If you are based in or around the city of Leeds then Dragonfly Skin should be 100% on your wellness and wellbeing radar.
This city centre location is in the middle of all the action on Briggate, so even if you’re not from Leeds it’s easy to find. You wouldn’t know this hidden gem of tranquillity was there, unless someone told you about it! It’s the perfect place to treat yourself to a luxury treatment.
The Dragonfly Skin brand is all about holistic, eco-friendly therapy where the team favour organic products and natural treatments. Equally, once inside the spa you will feel a sense of calm, and the busyness of the city will fade away.
We sent our UK Travel Writer to try the Floatation Therapy at Dragonfly Skin followed by a Swedish Massage.
Floatation Therapy – Treat Yourself To A Luxury Treatment At Dragonfly Skin Spa
The Floatation Therapy room is located on the first floor of the spa. The room houses what looks like an out-of-world spaceship from a sci-fi movie. It is in fact a huge tank of water that holds vast amounts of concentrated Epsom salt. The salt increases the density of the water and its buoyancy, so that whoever’s inside the pod can float effortlessly.
Firstly, the aim of Floatation Therapy is for the body to achieve deep relaxation through sensory deprivation. This may not be for everyone, as the pod is closed it becomes a confined space, which can be daunting. Secondly, the therapy starts with a blue neon light in the pod, along with calming music, which eventually goes silent and the light can be turned to darkness. If you can acclimatise to it then you’ll be fine. Finally, once in total darkness and silence your body will float gently atop the water, giving a zero gravity feeling where you may enter a meditative state.
Now, here’s the interesting part. The science behind sensory deprivation has shown that floatation therapy stimulates the transition of alpha and beta brainwaves into theta – slower frequency brainwaves occurring naturally when one is drifting off to sleep or in a state of deep relaxation. Theta waves seem to help learning and creativity, and theta is usually associated with a positive mental state.
Overall, the benefits of floatation therapy* include, deep relaxation, release of endorphins, enhanced mental clarity and less fatigue or stress. Furthermore, it also helps relieve aches and pains, increases blood circulation, reduces blood pressure, improves sleep, and heightens the senses.
*Prices for Flotation Therapy are £50 (45 minutes), £60 (60 minutes), £75 (90 minutes), £85 (120 minutes). There is also the option to book for 5 sessions at £250.
Massage – Treat Yourself To A Luxury Treatment At Dragonfly Skin Spa
There are plenty of other treatments to book at Dragonfly Spa as they also specialise in Sports Massage and have a designated Sports Massage Therapist in-house. Choices of other treatments include hot stone massage, Indian head massage, warm candles massage, touch therapy and much more.
Rachel was then treated to a Swedish Massage with Barbara straight after her Floatation Therapy session. This medium pressure massage focuses on stress and knots, whilst being fully relaxed. Overall, the aim of a Swedish Massage is to soothe muscles, improve circulation, keep joints supple, and help to relax both emotionally and physically. Moreover, the massage is an hour in length yet seems like just a few minutes due to falling into a state of complete relaxation.
Swedish Massages start at £55 per person (30 minutes).
So, if you are looking for somewhere to escape city life, even if only for an hour we would highly recommend visiting Dragonfly Skin Spa. An added bonus is that you can watch the hustle and bustle of Leeds city shoppers from above in the comfort of spa surroundings with calming music, and comfy chairs.
General Info about Dragonfly Skin
Visit Dragonfly Skin to find out more and to book a treatment. The spa can be found at Unit 7A, Central Arcade, Leeds, LS1 6DX. Simply, enter Central Arcade (towards the bottom of Briggate) and step into the quaint little shopping arcade, then head upstairs where you will find Dragonfly Skin Spa.
Treat Yourself To A Luxury Treatment At Dragonfly Skin Spa words by Rachel McAlley