Every Second-Dime
Oct. 2nd, 2023 09:21 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jakebeYesterday I went to a Korean spa for the first time. A new friend, who we'll call E. for now, hung out with us all weekend! On Friday he went with R. up to SF for a gay muscle party, where R. actually competed in the biceps contest. I was told he was a hit, even if he didn't win. He did get a gold lame handkerchief, which is apparently what you wear for "muscle worship" according to the code. I think he came out OK!
On Sunday it was my turn for alone time with him. I've been aching for a massage, and when he told me that he frequents a nearby Korean spa twice a month I thought I'd go along. It was a revelation, in so many ways.
Apparently, Korean spas are just a thing. You get a day pass which gives you general access to the sauna rooms, hot tub, pools, massage chairs, etc. The idea is that you alternate between your favorite hot and cold places to loosen muscles and open up your skin -- but also easing tightness in the muscle and aiding with the healing process. It's...surprisingly chill and I think it would be an excellent habit to get into for a number of reasons.
Downstairs is the "co-ed" part of the spa, where you wear a "uniform" to keep yourself covered while taking advantage of a jade, clay, or Himalayan salt room, or an ice room. You're supposed to lay down on little bits of jade, or clay, or salt, in varying levels of heat to help your back. The ice room helps you stop sweating at least and brings your internal body temperature closer to baseline after a long time heating yourself up.
Upstairs there's a locker room for men or women; in the men's locker room there are towels, sinks, communal showers, a dry sauna, wet/steam sauna, hot tub, and ice bath. You take a shower when you're out of each environment to wash off the chlorine or sweat, depending.
So, everyone's naked. Just completely. You're sharing space with naked strangers and if you're not used to that then it's really weird and nerve-wracking...until it isn't. As someone who is very insecure about their body, it was psychically healing to be in a space where you could see all body types just going about their business. People were a little nervous about being checked out, you could tell, but...that actually made me feel more relaxed in a weird way. There are a few basic things you can do to keep yourself modest, but if you don't that's fine too. The expectation is to be respectful of everyone's time and peace.
I hung out in the saunas and hot tub before getting a salt scrub. Basically, an old man thoroughly, vigorously rubbed me down with this abrasive salted soap to exfoliate my skin. I definitely felt the scrape, and the masseuse was quite thorough; while he didn't scrub my genitals, he DID get the space between my genitals and thigh. But he dealt with that in this sensitive, professional manner that indicated he wasn't really thinking about that. And at the end I felt quite soft, smooth, and relaxed.
Then I got an hour-long 'myofascial' massage from a tiny, old woman. She had a bit of an issue at first because I was SO tight, and basically it took a LOT of pressure for my neck and shoulders to unknot. She actually stood on my back, which was a big surprise! But I honestly feel SO much better. Also, I'm pretty sure I was twice her weight so fair cop. While it was happening, I was imagining that a gnome or halfling would have to do the same thing if they were a masseuse. Not for the first time, it made me wish I was at the very least one of those fantasy races.
All in all, it was a great time and a great way to decompress after attending the Renaissance Faire on Saturday. THAT was an incredibly fun time, full of amazing cosplay, a spirited joust, so many fantastic wares, and some actually great food. The drinking game wasn't that much to write home about, but there were a few notable ciders that really hit the spot. :9 Still, actual mead was sorely missed.
On Sunday it was my turn for alone time with him. I've been aching for a massage, and when he told me that he frequents a nearby Korean spa twice a month I thought I'd go along. It was a revelation, in so many ways.
Apparently, Korean spas are just a thing. You get a day pass which gives you general access to the sauna rooms, hot tub, pools, massage chairs, etc. The idea is that you alternate between your favorite hot and cold places to loosen muscles and open up your skin -- but also easing tightness in the muscle and aiding with the healing process. It's...surprisingly chill and I think it would be an excellent habit to get into for a number of reasons.
Downstairs is the "co-ed" part of the spa, where you wear a "uniform" to keep yourself covered while taking advantage of a jade, clay, or Himalayan salt room, or an ice room. You're supposed to lay down on little bits of jade, or clay, or salt, in varying levels of heat to help your back. The ice room helps you stop sweating at least and brings your internal body temperature closer to baseline after a long time heating yourself up.
Upstairs there's a locker room for men or women; in the men's locker room there are towels, sinks, communal showers, a dry sauna, wet/steam sauna, hot tub, and ice bath. You take a shower when you're out of each environment to wash off the chlorine or sweat, depending.
So, everyone's naked. Just completely. You're sharing space with naked strangers and if you're not used to that then it's really weird and nerve-wracking...until it isn't. As someone who is very insecure about their body, it was psychically healing to be in a space where you could see all body types just going about their business. People were a little nervous about being checked out, you could tell, but...that actually made me feel more relaxed in a weird way. There are a few basic things you can do to keep yourself modest, but if you don't that's fine too. The expectation is to be respectful of everyone's time and peace.
I hung out in the saunas and hot tub before getting a salt scrub. Basically, an old man thoroughly, vigorously rubbed me down with this abrasive salted soap to exfoliate my skin. I definitely felt the scrape, and the masseuse was quite thorough; while he didn't scrub my genitals, he DID get the space between my genitals and thigh. But he dealt with that in this sensitive, professional manner that indicated he wasn't really thinking about that. And at the end I felt quite soft, smooth, and relaxed.
Then I got an hour-long 'myofascial' massage from a tiny, old woman. She had a bit of an issue at first because I was SO tight, and basically it took a LOT of pressure for my neck and shoulders to unknot. She actually stood on my back, which was a big surprise! But I honestly feel SO much better. Also, I'm pretty sure I was twice her weight so fair cop. While it was happening, I was imagining that a gnome or halfling would have to do the same thing if they were a masseuse. Not for the first time, it made me wish I was at the very least one of those fantasy races.
All in all, it was a great time and a great way to decompress after attending the Renaissance Faire on Saturday. THAT was an incredibly fun time, full of amazing cosplay, a spirited joust, so many fantastic wares, and some actually great food. The drinking game wasn't that much to write home about, but there were a few notable ciders that really hit the spot. :9 Still, actual mead was sorely missed.
