Your first day going to a spa can be exciting but it can also be a little intimidating if you are unsure of spa etiquette. Knowing how to act in the spa will help you relax and enjoy the experience all the more. Remember these rules when you go to the spa for the first time, and every time.

1. Arrive ahead of your appointment.

Usually 20 minutes ahead is sufficient, but when in doubt, call the spa and ask. You will need to sign in, fill out a medical information sheet, and prepare for the massage. If your appointment is at 3, you need to have time to do all this and still be ready to meet your massage therapist at 3.

2. Go to the spa clean.

Your massage should be done on a clean body. If you go in sweaty from working out, it will be unpleasant for your therapist, especially when she uses hot stone therapy on you. The massage stones will increase the bad smell and tacky feel of your sweaty skin, and make it very uncomfortable for your therapist.

3. Try to relax during the massage.

A spa with massages is a place to relax and unwind. You will not have a chance to get the full benefit of the massage if you spend all your time complaining about your problems. Your work difficulties, relationship fallings out and your personal disappointments are not appropriate conversation during a massage session. Your massage therapist is not your psychologist, and you will become more relaxed if you put those things out of your mind and let the session take its course.

4. Remove yourself from outside distractions.

First and foremost, you need to leave your cell phone behind, or turn it off at the very least. A cell phone not only disrupts your peaceful massage session, but it also destroys the relaxation for everyone at the spa. The spa is supposed to be an oasis of tranquility, away from the outside world. When you pollute it with outside distractions, you ruin it for everyone.

5. Get undressed after the massage therapist leaves the room.

If your massage requires you to get undressed, your massage therapist at the spa will allow you a time to get undressed. She will probably give you a sheet to put over yourself or a robe to wear. Get dressed while the door is closed, and then wait where she has told you to wait, perhaps on the table or on a chair until she returns. After the massage, wait for her to tell you it is time to dress again and leaves the room.

6. Be courteous to everyone in the spa.

The serene atmosphere is no place to act rude and belligerent. Remember there are people having special soothing treatments, such as hot stone therapy or cold stone therapy. These treatments will be disrupted and made less effective if you are loud and obnoxious in the spa. Also, if you treat your massage therapist in a discourteous manner, she will be offended. She may even refuse to give you a massage in the future.

7. Tip your massage therapist.

Unless the spa has a strict no-tipping policy, tipping is the considerate thing to do. In most places, tipping 15 to 20 percent of the price of the massage is sufficient to let the massage therapist know you appreciate her services. Going to a spa with massages need not be worrisome, even to the beginner, if you know how to behave while you are there.

Author Bio: I write for TIR Massage Stone, the leading hot stones for massage supplies provider. They carry products such as stone massage, as well as many other accessories for hot and cold stone therapy.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: hot stone massage,spa,stone therapy,massage stones