Blog Archive
Osmosis Changes Name of Vision Quest to Day Long Spa Retreat out of Respect for Native Americans
Words can mean many things to many people.
Clearly the name “vision quest” is a legacy from the Native American tradition that has a very specific meaning to Native American culture. Out of respect for that tradition and the legacy from which it comes we will no longer be naming and marketing our daylong spa retreats as a “one-day vision quest”.
A Field of Hammocks
“Build it and they will rest…”
Guests attending our fabulous Bastille Day event on July 14 were the first to see the new addition to Osmosis: our field of hammocks.
The story actually begins seven months ago, back in January, when we met with our most loyal guests to share our gratitude for their support. We enjoyed a long and productive discussion about the Oz experience, and asked what else they would like to enjoy here. Their answer? A place to rest. In fact, this question generated quite a few ideas, and in the end what emerged was a vision for a ‘field of hammocks.’
Earth Day
Do you remember the very first Earth Day 41 years ago? What I most remember is my teacher, gardener Alan Chadwick saying, “if we could just take care of the top seven inches of the earth’s surface (i.e. the top soil), the rest would take care of itself.” Inspired by Chadwick, I spent a decade in the 70’s living, working and teaching in horticultural collectives. We made nearly everything from recycled materials, built solar houses, gave garden workshops and produced a significant amount of our own food.
The Art of Convening
Ever since meeting Craig Neal years ago at a Social Ventures Network meeting, I have been interested in his life work, or “the art of convening.” So often the meetings I participate in -- especially phone conferences -- seem to fall short of realizing their potential. It’s always been a big question for me: how do we make our shared interests and passions come to fruition in the most meaningful and effective ways?
I got my chance to examine this question more fully when I participated in a Thought Leaders gathering last Friday at Genentech, a company located south of San Francisco. More than 80 people had assembled to celebrate the completion of the book Craig and his wife Patricia have been working on for many years: The Art of Convening: Authentic Engagement in Meetings, Gatherings, and Conversations.
The Salmon are Coming Back
The salmon are coming back, five words that contain a world of hope.
Two years ago a collaborative effort among state, federal and local conservancy groups resulted in a promising breeding program where Coho salmon were taken from neighboring Russian River and the Lagunitas Creek watersheds.
Osmosis Hosts first in series of Vitality Programs
Osmosis began the first in a series of Vitality Programs on Thursday, February 3rd. At Osmosis, we believe that good health means more than simply the absence of pain or disease, it means vitality. So, as a community, guests and Osmosis staff gathered to discuss the nature of vitality: how it manifests, and how it benefits us.
Osmosis Helps Protect Freestone
Osmosis participated with local businesses to get the old Freestone water tank repaired and running to protect Freestone from fire danger. This issue was close to the heart of Osmosis founder, Michael Stusser, so he was happy to put his weight behind this important effort
Local Movie Premier Screening - A Communal Memior
"In A Communal Memoir, members of four Sonoma County communities explore what we may learn from the rupture that occurred in mainstream American society in the 1960's as a generation widened its concept of home to mean 'living on the earth,' and created a new consciousness based on interconnection."The movie was filmed by Kitty Green (Little Red Hen Productions) and directed by Delia Moon as part of her doctoral dissertation, At Home in the Counterculture.
Osmosis Enzyme Bath is Named “America's Most Spiritual Spa” by Spirituality and Health Magazine
FREESTONE, CA, November 4, 2010—Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, the only venue in the U.S. to offer Japanese-style cedar enzyme bath treatments, has been named “America’s Most Spiritual Spa” by the prestigious magazine, Spirituality & Health.
Robert Ketchell Will Visit Osmosis and Give Garden Tour
Japanese garden expert Robert Ketchell from England will be visiting Osmosis next week. He will be conducting a special tour of the garden on Thursday morning July 22nd at 11am.
This is Roberts first visit to the garden since it was completed in 2003. Ironically, this is also the year of the Ox and it just so happens that the Osmosis garden is based on the Chinese parable of The Ox and The Ox Herder. On the tour you will see how this story, typically shown in wood block prints, is depicted with stone, plants and water features in the Osmosis meditation garden.
Weishan Lui, Chinese Harpist, is Performing in Concert at Osmosis
The magic of moon lit nights in Japanese gardens and festivals remain as one of my fondest memories from living in Japan. One of the most celebrated traditions of Asian gardens from centuries past was to hold festivals to honor significant points in the cycles of nature.
From the moment Wei Shan Liu stepped into the garden she recognized the deep intention of the garden and called it a temple. All of us at Osmosis are exited to have her back for the first time in years to play her captivating ethereal music in the meditation garden the evening of Thursday, July 22nd.
Osmosis Founder Update on Spa Refresh
Just had to take a moment to share all the exciting activity taking place at Osmosis this week. The spa is closed for a major dress up and there are several teams of people working away to bring about quite the transformation. The front lawn is being set up with permanent umbrella stands to provide shade for picnicking in anticipation of the many who will want to enjoy the sumptuous box lunches now available to our guests.
We are all very excited about the fresh paint and a new color scheme is being applied to our building!
Freestone Fermentation Festival - May 15th Noon- 5pm
The small, rural village that is Freestone, CA packs a whole lot of fermentation into it's little corner of Sonoma county. The population hovers around 100 residents, but the local businesses share a common theme... FERMENTATION! Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary boasts the only authentic Cedar Enzyme Bath in North America. Wild Flour Bakery is the place to be for fresh organic breads and pastries. And, Freestone Vineyards completes the fermentation family with their amazing bio-dynamic wine.
