I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease two years ago. In reality, Parkinson’s had started creeping in at least three years before that. As a violin teacher, I’d noticed that my bow handling was getting more and more robotic, but I ignored it. 

Do not ignore the little signs. Talk to your doctor about even the smallest things if they are persistent. 

When my massage therapist noticed that my arms didn’t swing when I walked, I had to stop living in denial and face reality. Unfortunately, my current reality is that I am stiff as a board, and my body shakes when I try to do anything. Unless I am submerged in water, that is.

Gravity is a damnable thing to Parkinson’s victims. Being in water is close to Nirvana for us. Paradise, Nirvana, same thing, right? 

I wish my house was underwater. I wish I was a mermaid. I wish I didn’t have Parkinson’s Disease. None of those wishes are going t come true anytime soon, if ever, so I am grateful to Starr and her team at Paradise for making life more bearable. 

If you don’t know anything about Parkinson’s Disease let me tell you this. It’s caused by the gradual loss of dopamine producing cells in the brain. Dopamine? It regulates movement. And emotion. 
So, as your brain stops making dopamine, you get stiffer. And you get tremors. You can become depressed and anxious. The side effects of the drugs they prescribed 
were awful. I had no desire to live in a haze, so I went to Paradise. 

If you want to understand how absurdly difficult life can be for someone afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease, consider this: I feel stiffness and tightnessunder my hair. It’s like wearing a hat that is two sizes too small. Crazy, huh? 

But that all changes when I jump in the pool at Paradise. As soon as I hit the water I go from feeling like the Tin Man after the monsoon season, to feeling like Jane Freaking Fonda, some sort of ninja ballerina. 

I can move to the music in my head when I go through my routine that Starr designed for me personally. There is NO WAY I could go through one of Starr’s workout sessions out of the pool. I would look and feel like a zombie trying to do yoga. 

I feel so good after my sessions in the Paradise pool. My muscles are softer, my range of motion is better. Any pain I wake up with disappears. Even when I have my bad days I really want to come to Paradise.

Riding a bike is when I feel most “normal”. Biking in the water is an awesome experience. It’s fun, and if it’s fun you will do it! Even life on land is better on the days I can’t make it to Paradise. 

Next I’m going to try the infrared sauna. I am told that infrared heat helps PD symptoms go away. 

Short of a cure for Parkinson’s, Paradise is the best thing I can wish for, and I don’t need a genie to grant that wish. 

There is an enduring debate over whether or not you should trust your mechanic. The basic argument, of course, is that while your mechanic may be competent enough to fix your car, he may also be unscrupulous enough to make sure you have to keep coming back, by fixing one thing, but breaking another. 

I was plagued by a not dissimilar problem a couple years ago, but it was not about something as trifling as my car, it was about my spine. 

I’d had a spinal fusion in 2011. When I started to get pains again, I went to a physiotherapist, who asked about my exercise habits. I told her I was working out at the public pool. Wrong, she said, go to Paradise and see Starr.

Now, I don’t want you to get the idea that the staff at the public pool were trying to harm me, in order to keep me coming back and refilling their coffers. Perish the thought. Fine people, all of them. 

No, mine is not a story about unscrupulous individuals. It is, rather, a story about some purported professionals being less competent than others. The nice folk at the public pool simply lack the expertise of Starr and her staff at Paraidise. My physiotherapist understood this, and so did I just a few weeks after taking out a membership. 

It was the difference between night and day. The staff at the public pool were well intentioned, but what do they say the road to Hell is paved with? Hell is the opposite of Paradise, right? 

Spinal fusion surgery is a last resort for those of us who suffer debilitating back pain. If you have never experienced painful problems with your back, thank your lucky stars, because it is a truly horrendous plight to have to suffer through. 
As I say, the surgery is the last resort. So, if you are starting to experience back pain, if you are not yet enduring protracted and substantial discomfort, you should start taking counter measures pronto. 

By all means, consult your doctor, but I am confident he or she will tell you to start a regimen of physiotherapy that includes water based exercise. 

