When it comes to impressing with stories of what we did over the summer, Dr. Charles Schwarz and his wife Niki Han have us all beat as they opened Tikkun Holistic Spa (www.tikkunspa.com) to the welcoming embrace of the Santa Monica community. Tikkun, which opened on May 28th, rests adjacent to the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica on the corner of 4th and Broadway. The sprawling yet inviting 6,500 square feet interior features a health-enhancing series of co-ed heat therapy rooms, each lined in a different mineral whose heath-giving properties are revered among Korean spa-goers.
“My dream was to create a beautiful place where people are surrounded by healers and healing elements,” says Niki Han Schwarz. “We care for each guest as an individual, as a whole person whose specific needs for restoring wellbeing might be fulfilled by a massage or maybe a session with our naturopathic doctor.”
Tikkun Holistic Spa
Inspired by tikkun olam, an ancient Hebrew phrase that means “repairing the world”, the services offered at the spa definitely live up to the standard set by its namesake. Tikkun Holistic spot advances the ultimate in luxury, framed by a uniquely stylish setting for traditional Korean spa treatments. Modern sensibility meets cultural distinction; a warm and contemporary space hosts an assortment of restorative treatments, holistic health consultations and Korean spa facilities.
Tikkun pays homage to time-honored Korean spa culture, advocating a holistic approach to health through an approach that favors the balance between personal well being and its peaceful, healing expression in the world. The result is a Santa Monica home for wellness that allows visitors a well deserved reprieve from the stress of the outside world.
A Truly Korean Spa Experience
In keeping with Korean spa tradition, Tikkun offers heated, mineral-lined chambers aimed at restoring vitality. A variety of minerals are featured at Tikkun, each targeting a unique realm of relaxation. For example, Green jade is considered beneficial for the acid-alkaline balance of the body and assists in the removal of toxins, Korean Hwangto clay helps speed metabolism and improve the immune system, and the negative ions of Himalayan salt help generate a sense of well being.
The common denominator among these toxic cleansing stones is the infrared heat found in each chamber. The heat enhances the impact of the minerals as sauna heat has been clinically shown to increase blood circulation, metabolism and the efficacy of the lymphatic system.
The Tikkun Spa Clay Sauna
Each room in the Tikkun Spa conveys its unique personality. Step inside the Korean Hwangto Clay Room and you’ll find yourself surrounded by beautiful and well crafted clay tiles that decorate the walls, hiding the far-infrared panels that soothe and cleanse the skin. Even laying down is stimulating as resting on a mat on the clay floor reveals aged charcoal on the ceiling that enhances air purification.
While at Tikkun Holistic Spa, you’ll want to explore the Himalayan Salt Room. Visually stimulating, Himalayan salt blocks are seemingly intricately laid out throughout each wall, concealing the panels on the walls and Tikkun’s far-infrared heating. As you step, you’ll feel the loose salt rocks that cover the floor. The Salt Room has a mat on the floor that is accompanied by a wooden neck support, putting the final touch on the rugged and earthy inspired room.
Tikkun Spa Himalayan Salt Room with Infrared heat.
It’s not just about bringing the heat. Tikkun Spa alternates the sauna like conditions with the Ice Room, Tikkun’s single cooling chamber that works in coordination with the infrared heat. The contrast therapy supports the optimal function of the immune and cardiovascular system and reduces inflammation.
Services From Tikkun
Tikkun offers their Specialty Consultation with a menu that includes a broad range of holistic services. A signature Holistic Skincare consultation from Tikkun includes things like a lifestyle review and nutritional analysis along with dietary and product recommendations.
Tikkun will also be offering additional integrative health services such as bioidentical hormone replacement, acupuncture, nutrition and naturopathic treatments.
Massages
No Spa is complete without a massage and Tikkun’s take on our favorite spa pastime raises the bar for nourishment and indulgence. Tikkun’s Traditional Korean Scrubs and massages use natural products such as botanically-based skin polishers, organic argan oil hair products, grape seed massage oils and warmed milk for a skin-softening finish.
Their signature massage treatment is the Jade Stone Hot/Cold Stone Massage. It balances the healing energy of gemstones with the previously mentioned contrasting temperature therapy. Tikkun Holistic Spa uses smooth jade stones of different weights, shapes, sizes and temperatures in combination with massage techniques specifically combined to remove tension and restore energy. Jade strengthens the body’s filtration and cleansing systems and assists in the removal of toxins.
Tikkun Spa Reflexology Room
The spa hosts many other popular massage techniques, including Thai, Reflexology, Acupressure, Deep Tissue, Shiatsu, and Sports Massage.
Women and Men Benefit
The steam room in the pristine and accommodating women’s locker room is a combination of multiple heating elements. Mountain granite produces oxygen and covers three walls in the steam room while the back wall is composed of ocean rock and real. In a nod to traditional Korean bathhouses, Tikkun has also built a green tea soaking pool.
Men aren’t forgotten as they will certainly enjoy Tikkun’s traditional wet treatments in their Spa Journey Rooms. These rooms include oversized hand carved stone bathtubs from Bali.
Privacy is held in high regard, as visitors receive comfortable attire in the form of loose fitting cotton shorts and tops.
Couple Friendly
Tikkun Holistic Spa is perfect for couples who are looking to share an experience in luxurious escape. Heat therapy facilities at Tikkun are co-ed and the spa has their Spa Journey Suite, a VIP suite that features a hydrotherapy spa tub for two, massage tables, pale gold onyx lined resting chamber and private bathroom and shower. Tikkun describes their couples experience as a retreat within a retreat. It’s designed to be a sanctuary for couples, friends or anyone seeking a private, highly nurturing experience.
Charles and Niki
When orthopedic surgeon Dr. Charles Schwarz married Reiki master Niki Han, it was a marriage of love and culture. Niki converted to Judaism and discovered her purpose in life through healing others. In co-founding Tikkun Holistic Spa, Charlies and Niki have created a testament to the marriage of life experiences as the luxurious facility masterfully weaves the principle of tikkun olam (healing the world) through Korean heritage and treatment.
Dr. Charles Schwartz and Niki Han Schwartz
For more information, visit www.tikkunspa.com, the Tikkun Holistic Spa website (www.tikkunmedical.com) or call (310) 319-1111.
Tikkun Holistic Spa – 1460 4th Street – Santa Monica, CA – 90401
