Aris Institute - Spa Review

Buzzing with Bioinformation

by Sylvie Greil

Energy is a term we use casually. We say we feel energetic or low on energy. Hardly ever do we pause to think about what energy is: the usable power that sustains our very life. Intuitively, though, we reach for things that balance our life force: a nap, meeting a friend for dinner, a stroll on the beach, a yoga class… and more often than not a visit to a spa.

Aris Institute in Westlake Village has taken the idea of “energy balancing” a step further. All therapies and products offered here feature captured life force, or energy. In other words, whether you treat yourself to a facial, massage or “energy brushing,” the very products used on your body are imprinted with “bioinformation” culled from plants, minerals, colors, gases, metals and precious stones. Think of it as their energy being transferred to you to harmonize your body’s energy fields, your health and skin.

When we made our appointment we expected a very clinical, sober facility. After all, Aris’s spa treatments are based on a system developed by Zurich’s highly regarded Institute for Bioinformation. But Aris is welcoming and Zen-like, with a unique feature, the “Energy Room.” Here, even the wall paint is imprinted with bioinformation, and it is recommended that you spend some time lazing in this lovely room with its subtle lighting, cool mint-hued fabric and soothing elements like salt crystals, relaxing music, low Japanese tea table and vases holding dried bamboo.

While sipping a cup of decaf green tea, we contemplated the glass quartz stir stick or “drink pulser,” said to harmonize tea, tap water, juice and even Champagne. Apparently it changes the molecular structure of fluids to energize them with dynamic energy. If you’ve seen “What the Bleep Do We Know,” you’ll recall Dr. Masaru Emoto’s water experiments, where emotions changed the structure of basic H20.

Call it esoteric, but the proof lies in the experience itself, which takes us to the signature “energy brushing” facial. Based on Tibetan feather massage, the treatment begins with three quartz bio-imprinted wands gently massaging your head and hair to activate the chakras and soothe the gallbladder and liver. It also involves a delicious, long massage of the neck, shoulders and shoulder blades, the use of Aris’ specially designed range of products that provide food for the skin, and the application of light via the Bioptron lamp. Bioptron Color Light activates the body’s innate healing abilities. It has been used for sports injuries and rheumatic pain, and its effects can be energizing, cooling or neutralizing. If you’ve ever been to a European color sauna, you know how soothing blue or violet light will feel after the very heating, almost itchy red variety.

As far as the products, they are bio-activated, of course, and so versatile that you can actually use the cleanser as a moisturizer and the body scrub for squeaky clean gums. Spa goers have come to expect products that are chemical and synthetic free, and the Life Resonance line employs plant extracts and plant oils ( rose hip seeds, passion fruit, macadamia and argan nuts), and nano lipids culled from borage oil, as well as silk extract.

Truly, even if you’ve never set foot on a yoga mat or contemplated quantum physics, an experience at Aris Institute has an immediacy that will transform you. You’ll leave with a sense of well-being and harmony, whether from crystals or plant energy at work, the skillful practitioners or the serene environment.

Aris Institute
3723 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.
Westlake Village CA 91362
805-449-1799
www.arisinstitute.com

*NOTE: THIS SPA HAS CLOSED.

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