In our fast-paced world, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to create time out in which we can truly regenerate and recharge our batteries. We often sleep poorly at night because so many thoughts keep us on our toes. During the day, we are constantly exposed to stimuli and stress. It’s so important to manage our energy resources carefully and consciously. Deep relaxation is a precious and necessary resource that we must value and nurture. But how?
Relaxation at the touch of a button?
In our wellness area, we offer our guests a place of rest and relaxation, away from the stresses of everyday life. Many spend half a day or even a whole day at the spa, combining, for example, breakfast or dinner with health-promoting sauna sessions, a soak in the whirlpool, or a refreshing footbath.
But not everyone can invest this time. So we thought about what we could offer so that, for example, conference guests can recharge their batteries during their lunch break. Or guests who have traveled a long way and have to drive half an hour to their first appointment after a long, stressful journey. We found the solution at a trade fair: a brainLight massage chair relaxTower Zenesse. The current top model from Goldbach-based brainLight promises “relaxation at the touch of a button.”
Does the advertising deliver what it promises?
Advertising brochures and salespeople promise a lot, but what does reality look like? Anja Fenneberg, hostess at the Hotel Kaiserhof, was the first to try out the massage chair at the trade fair: “It was incredibly loud at the trade fair. Nevertheless, within minutes I was transported to a completely different, peaceful world. The relaxation started immediately and continued. When I finished the 20-minute treatment and looked around, I realized how much I could let go. I had completely forgotten that I was at a lively trade fair! It really was relaxation at the touch of a button.”
Anja Fenneberg naturally tried out several models from various companies, but always returned to brainLight. The company, established in 1988, is the market leader. According to the company, brainLight systems have been honored annually since 2012 with the PLUS X Award for “Best Product of the Year.” The effectiveness has also been confirmed by numerous scientific studies. This has made the system attractive not only for private relaxation, e.g., in a spa, but also for companies as a component of their corporate health management.
Our guests help with the purchase decision
The final decision involved the people who are most important to us: our guests! In December 2017, the company brainLight sent a promotional truck with the massage chairs on board. Our conference guests in particular, but of course also some employees, lined up immediately. The interest was huge, and the feedback was consistently positive. The fact that no time is wasted getting dressed and undressed, and that even a 10-minute application is effective, was a decisive factor for many. The decision was made.
Since January 2018, a brainLight relaxTower Zenesse massage chair, upholstered in elegant black leather, has been in our spa. We were trained in several groups by Stefanie Horst, a sales representative for the company, and familiarized with the mind-body system developed by brainLight. The training also included a personal test of the massage chair.
A Time Out as an Education
As someone who has never sat in such a chair before, I wondered if I could even manage it on my own. Of course, our guests receive instructions, but I wanted to know if the system is also intuitive to use. The answer: a resounding yes!
For a massage on the Shiatsu massage chair, the user remains in their everyday clothes. Only shoes and jewelry are removed. For hygiene reasons, we have nevertheless agreed that the chair will be covered from top to bottom with towels and then disinfected by the guest with wipes. Both are located right next to the chair. The massage chair seems very bulky at first, but is simply comfortable once you’ve settled in. The neck pillows can be individually adjusted by folding them back. The side cushions can also be moved into five different positions.
On the right are visualization glasses, and on the left is the “tower” with headphones. It’s incredibly easy to use: Sit down, put on your headphones, select a program, and relax – the chair does the rest!
Huge Program Selection
The hardest part about using the chair? The seemingly endless selection of exciting programs! There are 99 programs to choose from, lasting between 10 and 40 minutes! I first chose the 20-minute introductory program. This is ideal for anyone who has never tried a brainLight massage chair before. After making myself comfortable in the chair, I entered the program number on the “tower” next to the chair. This indicates how many coins are needed for the selected program. After inserting the coins, it started right away.
One coin represents 10 minutes of treatment time. Coins can currently be purchased at the Kaiserhof at the following rates:
- 1 coin 10 euros
- 2 coins 18 euros
- 3 coins 24 euros
- 4 coins 28 euros
- Each additional coin 5 euros
A maximum of 10 coins can be purchased per person in one transaction. Prices subject to change.
