UpClose & Personal - Lynda Solien-Wolfe

It was November when I visited Gurney’s Inn and Spa, situated on one thousand feet of private, white sandy beach in the famous Hampton area of Long Island, New York.

It was pretending to be a summer day. The sky was blue, the sea was clam and the weather warm during my stay in Montauk. With me on my visit was Patti Cadololino who is the President of the New York Society of Medical Massage Therapy. The NYSMMT just celebrated their 75th anniversary which is what brought me to Long Island.

Looking for a one-night recharge/get-away retreat on the Island during my trip, Gurney’s Inn and Spa was the prefect choice. And the right choice it was!One of the spa's claims to fame is that it's the only one is the U.S. that features "true" Thalasso therapy. These relaxing, detoxifying and circulation-promoting hydrotherapy treatments using seawater from the Atlantic are truly special.

Our room over looked Atlantic Ocean and the sounds of the ocean breeze were in the background all night.

We started our day with the Gurney’s Beach walk, which the Spa Nurse, Susan Yunker, does every day with the guests. Today it was just Susan, Patti and myself. We began with stretches on the patio overlooking the ocean then we hit the beach for a breath-taking walk of Montauk beach.

After our cool down, it was time to check into the Spa. I was booked to experience the Marine Kur Treatment with body specialist, Patricia. With Gurney’s specialty in Thalasso Therapy, this was my treatment of choice. It included a seaweed scrub, dry brush, Swiss Shower, Thalasso Hydro Tub treatment, massage and Roman bath. A very relaxing, claming and soothing treatment that magically melted away my stress.

It was all over so fast. After a Montauk lobster salad over looking the ocean, it was time to head to the airport back to Florida.

A unique part of my visit to Gurney’s Inn and Spa was my time with the Spa Nurse Susan Yunker. I had a chance to interview with her, so please enjoy our dialogue!

An Interview with Susan Yunker, RN, The Spa Nurse at Gurney’s Spa in Montauk, Long Island, New York.

LSW: How long have you been the spa nurse at Gurney’s?
SY: I have worked for Gurney’s Inn for nineteen years.

LSW: What is your job description as the Spa Nurse here at Gurney’s?
SY: My life at Gurney’s is very diversified. When I first began, I was hired to be on site in case of a medical emergency. Gurney’s Inn and Spa is built in the European tradition, which is medically oriented. I interview and screen all the spa program participants and make recommendations regarding our treatments and therapies. I became increasingly interested in holistic health and the art and science of wellness so I became a biofeedback therapist. I also develop treatment and programs. I offer nutritional consultations and health fitness profiles. I take our guests on a daily morning beach walk and nature hikes during the week. Employee health is important to me and I try to help our staff when problems occur. I also arrange for guest lectures. In the past five years, our spa has undergone a lot of renovations and I have been a part of the design and planning of these projects.

LSW: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
SY: I love to see the dynamic change our guests experience after they have spent time with us.

LSW: What is your favorite treatment to receive?
SY: I love the Marine Kur Treatment. I believe its benefits are long lasting and dynamic. It is blissfully relaxing as well.

LSW" Tell me about the Biofeed back program you offer.
SY: I love biofeedback because it helps people learn to help themselves. Biofeedback equipment feeds back information about how ones body responds to situations of stress and relaxation. It is dynamic to actually watch your body respond to your mind. I believe knowledge is the key to change and biofeedback is a very effective tool for treating stress and all the conditions relating to it. Physicians often recommend biofeedback to their patients and the patients put the idea in the back of their minds not really understanding the concept of how it works or where to find a therapist. I believe a spa is a great place to learn biofeedback. When they come to Gurney’s they feel safe and open. They see we offer biofeedback and take advantage of the therapy.

LSW: How old is the Gurney’s Inn and Spa
SY: Gurney’s Inn was opened in 1929 by the Gurney family. Nick Monte became the keeper of the Inn in 1956 and opened the Spa in 1979. It was one of the first spas in this country and the only true Thalasso Center in the continental US.

LSW: What is so unique about Gurney’s?
SY: Gurney’s Inn is built on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The view surrounds you when you are swimming in the seawater pool, having a manicure and pedicure, having an outside massage, eating your meals and waking up in the morning. We also use the seawater pumped from our seawater well in our pool, Roman baths and Thalosso tubs.

LSW: Tell me what Thalasso Therapy is and what are its benefits?
SY: Thalasso Therapy is the use of seawater and the products of the sea, in a marine environment, for the benefit of health and relaxation.

LSW: What types of Thalasso Therapy Treatments does Gurney’s offer?
SY: We offer Hydro Massage in tubs filled with seawater, brush and tone Seaweed Wraps, Sea Mineral Salt Glow, Seawater Aromatherapy Wrap, Marine Kur Therapy, Lymphatic Hydro Massage, Algae Body Polish and our Ocean Radiance Treatment.

LSW: I really enjoyed the beach walk during my visit, do you really do it every day? What are the benefits?

SY: I do walk everyday, all seasons, and all types of weather. I love this time so much. I find that at 9 o’clock in the morning in Montauk it is almost always perfect for the walk. When you walk at the edge of the sea you breath in the sea air, which is rich in the minerals of the sea. It is like a fabulous vitamin pill, completely balanced with the perfection of nature. The sand is soft; each step like a little climb and you can achieve an aerobic state strengthening your heart. You also build muscle and bone mass, increase your lung capacity and strengthen immunity. The beauty is uplifting and you can feel the stress melt away.

LSW: Anything else you would like to add?
SY: I feel life has really blessed me with my job at Gurney’s Inn and Spa. I came upon this place by chance and my life has been greatly enriched by the experience and opportunities I have found here.

LSW: Thank you Susan for sharing your dimension of Paradise with me!
SY: You’re welcome and thanks for coming.

For more Information on Gurney’s Inn and Spa visit them at www.gurneys-inn.com

Contact Lynda at GoldenRatioPR@aol.com