The Still Point in Takoma Park is My New Favorite Place

At The Still Point I experienced acupuncture, massage, an eco-makeup application and a facial that was equal parts natural and high tech.

I have never felt so awesome after spa or holistic treatments.

And believe you me, I am not the kind of gal who forgets to treat herself. Oh no. This princess believes paying others to perform services on her person is the all-time best way to spend a few hours.

The Still Point is a women-owned small business that serves the greater Washington, DC and Baltimore metro areas with a range of eco-friendly health, beauty and wellness services. [The] expertly trained practitioners give [the] services in beautiful and inviting environments…[The Still Point] maintains an eco-friendly ethos in all aspects of the business, including being 100% wind powered and offering organic facials, paraben-free massage cream and eco-makeup…The Still Point nurtures and inspires wellness – changing people’s lives and building healthy communities.

Owner and founder Tori Paide invited me to The Still Point for a tour and offered services for review so that I could impart to you guys firsthand my experience. The plan was supposed to be a quick, journalistic review of The Still Point’s offerings to A Parent in Silver Spring readers. I would write a standard blog post about the treatments I experienced and give you the 411.

But I have to break my review up into multiple posts because the results attained on my body and soul through acupuncture and massage, and on my skin through the natural facial and microdermabrasion, have been unbelievably dramatic.

Basically, for the first time in a long time (ever??) I feel peaceful.

And my aging, acne-prone face is baby smooth.

I am stunned. I do not believe my inadequate writing will be able to properly convey how dramatic were my results, but I will try.

Acupuncture

I have never had acupuncture before. I thought I was a generally healthy person, no big aches or pains, and so it never occurred to me to try it. Sure, I have high anxiety and take a prescription SSRI to take the edge off. Oh, and I am always anemic unless I imbibe daily iron supplements. And I just had a baby and so am sore from hunching over and nursing. Oh, the nursing is dehydrating me and I am not drinking enough water. I am sleep deprived in a big way and my body is in a postpartum slump. I am still overweight after the pregnancy. Also, I am simply an overtaxed, over-extending mom of three who is constantly seeking peace in her life and coming up short.

OK, maybe I am a prime acupuncture candidate after all.

In fact, everyone is:

The healing art and science of acupuncture is based on an understanding of the body in terms of the movement of energy. In Eastern traditions, this energy, called Qi…is seen as the animating force of life, similar to Einstein’s assertions that all matter is made of energy. Illness on any level, including the level of the body, mind or emotion is understood to be the result of an obstruction or disharmony in the flow of Qi through the meridians. Your acupuncturist will use several tools to regulate and harmonize the flow of Qi. – from The Still Point’s website

Tori — an acupuncturist herself who was so influenced by this healing art that it changed her life and career, inspiring her to found The Still Point — booked me for an Introduction to Acupuncture session with licensed acupuncturist Justine Short, M.Ac.

Intro to Acupuncture:$50/50 minutes
Interested in acupuncture? This session is a great opportunity for you to test out a private acupuncture treatment and judge whether or not acupuncture is right for you. Session includes mini-consultation and needle treatment. If you want to continue with treatment, we’ll take $30 off of the New Client Intake session (does not apply to packages).

My First Acupuncture Session

I met Justine, explained my super-healthy-wait-maybe-not-so-rosy health and then I lay on the table fully-clothed. She asked me some very astute questions and made keen observations about my physical and mental state. The consultation encompassed both my body and soul, if you will. I discussed my pregnancy, birth and postpartum health. We talked about the situational stresses in my life, how they have effected my person and the areas where I could use healing and increased peace. At this point I felt as if I were speaking with a very relatable mental health therapist combined with the kindest of general practitioners giving me a full body check-up.

Then Justine informed me that she was going to insert fine needles in my calves to help my body’s organs, in my ears to assist with balance, on my forehead at my “third eye” and possibly in my hands…but I have to admit I do not recall if there were truly ones in my hands because almost immediately, I was overcome with a feeling of such supreme peace, I don’t know if I have ever felt anything like it. Maybe once after an all-day prayer retreat back in 2002.  I think I have maybe felt something like it once or twice after a really good  two-hour yoga class. Justine left the room for a while and I just lay there in the calm heaven.

During and after my first acupuncture session, my body felt heavy and peaceful and incredibly relaxed. I wanted to burst into tears with relief. Alright, I did burst into tears when Justine returned to the treatment room. I needed that flooding of peace so much. I had no idea how tense I was until that peace was attained.

