Facial
Buttermilk Spa at Buttermilk Falls Inn
Milton
The Millstone Farm Facial at this eco-friendly spa uses natural and organic ingredients made from its on-site garden and beehives. The service begins with the application of a BABOR Baborganic cleanser followed by an almond-and-oats honey exfoliation. Then a cucumber-honey toner is applied, followed by a Millstone Farm Honey-Apple Face Mask. The result? Dewey, glowing, rejuvenated, baby-soft skin.
845.795.4050; www.buttermilkfallsinn.com
Massage
Spa at Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz
The signature Mohonk Red Massage at the Spa at Mohonk Mountain House, named for the red witch hazel grown on the property, begins with a relaxation breathing technique and aromatic inhalation of calming evergreen. Then a mix of techniques including Swedish massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage, and traditional Thai stretches are used to de-stress and rebalance your entire body. Finally, heated towels infused with Mohonk Red witch hazel cocoon your face and feet—yes, there is a heaven.
855.421.4101; www.mohonk.com/spa
Parent-Child Exercise
Small Tribe Hoops Dance Class
Kingston and Beacon
Kids are naturally drawn to hooping, and, with a few minutes of practice, adults can easily get their groove back and work up a serious sweat while having fun. Using her own handmade hoops, certified hoop dance instructor Heather Davies holds classes (and private parties) up and down the Hudson. Learn cool tricks like the iso-flower, the coin flip, and the jump-through.
440.223.6216
Yoga Studio
The Body Art Barn (classes)
Chester
The Body Art Barn offers classes for students at every level, from beginners to experienced yogis. Choose a traditional class, like the Barn’s signature Black Dirt Flow, or try an aerial yoga class, which combines traditional yoga poses done on the floor and postures practiced using a fabric “trapeze” suspended at waist height.
845.662.5604; www.thebodyartstudio.com
The Yoga House (atmosphere)
Kingston
Drop in for a few classes at The Yoga House in Uptown Kingston and you may start to think of it as your own home. Owners Leigha Butler and Jacqui Nash go out of their way to create an atmosphere of comfort and warmth that ensures everyone feels welcome. The studio offers classes for all levels (even kids!), from beginner to advanced, some playful or relaxing, and others intense.
845.706.9642; www.theyogahouseny.com
Kick-Ass Family Workout
Inner Strength Karate
Beacon
Since 1992, this premier Martial Arts Academy has provided karate and kickboxing lessons to people young and old. Mr. Richards, the Academy’s Head Instructor, has been actively training for more than two decades, and his attraction to the intensity inside the ring translates to his teaching inside the classroom. His workouts are designed to utilize the full body while honing in on important self-defense techniques like kicks, punches, and blocks. You’ll leave the 3rd Degree Black Belt’s class feeling oh so sweaty but incredibly energized.
845.838.5425; www.beaconkarate.com
Programs for the Mind and Body
Omega Institute
Rhinebeck
The Omega Institute offers a range of wellness workshops designed to boost your mind, soothe your spirit, and rejuvenate your physical self. Master the Buddhist approach to compassion, but also educate yourself about the human anatomy and the limits of your body, take in an instructional series to enhance your creative self, or learn how to heal through horseback-riding. The best part? It’s all set against a bucolic backdrop, and their programming is flexible, so you can choose to spend your visit trying everything or simply nothing at all.
845.266.4444; www.eomega.org
Salon for Color
Iconic Hair
Rhinebeck
This small, unpretentious salon has five expert stylists on board who know what’s needed for great color. Whether you’re in need of a standard single-process or a full head of high- or lowlights, they’ve got you’ve covered—literally, from root to tip. They know they’re way around a well-applied ombre, flourish at the floodlight technique, and will touch you up with tri-color, but we love them best for their kind and courteous staff and their all-organic products.
845.876.8900; www.iconic-hairsalon.com
Salon for Curly Hair
Shear Love
Wappingers Falls
The stylists at Shear Love know exactly how to work the conditions of your curlicues for a precise cut every time. They take into account the changing dimensions of separate strands, helping to create a softer, fuller look. Say goodbye to uneven sections and shorter-than-expected haircuts and hello to bouncy, beautiful curls.
845.298.9898; www.shearloveny.biz
Eyebrow Wax
Giannetta Salon & Spa
Beacon
Giannetta takes the cringe out of waxing. Self-proclaimed as “eyebrow-obsessed,” the experts at this full-service salon use your bone structure to guide the shaping of the brow before they even begin to wax. Brows are measured for balance and consistency, trimmed, and designed using a cream wax that grabs the hair—not the skin. And don’t worry about maintaining this masterful shape in between visits: Gianetta offers private and group brow lessons.
845.831.2421; www.giannettasalonandspa.com
Personal Training Studio
Hudson Valley Fitness
Beacon
Hudson Valley Fitness is where trainer Keith Laug leads all fitness levels through a daily boot camp designed to get you into shape in no time. Workouts are an hour long, and Laug offers individualized attention throughout the session to make sure that every exercise is modified to meet gym-goers’ personal needs. Don’t feel comfortable to take on the challenge in a group setting? Don’t fear: Laug also offers private training sessions for solo aspiring fitness gurus, too.
845.214.0350; www.hudsonvalleyfitness.com
Makeup Boutique
FACE Stockholm
Rhinebeck, Hudson
Makeup artists and models alike swear by this boutique’s inventory of luscious carcinogen-free foundations, blushes, eye shadows, and lipsticks. Founded in the ’80s by Swedish-born Gun Nowak, who was later joined by her daughter Martina Arfwidson (both are locals), this company is also known for its customer service. You can try everything to your heart’s content, while you get tips and recommendations from staff. The boutique also offers fall classes at its Rhinebeck store.
845.876.2200 (Rhinebeck); 518.822.9474 (Hudson); www.facestockholm.com
Place to Find Your Zen
Blue Cliff Monastery
Pine Bush
Founded by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh, this mindfulness practice center will help you find your inner peace. Located on 80 acres of woodlands in the southern Catskill region, Blue Cliff Monastery is surrounded by clean mountain air and sinuous streams, the perfect setting to help you rest and refresh. Quiet your mind for the day or sign up for one of Blue Cliff’s many themed retreats.
845.213.1785; www.bluecliffmonastery.org
Spa for a Special Event
Marion Salonspa
Pleasant Valley
Whether you want an intricate style for your big day or an updo for prom, Marion’s Salonspa makes sure your most memorable moments start out on top. The Bridal Package includes a hairstyle trial run and veil preview, wedding-day hairstyling and makeup application, spa French manicure and pedicure, and a signature facial.
845.635.1626; www.marionsalonspa.com
Skincare Products
Hudson Valley Skin Care
Pleasant Valley
Glenn and Cathie Arpino know a bit about skincare. He’s a pharmacist who specializes in compounding—that is, making personalized medications for patients. She’s a registered nurse and a cosmetics formulator who has worked with big names like Estee Lauder and Shiseido. Together, they’ve hatched a superior line of soaps, scrubs, creams, and salves made with organic components like oats, honey, and goats’ milk—and not with parabens and petroleum-derived synthetics.
800.277.7099; www.hudsonvalleyskincare.com
