Whole body vibration machines are in demand in Sahuarita, Ariz. where Char Tudor spent a number of years in the spa industry. Now Tudor, 26, and her sister Janelle Zachow, 32, have opened
Amira Spa Hair & Body Therapy (629 Michigan St., Grand Rapids) offering
whole body vibration as one of the services -- possibly the only spa in town that does.
The sisters are Cedar Springs natives, and decided to open the spa when Tudor moved home after having a baby. Tudor knew she wanted to include whole body vibration machines after seeing the physical benefits they provided to her Arizona clients, she says. They planned the spa via phone and web, and began construction in April.
"I worked with whole body vibration machines for almost three years in Arizona," Tudor says. "The machine sends a frequency through your body that makes every muscle contract and relax. That increases energy, decreases stress and helps with things like back problems."
Clients stand on the machine for a maximum of 10 minutes for each session, up to three times a week. Tudor says one of her Arizona clients had severe fibromyalgia, took morphine and used two canes to walk.
"Within a month she was biking and hiking," Tudor says.
Amira Spa's other offerings include a full menu of hair services including color and cuts, as well as massage therapy, manicures, pedicures and tanning.
"We have three stylists including Janelle, and six stations, so we're looking for three more stylists with a clientele," Tudor says.
The salon is also looking for a second massage therapist and an esthetician.
"We're in a great location on the Medical Mile, in the same building as Urban Mill and next to the women's health center," Tudor says. "There isn't any other spa or salon on (this part of) this street and we knew we wanted to be here."
Source: Char Tudor, Amira Spa Hair & Body Therapy
Writer: Deborah Johnson Wood, Development News Editor
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