Heidi Sherwood, Spa Owner, Ayurvedic Practitioner

Sapphire Day Spa

Living in Harmony with our Environment without Sacrificing Comfort, Luxury or Style.

Our Tranquility Lounge

Our Name and Logo

We think that Sapphires are one of the most beautiful gemstones. They are steeped in symbolism as they embody sincerity, truth and constancy. They have long  been called the “the celestial gemstone”, fulfilling dreams and promoting healing of the body. Throughout time sapphires have been worn by priests, kings, queens and those with a higher sense of their mystic powers, beauty and wonder. They have been used for centuries for body work, medicine and adornment.

The peacock is the national bird of India, where Ayurveda originated. The feather symbolizes natural beauty, mystique and glamour. It is eye-catching and naturally beautiful.

At Sapphire Day Spa we embrace the symbolism in our logo to ensure you a completely remarkable and lasting experience. We are sincere with our intent, truthful in our message and dependable.  Our spa is a place of natural beauty and warmth. We strive to provide the highest level of care and undivided attention in hopes that it will brighten your day.

We want the best for you and are dedicated to providing a warm, relaxing environment where you can find solace, rejuvenation and balance. Our therapists are trained and our spa services designed to let your natural beauty radiate inside and out.

At Sapphire Day Spa our mission is to live in harmony with our environment without sacrificing comfort, luxury or style.

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We are committed to providing constancy in the field of preventative medicine, the integration of body, mind and spirit and dedicated professional care.

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As a team, we strive to open our hearts, adopt the principles of healthy living and to lead by example.

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We wish to contribute to the expansion of happiness and peace.

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We strive to provide a refuge where you are free to be yourself and can enter into a state of  well-being and reflectiveness.

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We care about our community, the environment and helping people learn about the health benefits that we provide.

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We care as a team about each other and seek to ensure that the experiences we create are received in an atmosphere of integrity, compassion and professionalism.

I believe that intention is a powerful force and that open-heartedness leads us to our highest potential. As a humanitarian, I am compassionate about people and the planet and love the work that I am able to do!  My intention is to create a healing space where our clients feel welcome, are nurtured, and are free to be themselves. I have always been intrigued with health and wellness, and I truly feel that I have come home to what I am supposed to be doing, which is a welcome feeling. I feel grateful for our many clients and am so pleased with the permission that they provide that allows us to do our meaningful work.

 I am pleased to present the members of our team:

· Jitka Pospisil, Senior Aesthetician (European Techniques)

I am pleased to introduce myself as the Senior Aesthetician at Sapphire Day Spa. Originating in Europe, my career in aesthetics has spanned over 35 years. I have been practicing in Canada for over 20 years. My extensive training has led me to specialize in skin care diagnostics, which allows me to offer accurate and specific information to determine the best therapeutic regime just for you.

I also bring the experience of having worked with Eminence Organics Skin Care products for over 20 years and am continually impressed with their quality, as well as the significant and noticeable changes they bring to our clients.

I have worked at Sapphire Day Spa since our grand opening and am very proud to be a part of a successful and sincere spa.

Welcome. I am certified in aesthetics, relaxation massage and have completed my Level One in Reiki. After having the opportunity to work in several reputable and beautiful spas, I can finally say that I feel at home here at Sapphire.   I have been working with Eminence Organics Skin Care and Jane Iredale Mineral Skin Care Make Up for over five years and it is safe to say that I am obsessed!  I pride myself in making our 75 minute  Eminence Organic Fruit Facial feel like a mini-vacation. 

Helping people feel confident and beautiful is my passion. I can honestly say that it is an honour to meet so many amazing people on a daily basis and that I really love my job. I look forward to greeting you soon.

· Shannon Davies, Aesthetician, Spa Therapist , Ayurvedic Spa Practitioner

I am pleased to have been working at Sapphire Day Spa for three years and to have worked in such a wonderful field for five years. I moved to Victoria from Vancouver where I attended The Blanche MacDonald Centre for Applied Design. I have had the opportunity to manage a spa in Victoria and enjoy bringing my interest in health and wellness to Sapphire. 

I am trained to perform shirodhara treatments and abhyanga massage and value the tremendous benefits these Ayurvedic treatments offer. I have completed my Level One Reiki training and incorporate these benefits into every service.

I am deeply dedicated to providing warm, remarkable and sincere treatments. You will find me open, nurturing and present , which will leave you feeling renewed, in touch and relaxed.  I look forward to meeting you soon!

Originating from the Okanagan/Kootenay area, I have been a resident of Victoria for three years. I graduated from Victoria's Academy of Excellence and have been working in the beauty and wellness industry for over four years and have been working at Sapphire Day Spa for two and a half years. I have also completed my Level One Reiki training and am currently studying to become a nutritionist.

I enjoy performing abhyanga massage using point work, seaweed treatments, facials and have a growing interest in holistic health, nutrition and creating a sense of overall well-being.  I am proud and happy to be a part of the team at Sapphire Day Spa. 

 · Juliana Melling, Aesthetician - ON LEAVE

Hello, I am very happy to be one of the members of the team at Sapphire Day Spa. I have been working as an Aesthetician since 2004 and it is a job I truly love. I have been a member of this team for nearly two years. I am a perfectionist and meticulous in every service that I perform.

I love working at Sapphire Day Spa for many reasons: we use and sell natural, non-toxic products; we believe in and practice a healthy, balanced lifestyle including eating well, exercising and using natural remedies and we work in a serene and peaceful environment that intrigues all the senses.

My outside interests are animals (especially my horse, cat and puppy), horseback riding, yoga, fitness, health and nutrition.

