April 28, 2005


New day spa opens in Almaden

All spas are not created equal

By Kymberli W. Brady
Staff Writer

A new day spa in Almaden seeks to up the ante in the highly competitive industry by bringing east and west together with high tech to incorporate a mind, body, and spirit approach to skin care and massage therapy.

Owner Sheila Dear, center, along with esthetician Kiran Brar and receptionist Kayleigh, welcomes new customers to Moi Day Spa in Almaden.

In the two short months since Moi Day Spa opened, third-generation “healer” Sheila Dear says her appointment books have filled up nicely, citing customized care, a relaxing environment, and a personalized focus on skin and body needs as the defining measures by which other spas cannot compete. She calls it a “magical oasis to your inner self.”

Born in China, Dear immigrated to Canada at the age of 8 and grew up around holistic health. Her father was a life-long trainer and healer, while her great aunt practiced as an herbalist and healer in China. After pursuing business finance and international trade degrees, she relocated to the Bay Area, where a debilitating injury motivated her to follow her true calling as a healer—a calling that has taken her all over the world to train with renowned experts.

After years spent at her computer, Dear’s lower back and right shoulder gave out. She was 28 years old.

“I couldn’t move and had to sleep on the floor for six months,” she said. “I went through physical therapy and a lot of doctors, but didn’t want surgery after hearing of the adverse effects.”

It was then that she discovered and started researching the effects of natural healing. Her studies have since taken her to Europe, Asia, and Taiwan, where she has learned to pair the latest in European high-tech equipment with eastern philosophies in an effort to focus on nurturing and healing the “whole body.”

Her staff is comprised of trained nutritionists, massage therapists, and acupuncturists, who incorporate colors inspired by the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth into customized spa treatments.

“I love art and painting and I tend to look at the brighter side of life,” Dear says. “I truly want people to be happy and at peace. Moi’s interior reflects my passion for art and my desire to invoke healing.”

While the extensive menu provides standard spa treatments, including facials, peels, Diamond Peel microdermabrasion treatments, and a variety of customized massages, Moi also offers 15-minute drop-in “zone massages,” “lunchtime” facial peels, permanent makeup, oxygen treatments and Dermaquest skin care for clients battling severe acne. Additionally, it is one of only a select few Bay Area spas to offer organic microdermabrasion treatments.

“I hope people can know that they don’t have to be intimidated to visit a spa,” Dear says. “That is one reason I have 15-minute zone treatments for people (especially men) who have neck, shoulder, arm and hand problems.

It’s important because tension and muscle aches could be more than just simple pain. It can take years to build up by the time your body cries out for help.”

A high-tech approach to healing
Dear’s extensive training allows her to operate LPG Endermologie equipment, considered the latest in European technology, for cellulite reduction. The process uses rollers to lift, stretch, and mobilize tissues in the skin, while the massage-like sensations work to stimulate blood circulation, reduce fat cell size, flush fluids, and release toxins within the connective tissue—resulting in body contouring and cellulite reduction.

Moi Day Spa is located in the Princeton Plaza Mall at Kooser and Meridian.

Armed with an extensive knowledge of the machine, Dear then spent several weeks with its inventors refining the skills she would need in order to effectively use the it to promote healing. As a result of the collaboration, she has successfully treated chronic pain cases, along with a variety of injuries through the use of LPG, including scars, edema, and soft tissue repair.

Dear also uses her love for art and calligraphy in her healing practice—one that she says can ruin the whole picture if there is no harmony. She hopes to soon have her artwork displayed throughout the spa.

“In order to heal someone else, you have to be able to heal yourself first,” she said.

Dear is a licensed esthetician, a certified massage therapist, and licensed Reiki practitioner. She is also certified in LPG treatment, hot stone and crystal therapy, and permanent makeup.

Admittedly, the Princeton Plaza Mall location in Almaden Valley was selected so Dear could be close to her husband’s optometry practice.

“Living in the valley, most of us are living with high stress level,” she says. “Unfortunately, stress is the number-one killer and the initiating cause of most diseases. Like the angel hidden in my logo, I want Moi Day Spa to be a little haven in the neighborhood to save each body and soul that comes in.”

Moi Day Spa is located in the Princeton Plaza Mall, 1375 Blossom Hill Road, Suite #43. For more information, call (408) 269-4MOI or visit www.moidayspa.com.