If you want to save a couple bucks by trying the public pool, go right ahead. But remember, you get what you pay for. 

At Paradise, what you’re paying for is relief from pain. What you’re paying for is better health. What you’re paying for is expert care and maintenance. 

Starr knows what works for whatever problems you are having. And she knows what doesn’t work for those problems, too. I have been working out in the pool, thinking I was doing something right, only to have Starr come over and say, “Do this Loraine.” 

If I miss a few consecutive sessions at Paradise, I can feel it. And every time I start to feel it, I know that my options are clear – get back in the pool, or go back to the operating room. It’s a simple decision to make, and I advise you to think about what your next move is. 

I’m a woodworker. A cabinet maker. Have been for a long time. It’s grueling work. Physically demanding. 

After long years of hard labor, I was promoted to management. I don’t have to do as much punishing work as I used to, and it’s a good thing, because all that backbreaking work was literally backbreaking. 

Wait. I never literally broke my back, but I sure did do some damage, and I really felt it when I was required to move heavy stuff around, which I still am, from time to time. 
When I was out of the office, pitching a potential customer, I noticed Paradise. I walked, across the street, and through the doors. B I N G O! 
One look around, and I knew Paradise is what my aching back needed.

I wasn’t going to be a fulltime desk-jockey. To keep my job, I was going to have to be fit enough to step away from the desk, and get physical, and there’s no such thing as, “Fake it ‘til you make it,” when you have to push and shove. 

The aquacise class I was taking at Paradise was great for relieving the pain in my back. But when I met Starr, and she showed me some stretches, and exercises, specifically for my back, everything changed. My back not only stopped hurting, it felt strong again. 

The stretches released the strain in my muscles from my hips to my ribs. Then Starr hooked me up to the Aqualogix drag equipment, which increased resistance. That’s how you strengthen your back. And that’s how you keep your job. 

I no longer fear that my back problems, now minor, will result in me losing my job. I have to be careful, but I can still bull around heavy stuff with the kids, thanks to Paradise. 

My job demands a lot of my time, so I don’t always get to spend as much time at Paradise as I’d like. Mostly, I like going in on Saturdays, when it’s not so busy. I workout on my own, but I still take the occasional class to learn new things I can do to improve on what I’ve already achieved. 

And the far infrared sauna is a perfect compliment for my exercise regimen. An hour in the pool, followed by a half hour, sometimes more, in the sauna, and I feel like a million bucks. 

Sometimes, after a good workout, I just float around on a noodle, weightless and care free. And pain free! 

On a lazy Saturday afternoon, Paradise is a much better place than the couch. 



Some of the kids at the shop are intrigued by my comeback. I suppose they thought it was over for me, the poor old-timer. But I showed ‘em! And they now know that I’ll be around until I take my retirement. 



Those kids think they’re indestructible. Well, so did I. But they will learn, probably the hard way, that a lifetime of physical toil comes at a price. I tell them they should get ahead of the game, by coming to Paradise, but they don’t listen. Something tells me that I’ll see them at Paradise, sooner or later. 

This water exercises will strengthen & lengthen your low back, hips, glutes, IT band, calves, ankles, and foot muscles to keep your knees stable.  The same training protocols apply whether you're healing from a knee injury or trying to prevent knee injuries.  This class is 30 minutes.

This water aerobics class is a full body strength building water workout for all ages that pumps up your heart rate.  Water exercise equipment is used to increase resistance for greater cardio conditioning.  The low impact nature of the class reduces stress on joints and allows you complete control of intensity.  This class is 55 minutes.

AQUA CARDIO EXPRESS: 

30 minutes of AQUA CARDIO (Express classes are good for people who are time constrained or significantly out of shape.)

A soothing massage can help you unwind and provide you with other health benefits. Our therapeutic massage is designed to help you de-stress and find relief from pain and muscle tension. You may want to consider combining your massage session with a visit to our far infrared sauna for added benefits before and after.

Getting ready for a sports event? Just finished a sports event and need relief, let our experienced massage therapist's work out the kinks.

