May Fast Company Article by Carol A. Thesing

The Medium is the Massage by Curtis Sittenfeld, May 1999, pg., 247-258.

I was drawn to this article the first time I opened the magazine. Although May contains many good business orientated articles, I was intrigued by the different feel this article had over others.

The article gives informative information about massages, spas, spa products, places and prices. But what I found very interesting was to find this article in a magazine that specializes in technology and future business. So why does Fast Company run an eleven page article on massage? I believe it is because theres a need in our society for quiet, relaxing space to balance our fast pacing, hectic, noisy lives.

In the United States in 1987, there were about 156 spas. In 1997, just 10 years later, that number has increased five fold. Spas are no longer used just by the rich matrons as they were in 1987. Many people use them as personal vacations or rejuvenating spots. Companies are using spas for organizational meetings and retreats. Even if there isnt a spa near you, there probably are places that provide similar services.

Spa get-aways are usually set up on a daily or weekly basis. Curtis Sittenfeld in writing the article describes his experience as weirder, more varied, and more fun than he could have imagined. His stays included massage, astrology, Reiki, Shaman card reading, equine experience, detoxification, acupuncture, and a variety of other activities. The cost ranged from $300 to $1050 per night depending on your experience.

I found the article very interesting. It gave brief descriptions of each of Curtis experiences which gave an insight to various therapies and techniques from a variety of cultures. This article reinforced my belief that people of the western world are looking for something different and less stressful, something with balance. I think people are looking a variety of alternative care and learning techniques because our traditional ways are no longer meeting peoples needs.

I am fascinated by the Eastern culture and medicine, as well as other. I feel there are many things we could learn to improve our lives from knowledge that has been around for thousands of years.

When I talked colleagues about this article, they agreed to the need for something soothing. Stress has become a way of life for many of us and it is taking its toll. The spa retreat should be a part of each persons benefit package said one. Another person said when may I go? The idea of needing rest, relaxation and just a place to go to be pampered is a need for all people I talked with. Even though my sampling was small, I really feel it fits the vast majority of workers. The repercussions of not finding enough balance in our lives are very scary to me.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 1999