When one speaks of igloos you might automatically assume they are talking about a snow shelter built by Eskimos but that’s not necessarily true. The Arctic region isn’t the only place where you can find an igloo. Believe it or not you can find an igloo in a New York City Spa. I know that might sound strange but it’s true. These igloos however are quite the opposite of your traditional igloo. Rather than being cold, these spa igloos are actually hot rooms and can be used for a variety of therapeutic treatments. I, myself, decided to give these "hot igloos" a shot and see if they were worth the trip.

The Grottoes

In preparation for usual spa treatments such as facials or massages you might want to think about trying out one of these spa igloos. Think of it as a sort of warm-up routine for your spa visit. There are many different spas to choose from in NYC and some do use these igloos. One spa in particular has an array of igloos which they refer to as "grottoes". This is the Aura Wellness Spa ( http://www.spaaura.com/ ). Aura boasts a sleek and modern design and is very well-kept compared to other spas in the Manhattan area. These grottoes have been described as a way to improve blood circulation, increase metabolism, and relax your muscle pain. I find this to be true but that is my opinion. Here is a rundown of what type of "grottoes" Aura provides:

• Hwangto Dry Grotto – Aura’s description: "High but not extreme heat induces deep sweating to stimulate detoxification and elimination of acne-producing bacteria. In addition to featuring bioceramic stones and salt blocks, the intricate pattern designed inside the dome also feature oak wood charcoal, which is said to relieve stress, cleanse the blood and cure skin diseases."

The term "high but not extreme heat" might not sound appealing but judging from my personal experience, its dead on. The heat isn’t something that you regret and is nothing like an afternoon in Arizona.

• Crystal & Jade Dry Grottoes – Aura’s description: "Benefits of the dry grottoes are further enhanced through crystals and jade. Crystals contain energy to enhance healing of both physical and mental ailments (such as arthritis, headache, stress and anxiety). Jade helps the body rid itself of bad energy and works as a calming agent; jade also contains anti-aging properties."

The environment of this particular grotto is extremely relaxing. I thought it would be extra cool if the grotto itself was made of crystal. They should have someone come down from Steuben to design one. It would definitely be something that would be intriguing and would catch the eye.

• Crystal & Jade Steam Grottoes – Aura’s description: "Thought to be most beneficial to persons suffering from respiratory ailments, steam loosens chest muscles to aid in such conditions as asthma and bronchitis. Steam also helps the body maintain hydration - coating the skin with moisture and preventing the loss of body heat through evaporation. This, in turn, accelerates detoxification and healing. Combinations of crystals and jade also promote various states of mind and emotional responses based on their color: unconditional love (pink), transformation (purple), harmony and peace (green), passion (red) and wisdom (orange)."

I always enjoy a good steam room. It opens up your pores and helps you sweat out toxins. I generally felt cleansed after using this particular grotto. This one incorporates jade and crystal which, if anything, provides an interesting décor to your experience.

• Stone Ice Grotto - Aura’s description: "Used in conjunction with our hot grottoes, the cold grotto stimulates contraction of the blood vessels after expansion through heat exposure…in essence, acting like a squeezed sponge, to remove even more toxins from the body."

Okay, so this one is actually more like a traditional igloo. Going from one extreme condition to another, I’ve been told can make you sick but I’m fine so far. Although I don’t recommend staying in this one for too long!

My Overall Experience

This was an interesting experience. The jade and crystal grottoes intrigued me the most and overall left me feeling stress free and rejuvenated but I’m not sure if it was an authentic feeling or if it was just because I was surrounded by crystals. The stone ice grotto frightened me at first. It was suggested as the last grotto to try and I thought "Wait. You want to freeze me now!?" but the experience was nothing of the sort. It was actually quite refreshing and sort of a perk up. After trying the other three you are so relaxed you really might want to consider the wake-me-up. If you’re in Manhattan and are looking for a unique spa experience in a clean and modern environment then this is for you. Aura Spa is located at 49 West 33rd St. between Broadway and 5th Ave. New York, NY 10001.