· Angela Wood, Aesthetician, Spa Therapist

I am a Vancouver Island native and recently completed my Aesthetics program with The Aveda Institute here in Victoria.

I truly love coming to work each day and being able to bring joy and balance into the lives we are touching. I really value the uniqueness of our atmosphere and our grounded approach to health, vitality and wellness.

I have a passion for skin care and enjoy specifying to individual needs. I am able to provide an array of services including facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing and am currently in-training for bodywork.

I look forward to making a difference in your life when you come to visit us here at Sapphire Day Spa.  

Working at Sapphire Day Spa has affirmed my career path as the values and concepts of this spa are ones that I have always valued and the ones that propelled me to study. I believe in continual personal growth, the value of natural healing and the power of community. 

Being raised in a small rural town in the Kootenay region provided me with the life long values of teamwork and the importance of family and community members.

I have been living in Victoria for several years and completed the Aesthetician/Spa Therapy program at the Aveda Institute. I have a passion for bodywork and believe that human contact and healing hands are essential to a person's well-being.  I am amazed at the science behind skin care and am eager to learn and study along side my co-workers. I believe that health and self care are  the keys to self-confidence and natural beauty.

 I grew up on the prairies just south of Regina, Saskatchewan.  I made Victoria my home in 1997.  I bring with me to my practice years dedicated to sport as a child and young adult and the benefits that massage therapy provided me.  In addition, to my personal experience with massage I also bring an inherent sense of accomplishment and gratuity in helping people in need.  It is important to me to know that I have contributed to creating a more peaceful and positive world.  I have always had a strong desire to work in health care and I found my path with massage therapy.  My approach to a healthy lifestyle is through awareness and prevention and I strive to teach these fundamentals to my patients.

I received a certification with the B.C. College of Massage Therapists in the fall of 2006.  In addition, to attending the West Coast College of Massage Therapy, I also took a program here in Victoria with a more holistic approach to massage, The Art of Conscious Touch.  My therapeutic goal is to approach each treatment with a focused and clear mind and to properly assess each individual resulting in a balanced and rewarding treatment for each patient.

I use a variety of techniques including, but not limited to, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, Muscle Energy Therapy, Lymphatic Drainage, Proprioceptive Neuromuscluar Facilitation, Soft Tissue Release, Passive and Active Range of Motion and Stretching as well as Traditional Swedish massage.  I am skilled in treating a variety of conditions such as chronic pain syndromes, chronic and acute stress and related conditions, arthritis, depression, repetitive strain injuries, muscle tension, ligament sprains, as well as neurological and circulatory conditions.  I also have a keen interest in treating and educating expectant parents.  As a Registered Massage Therapist, I provide my patients with education on injury prevention and information on maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  I also encourage you to be proactive about the care of your body through proper hydration, stretching, and exercising in conjunction with massage therapy.

I am extremely pleased to be working in an environment where there are so many dedicated professional individuals who are so caring.

I look forward to meeting you soon.

I obtained my Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine Diploma at the International Collage of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Victoria, B.C. (2002).  I concluded my studies with an internship at Tianjing Second University Hospital in Tianjing, China.  My intensive experience there sparked a profound appreciation for Chinese culture, philosophy and tradition.  My residency in China also fostered a strong commitment to Chinese Medicine and I have been devoted to the practice ever since.

Upon my second trip to China in 2006, I worked at the reputable Shanghai East International Medical Center.  After a year and a half of observing a wide variety of health modalities at the hospital in Shanghai - including physiotherapy and chiropractic medicine I moved to southeast Thailand where I joined the team at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa.

Recognized for its outstanding Traditional Chinese Medicine department and signature health retreats, Kamalaya is regarded as one of the leading medical spas in Asia.  While practicing in Koh Samui, I worked in a holistic capacity together with doctors from Naturopathic, Ayurvedic, and Western medical backgrounds and other health modalities to achieve the health goals of my clients.  I also trained under my esteemed colleague and mentor Dr. Bruce Song (OMD, China), specializing in 'Weight Loss and Body Reshaping Acupuncture".

Since returning to Canada in late 2008, I brought this special technique of "cosmetic acupuncture" to Victoria and have achieved excellent results.  In addition to offering clients a diverse range of TCM therapies including herbs, diet therapy, Tui Na massage, cupping, moxibustion and acupuncture, I have also been practicing 'community acupuncture', a style of acupuncture that caters to a high volume of clients in a supportive group setting. In this capacity, I have been treating 30-50 clients per week over one year.

I am recognized for my gentle needling technique and intensive energy work and give credit to my experience in Asia and my twelve years practice of Tai Chi.

I am so pleased to have settled back in Victoria and look forward to sharing the values and intention of the work done with my new colleagues and clients at Sapphire Day Spa.

My intention is to live a healthy lifestyle and provide you with positive energy to help you heal and reconnect.  I am honoured to work at Sapphire Day Spa, where the strengths of both Eastern and Western medicine are focused for the well-being of the entire individual.  I am delighted to have the opportunity to deepen my knowledge of Ayurveda and to be able to offer you treatment in a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

I have been practicing yoga since 1996 and teaching yoga since 2005. A few years ago, two inspiring teachers came into my life, and I began studying Thai Yoga massage.  Metta, or compassionate touch, is the spirit of this modality, it unblocks energy with flowing movements, and balances the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the recipient.  I enjoy working as a massage practitioner because it creates harmony and encourages myself and the recipient to nurture others and nature.  I look forward to sharing my time with you in the sanctuary of Sapphire Day Spa.