Our Mission
Rasa Spa serves the well-being of the whole person through healing, client empowerment, fostering a mindful community, and cultivating a tranquil, beautiful atmosphere.
Our Vision
To become a regional retreat for providing medically integrative care, holistic health services, and wellness education.
Manifesto
Since 2006, Rasa Spa is the leading full-service, holistic healthcare spa actively cultivating wellness in the Finger Lakes region. Encompassing a wide range of natural, healing therapies and treatments, Rasa’s aim is to bring each client toward optimal, whole health. From waxing to energy work and skincare to massage, Rasa is a perfect synthesis of quality service and deep respect for natural healing.
Locations
Rasa Spa at the Cayuga Wellness Center
310 Taughannock Boulevard, Ithaca
Rasa Spa at Library Place
105 West Court Street, Ithaca
-Aleana
“Very kind, informative, and professional environment.”
-Diane
“Staff are relaxed, friendly, welcoming, helpful. Healers are special and living their truth. I have always received the care I’ve been seeking when spending a day at Rasa. I am happy with the decision to go device-free. Thank you for growing with this community.”
-Elisa
“My fiance purchased a day at the spa for me for my birthday, and I’m certain it’s the best gift I can remember receiving. The staff was amazing and so professional, and the environment cultivated here added to the experience.”
-Jennifer
“Rasa Spa is such a gift to Ithaca. I feel wonderful every time I walk out the doors.”
-Julie
“It can’t be a truer statement than to say Valerie truly has intuitive hands. She immediately found my ‘problem areas’ without me directing her there, and gave me great feedback regarding areas I need to continue to pay attention to. So therapeutic! Thank you”
Our Green Practices
At Rasa Spa we are committed to the preservation of our planet earth and are proactively involved in conserving our precious natural resources. Rasa is truly holistic in its approach to wellness and provides an environmentally-friendly sanctuary where guests come to rest, relax, rejuvenate, and focus on improved health and vitality.
Our efforts include recycling, composting, reduced water and energy usage, and planet-friendly products throughout the spa. Personal health, longevity, and planetary sustainability all connect in the spa experience at Rasa. We not only offer eco-friendly and luxurious organic products, but also very effective organic spa treatments to bring balance, relaxation, and total well-being to our clients. All skin and body products are free of carcinogens and produced by companies committed to the highest standards of health and environmental responsibility.
- We use microfiber sheets, which have a longer lifespan and lighter laundry load than cotton fabrics. They dry in half the time and are recyclable at the end of their life at the spa.
- Local artists and craftspeople furnished much of the spa with eco-sensitive materials, including recycled driftwood and re-purposed wood.
- We use organic textiles and non-toxic paints composed of natural ingredients like clay, plant oils, and latex from rubber trees.
- Low-flow shower heads and toilets have been installed throughout our facilities.
- Our boutique, changing rooms, and tranquility room use LED lighting.
- Compact fluorescent bulbs are used in almost every light in the spa and offices. All treatment rooms now have dimmable compact fluorescent bulbs that enhance the spa ambiance.
- Our offices use 100% post-consumer, recycled paper.
- 100% recycled toilet tissue, paper towels, and facial tissue are used throughout the spa.
What You Can Do While Visiting Rasa:
- Deposit waste in the appropriate trash, compost, or recycling bins.
- Keep the same compostable cup with you to hydrate after each of your treatments.
- Flush only toilet paper.
- Turn the sauna timer on only for the length of time you plan to use it.
- Run showers only for as long as necessary.
Spa Policies
Not sure about gratuity? Wondering about our discounts and special offerings? Want to make sure you understand our cancelation policy? Find the answer below!
Scheduling Appointments
Scheduled appointments are reserved with a credit card, gift card, or on a prepaid basis. Your credit card will not be charged unless you choose to use it as your method of payment at checkout, or unless a cancellation policy charge is enacted.
New Client Intake Forms
Please help us streamline your check-in process (and save trees!) by filling out the appropriate new client intake form(s) prior to your appointment.
Cancellation Policy
We respectfully request notification of at least 24 hours when canceling, rescheduling, or changing the type of an appointment so that we may offer the openings to other clients and make the necessary changes to our staffing schedule. Any appointment that is not canceled, rescheduled, or changed with at least 24 hours’ notice will incur a fee equivalent to 50% of the price of the session booked.