Over one week later, I still feel peaceful. Justine recommended that when feeling overwhelmed or before sleep at night,I try and recall that peace. And it works. That heavy, unburdened blanket creeps over my body and the tension leaves…in a smaller, less dramatic way than I felt in the treatment room. My husband Chris — a very rational, traditional, decidedly not “new age-y” guy — has remarked repeatedly on how mellow I have been since that single acupuncture session.

I have been called MANY things in my life, but that is WITHOUT A DOUBT the only time anyone in my life has ever referred to me as mellow. Ever.

Here is a photo of me with acupuncturist Justine. In this pic you can literally see tears in my eyes and makeup smudged below them and the happy relief in my face. I am also hugging petite Justine with an overabundance of thanks like a huge dork.

The Still Point provided me with a complimentary Introduction to Acupuncture session, valued at $50, for journalistic review for this website. However, I have left the world of the wannabe journalist behind and am now simply a muddle of grateful mush. I would have happily paid THEM upwards of quadruple that price for this supreme peace. I have since booked a comprehensive Full Body Acupuncture and client intake session for continued treatment.

I recommend The Still Point more emphatically than I have ever recommended anything on A Parent in Silver Spring.

The Still Point offers Weekly Treats – Specials available only to e-mail subscribers! Sign up today.

The Still Point Locations

The Still Point Takoma Park
1 Columbia Ave
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301 920 0801, and you can book appointments online
The original, flagship location in the heart of Takoma Park, MD (15 minutes from downtown DC).
Services
LIKE on The Still Point Takoma Park on Facebook

The Still Point Clarksville (Howard County near the Montgomery Count border)
12451 Clarksville Pike (Route 108)
Clarksville, MD
410.531.3245, and you can book appointments online
The newest and largest location.  Located in the heart of Howard County, half-way between DC and Baltimore,  we are conveniently located off of Route 32 on Clarksville Pike (Route 108).
Services
LIKE The Still Point Clarksville on Facebook for special offers and info!

The Still Point Yoga
13380 Clarksville Pike Highland, MD 20777
in Highland Crossing at route 108 and 216; above Twist and Turn Tavern
301.854.1013
Group Class Schedule
The latest expansion to Highland, MD, just two miles west on Route 108 from our Clarksville Spa location. Two spacious studios gorgeously appointed to elicit calm, focus, and pure positive energy into your practice. There are currently have 24 classes for all levels at convenient times throughout the week and feature hot flow, flow, Hatha, power, prenatal, kids and teen yoga (coming soon), Qigong, and more.
LIKE The Still Point Yoga on Facebook for deals and information

The Still Point Mind + Spirit Center
7009 Caroll Avenue, Lower Level
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301 270 2801, and you can book appointments online
Located in the original location at 7009 Carroll Ave, The Still Point’s Mind + Spirit Center  is a thoughtful mix of services including Psychotherapy, Life Coaching, Hypnotherapy, and Guided Imagery (with new modalities being added all the time).

For the sport fan baby (and the team-loving parents), adorable onesies, footies, mini cheerleader outfits and more from BabyFans.com make for super gifts!

And today through Thursday, Plum District Washington DC is offering a great deal: for just $12, get $25 worth of cuteness from BabyFans!

Personally, I’m outfitting our three-month-old Alice as a mini Redskins fan as a fun way to celebrate the start of football season. As pictured at left, you can get THREE ‘Skins onesies for this deal, with cash left over for team-tastic booties. However, you are not limited to our hometown football team. Or even football! Choose clothing, bottles, pacifiers and more baby gear from 15 Major League Baseball teams, 26 NFL teams, NBA teams and 25 sporty colleges, including Maryland, the alma mater of BabyFans founder Todd Wilson. Fear the Turtle!

I’m also choosing a few other items in Dodger blue for a California  friend’s new baby, because every BabyFans.com order is hand folded and neatly wrapped in team color tissue, free of extra charge! As a busy mom, I love this easy point-click gifting, how it saves me the cost and time of wrapping and a post office errand with the kids in tow. And as long-distance friend who cannot attend my girlfriend’s baby shower, I am confident that this baby gift will make a memorable impact for a reasonable price …

Especially with the $25 for just $12 Plum District deal!

Plum District is so excited about today’s deal that they are offering free $25 BabyFans.com certificates to TWO lucky A Parent in Silver Spring readers!

