The Spirit of Ireland and Topsail together in Holistic Spa

Surf City has a new Holistic Spa in Treasure Coast Square. Inis Spa Spirit of the Island has been quietly building up a clientele for all sorts of pampering and treatments. Hickory floors, stone work, earthy colors, the smell of citrus oils and the sound of flutes and fiddles invite you to retreat inside to the healing atmosphere.

Mary Dethlefs, originally from Ireland, has brought her years of experience to the Island that she loves. A customer to the spa could spend as much time choosing from the wide selection of services, as they would on the massage table.

Besides the types of massage offered: Swedish, Deep Tissue, Hot Stones/Hot Towels and Lomi Lomi... there are just as many types of facials to choose from: Oxygen, Hydrating, Cold Marine, Gelatine Verbena, as well as waxing, bridal make-up, tinting, ear candling and more.

Although she is humble about dropping names.

"It's my fourth spa. The last one I worked in was in Dromoland Castle, which was a sixteenth century castle home to the O' Brien clan. I was there for 15 years," said Dethlefs.

Mary did mention that she has worked with an impressive list of clients that included John Travolta, Nelson Mandela and Richard Harris.

"I was on call when George W. Bush was there in 2004. I didn't get to treat him on his 18-hour visit, but I did have a picture taken with him," said Dethlefs.

Mary studied her spa therapy and skin care in Paris, and early this year she worked with Thalgo France in Florida.

Dethlefs is passionate about all aspects of  spa therapy, but she is an even bigger advocate of Reflexology of the feet.

"We are a holistic spa. Reflexology is preventative and a Holistic Treatment. All the reflexes of the glands in the body correspond with the feet. It's an amazing treatment," explained Dethlefs. "There is not much dispute about the best way to do it. A treatment takes an hour just treating the feet, and by an educated touch you can tell if someone has a toothache, sinus problems or a lower back problems, etc. It's wonderful for people with colon problems. In Ireland, it's actually covered by health insurance. I'm involved in the North Carolina Board of Reflexology and will be hosting a fall meeting with the Board. I really want to promote it as an alternative and preventive treatment and hope to teach people that they too have the ability to heal themselves."

Dethlefs also wants to introduce other treatments like cranial sacral treatments - working on the head - which is excellent for stress.

"We want to work as a holistic healing spa so we can share our knowledge... so that people can believe and have the strength to help heal themselves," Dethlefs said.

Dethlefs is not the only person who works at the spa. She has several experts who work with her in the spa and are taking appointments in their areas of expertise. Meg Ryan's knowledge and experience of massage therapy and body works is vast. Meg is well known to the island and is licensed since 2001.  

Licensed massage therapist Michael McDowell is the man who wants to "let the touch of Aloha come to you!" He teaches Lomi Lomi, a Polynesian massage, but adds his own signature to it by combining it with Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage, Stone Massage and stretching.

"I'm the Lomi Lomi guy! I learned from Tom Cochrane. He's one of the best. He lives half the year in Hawaii and half the year he travels teaches people. There are only four of five of us in the state who do Sacred Lomi. The difference is that there are no bolsters and no sheets. You're directly on the vinyl, but are draped with a few towels. And work is done underneath the body and above the body, with long flowing strokes," explained McDowell. "There's a traditional prayer at the beginning. There's some breath work involved. It's more like a spiritual adventure than, say, someone who wants you to work on an injured shoulder. It's not that kind of massage. It's very therapeutic and very relaxing. Energy is being channeled and released. People describe it as feeling like ocean waves are flowing over you. It's very soothing; sort of like your being cradled. It's not for beginners. It's for experienced massage patrons."

The spa also provides monthly specials: The Inis Spa massage special includes hot stones, hot towels and aromatherapy oils, one hour for $75 or 6 for $400.

The spa's Head To Toe Special is a 90-minute session for $90 that includes a one-hour facial, a 15-minute reflexology session, and an exfoliation treatment for the hand and arms followed by a hydrating lotion. And if you book this with this article you receive a free brow wax.                  

Being the owner of a spa hasn't made Mary content to keep the spa as it is. She is constantly looking for upgrades and new services that customers express an interest towards.

"We are also introducing an Organic Skin Care range soon. It is marine and plant based and originates from the ocean with seaweed extracts," explained Dethlefs.

While this may be her fourth spa, if all goes well, this may be Dethlef's last. She shares the Irish experience and speaks with an equal fondness for The Topsail Island spirit; and may just call this home for good.

The Inis Spa - Spirit of the Island is located at 208-J Treasure Coast Square in Surf City and can be reached at (910) 328-3988, online at www.inisspa.com or via e-mail at     inisspa@hot mail.com.

Dethlefs wishes all "Slan!" Which means good health in Irish.