Product Return Policy
Rasa will accept returns of products in unused condition and with receipt within 30 days of purchase and for boutique credit only. We are unable to accept returns or issue credit on items that have been used or are opened. At this time, our return policies are in accordance with those of our suppliers, therefore exceptions are not permitted. We do feature testers and offer samples for a large number of products in the boutique. Please feel free to ask about these if they are not offered in the context of your session.
Accepted Methods of Payment
Rasa Spa accepts all major credit cards, Rasa Gift Cards, Spa Finder and Spa Wish Gift Certificates, and cash.
Gratuities
Beginning January 1, 2022 we will be instituting a required 20% gratuity in addition to your service cost. For the time being, gratuities are left to your discretion — though the average tip is generally around 20%, with some clients choosing to leave more for excellent service.
Group Rates
We love to host quiet gatherings at Rasa. Our main location in the Cayuga Wellness Center can accommodate up to eight sessions occurring at any one time. We are available to help organize parties for family, friends, and business associates, and offer an unconventional space for gatherings. In addition, we offer a group discount for parties of four or more. We would be happy to discuss group visits and make special arrangements so that you and your party can create a unique spa experience at Rasa Spa. We also offer the ability to close Rasa Spa to other guests if you’d like to reserve the entire spa. Please call or email us to discuss these options.
Alcohol Policy
Please note that we do not allow alcohol in the spa. Non-alcoholic beverages are permitted. We keep tea and lemon and cucumber water throughout the spa. You are welcome to bring your own non-alcoholic beverages with you, or at the Cayuga Wellness Center you can order from Cayuga Cafe, the cafe located downstairs, via our front desk.
Age Minimum
There is an age minimum of 14 years to receive services at Rasa Spa. Any minors under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian consent on file.
Electronic Devices Policy
Effective Jan 1, 2020, we no longer allow electronic devices in the spa. If you need to make a call or text, please do so in our lobby area. We believe that going device-free is important for all of our guests, both for healing and privacy.
Specials and Discounts
Rasa Spa is mindful of cost and aims to be accessible and affordable. To that end, we offer a number of standing discounts at Rasa, which are outlined below. Please note that we do not combine specials, standing offers, or discounts.
- Our monthly featured session is 15% off Monday through Thursday and 10% off Friday through Sunday
- Island Health & Fitness members receive 10% off services Monday through Thursday
- Cayuga Health System employees receive 10% off services Monday through Thursday
- IHF employees receive 20% off services Monday through Thursday and 10% Friday through Sunday
- Veterans and seniors receive 10% off services Monday through Thursday
- For our repeat clients, 20% birthday discount the week of your birthday (within 7 days before or after your birth date)
- Parties of four or more receive 10% off
How to Spa
If you don’t see a frequently asked question answered here, please give us a call at: 607.273.1740 or e-mail us at: hello@rasaspa.com.
May I tour the spa before I decide to make an appointment?
Absolutely! We are open for tours during regular business hours.
What session should I choose?
It’s hard to go wrong when picking a session at Rasa. Before booking, we suggest looking through the treatments on the website. If one stands out, book it. If not, choose a few that seem attractive to you or think about what you’d like, and give us a call to talk over options. Let us know about any pain, discomfort, or sensitivity you might have and what your goals might be for the session. We are happy to answer any questions, help you decide what treatment might work best, and if a specific therapist is recommended. On the day of your session, your therapist will once again talk about your specific needs, goals, sensitivities, and anything else that comes up to make sure that your treatment is what you want and need.
When should I arrive for my appointment?
We ask that you arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the session’s start to allow time to fill out any necessary intake forms, get changed, and settle in. However, all guests are encouraged to come as early as they like and stay as late as they like late on the day of an appointment. Relax in the tranquility room, take a sauna, meditate in our meditation alcove, nap, read, sip tea, visit with friends, or do whatever makes your day special.
How often should I visit a spa?
Determining a schedule of visits is a very individual decision. The frequency of sessions is based on your own response to bodywork or skincare, your financial situation, and your current therapeutic needs. Committing to a schedule as one would commit to any healthcare regimen is, of course, ideal. Some clients are able to come to Rasa once a week and others come just once a season. Your practitioner will be able to help you decide the best course for you. If you feel that frequent visits to Rasa would serve you best, we offer spa memberships (both year-long as well as seasonal) to accommodate those needs. We also offer packages which can help defray some cost and encourage more regular care.
What are the health benefits to visiting the spa?
