Be Well in Pasadena

January 09, 2019 | Posted in Things To Do

If you're looking to make health and wellness a priority when you visit Pasadena, we've got you covered mind, body and soul—whether it's time to check into a luxurious spa getaway, you plan to work in some serious sweat sessions on vacation or simply want to explore energy healing therapies.

Wellness is a natural way of life in Pasadena, between the abundance of beauty and body treatments, premium fitness studios, wholesome restaurants and juice bars and the great outdoors. If your recipe for self-care includes tending to your aura through alternative treatments, we also have a host of metaphysical boutiques, energy healers and Reiki masters ready and willing to help you live your best life. Welcome to Pasadena's wellness world!

The Chuan Spa at the Langham Huntington, Pasadena

Bliss Out

Pasadena's premier destination resort with a full-service spa is the elegant Langham Huntington, Pasadena. With its serene, lush grounds away from any hustle and bustle, it's an ideal place to tune out the noise of everyday life and connect with yourself. You don't have to be a hotel guest to take advantage of their award-winning Chuan Spa and its robust menu of spa, salon and fitness services. The spa is best known for its Traditional Chinese Medicine-inspired signature treatments. Facilities include a Contemplation Lounge, Dream Room, 12 treatment rooms and the full suite of steam, sauna and whirlpool amenities to utilize between massages, scrubs and facials. Beyond state-of-the-art gym equipment in the health studio, the fitness center hosts yoga, tai chi, Pilates and meditation classes.

Our local full-service Burke Williams day spa is open to members and non-members alike. The European-style spa offers massages, facials and nailcare services, plus whirlpool tubs, saunas, steam rooms and cool misting rooms—a luxurious experience at relatively affordable prices. Book one of the four themed "Transformative Journeys" for a full day of pampering.

The Salt Studio wellness spa is another great option for a spa day or a peaceful session in their salt cave room. Salt therapy, known as halotherapy, is an ancient remedy for respiratory conditions—breathing the pure salt air is good for your lungs, skin, immunity and state of mind, and is said to reduce inflammation. The menu of massage and bodywork treatments incorporate salt and organic essential oils, and includes add-ons like cupping and chakra harmonizing.

eaton canyon, hiking in pasadena, things to do in pasadena, outdoors, nature, mountains, san gabriel mountains, angeles national forest, waterfall, hike to a waterfall
Eaton Canyon

Get Balanced

Tao of Wellness is one of Pasadena's premier Chinese Medicine providers offering a wide array of services drawing from both Eastern and Western philosophies. Services include acupuncture, cupping, nutritional counseling, tai chi and chi gong instruction, far-infrared heat therapy, cleanses, detoxes and much more.

Just Float is the destination for float therapy in Los Angeles. Float therapy—also known as reduced environment stimulation therapy—is increasing in popularity as a means of stress reduction and promoting well-being. Each float tank is in a private "cabin," the salted water is heated to 95 degrees and you can customize your soundtrack and lighting…and then float away your worries.

Drip IV Therapy is another trending wellness modality to treat a variety of conditions by infusing nutrients and antioxidants directly into the bloodstream. New Life Wellness Med Spa offers Drip IV therapies for everything from jump starting metabolism and improving skin to "curing" a hangover and facilitating muscle recovery after an intense work out.

Get outdoors to experience shinrin-yoku, the Japanese practice of "forest bathing," which is now gaining traction here in the U.S. Take a hike amongst the trees at Eaton Canyon, or, for a smaller dose, walk amongst the lush landscapes of the botanical gardens at The Huntington.

Yoga House

Work Out

If you prefer to stretch your way to a balanced state of mind, several yoga studios welcome drop-in visitors complete with first-class discounts and mat and towel rentals. Some of the most popular studios among local yogis include YogaWorks, CorePower Yoga and Yoga House.

We also have our fair share of immensely popular group fitness chains like Bar Method, Pure Barre, Orangetheory, SoulCycle and WundaBar Pilates. The warm, welcoming community atmosphere here makes Pasadena a great location to try one of these for the first time, or to continue your home studio practice.

Anyone who enjoys swimming laps must plan a swim (or two) at the impressive Rose Bowl Aquatics Center. The two outdoor Olympic-sized pools are a thing of beauty and lap swim sessions are open to the public daily. There's also a 3.3-mile biking, walking and running path around the Rose Bowl if you want to create your own triathlon-inspired work out.

True Food Kitchen in Old Pasadena

Eat Well

Given "you are what you eat," you can extend the benefits of your spa treatments and workouts by refueling with wholesome cuisine. Options are abundantly available throughout Pasadena, whether you want a vegan or vegetarian meal or just something organic, seasonal and farm-fresh. A few of the cafes known for their ultra-healthy and super delicious fare with tons of plant-based options include Urth Café, True Food Kitchen and Real Food Daily.

The juice bar scene will also have you going bananas. Sweet spots for cold pressed deliciousness include Pressed Juicery and Movita. In addition to juices, Sunlife Organics serves up nutritious bowls, superfood shakes and smoothies. Nekter Juice Bar also prepares acai bowls, smoothies and vegan frozen "Skoops."

House of Intuition, photo credit: Kelly Puente

Get Metaphysical

On the energetic healing front, you can align your chakras at Alexandria II, a spiritually-inclined bookshop that sells crystals and candles, plus incense, oils and ritual items. Alexandria II also hosts a regular line-up of intuitive readers, Reiki masters and psychics. Check out their website for the latest schedule or call to book in advance. Try a "Life Reading" with Oracle Cards at Wholehearted Spiritual Healing, who also offers Reiki treatments by appointment.

Third Eye Psychic is another specialist in intuitive reading, chakra balancing and energy healing. Run by Evelyn Grace, a Professional Certified Life Coach and graduate of the Psychic Institute, Third Eye Psychic helps clients gain clarity in all aspects of their lives through palm, tarot and psychic readings as well as sound and crystal therapies.

Speaking of crystals, LA's go-to purveyor of energetic healing tools and accoutrements, House of Intuition, recently opened one of their Instagram-ready retail boutiques in Pasadena at 22 South Raymond Avenue. This is where you can stock up on crystals, magic candles, bath and beauty products and more good vibe goods to continue on your path to well-being back at home.