Osmosis to Participate in Resorts in Bloom Fundraising Event
Press Release from Jennifer Neeley, Fundraising Manager of West County Heath Centers, regarding the popular anual event Resorts In Bloom.
Resorts in Bloom is a garden tour for charity that yearly raises money for health and human services in West Sonoma County. Osmosis will once again be featured as one of the many beautiful properties known for their grounds and gardens.
Earth Day is Local's Night at Osmosis
Here at Osmosis we celebrate Earth Day every day, but on Earth Day? Now, that's special. In keeping with our monthly tradition of a fun, social evening at the spa, this Earth Day, April 22nd will be a night to remember.
This month we are featuring Trathen Heckman, the founder of Daily Acts Organization as our guest speaker! Trathen educates and works with community, business and municipal leaders to create programs, policy and models which harness the power of nature and inspired action to restore the health of our lives and communities.
Chinese Journalists Visit Osmosis
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Recently, Osmosis was visited by a group of Chinese Journalists touring Sonoma County. While most of them were focusing on wine, the Sonoma County Tourism Bureau knew Osmosis was a stop not to be missed. The weather was beautiful, and the journalists couldn't have been happier. The highest compliment Osmosis received was their opinion of our gardens- our visitors said it made them feel like they were back home, and that our Asian aesthetic is authentic.
Take a look at some pictures from that beautiful day!
Osmosis Wins Best of The North Bay Day Spa 12 Years Running!
Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary has been on a winning streak. Every year The Bohemian newspaper polls it's readers on their favorite businesses. And for the last 12 years, Osmosis has been winning the Best Day Spa category in the North Bay. New this year is the Best Couples Spa category, which Osmosis is proud to win for the first time.
Press Release: Osmosis Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Starting from a humble backyard facility made from a recycled chicken coop, Osmosis, a day spa in Sonoma County California, has delivered more than 200,000 of its signature cedar enzyme bath treatments over the past 25 years.
Since its inception in 1985, Osmosis has grown to become an internationally known retreat sought out by visitors from around the globe as well as enjoyed by those living in Sonoma County. Locally, the spa is a regional landmark and has been awarded Best Day Spa in Sonoma County for twelve years by the community in the North Bay Bohemian.
Osmosis Honored by the Sonoma BEA
On, February 26, 2010 the BEA honored Osmosis along with 19 other business leaders in the Sonoma county community committed to sustainability.
The BEA's mission is to connect businesses both with each other and with the resources they need to implement affordable, green measures.
The Benefits of Dry Brushing
The skin is the largest most important elimination organ in the body and is responsible for one quarter of the body’s detoxification each day.
Dry Brushing tightens the skin, tones the muscles, stimulates circulation, helps with digestion and much more.
Learn How Massage Promotes Health
Gentle, nurturing touch is a wordless form of communication that signals our bodies to let go of tension, to breathe and to fully experience our senses.
In India and Thailand massage has traditionally been a family affair and people of all ages have the benefit of both giving and receiving massage as part of their daily culture.
Local's Nights Continue in 2010
December closure built on Osmosis' Greening program, added holiday cheer, rebuilt cedar enzyme tubs for comfort and ease of entry.
December Locals Night was a sold-out success, and monthly Locals Nights continue in 2010!
Gift Certificate special offer continues through December 17th.
LATE BREAKING: Osmosis to be featured on TV's “The Doctors.”
Green Spa Network's Congress a Success
Green Spa Network's 2009 Congress in early November was a watershed event, redefining the role of spas as vitality centers for community and global resilience.
Social networking 3.0
Thanks to everyone who came to help us launch our first Locals Night last Thursday, September 24th. It was a night of total magic and enchantment, and the beginning of a tradition.
Inside-Sonoma.com, an Invaluable Resource
One of our favorite sources for info on Sonoma Wine Country is Inside-Sonoma.com.
Wellness and the Current Healthcare Debate
While the heath care debate rages on, we are hearing very little about wellness. Here at Osmosis it¹s always been about wellness, especially as we move into the post-carbon era with the enormous challenges we all face. At Osmosis we intend to become an even more generative place for health and wellness, a space where you will find a quality, earth friendly environment that inspires and supports all the dimensions of wellness in your own life.
Osmosis Installs Constructed Wetlands
Osmosis continues to move toward becoming a green spa (an ongoing process), with the completion of our new greywater system and constructed wetlands, the first of its kind in Sonoma County. Saving nearly 1000 gallons of water per day, Osmosis is paving the way for other local businesses seeking to transform used water into thriving gardens.
Jane Iredale's thoughts on the role of spas
Jane Iredale is the president and founder of Iredale Mineral Cosmetics, the first full line of makeup based on minerals, and a major player in the spa community. Her experience here inspired her to think about the healing role that spas can play. She considers Osmosis "a place where you can come to heal." Read her blog post.
Bohemian Highway
When we tell people that Osmosis is located on 'Bohemian Highway' they sometimes think we're joking...
Welcome to Osmosis
Located 1.5 hours north of San Francisco, Osmosis is a Japanese style retreat with beautiful bonsai and bamboo gardens.
Osmosis is the only day spa in the U.S. that offers the Cedar Enzyme Bath, a rejuvenating heat treatment from Japan.
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Recent Posts
- My Week of Renewal at Rancho La Puerta
- The Green Connoisseur Gives Osmosis a Great Write-Up
- Osmosis Word Cloud
- 11/11/11 Movie Premiere at Osmosis Day Spa an Auspicious Event
- Osmosis Changes Name of Vision Quest to Day Long Spa Retreat out of Respect for Native Americans
- A Field of Hammocks
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