At the heart of this spa is the creative energy of Catherine Zorok. She is a nurturing soul as it was evidenced by our check in at the New Orleans Hotel. She had prepared instructions for us in our room for relaxation and comfort. An assortment of fruit, fresh cut flowers, and gifts of lavender tea and bath salts awaited us in our room. We did indulge the offering by way of a long Jacuzzi bath and setting in the bath drinking our lavender tea. How very relaxing this was.

There are many fine products, from herbs to jewelry, on display within the entry of the spa.

There is also a relaxation tea bar which we enjoyed as we waited for our appointment in the reception area of the spa.

Thai Steam & Lotus Shower ~
You are further awakened by a purification ritual which cleanse your skin and purifies the drudgery of thoughts which are focused on your everyday pain and discomfort you might be experiencing. For me, it was my long drive to this paradise and weeks of working at a desk. This purification ritual is a ritual of cleansing by an intense, purifying Thai herbal steam which is followed by a Lotus Shower which further stimulates the lymphatic and the meridians of the body. It is further accented by a manipulation of the spinal column and then followed by a moisturizing massage.

During the Thai steam and massage your mind travels, you feel entranced by this experience - far from any Earthly feelings. Each step you are awakened by low gong sound. For a moment you feel you have transcended to higher place. You are helped up by your massage therapist. It is almost as if you are waking up from a year long nap, very revitalizing and most nurturing.

The talent and discipline of Suchness takes spa experiences to a whole new level of relaxation and fulfillment.

Catherina Zorok is a master of this incredible technique which can only be described as a feeling of being healed. It is accomplished by a light touch therapy which is designed to release pain and getting the body in touch with the healing energy which surrounds us. I am not sure I can put into words how it all happens. What I can tell you is that you will come out of this experience feeling better than ever and ready to meet the day before you.

Catherina is a giving person and she has expressed a desire to teach this method to other spas for their use in their facilities. I would highly recommend you give this ritual a try. If you are a spa owner or a therapist wishing to learn this technique Catherina can be contacted for further details on her web site or you can email her at this address:

Email Catherina

I would be remiss in my duties of this review not to mention and give homage to the great talent at Suchness. Our massage and ritual work that we enjoyed so much were performed by the following individuals: Catherine Zorok, Sandra Drake and Tyler Krier. (See photos below)

Sandra Drake who has been practicing massage since 2001, trained at the Crestone Healing Center in Crestone Colorado. Crestone is considered to be a healing mecca. Sandra, who recently completed an intensive with "CC" from Esalen Institute, also studied while at Crestone with an Aikido Master and worked with oriental philosophy and martial arts. "The incredible advantage of working with masters like these is the clear understanding of the foundation of massage ~ and a deeper respect for how it all works effortlessly to create an optimum healing experience for ritual participants. "

Tyler Krier has been a massage practitioner for two years, something he says that was just supposed to happen. "Even as a kid I knew that in some way I would be involved in healing work." Right after high school, he started working with handicapped children and the disabled and it became apparent to him that learning massage would be a great way to help with the healing process. A graduate of massage training at Northwest Arkansas School of Massage, Tyler also completed training and is certified in “Creative Healing” techniques.