SPA SECRET

Down under techniques feel good all over

For a spa experience that’s the height of escape and relaxation, try going down under.

All it takes is a short trip to La-Te-Da Salon & Day Spa, where you can put yourself in the hands of a massage therapist specially trained in a school of spa philosophy that’s based on ancient aboriginal traditions, techniques and earthly ingredients indigenous to Australia.

It’s called Li’Tya (le-DEE-ya), and I could easily become a devotee.

Several members of the La-Te-Da staff recently completed extensive education and training in 14 different Li’Tya treatments and a wide array of products. Adrian, who administered my two-hour Mala Mayi body treatment, must have earned straight A’s.

My afternoon down under started with a fullbody aromatic massage (my olfactory senses gravitated to the de-stress/de-toxify products) and a gentle body polish (I chose the Lemon Myrtle and Desert Salt scrub). Then I was cocooned in a layer of silky warm, mineral-rich body mud.

As the mud set to work drawing out impurities and delivering essential nutrients to my desperate skin, Adrian did a number on my head with a 21- point Paudi scalp massage and then gently worked in a moisturizing Quandong hair masque.

All this, and I was just halfway through.

After a warm, wonderful vichy shower and a few minutes collecting myself in the quiet darkness, I slipped into a luxurious robe and met Adrian in the next room for an hourlong, full-body Kodo (“melody”) massage incorporating smooth circular massage and pressure-point therapy. Adrian sensed that Koora oil — to eliminate sluggishness, calm the mind and bring harmony to the body — would be appropriate in this particular instance. He was right.

After that, all I needed was a cup of gently uplifting herbal tea to savor on the ride home. Lo and behold, that’s exactly what awaited in the lobby as I said goodbye and thank you to my new friends at La-Te-Da.

— CINDY PIERCE

— La-Te-Da Salon & Spa is at 9403 Cypress Lake Drive in south Fort Myers, 337-1772.

— As described here, the two-hour Li’Tya Mala Mayi body treatment is $165. Other Li’Tya treatments include hand and foot treatments ($45-$65), facials ($80-$90) and the ultimate, three-hour Dreaming ($350).