Representatives from Spa Koru attended the awards dinner and auction for the 2008 EMBARQ on the Greens Golf Tournament at the Duck Woods Country Club in Southern Shores on Wednesday, October 8.  We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, followed by an exciting evening of bidding for and WINNING some great prizes! Spa Koru would like to thank the Chamber for hosting such a great event - we’re looking forward to next year!

Being a dancer myself since the age of three, I’ve grown up with the knowledge of and appreciation for physical activity. Dancing is a fun and social way to exercise and reap the same benefits of any exercise.

About.com reviews the benefits of dancing below:

Dancing is a great way for people of all ages to get and stay in shape. Besides being fun, dancing has may positive health benefits. Following are the top 4 health benefits of dance.

1. Flexibility - Flexibility is an important part of being healthy. Dance requires a great amount of flexibility. Most dance classes begin with a warm-up including several stretching exercises. Dancers must strive to achieve full range of motion for all the major muscle groups. The greater the range of motion, the more muscles can flex and extend. Most forms of dance require dancers to perform moves that require bending and stretching, so dancers naturally become more flexible by simply dancing.

2. Strength - Strength is defined as the ability of a muscle to exert a force against resistance. Dancing builds strength by forcing the muscles to resist against a dancer’s own body weight. Many styles of dance, including jazz and ballet, require jumping and leaping high into the air. Jumping and leaping require tremendous strength of the major leg muscles.  Ballroom dancing builds strength. Consider the muscle mass a male ballroom dancer develops by lifting his partner above his head!

3. Endurance - Dance is physical exercise. Exercise increases endurance. Endurance is the ability of muscles to work hard for increasingly longer periods of time without fatigue. Regular dancing is great for improving endurance, especially vigorous dancing such as line and ballroom dancing. Elevating the heart rate can increase stamina. Just as in any form of exercise, regular dancing will build endurance.

4. Sense of Well-Being - Dancing is a social activity. Studies have shown that strong social ties and socializing with friends contribute to high self-esteem and a positive outlook. Dancing provides many opportunities to meet other people. Joining a dance class can increase self-confidence and build social skills. Because physical activity reduces stress and tension, regular dancing gives an overall sense of well-being.

Join Spa Koru on Wednesday, October 29 at 7:00 pm. In the spirit of Halloween, Spa Koru presents MONSTER MASH! Come and learn the Michael Jackson classic, “Thriller.” Make sure to wear your favorite Halloween costume and bring a friend! All ages and levels are welcome.

Also, try Dance Cardio on Saturday mornings at 9:00 am. Dance Cardio is a high-energy cardio workout incorporating basic salsa and swing dance movements. This class is geared toward all levels!

The benefits of the steam room have been known for thousands of years, however it is more recently that an influx in health conciousness has catipulted the use of steam rooms into mainstream western society.

Steam rooms open  the pores in the skin, thus promoting the following health benefits:

• Eliminates Toxins - The average body has over 2.6 million sweat glands, which have only four ways to excrete toxins: urine, feces, respiration, and perspiration. During a steam room session, the body can sweat out up to 30% of its toxins that have built up!
• Rejuvenate & Hydrate Skin - Heat from the steam room causes the heart to beat faster and harder in an attempt to cool the body, causing blood to flow to even the smallest cappilaries, just under the skin’s surface. The increased blood flow causes the skin to glow and look healthy from the additional minerals, vitamins, and oxygen.  The rate of body metabolism also increases during this process.
• Boost the immune system: HYperthermia - Hyperthermia refers to an elevation of core body temperature. During a steam room session, the body temperature rises and essentially causes a fever. A virus can generally only survive within a narrow body temperature range, so the increase in body temperature during a steam room session may either stunt the virus’ multiplication or kill the virus entirely. Fever trigges the body to release white blood cells, antibodies and a protein called interferon, which all defend the body against diseases and infections.
• Enhance the Respiratory System - Steam inhalation supports mucosal secretions in the repiratory system and helps to open up the airways, therefore reducing respiration resistance. This helps to relieve the discomfort of asthma and allergies. Steam room benefits also include relieving inflammation and congestion of upper respiratory mucous membranes, loosening secretions, stimulating discharge of mucous from the throat and lungs, and keeps membranes from excessive drying.
• Relieve Stress & Relax Muscles -Heat from the steam causes the muscles to relax, widening the blood vessels, allowing more oxygen to flow to them, releasing their tension. The heat also gives relief to sufferers of arthritis. The heat from the steam causes the whole body to relax; this experience melts away stress and soothes the mind & body.

Spa Koru has seperate steam rooms for men and women, and provides towels for use in the steam rooms. The next time to stop in for a service or to workout, schedule an extra 15 to 20 minutes to experience the benefits of Spa Koru’s steam rooms!

