The Kejoraku
The Kejoraku
A recently-opened Head Spa in Bury St Edmunds - described as a serene space to slow down, unwind and reset.
There has been a bit of a trend recently of Head Spa treatments, with videos going “viral” on TikTok showcasing the benefits of this Japanese-originating wellness discipline that is becoming more and more popular around the world. Myself and my wife - a hairdresser by trade - were interested to see if we could find one, but so far there hadn’t been any particularly locally that we could find the time to get to.
Enter, The Kejoraku. Opening literally within the last month, this new spa experience in Bury St Edmunds has been quickly gaining a glowing reputation, with local newspapers and customers alike raving about the transformational experience. If you didn’t know, I’m based in Suffolk, very conveniently nearby, so I was excited to book in and try it for myself. I figured this would be the perfect time to do it too, with my stress levels generally higher than usual, and being about to embark on my two most demanding performing contracts of the year - it would probably be a great idea to take some time for myself for a change. Spoiler alert - I was spot on.
I arrived at the spa not really knowing what to expect - I’ve never done anything like this for myself before, not even so much as a sports massage, so I really felt like a fish out of water when I got there. Thankfully between the pre-appointment communications and the exceedingly warm welcome I immediately received at the door, I was quickly made to feel comfortable. This experience takes place in a room within a larger operation - The Belle Rose Beauty Academy, offering a variety of services.
Yana was still getting things ready when I arrived (I was even earlier than the suggested 10mins early arrival) so I had a chance to sit for a moment - it was very quiet in the academy today, but before I knew it, I was invited through into the smaller room. First, Yana went over an explanation of what the session would entail, asking me some questions about why I had booked and what I was hoping to get from it - her eminently personable nature meant that this “admin” was far from dull, and in fact we got to talking and laughing about our career history as part of this chat too.
With this all sorted, it was time to begin the treatment itself - I made myself comfortable on the bed, which with my larger frame isn’t always an easy feat, but Yana was there to gently guide me as needed and soon I found myself settling down - still a little unsure. The experience begins and ends with the chime of a singing bowl, so after I had closed my eyes, and the cooling mask was placed over them, I let the sound flow over me and started to focus on relaxing.
As gentle music (not unlike the Music of Wellness, if you know it) and soothing aromas started to fill the space, Yana began to work her magic. With my eyes out of use the other senses were heightened, and as she began with her delicate and practiced movements, I knew pretty much immediately that I had made a good choice in coming here today.
I couldn’t possibly tell you in detail about all of the things I experienced, because I felt like I melted my way through them all. I genuinely felt like I had lost all sense of my body other than what I could feel on my scalp - the warm and gentle waterfall, the soothing scrubbing and brushing, the different tactile sensations of various unknown tools she was using - some soft, some cold, one even motorised. Several delicious smelling substances were massaged in and then washed away again, and at one point for an extended few moments I was within (I’m guessing) some kind of steam-filled bubble. For well over an hour it all blurred into, as best I can describe it, an intense sense of relaxation.
I find it very difficult to switch off my brain, it’s just a thing about me, so I must admit my thoughts were still swirling across other subjects quite a lot of the time - but where I might usually stress about them, I found that the calmness had pervaded so deeply that there were things I was able to dismiss as nothing more than fleeting worries. Instead I was holding focus on both the sensations and the nicer aspects of my future plans and thoughts. My therapist would be proud!
In stark contrast to the animated and lively conversation we had to begin with, Yana had been absolutely silent throughout the actual session, so aside from the sounds of the equipment and the flowing of all the water, I was left to lose myself in the gentle music and soft atmosphere of the room. I had lost all sense of time, and it didn’t matter. I was very glad I had carved myself a portion of the day away for this, it really helped that I had no sense of urgency or rush for this time to be over.
But, as all good things must do, it did eventually come to the end. With another chiming of the singing bowl, the session was concluded. Yana helped me to “return” by gently advising and helping me to sit up, take my time and gather my thoughts. The room was still darkened and I felt a little like I was waking up from a sleep of thousands of years - but in the best way possible.
As I started to move around again, the conversation resumed just as candidly as it had previously, and at this point Yana was explaining to me about her work in getting started up and her plans for the future - the keen one for her was getting the word out to more people about what she offers here. I had already been wondering if I could get my wife a gift voucher - the answer is yes, so that’s Christmas sorted.
I left, went on my way - back to work and the wider world, but the calm peacefulness stayed with me for a long while afterwards.
I then thought about what else I might be able to do to help, so here I am writing a review of my experience - I wasn’t asked to, nor did I receive anything for doing so, but I had an indescribably amazing time and I feel compelled to help share the opportunity with others.
As part of the wrapping up conversations, Yana had playfully challenged me to find three words to summarise how I felt, but such was my unfamiliar relaxed state, I found myself completely unable to summon the required cognition of thought to do so. Instead, having had time to consider properly, I shall add them here.
Blissful transcendental magic.
💆🏻♂️💆🏻♂️💆🏻♂️💆🏻♂️💆🏻♂️ / 5
Find all the information about The Kejoraku and book in for yourself at https://thekejoraku.bookinbeautiful.com/
As stated in the review, there was nothing offered to me in exchange for this review - I booked and paid for the appointment myself.