To win:

• Register for Plum District. You’ll need to be registered if you win to redeem your prize! Leave a comment here that you registered.
• Go to the BabyFans.com website and come back and leave a comment on this post on what little team-branded items YOU would buy if you won! Make sure you leave your email addy so I can contact you if you win.
• Share this post on Facebook and Twitter. Here’s a sample update or Tweet: A Parent in Silver Spring & Plum District are giving away TWO $25 gift cards to BabyFans.com Details here  http://aparentinsilverspring.com.
• Follow Plum District DC on Twitter. Leave a comment letting me know you’re a follower.
• Like Plum Distict DC on Facebook. Leave a comment letting me know you “liked”.
• You must live in the District of Columbia, Maryland or Virginia to win.

Sign up to receive new A Parent in Silver Spring posts via email so you never miss a giveaway!

The two winners will be randomly drawn from all means of entry on Wednesday at 6 pm. Contacted winners will need to choose their BabyFans.com items on Thursday when the deal ends.

Thanks to all of you who emailed me that you have liked my style picks in the past. I’m flattered! Hey, a few emails is all the prompting I need to talk about shopping.

Favorite Fall Boots: Flat Suede High Boots from The Loft $158
I love how these are real leather, flat for running around with the kids, can accommodate my wide calves, have the over-the-knee option for a long lean knee-less line with skirts, and the fold-over the top option too.  This is a great deal if you receive one of those cool 30% off coupons in the mail.

Favorite Funky Little Jacket (well, that’s still in stock): Gray Military Jacket from Kohl’s $44
I waited forever for that adorable little military jacket from the new Kmart Designs team to hit the web. I saw it at BlogHer and coveted immediately. I guess I hoped that if I bought if for $30 bucks or whatever, I would be instantly transformed into a 6 foot tall, 115 lb., 19 year old model with facial skin so tight I’d squeak. I checked in almost every day in September. And I forget to do it for a few days and now it’s out, only to be sold for double on eBay. Whatever. This cute little jacket on Kohl’s is less cookie cutter anyways and it’s the perfect gray to pair with black pants without clashing your blacks. So there.

Favorite Fall Jeans To Make You Look Thinner (without giving you a muffin top or cutting off your circulation): Miraclebody Jeans By Miraclesuit – Straight Cut in Dark Denim $110 I am a jeans snob. Sorry. I’ll cut corners EVERYWHERE else in the clothing budget but I wear jeans everyday and I firmly believe they are the middle class mama’s answer to our plastic surgery prayers. And now we can wear jeans to all work meetings with hot high heels, or with sneakers on the playground with the kids. So versatile. Well, I tried these on at BlogHer and I’m a tough customer. But I’m a total fan of the Miraclesuit one-piece black swimsuit for support and style while running around at the pool, so I wasn’t surprised to learn that these jeans rock. I tried all three fits – skinny, bootcut and straight.  I liked the skinny, but already have a couple by 7 for All Mankind and truly think for my body type two pairs of jeggings is enough. (A girl can only hold in her tummy consciously for hours on end once a week, ya know?) The bootcut was good too but I thought the tapered hem of the straight was slightly more modern and young, and I liked how the straight jean looked with a big belt (another tummy-holder-inner trick). They run true to size – no need to go up or down. Highly recommend!

Favorite Wide Belt – ANY of the ones at anthropologie $28-68 for most Until a gorgeous plastic surgeon waltzes into my life and asks me to write a review on laser sculpting, I’m sticking to my collection of lovely anthro woven belts for cinching me in. I love to wear these threaded through or fastened on top of belt loops, buckled over a dress, loosely knotted over a tunic with leggings. The gorgeous Justice Fergie of Blogalicious and Mamalaw fame once gave me a tip three years ago that I follow religiously to this day: fasten your belt slightly higher than your natural waist when wearing over a dress or sweater set for the perfect flattering line. Love her!

Super Sassy Skinny Belt  Silver Patent Number at Gap $19.50 Perfect for jazzing up that tired old black dress with the deodorant stains in the pits that you’ve had for ten years but it just fits you so perfectly they’re going to have to bury you in it you love it so. For those of you who don’t wear leather, this is 100% PCU, rather than one of those cardboard cheapos that comes apart.

Perfect Day Dress J.Crew’s Softspun Cowlneck Dress $88 This dress looks equally good on the XS tiny girl in the water bra and the XL Marilyn Monroe clone with an entire drawer devoted to Spanx.  You can also wear it anywhere, just change your shoes and jewelry per your needs. Bravo.  (I’m partial to the navy, which you can totes wear with any color shoe, even black.  Super hot French girls do, so we’re allowed too.)

