Naturopathica: Healing Arts Center & Spa

By Daniel J. Bollinger

Located at 127 West 26th Street in Chelsea Naturopathica is 21st Century Wellness. Inspired by traditional healing practices and modern science, Naturopathica Chelsea, offers holistic treatments, skin care, body products, remedies, and rituals that empower individuals on their path to well-being. Naturopathica achieves this with their Vitality Bar, Remedy Bar, Therapists and Healers, and their Meditation Lounge.

Let’s start with Naturopathica’s Vitality Bar. It is the first thing you will notice upon entering Naturopathica. Offerings include tonics, elixirs, teas, cold-pressed juices and kombucha on tap that have special healing benefits to improve and sustain vitality. Whether you need more energy, immunity support, a nice mood lift, better sleep, more radiant skin, less stress, or a cleansing detox Naturopathica has the right aperitif for you. Their list of tonics, elixirs and specialty drinks are sure to heal what ails you or provide you with what you are seeking more of. I tasted the Skin Radiance Tonic when I first arrived and not only was it delicious but my skin actually looks smoother the past few days (I am also using their Soothing Shave Cream currently so I believe it is a result of the combination.) “One Thing” that I must elaborate on is the fact that Naturopathica carries kombucha on tap. I was introduced to kombucha while living in Belize. I was taught how to brew my own kombucha and am a believer in the health benefits of this very ancient known drink. You can either enjoy a shot or two daily or have a jasmine green kombucha as part of your health ritual.

Across from the Vitality Bar are all of Naturopathica’s skin and body products on display. There are a slew of products available for hand care, hair care, both men’s and women’s products, stress relief, and natural immunity. Many products are gluten free and/or vegan and you can shop by these classifications on their website. I must mention the Aromatic Alchemy Gift Set. It is aromatherapy for the mind, body and spirit which includes four blends: Chill, Inspire, Meditation, and Re-Boot aromatic alchemies. I am writing this article while enjoying Inspire. Just a few drops in the palm of your hand and a deep inhalation with your hands over your face will surely put you in the emotional state of each blended essence.

At the back of the store is Naturopathica’s Remedy Bar. It is a unique herbal dispensary featuring loose-leaf teas from the finest estates in China, Japan, India, Nepal, Sumatra and Vietnam. You will know you are there when you start noticing all the sweet aromatics that these teas emit. You can enjoy a signature tea blend while at the spa and/or purchase in bulk to enjoy these blends every day when in the sanctity of your home space. I recommend stopping by, the scents of all these delicious teas will pique your interest in enjoying these herbal health concoctions.

Therapists and Healers
Naturopathica has six massage rooms and a meditation lounge behind the retail component of their establishment. Naturopathica offers an immense range of facial treatments and massage therapies. I received the Nirvana Stress Relief Massage. Their literature states, “...deeply revitalizing treatment that uses aromatherapy and deep tissue massage to wring stress out of tension-bound muscles and includes a detailed arm and hand massage to relieve computer fatigue.” I will tell you The Nirvana is an extraordinary treatment that is more than just a full body massage from the top of your head all the way down to your piggly wigglies. You get to choose from four different aromatic alchemy blends each offering a different mood to your treatment. I didn’t fall asleep during the Nirvana Massage but I was in a highly relaxed meditative state from this massage. I would love to get this therapy and get led straight to the meditation lounge to join a group meditation session. Which leads me to...

Meditation Lounge
Being an avid practitioner and believer of yoga and meditation, I am highly impressed with Naturopathica’s Meditation Lounge. It is large enough to accommodate a cozy group yet small enough for an intimate but not crowded experience. With a wall projector illuminating beautiful images on the walls and the quiet still of oneness, a meditative environment is present in the mediation lounge. One thing that I must point out is Naturopathica’s choice of meditation seating. Their seats are designed for pregnant women to sit more comfortably during meditation (and also a good solution for anyone who may have trouble attaining lotus position for any reason). My chakras aligned perfectly while trying out this seat. Very good choice of seating for the Naturopathica’s Meditation Lounge. The meditation lounge is a ‘talk free zone’. It was designed for both employees, to get themselves in the right frame of mind of ‘giving’ for their healing session, and guests, for the same reason but for ‘receiving’ their treatment. If you understand the power of ‘intent’ in the spiritual arts you will realize how Naturopathica’s Meditation Lounge design and function really sets them apart from just another pampering spa. Meditation classes are coming soon.

Proprietor Barbara Close is a true master of wellness education. She considers her new second location “an urban 21st century wellness center”. Barbara has twenty years of experience from her original location in East Hampton and now has brought her knowledge to the Big Apple. Her experience is actually much more extensive because her true inspiration for Naturopathica started when she was just a little girl. During summers she would visit her aunt in France where her aunt taught her all about the healing powers and health benefits of the natural flora. This was during a time when ‘farm to table’ wasn’t a catchphrase in our consumerist economy but actually the way of the world. It was when your kitchen was your pharmacy and Barbara learned a sense of empowerment in taking your health into your own hands. Barbara Close has brought this empowerment to you and has transformed all this knowledge and experience into a community healing center... Naturopathica.