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Chakra shakedown
Chakra Spa 1184 Eglinton West, 416-784-3438, www.thechakraspa.com It’s not easy being beautiful on the outside when your chakras – seven inner centres of the human body – are bungled up. Each individually designed service at the Chakra Spa starts from the centre, boosting your tranquility factor, and continues outward to your skin, using Dr. Hauschka products, no less.
Mother lode
Andrea Olivera Centre for Ayurveda 701 King West, suite 106, 416-504-6049, www.ayurvedictouch.com Andrea Olivera boasts an extensive knowledge base (she trained with the masters in India) and has taught most of Toronto’s Ayurvedic healers/aestheticians. After a reading of your planetary chart, which provides background on your body type and what may be ailing you, each treatment blends the spiritual (don’t freak if you see your future) with the sensual. Strong hands and a soothing voice equals maximum relaxation.
Acupuncture action
Cosmetic Acupuncture by Fong Wang 16 Pendrith, 416-530-4195 After spending two years as an aesthetician, Fong Wang recently launched her own business of cosmetic acupuncture. Her treatments blend Western-style aesthetics (but with natural enzymes and honey) and Eastern healing, an amazing all-natural alternative to creepy Botox, surgery and the like. Her loyal clientele is based on word of mouth – so tell her we sent you.
Holistic help
Jan Benham School of Holistic Studies 1940 Queen East, 416-698-5850, 416- 866-794-0774, www.aromashoppe.com With more than 20 years of aromatherapeutic-based healing, Jan Benham ‘s school is the place to go if you’re looking to get certified as a natural or holistic health practitioner. From reiki to crystal healing, from reflexology to Thai massage, or even if you want to make your own aromatherapy skin products, this is the place to learn or get treated.
Pure treatment
Pure + Simple 2375 Yonge, 416-481-2081 27 Bellair, 416-924-6555, www. pureandsimple. ca While you won’t find any New Age decor at Pure + Simple, don’t let the spa look fool you. The skin and body treatments here are based on Ayurvedic principles and feature individually mixed lotions depending on your body type and problem areas. They also sell an extensive selection of naturally based beauty products.
Sweet oils
Sweet Suskind www.sweetsuskind.com If you read Patrick Suskind’s novel, Perfume, you’ll understand how 31-year-old Toronto-based entrepreneur Samantha Campbell chose her company name. Fragrant with essential oils, this handmade all-natural bath, body and skin care line has received major press in the U.S. and UK (Allure, Vogue, InStyle, Hello!) but is still relatively unknown on its home turf. Check her out and get dibs on bragging rights.
Total botanicals
T.H.E. Store 87 Avenue Road, 416-921-7317 Located upstairs from the Whole Foods Market in Hazelton Lanes, the recently opened Total Home Environment (T.H.E.) sells all manner of green lifestyle products, including a botanically based line of makeup and facial products crafted by a master herbalist using centuries-old recipes.
