Emma Newman
Lying on the massage table in the calming, colorful third-floor room of Emma’s on Third, the reiki pendulum floating and spinning over my body, I realized that the building housed more than a salon and health spa. This was truly an oasis from the frantic urban life just outside the door.
In April, owner Emma Newman moved into the building that once housed the eatery, breads n spreads, because she felt that Midtown Harrisburg would want—and would support—her services.
“I thought the folks here needed this,” she said. “I looked at the people who live and work here and took a look at Midtown and realized this could be a really beautiful place. And I thought people would appreciate that they could walk to it. I loved the sense of community here. It really attracted me to the area.”
Emma’s interest in healing began with her own health issues, which she suffered due to the effects of exposure to DDT while growing up. About five years ago, she opened Emma’s Center for Body and Soul on Mountain Road in Linglestown.
But it was another personal issue that led her to take the leap to open a location in Midtown. She lost several clients to cancer last year, which caused her greater concern over the effect of cosmetics that women put on their bodies.
“I’m familiar with the differences between products out there so I thought it was important to introduce this natural piece to women, especially women who are survivors,” Emma said. “I just thought this was the prime time to expand on this and entertain this and see if there was a need for it. There has been an overwhelming response.”
She proudly and passionately told the story of a woman who visited Emma’s on Third shortly after its grand opening in April.
“A woman came in and thanked us for opening, and, during the conversation, she proceeded to tell me that she had breast cancer two years ago,” she said.
The client explained that she had changed how she did things after coming through that experience. She had no idea that there was organic hair color and products, as well as other treatments.
“That interaction made the hard work of opening a new business all worthwhile,” said Emma. “Even for just that one individual to know that she can come in here and enjoy things like everyone else and know that nothing will harm her—it makes it worth it.”
Emma also explained that many of her clients are fighting through other issues.
“A lot of people who are in chronic pain need to be seen almost weekly,” she said. “They come here because they appreciate the fact that they can come to a place that’s very comfortable, very clean and very private.”
Emma’s clients seem to appreciate the time and care the practitioners put into each service. After experiencing the Emma’s on Third approach, I couldn’t agree more.
A personal and welcoming staff greeted me as I walked in from the day. After receiving a tour of the “green” facility, complete with an herb garden and reused and re-beautified furniture, the staff took the time to dig deep into the details of my day. Based on this information, they personalized treatments so that I would leave in a much more peaceful state than when I entered.
When considering what to have done, I had thought about a traditional service like a manicure, with an Emma’s organic twist, of course—the products so gentle that they can even be used on children. Or maybe I would try something new, such as reiki or reflexology?
I’m ashamed to say I didn’t know much about either service until my appointment. One of my practitioners, Aisha Mosby-Newton, explained to me that both are meant to identify imbalances in the body either through massaging specific points on the feet for reflexology or through an energy-focused approach, with no hand-to-body interaction. Both are natural approaches to common problems like stress.
When I asked Emma how she’s seen the arena of holistic health change in the past 20 years, she explained that a newfound focus on personal health has made the natural approach more popular.
“I think people are more proactive with their health now,” she said. “The medical community is very much promoting this as a complementary treatment, in addition to what they do. People are really recognizing the value of this work.”
After finishing my consultations for each service and upon the detailed observation by the practitioners, I was told my chakras were off balance. Imbalanced chakras, I was told, are simply signs of energy imbalance in the body. It could be stress at work or sadness over relationship issues or even digestive issues.
When I asked my practitioners how they discovered their interest in holistic health, they mentioned a calling towards the services, whether an almost supernatural calling or simply a distaste for harmful chemicals on the body.
I, too, was concerned about chemicals on my skin when making the appointment for my third and final treatment of the afternoon, a facial. Not only was the facial relaxing and revitalizing, but I’m pleased to say that it did not upset my sensitive skin.
Other services offered range from traditional hair cutting and styling services with organic products to Indian head massages and classes to gain experience in helping others through holistic healing. On the third floor, there is also a yoga studio, Urban Hermitage, offering corporate and private sessions.
I entered Emma’s on Third anticipating a typical day at a spa, but was pleasantly surprised. After experiencing the client-centric way of business and the personal, yet professional, approach, I can say that Midtown’s urban oasis gained a life-long client. Hopefully, the next time I visit, my chakras will be more in tune (particularly since I now know what that means).
Emma’s on Third is located at 1419 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.emmasonthird.com or call 717-233-3662.