Autumn can be a time when many of us feel drained, tired, overworked, and unappreciated.  This could be for many reasons.  If you are like me, summertime is the happiest time of year – waves, warm water, friends, parties, and fun – and the only thing shining brighter than the smile on my face is the sun in the sky.  Accustomed to a northern climate, my body takes the slightest hint of a chill as a signal that frosts and snowstorms are just around the corner and unless I’m riding down a slope, I want no part of sub-freezing temperatures.  There’s a reason I moved to the beach!  Another reason we might feel wiped out is that family and community events tend to monopolize our free time in the Fall, and we forget to take a moment to focus on ourselves.
Many people let go of routines during the summertime – either we are too busy with work, too busy having fun, or perhaps the longer days throw off our ability to stick to a normal schedule.  With the Fall rolling around, you may find it difficult to return to your customary agenda.  While you are settling back into the program, be sure to plan some personal time for yourself and use that time to nourish your body, your mind, and your spirit.  If you are a reader, take an hour in the morning or in the evening to dive into a good book or article, and don’t allow work or stress to enter your thoughts. If you need to sweat out your frustrations, set aside a regular time, and hit the gym. If you don’t have a gym membership, check out our specials page  for information on our Fall Membership Drive!
Yoga is another excellent way to diminish stress and focus on yourself and improving your perspective. Yoga is a healing practice which is not only great for the mind but excellent for the body.  Check out our yoga schedule  or stop into the Spa to pick up a fitness class schedule.  If exercise isn’t your idea of quality “YOU” time, consider a massage or Spa treatment to relax you from the outside in, while you meditate and unwind from the inside out.  Don’t let the changing seasons wear you out – taking personal time for yourself will not only help you adjust to new schedules and daylight hours, but it will refresh your energy and your spirit. Spiral up!

Fall has arrived and so have some spectacular specials at Spa Koru! In the month of October Spa Koru is giving back by having a “Pink” sale. We are putting various pink items on sale and donating a portion of the proceeds to the Breast Cancer Foundation. The products range from shampoos and conditioners to clothing and skin care products! The specials don’t stop there!  Prior to checking out our “Pink” be sure to schedule a seasonal facial and receive a free gift bag as part of October’s “Trick or Treatment” giveaway!  Experience a Pumpkin Peel facial with our renowned organic skincare line “Eminence” and take home an eco-friendly Spa Koru bag filled with goodies!  For more information on Spa Koru’s specials for October please visit our website at www.spakoru.com.

Green tips of the month:
October’s “green” tip of the month is: How to Become a “Green” Consumer!
Purchase a re-useable organic tote, like Spa Koru’s new organic canvas tote sold in the Koru Boutique. By purchasing one of these re-useable totes you can cut down on consumption while saving the natural environment. For more “green” tips on how to become a green consumer please visit our website, www.spakoru.com, and visit our “Spa News” section.

Global Mala SKY Restorative Yoga Class
Spa Koru Yoga had a great turnout on Sunday, September 21 for Global Mala SKY Restorative Yoga Class.  SKY offered a two-hour Restorative Yoga Class to create inner-peace and recognize world peace through Global Mala.  Global Mala is the yoga world’s offering to further the UN International Peace Day.  A HUGE thank you to all that attended this SKY class and making it a success!

Spa Koru is hosting or participating in a number of activities throughout the month of October.

Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation Fun Run!
Saturday, October 11
Come join Spa Koru’s Running Club and participate in the 5K to support HICF.  Registration forms are available at Spa Koru’s Front Desk.

The Outer Banks Hospital Health Fair
Saturday, October 18 at Cape Hatteras Secondary School
Spa Koru is participating in The Outer Banks Hospital Health Fair.  We will be joined by our Acupuncturist, Trafford Hill.  If you are interested in learning more about Acupuncture or Spa Koru, please visit our booth!

Skirt! Away to the Outer Banks Yoga Retreat
October 25-26
Spa Koru is hosting a weekend-full of adventure and yoga for the ladies of Skirt! Magazine.

Monster Mash
Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 pm
In the spirit of Halloween, come dressed in your favorite Halloween costume and learn the Michael Jackson classic,” Thriller,” from Kristi Davidson.

Halloween!
Friday, October 31
Spa Koru welcomes all Trick-or-Treater’s from 6:00-8:00 pm.  Come dressed to impress!