Best Way to Extend Wearing Your Tank Tops (and hide your arms): Dolman Shrug by Gap $59.50 Love how your boobs and clavicle look in a tank top?  But not worshiping your triceps? Bring on the drapey shrug. It’s like a frame for your rack and pretty face. Lovelovelove.

Save Our SOLES! Best Flat for Running After Children: Report Women’s Black Ballet Flat $42 (I got mine at DSW for way less.) If the flats-are-back trend is over, please don’t tell me. They’re so darn comfy and cute. I love my Chucks, but you can’t wear them everywhere. And they’re too bulky to stick in a handbag for when your feet swell after a few hours standing in high heels. I love how comfortable are these Report flats, and how cool the studded rocker detailing looks peeking out beneath pant hems.

Best Handbag: Slouchy Gray Hobo (with a sense of humor) $46.95 I used to only carry black purses.  BORING. FASHION FAIL. After some big red and purple phases, right now I’m into big gray ones.  I love the flower detail, studs (again with the studs) and personality of this one.

Happy hunting for fall style!  Likewise, if you find something OMGosh good, leave your recs in the comments.  My VISA carrier will thank you!

Disclosure: I have personally purchased, own and wear, or am planning on purchasing all items featured here. I received a pair of Miraclebody jeans for review at BlogHer, as well as some items from Gap similar to items featured here that were provided to me for speaking at BlogHer.  Amazon affiliate links were used in this post  for the hobo bag, ballet flats, 7 jeans, Chuck Taylor sneaks, Miraclesuit swimsuit and Miraclebody jeans,  so theoretically I could make a very small commission if you purchase. Hey, it’s little things like that give me a impetus to spend a couple hours working on a style piece for a hobby blog. However, if you are irked by my receiving a commission but covet the item, just open a new window of Amazon to make your buy and I will not receive.

Jenny Dodd is the mom I want to be. She’s gorgeous – think Maggie Gyllenhaal with a little Naomi Watts – and she’s always positive and funny and her two children!  OMG, they are dolls come to life. She’s also a designer with McMaster Wallace Interiors. But even though she’s the hottest, most stylish mama in town, she’s able to carve out some ME TIME. And as all us hard-working parents know, that’s HUGE.

What to Do with Time Alone

by Jenny Dodd, Special Guest Post for A Parent in Silver Spring.com

I can think of many, many things I can do when my 6-year old son is spending the day in his first grade class and I have dropped my toddler daughter off at a friend’s house for a little “me” time.  Oh, things like going to the grocery store, stopping by CVS for a prescription, running into Tuesday Morning for a last minute birthday present for a friend, paying a visit to Unique Thrift for the extra booster I need for the minivan.

Then I start to wonder, “Hey…where’s the ‘me’ time in all of this?”  So I started incorporating some real-life me time into my once-a-week jaunt out into the real world, and I wanted to share some of my discoveries with you all!

Above all, the best discovery I have made is that I not only have so many choices in this wonderful city of Silver Spring , but I also have the choice to do these things for myself without guilt or shame.  Yes, it is possible.  It is a choice, a very conscious choice, to allow myself to actually enjoy my life and to do things for myself that make me happy…by myself.

So, typically on Tuesday mornings I drop my son off at school and go straight from there to drop off my little girl.  That gets me back home (keep in mind I still have my pajamas on) by 9:30, enough time to walk my dog, put some clothes on, eat a little breakfast, and head out the door.  By 10:30 I am sitting in a room with approximately 75 women participating in a fellowship that has taught me more about life and how to live it in the last five years than my entire 40 years on this earth.  It is a beautiful way to start the day.

[Inserted info from Jessica - here are some personal faith fellowship options for women of a variety of faiths, found via Google and word-of-mouth recommendations:

Chabad of Silver Spring - Jewish Women's and Men's Groups

Woodside United Methodist Church Women's and Men's Groups

Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring Classes and Prayer Times

Women of Grace Group at St.Raphael's Catholic Church in Rockville

Asian Indian Christian Church Saturday Women's Group

"Church Ladies" Prayer Groups at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Silver Spring

12 Step Fellowship Meetings - Various times and locations and focuses

Takoma Park Presbyterian Church Morning Meditation

Hadassah Local Chapters for Jewish Women

Got a group you'd like listed here, of any recognized faith or spirituality?  Send me an email! OK, back to Jenny's awesome essay....]

Afterward my group meeting, I head to downtown Silver Spring to return a top that said medium on the tag, but may have been mismarked because I couldn’t even get the thing buttoned!  (Mismarked…right.) On my way out, after reluctantly not indulging in any other unneeded items from Marshall’s, I start heading through City Place Mall to the exit when a very pleasant man stops me just outside of Pandian Health where they provide Chinese Acupressure massages.