The 4D sensor measures the height, width, and depth of the back, moving gently back and forth to adapt to each individual body. At the same time, a soothing voice explains what’s happening and what’s next. The first section only covers the chair’s functions so that the user isn’t surprised or can’t relax.
Shiatsu massage on a chair
The Shiatsu massage took some getting used to for me in the first few minutes. It’s vigorous, but not too vigorous. There are three strengths: weak, medium, and strong. At the Kaiserhof, the massage is preset to “medium,” but can be individually adjusted immediately after entering the program number by pressing button 1 (weak) or 3 (strong). The Shiatsu massage is performed by tapping, shaking, and kneading. The feet, calves, hands, upper arms, and back are treated.
Relax through light and sound impulses
After the first few massages, I was asked to put on the visualization glasses. These are attached to the side of the chair and are therefore easy to grasp. Here, too, I received an introduction and was informed that my eyes need a few minutes to adjust to the light impulses.
Then the actual relaxation program begins. The voice takes you on a guided meditation, the light impulses promote a state of relaxation, and music gently penetrates you. Ms. Horst explained to us in the introductory training that the sounds are played at different frequencies, some of which are only perceived by our subconscious. The light impulses are transported via the brainLight visualization glasses across the retina to the brain. Together, the audio-visual impulses address different areas of the brain.
It is certainly essential to commit to meditation. This is certainly not always easy, given everything that goes through our heads every day. Therefore, in the first few minutes, it is advisable to concentrate fully on the voice, the music, and the light impulses. After that, the subconscious takes over on its own.
The brainLight chair has 99 different programs, with symbols indicating which part of the massage and guided meditation play in each program:
- The treatment begins with massage, followed by deep relaxation with visualization, and ends with massage again.
- The treatment begins with massage, the rest consists of deep relaxation with visualization.
- Massage and visualization are a continuous part of the treatment.
- Continuous massage without visualization.
- Continuous visualization without massage.
What effect does a session have?
The brainLight massage chair engages all the senses. According to brainLight, using the chair “leads to deep and lasting physical, emotional, and mental relaxation.”
brainLight also speaks of specific phases of effect:
- Immediately after one application (among other things): stress reduction, deep relaxation after a short time, equivalent to two hours of sleep
- Medium-term: after approximately five applications (among other things): increased stress resistance and resilience, increased performance, well-being, inner peace and serenity
- Long-term: with regular use: improved memory and learning performance, sustained increase in performance and increased stress resistance, improved intuitive decision-making, positive attitude
Who is this application suitable for?
The great thing about the brainLight massage chair is that almost anyone can use it. Only pregnant women should avoid this treatment altogether.
Without visualization glasses, the application is also possible for
- epileptics and
- people with a pacemaker
.
Without massage – i.e., as a pure visualization program – the application is also suitable for
- people with acute back pain
- osteoporosis patients
- people with thrombosis and
- people over 120 kg body weight
.
If you notice that you feel unwell during the program, you can end the application at any time using the “emergency button” between the right armrest and backrest.
Stay healthy through life with short breaks
In addition to the short 10-minute relaxation and massage programs, there are also various special programs, e.g.,
- Healing meditation for the internal organs,
- Music enjoyment, and
- “be-healthy” health programs
The “be-healthy” health programs, when used regularly through deep suggestion, support, for example, the goal of becoming a non-smoker or overcoming fear of the dentist. Other “all-round wellness programs” help, for example, with sleep disorders and support weight loss. Those completing these programs should attend two to three times a week for four to six weeks to see lasting results. There are also programs that build on each other, such as the “Guide to Mindfulness” in 10 sessions of 10 minutes each.
Try the massage chair yourself
Have we piqued your interest? Then try the brainLight 4D Shiatsu massage chair Zenesse at the Kaiserhof for yourself! Simple, quick, and uncomplicated:
- Take off your shoes and jewelry
- Put on your headphones and select a program
- Put on your visualization glasses and enter a world of total relaxation
Instead of taking a power nap at your desk, treat yourself to a ten- or twenty-minute session in the massage chair. Afterward, you can start again full of energy!
We look forward to your feedback and send warm greetings from the Hotel Kaiserhof,
Julia Wieduwilt