After a stressful pre-holiday season and a busy work schedule, there was no better time for a relaxing spa experience than during my recent trip to Pasadena with the FXExpress Publications, Inc. team. We were in town for the 20th anniversary of the GT Tested Reader Survey awards at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena, which made the visit busy and celebratory—but I still carved out time to visit Chuan Spa at the hotel for a much-needed reset.
Following a delicious lunch on property at The Terrace, I walked to the building that houses the spa and fitness center. The front desk team greeted me warmly and offered an optional questionnaire designed to identify my ideal harmony among the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. This helps the therapist select the right Chuan product and sensory elements for your treatment. While I completed the survey, I sipped lemon- and cucumber-infused water to stay hydrated and relaxed before my session.
The staff reviewed my answers and determined I aligned with the earth element, which traditionally relates to taste, the mouth and lips, muscles, stomach and spleen. It’s associated with feelings of anxiety and worry and often corresponds with a preference for mornings, late summer, humid days, sweet flavors and the color yellow—most of which resonated with me, except for the morning and humidity preferences. After explaining the results, they asked if I was comfortable with the corresponding scents and ambient sounds being used in my treatment room. Once everything was settled, the spa concierge escorted me through the facilities and pointed out water and snack stations and the various amenities available.
© Chuan Spa
As a spa guest, I had access to the sauna and herbal steam rooms, whirlpool, Dream Room, Waterfall Room, and the locker and shower areas for the day. I changed into a robe and slippers and went to explore the Dream Room, which featured three standard beds and one waterbed, soft music and a water station. With only a few minutes before my therapist appointment, I tried a standard bed with the intention of returning afterward to try the waterbed and extend the restful experience.
Shortly, my therapist arrived and led me to the treatment room. I chose the hour-long Chuan Harmony massage, a treatment designed to balance meridians by combining acupressure with a therapeutic full-body massage.
My therapist explained that guests assigned the earth element often receive auricular acupressure—small seeds taped to specific points on the ear to stimulate different bodily systems and emotional states. To get the full benefit, I agreed, and she applied five seeds: one to calm the nervous system; one to promote sleep and inner calm; one for digestion and appetite; one to ease stress and anxiety; and one to regulate energy, pain and hormones.
With the seeds secured, the restorative portion of the massage began. Over the hour, my therapist used a variety of massage and acupressure techniques across my body, paying extra attention to my trouble spots, including the muscles around my shoulders and my lower back. By the end of the session, I felt deeply relaxed. I returned to the Dream Room to linger in that calm state before heading back to my room to prepare for the evening’s events.
Chuan Spa’s menu draws on Traditional Chinese Medicine and aims to nurture, balance and restore both body and mind. Whether you choose an Uplifting Power Facial, Chuan Stone Therapy, a Ginger Wrap or another signature treatment, there are therapies designed to meet a range of wellness needs.
Even with a long night ahead, I was pleased that the relaxed, balanced feeling lasted through the evening and into the next travel day, aided by the auricular acupressure. The seeds remained in my ear for about three days, and I found myself tapping into their calming effects whenever stress or tension surfaced.