Saturday, May 30, 2009

oil vs. lotion

You may have noticed when you are about to receive a massage at the Little Red Day Spa that we give you the option of scented or unscented oil. I do have a bottle of lotion available, but it is not a product I think to ever use. Why not, you ask? Because if I wouldn't eat something, I don't want to put it on my skin. (As a fun aside, when I was doing a bit of research, I found this web page geared toward vegetarians using this saying.)

Human skin is an amazing, multi-purpose organ. It not only keeps our insides, inside, but it also allows "things" in and out of us. Skin is quite permeable and can absorb approximately 50% of a substance applied topically in comparison to ingesting the same substance. This is why I use a cold pressed, food grade sunflower oil as a massage lubricant. And while the amount of salt I use in the scrubs makes them inedible, I use whole foods for this same reason. It doesn't hurt to think about the possibility of trace amounts of Vitamin C are being absorbed into your body while you are getting a lime and avocado scrub. also, the fat in avocados is made up of the exact kind of lipids that moisturizes our skin which helps maintain elasticity.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

On a more personal note...

My grandfather's death is eminent.

Frank, my mother's father, is a very good man, a bit cantankerous, with a quiet but sharp sense of humor. He has been dealing with his second bout of cancer for a little over a year and he has recently decided to stop chemotherapy. This is a conscious choice for a higher quality life. The doctors are unsure of exactly how much longer he will live. They say months, but most likely not a year.

This has given me the chance to re-evaluate how I feel about death, as a health practitioner and as a granddaughter. Death is not a bad thing to fight or run away from. Death is the natural conclusion of life. I am glad that he is going off the chemo meds, even though I selfishly want him to hang in there and try to get into remission. They made him act odd, not at all like his normal self, on top of making him feel awful. So, I am glad that he has decided that he should enjoy himself during the time he has left and really be alive. My mama said that when she saw him the other day and gave him a Reiki treatment, his color was better and he was acting more like himself.

I want to go visit as soon as I can so that I can have a good conversation with him before he gets sicker. I am proud of him for going off the meds, but I am scared for my gramma and sad to think of what it will be like when he is no longer in my life, despite him being 2 states away. My other grandparents died when I hadn't seen them for months on end, thinking I would always have another chance to see them. I don't want to regret not seeing him one more time.

Rather than offer condolences, please do me the favor of giving your loved ones a hug.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Summer is practically here.

And with the sunny days comes the unpredictable schedule.

Around here, it seems that no one wants to be inside when the sun finally comes out. the spa always gets a little quieter, on average. We get more private rentals and more people with sore muscles from hiking and gardening as opposed the to the sessions where nurturing and pampering are called for. We haven't done it yet, as the weather is still too volatile, but soon, I will turn the hot tub down just a degree or two to compensate for the warmth outside.

For those of you who have schedules that make it difficult for you to make appointments in advance, this is the week to call for last minute appointments. Tomorrow, Wednesday May 27th, has quite a few openings still in the late morning and late afternoon. Thursday has early appointment times available and Friday is wide open. Give me a call at (206) 963-0772 or email Sophia@HengstStudio.com to get your appointment reserved!

Monday, May 25, 2009

Feeling limey.

When I made the last salt scrub, I bought more limes than avocados in keeping with the proportions that had been decided upon. I still ended up with left over limes.

Rather than save them until the next back of scrub needs to be made, I am going to make lime water for Ladies' Night. I think that will be a fun treat since it has turned out to be a sunny day. (Remember to be careful in the sun. Drink lots of water to compensate for perspiration and evaporation.)

See you tonight!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Yes to Ladies' Night on Memorial Day!

Due to the overwhelming response (ok, it was really only 4 people) I will definitely have Ladies' Spa Night open as usual this coming Monday, the 25th. Also, the Spa is running regular hours on Memorial Day.

Yours truly will be hosting, as usual. Please come and join me and I will help you relax into your week after the holiday.

Ladies' Spa Night - 2nd and 4th Monday of the Month
Drop In: 6-9pm
Cost: $15
Little Red Day Spa
1506 Franklin Ave. E. Seattle

Please call 206-963-0772 or e-mail Sophia@hengststudio.com for more information.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

I'm teaching an anatomy class May 23rd.

When not doing Watsu and running the Little Red day Spa, I enjoy sharing my knowledge so that others can be safe in their explorations.

ANATOMY 101 FOR BDSM is a class that focuses on basic human anatomy and physiology for anyone interested in engaging in BDSM play safely and effectively. There will be lecture, demo and some practice finding nerves, organs and blood vessels.

When: May 23rd
Time: Noon - 4pm
Where: Center for Sex Positive Culture (membership not required for workshop)
Cost: $35

Why should you have a deeper understanding of the human body beyond "the knee bone is connected to the leg bone"?

So you don't break your toys!


Whether that is someone else, or your own body, this class will help you gain a basic understanding of human anatomy, and some physiological processes, in order in increase safety and enhance enjoyment of BDSM activities. Learn how to palpate various structures such as nerves, exploit the body's weaknesses to further a scene, strategies to distinguish good pain from bad pain, and increase play options. (Translation: Tops, I am going to teach you easy ways to be meaner. Bottoms, I am going to help you recognize potentially problematic circumstances before something goes wrong.)

