Just once and you’ll be hooked

By: Megan McGrath
Posted In: Entertainment

I’ve always been rather skittish about the idea of getting a massage. Great concept, but the thought of it never sat quite right with me. My dad swears by them, and has even offered to get me one, but I have always refused. I’ve never heard anything bad, quite the opposite actually. Anyone I’ve ever talked to about their massage experience is overly positive about it and has nothing but great things to say. I’ve typically heard massages described as “so relaxing” and “something you have to try.”

On my trip to Sunday River in Maine to go skiing with my family this past weekend, the last thing on my mind was a “day at the spa.” I was ready to spend my time on the slopes and hopefully try my skills at snowboarding. Friday night when we arrived, we walked up to our room at the Jordan Grand Hotel. On our way, we passed the spa, but I walked right by having no interest and barely even noticing.

My boyfriend, of course, had to stop and run in to grab a brochure. He showed up at the room 5 minutes later, brochure in hand, massage option #3 already picked out. “Isn’t it kind of awkward?” I asked. He looked at me like I was crazy and said in a surprised tone, “You’ve never had a massage?” I guess I had been missing something.

After spending all day Saturday trying to keep up with a “retired” snowboard instructor, I was tired and sore! When we got back to our warm room, I picked up the brochure, and called to schedule my massage. They were booked, for the rest of the night, and Sunday. Guess I wasn’t meant to have one after all. After breakfast on Sunday, I stepped outside to see what the weather was like. Freezing! I picked up the ski report and read that with the wind chill it was -5 degrees. Not trying snowboarding today, let alone go outside. What were we supposed to do all day? We weren’t leaving until 5:00 and it was only 9:00.

I decided to just check to see if the spa had any cancellations. The woman who answered the phone said she had an appointment at 9:30 and 10:00. So, I booked mine first and then one for my boyfriend who had already picked his out. The woman told me to arrive 15 minutes early and to sit in the steam room first to “loosen up.” I set out for my first massage.

Steam rooms are not comfortable. I sat in this hot, steam filled room barely able to breathe let alone see anything. I lasted about 5 minutes, and then emerged, drenched with sweat drops, makeup running down my face. I walked over to the desk and gave the woman my name. She handed me a paper where I was to mark the places that bothered me with x’s. I handed the paper back to her and she said “follow me.” My walk down the hall was the last few seconds I would spend without my new addiction.

Stephanie, my masseuse, brought me into a small room, dimly lit with candles, smelling of roses. She told me she would be back in a few minutes and to lie on my stomach on the table in front of me. I layed with a blanket over me, and Stephanie came back in quietly. She looked at the x’s I had marked, and then asked a few questions. Then she hit the play button on the CD player, and sounds of birds chirping and waterfalls came to my ears.

The first two minutes were magic, I was addicted. My massage was only a half hour long, but it will stick with me forever. I cannot live without them now and I wonder how I ever did. I urge everyone to try this at least once; you will be amazed and hooked.

After my massage I told my father (who is overly addicted) that for my next birthday I would like a home masseuse, he looked at me and rolled his eyes. “Sure Meghan,” he said “whatever you want.”