In an opposition to the far-too-cliched image of what a good spa should be, the Cynergy Day Spa is an alternative, better yet-a pleasant option in the light of innovative businesses in New York City. Cynthia Grace, co-founder of Cynergy Day Spa, describes the service as an effort not only in the exterior enhancement of her customers, but one that leaves them with a satisfied feeling of overall goodness and elation.Through offerings of massages, facials, body wraps, body scrubs, paraffin treatments, and hair consultations to name but only a few, Grace goes on to say that "We mostly pamper people. New York is stressful. In a city like this especially, people need that-that special treatment." This statement could be no closer to the truth. In a city where people barely have time to say "thank you", a Jungle Mist Herbal Wrap or Ancestrial Aromatherapy Massages may be just right.

When asked the origin of Cynergy, Grace traces it back to an afternoon drive through Jones Beach. It was during this drive with her husband that she recalls the desire to get her usual spa treatment accompanied with the reluctance in the commute to do so. At the time, all of the day spas in the city were located downtown, and the overwhelming traffic involved in the mere trip down there was far from appealing. Cynthia¹s husband, co-founder Charles Rimeau suggested innovation-a creation of her own spa in Harlem. Developmental plans were soon underway and the new Cynergy Spa on 135th street between Adam Clayton Powell and Fredrick Douglas Boulevard in Harlem, NY was soon a reality.

After twenty years of being an avid spa user herself, Cynthia Grace already knows what goes into the satisfaction of a customer. In describing the atmosphere of Cynergy, adjectives like "chic" and "home-like" will most likely come to mind- a change from the typical spa which, at best, resembles but only an upscale doctor¹s office.

A successful business with a large clientele, Cynergy Day Spa was not always looked upon through the most optimistic eyes. Grace attests to encountering those who swore that a spa in Harlem wouldn¹t last. Many people stereotyped Harlem as an impoverished community with spas as an expensive luxury. To these people, the two factors just didn¹t match up. Assumptions were that those in Harlem wouldn¹t be interested in paying for anything like a spa service while those external of Harlem wouldn¹t want to travel into Harlem in the first place. Nevertheless, the spa is standing, and as the first one in Harlem, Cynthia describes the ownership of Cynergy as a wonderful feeling. "We encourage people to feel better. That leaves me satisfied. "

Oddly enough, Cynthia Grace doesn¹t see herself as a trendsetter; it wasn¹t even an intention. Instead, the focus was in the creation of a positive environment where cultural influences would be far from inconspicuous. In a visit to the spa, the focus is well observed. As opposed to other black-owned spa businesses where you can walk in without any notion of who owns the place, Grace boasts of her reputation as the only spa in town with an all-African-American staff . With a soothing Miles Davis playing in the background during a nice massage, cultural influences are easily spotted.

Relief. Through a gray world filled with obnoxious car horns, loud barks of conversation, and overcrowded sidewalks, an hour of pampering isn¹t bad. And the price range? Cynergy Day Spa services range from as little as $10 up until the grand Golden Oval Package-$650. So is this something to spend your money on? Is this something to talk about? OF COURSE. If it wasn¹t, you wouldn¹t have seen my name under the story title. Regardless of all that-just see for yourself. I know I¹ll be going for my own personal Cynergy experience sometime in the near futureŠAs inŠ.tomorrow?

Cynergy Day Spa
207 West 135th Street
New York, NY 10030
(212)-491-7880