August 3rd-5th

Early Bird Specials! Thursday, August 2nd and Friday August 3rd, get $5 off any massage or add a facial for only $20.

Reflexology treatments are only $45 all weekend long.

We will be open 10-6 Thursday and Friday, 1-7 on Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.

On Friday, July 20, Ancient Paths massage therapists will be doing chair massage in Basin Park. Proceeds will benefit Eureka Kids Playground project. Eureka Kids (a local organization benefitting the children of the community) has been awarded a grant from Kaboom! to build a new playground at Lake Leatherwood Park in Eureka Springs. In order to take advantage of the grant, additional funds must be raised from the community. Please take a few minutes, get a relaxing neck and shoulder massage, and help the kids get a new playground.

Having lived with arthritis for some years now I have become attuned to my bodies response to stress.

On Memorial Weekend I travel via motorcycle from Eureka to Chicago for my first ever Vietnam reunion. Talk about anticipatory stress! During the ride I was tailed by a west to east cold front. During the second day of riding the front caught up to me and I had to ride in very hard driving rain for about six hours of my trip, stressfull indeed.

Once there, I got to meet my old team mates. I had forgotten some names, and others I had forgotten their faces (not that we change much in 34 years, yeah right) more stress.

The reunion organizer had us scheduled for a lot activities one of which was a visit to a museum outside of Chicago called “Cantigny”. Cantigny is the former estate of John McCormic who was the owner/publisher of the Chicago Tribune until his death in 1956.

The estate is magnificant. Five miles long, by five miles wide with a palacial manor in the middle. The property is surrounded by beautiful gardens. Some formal some whimsical and others beyond description.

McCormick had no heirs so he set up a trust that would keep Cantigny beautiful and useful in perpetuity. On the grounds is a museum dedicated to the 12th Division of the Army (McCormicks old unit). The museum is amazing. It is interactive with all kinds of displays from World War I, through the current Iraq conflict.

Each display takes you through the actions that lead to each war, then you enter the war arena itself depicted as it would have appeared during the era of the war.

WWI placed you literally in the trenches with bomb sounds and machine gun fire.

WWII was unique because after you learned what caused the war you are seated on a LST which is a small troop carrier boat that landed on the beaches. While you are on the LST you hear the voice of a gruff old Sgt. telling you when you disembark to keep you head low and don’t stop advancing. We were landing on the beach in Normandy during the “D” day invasion. Then the LST’s gate drops and you are hustled onto the beach complete with tank traps, bombs bursting, machine gun and small arms fire.

Then Korea and onto Vietnam

After reading and listening to tapes about the Vietnam war you are forced to turn a corner where you have to walk through a grove of jungle trees on a beaten down pathway. I FROZE! I couldn’t go in.

After what seemed like a half an hour someone touched my shoulder and I nearly hit him. He wanted to know if I was ok? I wasn’t. More stress and fear. After nearly 45 minutes I was able to regain composure and enter the jungle and walk through what was some of the most unpleasant memories that are crammed to the back of my brain.

I left a day early so that I could travel to St. Louis and see Mike and Matt my adult sons. I was still nervous and apparently noticeably shakey to them because they kept asking if I was ok.

So, when I finally arrived home I was starting to have arthritis flareups and in general felt very bad.

I have had a couple of massages and reflexology from Martha since my trip and I am FINALLY coming out of my stress induced funk. Just remember there are ways to cope, always!

Mine is minimal stress. Eureka Springs provides minimal stress in my life. Martha takes the brunt of stress and I love her for that but worry about her well being as well.

If you are in a position to eliminate daily stress DO IT! You and your family will be better for it, and massages and other holistic modalities are a way to help you towards a less stressful life.

With added services and newly added flooring the spa is looking very nice. We have added curtains to our large massage room to divide it when necessary. And have put Pergo flooring in. Our next endeavor is to add retail space in the lobby and repaint our spare massage room.

If you haven’t been here lately stop by for a peek and a massage or reflexology.

Until June 30 — 1 hour of Integrative Reflexology, normally $60, will be $45.

 If you purchase three sessions for $135, you will get a FREE Lymph-Reflex-Detox Massage for  your 4th session.

 Call 479-981-9995 to book your reflexology session. 

David Rush, MTI is joining our staff. David has several years of experience as a massage therapist and massage therapy instructor in Eureka Springs. His expertise in massage and reflexology will provide Ancient Paths clients with additional resources for their natural health care. The addition of David to the staff will making booking massages for couples easier, too.

Due to recent training and the addition of new staff, we will be adding services, as well. These will include foot reflexology and a “Touch for Health” 14-muscle balance. For those who want the massage experience without the full hour of treatment, we’re adding a 30 minute hand and foot massage. We will also add some “spa” services including a 1 hour massage with salt or sugar “glow” exfoliating treatment, a 45-minute foot spa, and facials.

All of these services will be available as of June 1st. Currently, we offer all but the foot reflexology and facials. Call for pricing. We’re looking forward to seeing you and offering you these new services!

Check out our listing in the Conscious Living Directory section of the new “Spirit of Eureka” publication — available for free in and around Eureka Springs.

Last weekend Martha attended a 20-hour training on “Touch for Health” - Level 1. TFH is a method of applied kinesiology that allows the therapist to aid the client with regaining homeostatasis through the body. This is done using muscle testing and reflex points located on the torso and the head. By balancing on a regular basis, the client can more readily stay healthy and attain goals.

Announcing our partnership with Blue Water Bungalow ( www.bluewaterbungalow.com). This well appointed bungalow is spacious and has a great view. While your there call Martha and get an in room massage while you enjoy the view of Table Rock Lake from your bungalow.

A 1-hour massage followed by a 45-minute treatment with 7 essential oils that have anti-viral, anti-bacterial properties. Effects last up to a week and clients walk away feeling great! Through May 1, try a raindrop treatment for $100. (Normally $110).