Day spa continues to heal mind, body and spirit
CRANBURY – Nestled off the busy highways of Route 130 and Route 535/Cranbury Road lies a quaint, beautiful Queen Anne Victorian farmhouse that was built in 1853.
Donda Sternberg, who had opened a small massage and facial business in New Brunswick in 1991 and a massage school in 1996, knocked on the door of that Victorian home one day and told the Stasi family she would be interested in purchasing the property if they ever decided to sell.
One week later the family called her back, dissatisfied with the growing industrial nature of the area, and Sternberg purchased the 4,400-square-foot home. Keeping with the original layout, she converted it into a spa for massages, hydrotherapy, facials, body treatments, waxing and manicures and pedicures.
That was a decade ago. Gentle Healing Wellness Spa celebrated its 10th anniversary on Oct. 22 with free chair massages, free classes, giveaways and samples from Zinna’s Bistro.
“We’ve changed tremendously. The staff has grown. We’ve all grown as individuals. We’ve put up two new buildings since we’ve been on this property, the massage school and the suite retreat,” Sternberg said. “Without our community we would not still be here after 10 years. Thank you to everyone who supported Gentle Healing and allows us to be here.”
With a background as an aesthetician and cosmetologist, Sternberg wanted to focus on sharing education and knowledge, so there is an accredited Title IV massage school that offers a 600-hour certified massage program that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Students learn polarity, modalities, trigger massages, craniosacral therapy, pathology and myology.
“A massage is so much more than just relaxing. Though a massage starts with relaxation, there are many physiological effects. A massage starts to awaken people from what is going on emotionally,” Sternberg said of the tactile nature of a massage. “And life moves forward when we are in touch with ourselves.”
The school has seen hundreds of graduates over the past 10 years, who go on to work at a spa, at a wellness center, for a chiropractor or even for themselves.
Mayra Gould, of East Brunswick, currently has her own massage practice while working part time at Gentle Healing. She had initially been a vice president at JP Morgan Chase but after some personal issues left her job and pursued massage as her Plan B.
“I felt working on somebody is the biggest gift you could experience in life,” she said.
She enjoyed her instruction at Gentle Healing because it is heart-centered and comprehensive. She learned Thai massage, polarity work, reflexology, prenatal and sports massage. Her specialty is Reiki and integrated energy therapy, and she received certification in reflexology.
“It brings your body, your mind and your spirit connections into balance,” she said.
Audrey Bailey, of East Windsor, is currently doing massage as a side business in addition to her full-time job. She said she believes in holistic healing, and wants to make people feel better.
“These days, people are very stressed out and go to the doctor and get medicine, where a simple therapeutic massage will alleviate some problems,” she said.
Christina Carr, of Milltown, who graduated from the school less than a month ago, agrees that people need to pay attention to their bodies through holistic arts rather than always relying on a doctor’s opinion.
“I think [massages] are necessary. A lot of people overlook them,” she said. “Of course it can be a luxury, but I think it’s necessary too … to help alleviate any pain or anxiety.”
During the open house, a full schedule of classes was offered to attendees. Selfmassage, aromatherapy, yoga, shiatsu, healthy food choices, reiki, herbal remedies and tarot card readings are a sampling of classes offered at the spa.
Christine Castellanos, ofMonroe, taught Zumba classes at Gentle Healing. Having graduated from the massage school on Oct. 20, she thought massage would be a good addition to her biology background and desire to get a doctorate degree in physical therapy.
“[The classes] make it a nicer experience. It’s great to treat the body because we forget to take care of ourselves … [here] and you have it all in one spot. … You get your exercise in, you get treated, you get pampered, you treat your immune system and you feel better,” she said.
In addition to the spa and school, the private Suite Retreat building accommodates large groups, with Jacuzzis, couches and a fireplace in its own separate setting.
“It’s a great place for couples who can’t … get away for a weekend,” Sternberg said.
There is also a full gift boutique of products used in the services, such as cherry massage stones, socks, body lotions, hand creams, skin care lines and robes.
Because Sternberg said she has received so much support from the community, she asked her clientele to donate to the Breast Cancer Resource Center at the YWCA of Princeton in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Ten percent of the proceeds from the spa were donated as well.
“We wanted customers to give back to something that is important to us,” she said.
Gentle Healing is located at 1274 South River Road, also known as Route 535/Cranbury South River Road.
For more information, visit www.GentleHealingSpa.com or www.GentleHealingSchool.com or call 609-409-2700.
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