We have all probably breathed a sigh of relief now that those dreaded holidays at the end of the year are over. No doubt most of us put on a few pounds around the middle or we may have spent more than we intended which has brought undue stress into our life as the credit card bills come due.
The holiday season is always a time of voracious partying so our abuses of our bodies may have left us feeling exhausted and mentally depleted. To be honest, the pace of life in today’s world leaves us all feeling a little spent by the time for New Year’s resolutions.

     Then the sad truth comes when almost any resolution we make for bettering our life gets broken almost immediately. The result is often guilt since we know we should be treating this gift we call our body much better.

     Well, with all this realization emerging, maybe it’s time to pick up the telephone and make a simple call. The number is 804-453-4010. This is the number for the Holistic Health Day Spa located at 581 Jessie duPont Memorial Highway (Rt. 200) in Burgess, Virginia. This is the site of wonderful healthful ministrations by Rebecca Maloney and Arlene Walker. 

     Just what is the holistic method for healthful living? It is a group of treatments that seeks to serve the person with a broad-spectrum approach dealing with the individual spiritually, mentally and physically. It is best understood as a preventative series of therapies and most importantly, it is non-invasive.

     Don’t be concerned that you get the answering machine when you make your call. These well-trained women live near their place of business and are open only by appointment. The best method to contact the health spa is by calling the number listed above. Be assured, your appropriate response to the prompts on the tape will bring a quick reply and soon, you will have an appointment. You may choose a nice relaxing massage or, for the ladies, a rejuvenating facial, for starters. However, this is only the beginning of the helpful, healthful services they offer.

     Just who are these ladies and what are their qualifications? Rebecca Maloney is a mother and grandmother who is a certified massage therapist approved by the Virginia State Board of Nursing in 1998. A native of Williamsburg, she admits to having come to the Northern Neck in 1993, because she loved the beautiful physical surroundings. She opened her first office in Irvington last February before moving to a neat little house in Burgess in July.

     Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Christopher Newport College, was trained in hypnosis at the Eastern Institute of Hypnosis located in Goshen, Virginia. She is also trained as a Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) practitioner. 

     Arlene Walker is a native of the Ophelia community and she still lives in the area with her husband and three children. She was graduated from Old Dominion University and is trained in human services counseling and obtained certification in nursing. She never practiced because she quickly realized she would be happier helping people through her skills.

     Today these ladies are partners in the holistic health business and they have now hired a nail specialist, Valencia Keeve, who can give both manicures and pedicures.

     There is a wide range of therapies including several types of massage. These include Swedish, acupuncture (dealing with pressure points), light and deep massage. They offer aroma therapy, facials, body wraps which provide detoxification, and smoothing of the skin. They provide cellulite scrubs and foot massage as well.

     When Rebecca explained that the spa offers Reiki therapy this writer must have shown a perplexed look for she hurried off to get an eye-catching green sheet of explanatory statements. Reiki is a Japanese term which means “universal life energy or force.” It is a form of meditation.

     To quote Rebecca, “It is a unique, highly effective complimentary healing technique for energizing and promoting a balancing of the body, mind, and spirit. The power of the Universal Life Energy comes through the open heart and hands of the Reiki practitioner to facilitate the healing which is for the highest good of the recipient.
A Reiki treatment helps to relieve stress and can both enhance relaxation and energize. Reiki is a light hands-on process which is safe, non intrusive and non-manipulative. The recipient remains fully clothed during the treatment and no substances are applied to the body.

     Reiki works in conjunction with, and as an adjunct to, medical and non-medical treatment and therapy. The sensation one feels during a Reiki treatment is usually a feeling of warmth, well-being and comfort.”
The costs are very reasonable with many treatments offered at $40 or less per session. One may purchase gift baskets of lotions and other externally applied items that promote health.

     So treat yourself, after all, a little pampering may just be the ticket for getting a good start for this new year. Call Rebecca or Arlene to make an appointment. 

© 2002 Rev. Ronald Jones 2002 
Ron Jones can be contacted vie email at