Equani Spa offers ritual treatments inspired by its traditional Cherokee land
The beginning of the new year is a time of reflection and renewal. It’s a time to reevaluate how we treat ourselves, a time to set new goals, to figure out how and what we eat (or what we should be eating), and how much (or how little) we exercise. It’s also the perfect time to indulge and do some much-needed pampering with a spa getaway.
Located at the base of the Appalachians in the Chattahoochee Mountains of Northeast Georgia, Brasstown Valley Resort and Spa in Young Harris is a sprawling 503-acre resort.
The wooded mountain retreat features an 18-hole championship golf course, guided equestrian trail rides, tennis courts, a fishing pond, an indoor/outdoor heated swimming pool, a fitness center, and nine miles of hiking trails.
But it’s the 7,500-square-foot Equani spa located across the main highway (Hwy 76) that is the main attraction.
Treatments are inspired by the Cherokee people who believed the land had healing and restorative powers. The spa has integrated unique elements into its services that reflect the spirit of the land and tribe. Organic clays and natural botanicals are used in many treatments. Hand-carved masks and sink bowls come from John Winterhawk, a well-known Native American potter and tribal member.
On its website, the spa has a message from former Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the first woman ever elected to the position, Joyce Dugan.
“Native people throughout this country have often been dishonored through misrepresentation of our cultural/traditional beliefs and customs, so it was with great relief and pleasure for me to visit The Equani Spa and witness for myself the tasteful and elegant representations of the Cherokee culture. Being located on traditional Cherokee lands makes it even more critical that the representations are accurate, and it is evident that much thought and preparation were put into the design and development of the Spa, including seeking the advice and input of many Cherokee people.”
Ritual Treatments at Equani Spa
Equani is the Cherokee word for “set up high on the ridge,” fitting for the surrounding mountain landscape. The spa embraces the Native American culture of the resort with each of its seven treatment rooms named after one of the Cherokee clans: Wolf, Deer, Bird, Longhair, Wild Potato, Blue, and Paint. Treatment rooms feature premium massage tables and the latest in spa equipment, including a hydrotherapy capsule. Each treatment room has a private outdoor deck with a hydro tub offering mountain views.
To fully connect and relax, opt for one of the spa’s signature ritual treatments. Each begins with a traditional cleansing of the hands and feet. The Cherokee people would greet their visitors utilizing this ritual, and we honor our guests in the same way, says Tony Davis, spa director.
The two-hour detoxifying Seven Clan Ritual then begins with a dry body brushing to exfoliate and help release toxins. A full-body mud mask is painted on with a brush and then a scalp and facial massage is performed while you are wrapped, allowing the mud to exfoliate and remove impurities from the skin. After a quick rinse, a 55-minute massage completes the treatment.
The E-Lo-Hi Ritual is a 2.5-hour treatment beginning with a detoxifying mud wrap during which a scalp and face massage is performed, followed by a private bubble bath infused with moisturizing oils. Completing this ritual is an 80-minute hot stone massage.
“We keep the traditions alive of the Cherokee people,” says Tony. “We’re here in the community. It’s really a way of life. We’re caregivers and helpers. It’s what we do.“
The spa also offers facials, massages, hydrotherapy, and salon services.
Did you know?
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources sought to develop Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa without adversely affecting the site’s cultural resources. Prehistoric and historic archaeological sites within resort boundaries were identified by intensive archaeological survey. Resort designers avoided sites so that they would be preserved with no impact from resort development. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources worked with the Eastern Band of Cherokees to ensure that the excavation of archaeological sites was carried out in a manner that was sensitive to Native American traditions and values.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has attempted, in every aspect of its continuous development of the Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa, to exercise responsibility and sensitive stewardship of an area with significant historic importance to the citizens of this state.
During the entire course of the archaeological investigations, the area was constantly patrolled by Georgia Department of Natural Resources enforcement personnel to ensure that the excavations were not disturbed or vandalized. Ultimately, no burials were excavated or disturbed by the archaeological work.
Visit BrasstownValley.com for more information.
Photography courtesy of Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa.
