Special Report: Body Enlightening

The candles are lit, the soft, soothing music plays and you take flight.

This is not your mother's massage!

Claudia deHaven Viddle, Body Enlightening Therapist
"For people who enjoy something a little more integrated in body work than just simply massage of a passive sort."

It's called body enlightening. It’s an hour long therapy that's one part yoga, one part assisted stretching and one part massage.

Christine DeMott, Body Enlightening Therapist
"It feels like you're surrendering your day, surrendering your tension, to someone who's gently stretching you. Gently working your body. Gently rocking you with your natural movement. And it's a fantastic, opening feeling."

During each body enlightening session, a therapist massages and stretches you into a variety of positions.

Christine DeMott, Body Enlightening Therapist
"It does not hurt at all. It's very gentle. It's good for everybody, not just people who are in great shape or flexible."

One of these positions, nicknamed "flying," may look a bit scary for a first timer, but therapists insist it's perfectly safe and great for your back.

Claudia deHaven Viddle, Body Enlightening Therapist
"You're basically put in a weightless atmosphere for your own spine and somebody is able to manipulate the spine in a very gentle rocking movement which can free the vertebrae."

Therapists say the treatment can increase blood circulation, eliminate toxins, and stretch you out.

Claudia deHaven Viddle, Body Enlightening Therapist
"For me it feels like a giant cat who has very soft paws, kneeding me."

Each body enlightening session costs $150 and is only offered at the new Exhale Mind Body Spa across from the Park Plaza.