My train arrived in Penn Station at 10:15 a.m. and 15 minutes later, I was exchanging my shoes for a pair of sandals at Juvenex Spa. Located at 25 West 32nd Street between Fifth Avenue & Broadway in Korea Town, this 5,000 square-foot, women-only spa is just a short walk from the train station and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Enter the building, pass through the Korean health food stand, take the elevator to the 5th floor and enter a spa like no other. 

After I checked in at the reception desk, Sun led me up the curving planked bridge where I was instructed to leave my shoes and put on sandals. Sun showed me to the lockers that contained a soft green chenille robe and towel. Off came the clothes and on went the robe... but not for long.  (Photos at end of aritlce.)

The Jade Igloo

I was going to have a Korean Body Scrub followed by a massage and mini-facial. But first, I would experience the Jade Igloo and Glass Gem. A jade igloo made of 20 tons of semi-precious jade stones imported from the Chun-Chon mine in Korean sits in the center of Juvenex. It is a thermal sauna that provides the benefit of dry heat, heated jade, and infused Chinese herbs. According to Sun, the benefits of extended contact with jade include increased metabolism, improve circulation, and relief from arthritis. Benches line the perimeter inside the igloo. One of the infused herbs is Mudwort which is said to cleanse women's reproductive systems. 

I was instructed to take a quick shower then spend 10-20 minutes in the igloo to absorb the microelements dispersed by the heated jade. A wooden "pillow" cradled my head as I reclined on the bench and embraced the heat. 

Waterfall Shower and Japanese Soaking Pool

When I had all the heat I could take, I left the igloo, hung my towel on a hook, stood under the nearby waterfall shower and pulled the ring. Cool water washed all the perspiration away. I then climbed into the cool Japanese Soaking Pool, found an underwater jet and relaxed for a few minutes.

Gem-Shaped Glass Herbal Steam Room

My next stop was the gem-shaped, glass, herbal steam room. Under the benches that lined the inside of the glass enclosure were boughs of cedar and a box of Chinese herbs. The gray-green jade floor was stained dark brown with tannin from the cedar. The steam curled up and filled the glass room with the pleasant aroma of cedar. I stayed in this room for only two or three minutes, then hit the waterfall shower and soaking pool again. Then I repeated the process.

Korean Body Scrub

It was time for the Korean Body Scrub. I walked to communal wet area in the far corner of the spa where there were four gray massage tables and climbed on one, covering myself with my towel. Angie, my therapist who has been a licensed Korean massage therapist for 15 years, appeared shortly thereafter, gave me a quick smile and pulled the towel off. I was to be in the all-together for the next hour and a half or so. 

Spatip1: Nudity is the norm in the women-only Juvenex Spa. If, however, you are uncomfortable with being uncovered, bring a bathing suit.

Angie dipped a large bowl into a ceramic tub of warm water and splashed it on my body. Once I was thoroughly soaked, she put on yellow exfoliating mitts made of a nubby fabric, rubbed them with Ivory soap, and started scrubbing. And scrubbing. And scrubbing. Vigorously. All over. Top and bottom. For 40 minutes. When she was done, my skin buzzed. More waves of warm water rinsed all the soap and old skin off my body. 

Next came the massage. Angie covered me with towels (the only time I was covered in this treatment) and started to apply deep, slow pressure to my muscles. She used her hands and elbows then climbed on the table and used her knees and feet. It felt great! Then off came the towels and on came the massage oil to nourish the skin. Angie gave me an accupressure massage. It felt great! Angie finished with a massage of the abdomen. It did not feel great. I had had a similar massage in Thailand (Chi Nei Tsang at Chiva Som ) and found it equally uncomfortable. I tensed up which probably made it worse. However, I wanted to see what the full treatment was going to be. 

Spatip2: Be sure to tell the therapist if anything is uncomfortable. She can either lighten the touch or skip that part of the treatment.

Angie also washed my hair with Tea Tree Oil shampoo and a conditioner and gave me a mini-facial by cleansing and applying a cucumber mask. When it was all over, I showered and headed back to the jade igloo. My skin was very soft.

Tea Chairs 

I ended my Juvenex visit on one of three Tea Chairs, lovely wooden chairs made of cedar, bamboo, and branches of mountain laurel with a hole in the center.  A clay bowl of steaming Chinese herbs was placed beneath the chair. I sat on the chair and steam raised through the hole. This gyno steam is believed to prevent PMS and yeast infections and help balance the body. 

Baked-Clay Sauna

While I didn't try it on this visit, Juvenex has another unique room, a baked-clay low-temperature sauna. Clients have a milk bath then spend time basking under the inner skylights while red-clay on the ground detoxifies the body, and the cedar provides aromatherapy. 

Also Offered

Juvenex has five multi-purpose treatment rooms for massage and skin care, one VIP room for hydrotherapy, and European wet services. Body treatments range from high-tech endermology and hydrotherapy drainage for cellulite and bloat control, to heated and oiled natural river stones that soothe aching muscles. Energy balancing therapies include Asian massages with acupressure, reflexology, shiatsu and amma to stimulate energy zones and meridians that unlock imbalances and help the body heal itself. Facial services consist of purified Korean red clay, vitamin C anti-oxidant therapy, oxygenated marine ion therapy, and seaweed rejuvenation.

Next time I have an hour or so before catching a train or going to a meeting in Manhattan, I'll be sure to stop by Juvenex, "The Jewel of New York." 

Future Plans

According to owner Michael Modiri, soap with micronized jade has been ordered to use for the body scrub. Also, a men's spa is currently in the design stage and will be built on the second floor of the same building. The decor will be more masculine, but there will be another jade igloo. 

Update Jan 2004

Starting December 2003, Juvenex is available for men on Mondays.