Trainees learn the art of relaxation

Pampering, R&R and indulgence are some of the key words used when expressing the essence of a Sandals holiday. This point is highlighted particularly when it comes to the resorts’ famous Red Lane Spas, of which a number of young and budding massage therapists learnt when Sandals Resorts in St Lucia opened its Spa doors to them for a 2 week training programme.
The trainee therapists have been plucked from spa schools on the island as a result of their keen interest and pursuit of a career in the arena of massage therapy.
The 2 week intensive programme has been designed to cover off as many of the field’s technical areas as possible such as Anatomy, Physiology and the differing muscle groups which relate to the day-to-day function of the human body. In addition, they will also have first hand experience of some of the many spa treatments that are on offer to the guests such as, The Body Wrap & Exfoliation, Hand & Foot Reflex Therapy, the Swedish Massage and the famous signature West Indies Massage, which is a unique treatment only available to Sandals guests.

Karen Mauricette, Manager of the Red Lane Spa at Sandals Regency, is responsible for spear-heading the training programme. When asked about the significance of such an activity she commented: “The Sandals Red Lane Spa has a history of housing some of the best therapists and technicians the Caribbean has to offer and is a standard and reputation that we as a company would like to continue with. Therefore, the rationale behind why we decided to involve ourselves with such a programme is that we felt for such a niche profession we need to start educating from the grass roots upwards. This way, we can identify in the early stages of training which students truly are naturally gifted in the art of massage. It also gives students who are considering a career in the profession a better understanding of the future employment of their choice.”
Spa therapists are among the highest paid professionals in the tourism industry with the Red Lane Spa being recognised as a world leader in the trade. Spas are a world-wide multibillion dollar industry and continue to be a major attraction to millions of tourists who visit the Caribbean each year.