Spa Day attracts 130 students for relaxing therapies

Students lined up outside the Fiesta Room of Loftin Student Center Oct. 3 where Spa Day has become a semester staple.

Students have enjoyed the event sponsored by the office of student life each semester for six years. This year, sponsored by the Psych Club, it drew 130 students.

The Fiesta Room was closed to the rest of the student center to provide a quiet and calm atmosphere.

Students were greeted with the aroma of burning incense.

“It smells like heaven,” Psych Club President Sonya Santiago said. 

From the stage, musician David Aman provided smooth and relaxing music from his acoustic guitar.

Once inside, students were able to select one or all of the relaxing treatments.

Ten massage therapists treated students on five chairs and five tables at the same time. 

Massage therapist Joy Bernstein has been doing Spa Day for three years and said she loves it.

Aroma therapists Carly Andrews and Charmiene Maxwell Batten informed students on the benefits of natural fragrances. 

Fragrances such as lavender can calm students before a test.  Before students reach for an energy drink to pep up, they should try aromatherapy, the pair said.

“Wake up a little bit with natural orange scent,” Andrews said.

Reflexology therapist Naina Pitamber has participated in Spa Day four years.

“I admire the college for doing this for students, taking a natural route to cope with stress and school,” Pitamber said.

The paraffin wax station remained busy as students pampered their hands with warm wax.

Nutrition freshman Shirley Ann Cameron was pleased the college would offer a Spa Day.

“I appreciate how they care about us enough,” she said.

After receiving a massage, liberal arts freshman Abby Agalan said. “It was great. I was stressed.”