuries. It was the most rejuvenating massage I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. My treatment combined sounds, scents of the surrounding desert and the soothing low lights. I felt centered and relaxed to the utmost after working with Maria for over an hour.
After my massage, I took advantage of a relaxing soak in the hot tub and soaked up the peacefulness of Silverleaf. It is truly an experience that I look forward to enjoying again. Escape and rejuvenate a world away without ever having to leave the stunning Arizona landscape.
When You Go to Silverleaf Spa
Silverleaf spa is part of the members-only Silverleaf Club is located at 18701 North Silverleaf Drive in Scottsdale Arizona. Contact them online or by calling 480-515-3200 for more information.
To read about other Arizona Spa experiences and updates visit HERE and HERE.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with accommodations, meals, and other compensation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
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