He showed me a brochure for a Part Body Acupressure Massage for $10 or $20 and a Full Body Acupressure Massage for $25 or $30.  I opted for the 30 minute massage and it was the best $25 I have spent in years!  I lay down on a massage table in the middle of an open area, and other than the occasional alarm going off down at Marshall’s and some quiet conversations in Chinese, I was so relaxed and stress free when I left.  Now I know why I didn’t buy anything at Marshall’s.  I was destined for a massage that day!

Again, I attempted to leave City Place Mall, feeling a little spacey from my half an hour of complete full body massage bliss.  I was very hungry and spotted The Noodle Co.  I have never been to this restaurant.  I was so pleased with the entire experience.  I ordered a small bowl of Pad Thai and an ice water and it was less than $5.00.  I sat and checked my Blackberry while I waited for my order which was delivered to my table with a napkin and utensils.

When I was finished, I headed straight to the parking lot (no more stops!) and paid $1.50 for parking and called my friend to check on my daughter, who was napping and I was told to go home and call her later.  OK.  I can do that!

So here I am, writing about my experience.  An experience that I wish so many of you would also try out for yourselves if you have the opportunity.  I know that these days are numbered.  I will be heading back to work very soon.  I enjoy work, but I will miss these days of choices and freedom, and I refuse to allow any part of me to have remorse for being good to myself and taking pleasure in nourishing my mind, body, soul.

THANK YOU JENNY! What a fabulous recommendation and reminder that happy parents = happy kids, so take care of yourself…guilt free!

Just a friendly reminder that there are still a few days left in April to win this month’s $50 gift:

A 30-minute facial at Blue Heron Wellness!

Blue Heron Wellness, the integrated wellness center specializing in acupuncture, therapeutic massage, yoga and herbal medicine in Silver Spring, Maryland, is now offering natural skin care services. Their expert estheticians provide safe, effective treatments and products to assist us in meeting our health and wellness goals for our skin.  Skin treatments all begin with a thorough skin analysis, cleansing routine formulated to your needs, exfoliation, extractions, and treatment mask and moisturizer. And each facial treatment includes a shoulder, neck and head massage to relax and revitalize you!

Want to up your chances of winning that blessed half hour of beauty and pampering?  Then go to the Washingtonian’s Best of Washington 2010 and place your votes. While you’re there, you can nominate Blue Heron for best yoga studio #37 (best yoga studio) or best day spa (#40). You could also nominate me for best local blogger (#52) if you want, or any of the other badass bloggers that write about our fair town! Then come back here and leave a comment that you voted, and you’ll be entered five more times in the drawing.

And you can leave comments on all the posts on A Parent in Silver Spring in April 2010 for more entries, and every new subscriber to the A Parent in Silver Spring email feed (in which you receive new posts to the website in your email box, typically 5 times a week) will receive a bonus entry!  Subscribe here.

Here are the rules:

• This monthly giveaway is totally separate to any other giveaways that I may hold on A Parent in Silver Spring or APISS Reviews.
• Leave a comment on any post on A Parent in Silver Spring in April 2010.
• Leave one comment per post – multiple comments on the same post will be counted just once.
• This means if I write 30 posts a month and you leave a comment on each one, you’ll be entered in the drawing 30 times…and um, them’s purty good odds.
• When you leave a comment, please click the FOLLOW button directly below the comment text box.  This way I can notify you that you are a winner.  (I HIGHLY recommend simply clicking the follow button and entering your email for notification of replies to your comment, rather than leaving the text to your email address within your comment – this is how you get gross spam.)
• This month, additional entries can be received for voting in Washingtonian’s Best of Washington 2010 survey and subscribing to the A Parent in Silver Spring email feed, as detailed above.
• Constructive criticism, differences of opinion = completely fine.  Offensive comments or spam = will be deleted.
• Friends and fellow bloggers are eligible.
• All winners will be drawn completely Randomly.
• All winners must reside in the United States.
• Comments sent to me via email are always appreciated, but will not be counted for this monthly giveaway series.

Featured businesses may provide the gift certificates and gift cards and swag.  All giveaways in this series will be worth at least $50 each and require no further purchase of goods or services from the winner.  (Have a business you’d like to promote through giving a gift to gracious A Parent in Silver Spring reading parents?  Send me a line!)

So please leave comments, comments, comments galore!  Write what you like, what you don’t, what you think needs to be changed, events that are happening in your community, your own great finds…whatever!