Spas are a great way to relax, unwind and take care of oneself. However, for some clients, finding a spa that caters to their modesty and religious beliefs can be a challenge. Many massages, facials and other treatments may not be suitable for those who prefer to maintain their modesty.
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Spas are a great way to relax, unwind and take care of oneself. However, for some clients, finding a spa that caters to their modesty and religious beliefs can be a challenge. Many massages, facials and other treatments may not be suitable for those who prefer to maintain their modesty.
Related: 4 Tips to Creating a More Inclusive and Diverse Spa
Fortunately, there are a growing number of spas that cater to modest and religious guests. These spas offer a range of services that are designed to be respectful of their concerns and needs, including:
- Full-body massages with the option to wear loose, modest clothing;
- Facials and other skin care treatments that are performed while the client is fully clothed;
- Private changing rooms and restrooms for added privacy and comfort.
Many of these spas also offer a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere overall, with staff members who are trained to be sensitive and are happy to accommodate any special requests or concerns.
Common Considerations for Religious Women
Ultimately, people are people—and everyone enjoys spa treatments. Practitioners should be aware that women with special interests tend to be busy and may not have time for extended treatments. Some may also have more children, and therapists should be sensitive to that as well.
Related: How to Make Your Spa More 2SLGBTQ2+ Inclusive
"At The Spa at Beverly Wilshire, we respect our guest's privacy and religious beliefs. We even tailor the experience as far as ensuring they only see and speak with their same gender, to ensure their utmost comfort when in our spa. We create trust inside the treatment room to ensure they know their privacy is our top priority," says Gillian Garcia, lead spa therapist at The Spa at Beverly Wilshire.
Beauty therapist Tehilla Schwalbe caters specifically to Orthodox Jewish women looking for beauty treatments and ways to take care of their skin. She reports an increase in demand among this community, likely due to increased awareness of beauty and wellness.
"Orthodox women are increasingly seeking investment in themselves and feeling good about the way they look. Most are interested in skin care treatments and makeup consultations," says Schwalbe. "The demand for body treatments and massages is very low, naturally, due to Tzniut (modesty) that we keep."
These guests do have special needs and requests. "It's typical that women have super busy lifestyles and don't have hours to spend on skin care," says Schwalbe, adding that she keeps the products to a minimum but effective quantity.
Related: 3 Ways to Make Men’s Wellness More Inclusive
Energy workers can also do some work to approach religious or otherwise modest guests. "The practitioner needs to understand their outlook, adhere to their beliefs and remain kind, compassionate and non-judgmental," notes Nechama Caplan, energy practitioner. "So many people want to align with their higher selves. Energy work can quickly hone in on subconscious sources of stuck energy and release them."
Spas that take the time to cater to modest and religious women cement themselves as respectful, inclusive spaces that provide a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all guests.
