Disclosure: Gurwinder at Body Rituals Spa gifted me this 90-minute treatment. Everything shared here reflects my own experience and opinions.
As someone who holds space for other women, it’s really nice to have an experience where I get to be the one receiving.
No guiding anyone through anything. No figuring out what someone else needs. Just time to lie down, let my mind wander, and be taken care of.
That’s what I appreciated about the Signature Nervous System Facial with Gurwinder at Body Rituals Spa in Calgary. Yes, there was skincare, and yes, my skin was glowy afterwards. But the part I enjoyed most was having an hour and a half where nothing was needed from me.
And honestly? The face massage alone was something I’d go back for.
Not having to make yourself relax
As a nervous system practitioner myself, I appreciated the way this experience worked with my body rather than feeling like something my body had to push through.
There’s a difference between trying to make yourself relax and being in an environment where you feel comfortable enough to start letting go. For me, this felt like the second one.
The atmosphere was calming, the bed was so comfy, and nothing felt rushed. I didn’t feel like I needed to quiet my mind or somehow “do relaxation” properly. I could just be there and let my thoughts wander.
Sometimes that’s exactly what I need, not another thing to work on, just a little space to receive.
The face and jaw massage was my favourite part
The standout for me was the attention Gurwinder gave to my face and jaw. I haven’t had that same experience anywhere else.
I carry a lot of tension there, so I really appreciated how much time she spent working with that area. The massage felt intentional and thorough, but never forced. It gave me a chance to notice just how much I’d been holding in my face.
Her fingers honestly felt like magic.
I especially appreciated the attention to lymphatic drainage and the tension around my jaw. By the end, that whole area felt like it had finally had a chance to soften.
And it wasn’t just my face that relaxed. As the appointment went on, I could feel the rest of my body settling, too.
A massage, a facial, and time to rest: All in one appointment
The treatment starts with a back massage before moving into the facial, and there’s attention to the arms and legs as well. I loved that it included these parts of my body that do so much for me every day but don’t always get much care in return.
There was massage, skincare, gua sha, and sensory elements woven throughout. It felt like a little bit of everything I’d been wanting to make time for.
That’s why I think this is such a lovely option for a busy woman.
If you’ve been thinking, “I need a massage. I’d love a facial. I also just need some time to myself,” this brings those things together without needing to find room for several separate appointments.
And you know how some facials have those parts where you’re bracing yourself a little—like extractions…and it’s not entirely relaxing? My experience here felt different. The relaxation wasn’t just something that happened in between the skincare steps. It was part of the whole appointment.
For me, it felt like a full body-and-mind reset.
I’m particular about what goes on my skin
With sensitive skin and three autoimmune conditions, I’m pretty thoughtful about the products I use. I don’t want to book a facial and spend half the appointment wondering what’s being put on my face or how my skin will feel afterwards.
So I really appreciated that Gurwinder used natural skincare and customized the treatment to my skin and preferences. Feeling comfortable with what she was using was a big part of being able to actually relax.
She also used several different face masks depending on what my skin needed, and I loved that part. It felt fun and a little extravagant in the best way.
Nothing felt like it was being hurried along so she could move on to the next step. I could just lie there, enjoy it, and let someone else take care of me for a while.
Afterwards, my skin looked glowy and toned. But what stood out just as much was how relaxed my face and jaw felt. It wasn’t only about how my skin looked in a photo; it was how I felt leaving.
I gifted it to my sister, too
I enjoyed the experience so much that I gifted it to my sister as an early birthday gift.
She’s a nurse and a busy mom to a toddler, and she rarely takes time for herself. She hadn’t had a massage or a facial since before having her son.
This felt like the perfect way to give her a few hours that were just for her. Rather than having to choose between a massage, a facial, or some quiet time, she could have a little of all three.
It checked off several things she’d been wanting to make time for, without turning taking care of herself into another complicated thing to organize.
And as much as I loved receiving the treatment myself, I loved being able to give her that time, too.
A little care for someone who’s always caring for others
With the holidays coming up, I also think this would make such a thoughtful gift. The busy mom, the friend who never takes a break, your mom or grandma, your child’s teacher, the person who does so much for everyone else and rarely sets aside time for herself.
Sometimes it’s hard to know what to give someone, especially when they don’t need more stuff. A little time to be cared for, without having to do anything for anyone else, can feel pretty special.
That’s what made gifting this to my sister feel so right. It wasn’t just a facial. It was time that was entirely hers.
Time to just receive
What made this experience special for me wasn’t just the skincare or any one technique, although I’m still thinking about that face and jaw massage.
It was the combination of thoughtful care, time to unwind, and not feeling rushed through any of it. As someone who spends so much time holding space for other women, it felt really good to let someone hold a little space for me.
I left with glowy skin, a more relaxed face, and a reminder of how nice it feels to simply receive.
If you’re in Calgary and want to book some time for yourself—or gift the experience to someone you love. You can explore the treatments and booking options on the Body Rituals Spa website, or connect with Gurwinder on Instagram at @bodyrituals.spa.
Have questions about my experience? Just ask! I’m happy to share.
XO,
Meagen Ashley