There are many benefits to receiving our spa treatments. Some major health benefits of bodywork include increased circulation, injury rehabilitation, stress reduction, pain relief, better body awareness, deep relaxation, increased immunity, and detoxification. With facials, the benefits can include regulation of immune functions, clearing and flushing the skin of toxins, a reduction in fluid retention, sloughing dead skin cells, clearing pores (extractions), better moisture retention and elasticity, and stress relief. In either case the benefits of aromatherapy and acupressure can also be a part of sessions. In general, a visit to the spa is a gift to your whole, healthful person – mind, body and soul.
What should I wear? Do I have to remove my clothing?
We have robes and shower sandals available upon arrival for your use. If you are receiving massage, bodywork, or a scrub, you may undress to your comfort level, however, we do recommend disrobing entirely to allow the therapists to work directly on muscles. If you are receiving a facial, it’s important to disrobe from the waist up, or at least from the shoulders up. You will be covered by a sheet for your privacy throughout massage and facial sessions. Waxing is dependent on your session. If you are receiving a Thai or Shiatsu massage, you will be asked to bring your own comfortable stretch clothing for work on a floor mat. For Reiki, you are also encouraged to wear comfortable clothing.
Whom should I choose as a therapist? Is there is difference between choosing a male or female massage therapist?
All of our therapists are highly skilled professionals with individual areas of specialty and unique therapy styles. There is no appreciable difference between our male therapists and our female therapists. However, if you have a preference, we are happy to accommodate such a request. Please be sure to make your request at the time you schedule your appointment so we can schedule the appropriate staff member. For more information on our therapists, please check our staff page.
Should I shave before an aesthetic or bodywork session?
Please note that newly shaved skin may become irritated during scrub treatments. We recommend that you do not shave within 4-6 weeks before any waxing appointments in particular. If you regularly shave your legs or bikini area, it is most effective to have at least one-quarter inch of hair growth before your waxing session.
Spa Glossary
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils for psychological, emotional and physical well being. Smell is the most enduring of our senses and has the ability to transform our emotions and heal our bodies. The vast healing powers of aromatherapy can be increased when combined with massage.
Deep or connective tissue massage focuses on lengthening, spreading, and differentiating the fascia of the body. Many receivers of this work describe it as a more intense session bringing about heightened awareness, increased flexibility, increased range of motion, and relief from chronic postural habits. This work is slow and deep in nature and requires the practitioner to listen closely to the client’s body.
Energy work encompasses a wide range of modalities focusing on balancing and working with areas of congested energy that may arise from a variety of sources including muscle tension and emotional stress. Contact is made both lightly and deeply with the intention of drawing the client’s attention to patterns that may arise in the mind and body.
Hot stone massage involves the application of water heated basalt stones of varying sizes to key points on the body, giving a deep massage and creating sensations of comfort and warmth. The direct heat relaxes muscles, allowing manipulation of a greater intensity It’s a perfect treatment to feel grounded and connected to the earth.
Kinesthetic awareness through movement involves playing with the motions of the body through gentle rocking and the creating of waves. This work is deeply relaxing and helps to reeducate the nervous system on a profound level.
Neuromuscular or trigger point therapy is a technique primarily designed to address myofascial pain and dysfunction. This work focuses on releasing the “knots” located within muscles and works to interrupt pain cycles.
Paraffin provides optimal benefits for clients suffering from joint pain and stiffness. Warm paraffin treatments can rejuvenate, hydrate and nourish the skin by increasing the blood supply to the area being treated.
Reflexology is based on the belief that congestion or tension in any part of the foot or hand mirrors congestion or tension in a corresponding part of the body. Treat yourself to a foot and/or hand reflexology session and leave feeling as if you’ve had a full body massage.
Shiatsu massage literally means “finger pressure.” Natural body weight is used when pressure is applied on special points in the energetic pathways called meridians. By working the meridians, chi, or energy is moved. Wonderful stretches are included in this work, which is primarily done on a mat on the floor.
Sports massage blends techniques from many modalities to work with a particular athlete or anyone with repetitive stress issues or injuries. In working with athletes the goal is to increase their performance while preventing injuries. One form of sports massage is a short session before and after an event to help prepare the body for the race, ride, or game.
Swedish massage is often recognized by its dance-like, flowing style. The intention of Swedish is to increase circulation by moving blood and lymph. It uses a soothing manipulation of the muscles and other soft tissues to relieve tension and encourage relaxation.
Meditation & Yoga
Massage & Bodywork