For more information on all of the happenings at Spa Koru, please visit our Fitness and Event Calendar at www.spakoru.com/eventcalendar

As many people know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.  A staggering number of women and men are affected by this disease each year. The American Cancer Society estimates that breast cancer ould result in 40,480 deaths this year, which will include both women and men.  Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women next to lung cancer and the number one leading cause of death in women ages 30 to 50. A healthy diet and regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of Breast Cancer. Here are some early detection guidelines from the A.C.S. :

• Annual mammograms are recommended for women in their 40’s and continuing every year for as long as the woman is in good health.
• A clinical breast exam should be part of a periodic health exam about every 3 years for women in their 20s and 30s
• Women at high risk should get an MRI and a mammogram every year. Women at moderately increased risk should talk with their health care providers about the benefits and limitations of adding MRI screening to their annual mammogram. Annual mammograms are not recommended for women whose life risk factor is less than 15%
• Although there are no known causes of breast cancer in men, men should take the same preventative measures as women to detect early stages of breast cancer

Spa Koru is joining the effort to raise awareness about this devastating disease. There are several locations within the Spa to deposit Yoplait “pink” lids, which we will be sending to Yoplait at the end of the month. Yoplait donates $.10 to Susan B. Komen for the Cure for every lid collected! Spa Koru is also hosting a “pink” sale in the retail boutique - recieve 20% off all “pink” items! To see what you can do to help raise money andawareness for breast cancer, visit www.breastcancer.org

As the cold weather starts to blow in, your fitness routine doesn’t have to blow out!  There are many indoor alternatives that you may incorporate into your routine as Fall approaches.  Spa Koru offers a variety of group exercise classes that appeal to men and women of all ages and fitness levels.  Hatha Yoga Levels 1&2 is on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:30 pm.  Yoga of the Day is on Tuesdays at 9:00 am, Wednesdays at 5:30 pm and Fridays at 8:30 am.  Yoga is the perfect exercise method to release stress, while increasing strength and flexibility at the same time.  Spa Koru also offers many other group exercise classes that you have to try, especially when the weather forces you indoors.  Spa Koru has a variety cardio equipment, weight-machines and free-weights in our state-of-the-art fitness center.  We have certified personal trainers on staff if you need that extra push to get motivated for Fall.  If you still have the itch to get outside, by dressing properly and by following the cold-weather safety tips below, you can still exercise outdoors. (Tips courtesy of The Mayo Clinic)

Dress in layers. Start with a thin layer of synthetic material such as polypropylene, which draws sweat away from your body. Next try fleece for insulation. Top this with a waterproof, breathable outer layer. To warm the air you breathe, wear a face mask or a scarf over your mouth. Remember to wear a hat and gloves, too.

Choose appropriate gear. If you’ll be outdoors when natural light is poor, wear reflective clothing. To stay steady on your feet, choose footwear with enough traction to prevent falls. Wear a helmet for skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling.

Remember sunscreen. Snow reflects the sun’s rays, so sunburn is possible even if you’re cold. You might want to wear lip balm, too.

Head into the wind. You’ll be less likely to get chilled on the way back if you end your workout — when you may be sweaty — with the wind at your back.

Drink plenty of fluids. Drink water or sports drinks before, during and after your workout — even if you’re not thirsty.

When it’s cold outdoors, there’s no need to give up and hit the couch. With a little planning and creativity, you can step up to the challenges of Fall exercise.

Spa Koru Yoga hosted a Global Mala SKY Restorative Class on Sunday, Spetember 21, 2008. The two-hour event celebrated the changing of the season and aimed to create inner peace while recognizing World Peace through Global Mala. After the class, participants enjoyed an “Around the World” catered tapas lunch prepared and provided by chef Tracy Morris.

The purpose of Global Mala is to unite the global yoga community from every continent, school, or approach to form a “mala around the earth” through collective practices on September 21st, as the yoga world’s offering to further the UN International Peace Day.

Check out photos from the event by going to our Yoga Page.

Thank you to all participants! Stay tuned for updates on our next SKY event!

Are you an optimist or a pessimist? How you view the world can have a profound effect on your health and longevity. If you tend to see the glass half empty, learning how to put a positive spin on things can drastically reduce stress and improve your quality of life. Studies have proved that positive thinking impacts your health in a number of ways including:

• decreased negative stress
• improved ability to cope with problems
• greater resistance to the common cold
• reduced risk of coronary artery disease

There are several ways that individuals misinterpret and perceive situations as negative.  Negative thinking people often get “tunnel vision” and can see only the bad aspects, while blocking the good. They also have a tendency to blame themselves for problems instead of objectively seeing the cause.  Catastrophizing and immediately anticipating the worst is another way individuals can harm their outlook. Negative thinkers also polarize, or see things as either good or bad, black or white. When you lose the ability to see and accept a middle ground, you can severely harm your reasoning faculties.

All of these habits can overwhelm you and hinder your ability to logically assess a situation. However, there are planty of ways to turn negative thoughts into positive thinking. Negative thinking after all is a habit, and habits can be unlearned! Here are a few examples of negative thoughts tat can be given a positive spin:

“I’ve never done this before” becomes “This is an opportunity to learn something new”

“There’s not enough time” becomes “Let’s re-evaluate some priorities and make time”

“No one communicates with me” becomes “I will try to open the lines of communication”

Any new skill takes practice, so while learning to think positively will significantly improve the quality of ones life, it will not happen overnight. Fortunately, the outcome is well worth the effort. So begin thinking positively, and start managing your stress and your health i a constructive way. Your life will change for the better!