This class will include lecture and demos that incorporate participation with plenty of time to get your anatomy questions answered.
Bring a writing utensil and wear loose clothing.
Due to space availability, please RSVP to workshops@sexpositiveculture.org

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Ladies' night on Memorial Day?

This coming Monday is both Memorial Day and the 4th Monday of the month, which is a Ladies' Spa Night.

I am thinking of keeping Ladies' Night on the calendar, but don't want to be at the spa all by myself. I don't think we have had a Spa Night on a holiday, though this is not quite a family oriented one. I would love to get feedback from any of the regulars to let me know if they are planning on coming on the 25th. My inclination is to keep ladies' Night on the calendar since we just got to twice a month status.

Monday, May 18, 2009

New Summer Session available!

I finally got the next salt scrub recipe worked out and fully tested. Last week, during Ladies' Night, I put out my newest salt scrub: Fresh limes and avocados with peppermint essential oil. I was a bit worried that the limes would be overwhelming, but the consensus was that there was a good balance between the limes and peppermint.

Summer Breeze Spa Session

Feel yourself uplifted by the light scent of Peppermint while getting your feet washed and rubbed in a warm foot bath. A quick shower to get you ready to be floated into oblivion in our spacious hot tub. All your stress and worries are drained away by the swirling water and your attentive practitioner. After being deposited back on dry land, you'll enjoy a hot oil body treatment, breezily scented with Rosemary,Ginger and Lemon. Fresh Lime and Avocado Sea Salt scrub will enliven your skin, which you will shower off in our custom shower, emerging refreshed and rejuvenated.
Singles or Couples: 90 minutes - $150. 120 minutes - $200.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Special Friends & Family offer for LRS tongiht!

Little Red Studio Gold Show is having a 2 for 1 ticket offer for the Friday May 15th show. As a reader of this blog, you count as Friends & Family. Simply call (206) 328-4758 or show up at 400 Dexter Ave. N. between 8:30pm and 9pm and ask for the Friends & Family ticket offer.

Tonight's show is an incredible line up! A Brazilian music band, my new aerial dance piece, singers, three very sexy dance numbers, bondage beauties as dessert platters and, of course, the participation parts of the evening: body painting, playing dress up in the LRS costume department (which recently received and influx from a costume designer who did some spring cleaning!) and the Little Red Dance Party, where we open up the stage for all to dance.

See you tonight!

~Sophia

Friday, May 8, 2009

Fun with words and scheduling for Saturday.

I love words. I get daily emails from Dictionary.com and Urban Dictionary. I have to admit, the Urban Dictionary is more for it's entertainment value that any scholarly merit. That is proved by today's "word":
wwjkd

What Would James Kirk Do? When stuck in a life-threatening, impossible situation with no realistic plausible means of escape, only a plan thought up by James "Jim" Kirk would work.
Person 1: OK, were stuck in an underground cavern on a distant planet with no access to the surface.

Person 2: We need a plan. WWJKD?


I am a big Star Trek fan, having grown up with parents who were sci-fi lovers. When William Shatner came out with a music album a few years ago with Ben Folds, it justified years of my adoration of him. The man was an actor in a futuristic soap opera who rolled with it and held his head high. I always wanted to be Captain Kirk when I was a kid, so I'll probably let wwjkd enter my personal lexicon.

On a scheduling note, this Saturday, the 9th, the Spa is closing down for a Little red Speakeasy. Appointments must end at 4pm so that set-up can begin. I actually have one appointment left, at 1:30pm. If you are interested, please give me a call at (206) 963-0772. The Speakeasy events happen once a quarter and turn into a spa night after the performances are done. If you miss Couple's Spa Night, sign up for the LRS Newsletter so you can know when the next Speakeasy is scheduled.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Ladies' Night has moved!

Remember, Ladies' Spa Night is next Monday, not tonight. this Month is our first month where Ladies' Night is now on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. And thank goodness, too. The Seattle Erotic Art Festival was a great success and I am greatly tired after working on it all weekend. I hope you got a chance to check it out. If you missed it, check out this article in photos here. It features a few moment from the Festival. Zan, our body painting goddess, is in there!

These nights are designed to be a casual and social evening. There will be a practitioner present to make you feel welcome and facilitate use of the spa's equipment. There will be areas set up for clay, salt scrubs and massage for you and your friends to pamper each other. For an extra fee, one can get a short massage during the evening from our massage therapist on staff.

Please call 206-963-0772 or e-mail Sophia@hengststudio.com for more information.

See you next week!

Friday, May 1, 2009

Seattle Erotic Art Festival is open!

Last night was the invitation only Artist Reception, and there was a great turn out for what is essentially a dress rehearsal opening. Most everything was in place, the performances were sexy and sleek, and the art was selling even though not all the labels were on the wall yet!

If you are curious about what you missed, the Seattle Times did a nice write up here.

Today, starting at noon, the Seattle Erotic Art Festival is open to the public. I will be there most of the day, except between 3pm and 6pm when I am at the Spa, so make sure to say hi to me at one of the docent tables.