Reiki is a way of channeling healing energy. Reiki is a Japanese word meaning "universal life force energy." It is a hands-on technique, much like when the Bible speaks of a "laying on of hands." There is no disrobing required to receive Reiki. It goes through clothing, blankets, and even casts. It is always safe, and there are no side effects. Reiki promotes relaxation, decreases stress, and may lead to deeper levels of healing. It is primarily concerned with health, not dis-ease. Reiki works on healing the body, mind, and spirit. Reiki is also known to enhance traditional medical treatments too.

Deep tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in substantial physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained a physical injury.

Whether or not your nails are healthy and strong, you may benefit from our silk wrapped nails. Silk nails is another nail enhancement to help you get the perfect nail. Silk is an excellent choice for you if your nails are naturally week, cracked, brittle, or otherwise damaged. Its main goal is to strengthen and beautify so you can have that clean, flawless, and smooth finish. Ask our nail technician if this is right for you.

Our pedicure services are soothing and relaxing in our luxury pedicure thrones. Skin exfoliation and hydrating massage extend up to your knee. The single-use, customized foot bath, with vibration massage will give your feet a new lease on life. Afterward, the perfect polish application makes them look as good as they feel.

Whether it be express, basic, pampering, party, or gentlemen's manicure, we got you covered.

Gel nails are a type of artificial nail. When compared to an acrylic nail, it can look more realistic. They generally last 10 to 12 days before requiring maintenance, and they take a little longer to do. Another advantage is that they don't have that killer odor, which makes the service a little more pleasant. 

There are two types of gel nails - "file-off" and "soak-off." Please consult with your nail technician as to which one is right for you.

Acrylic nail enhancements have been the staple of the industry for a long time, and with good reason. They are durable and easy to care for at home, and quick to apply in the salon, making them a less expensive option. Although the fumes may be unpleasant if your rough on your nails and want them to last, maybe they are for you. Consult with our nail tech whether acrylic nail enhancements are right for you.

Cosmetic application to make you feel pretty or ready for a special event applied by a licensed esthetician. 

Let us remove the unwanted hair from anywhere on your body. We have a variety of methods at our disposal to make this as comfortable and effective as possible.

While this hasn't been the most popular service with today's trends, we were doing perms when they were! We have the experience to get your perm done quickly and efficiently with long-lasting curls and minimal damage. We can create the texture you want on long or short hair! Prices do not include cut.

Let one of our talented makeup artists give you that look for any special occasion in your life or just for a fun night out. Our makeup artists can help you achieve that new look you've been craving! Come follow us on Facebook as The KryBar, instagram at @TheKryBar, or twitter @theKrybar.

Spear Me Body Piercing is located inside Paradise Salon and has a large roomy piercing room and a big jewelry selection. Visit the Spear Me website for all things piercing or call us and let our auto-attendant inform you about location, pricing, minor piercing policies, and more. 775 883-4434

Julie is occasionally taking walk-ins on Monday's from 10-5 and Tuesday-Friday 10-6pm, but to ensure you get in, you'll want to make an appointment. 

Infrared saunas are a useful tool for natural healing and prevention. Infrared light can penetrate human tissue, which in turn produces a host of anti-aging health benefits making infrared saunas one of the "hottest" therapies for overall healthier living. If you want to get yourself back into balance, getting into an infrared sauna may be the ticket to achieving your wellness goals. See what the Doctor's say about this. 

Sitting in the sauna regularly can build lean muscle, prevent neuropathy (the death of brain cells), rebuild brain cells, reduce fatty tissue, and so much more. Check out this YouTube video. 

Come in and use our sauna for only $10.00 an hour per person.  If you can't live without it, buy a 10 pack for $80.00. Changing rooms and showers are currently closed.  You may wear a bathing suit or shorts and a t-shirt (sorry, no nudity); footwear and 2 towels - one to sit on and one to wipe yourself with - are best.  Have ample water to drink.  Be aware that Jewelry can get hot in the sauna.  Our facility is co-ed, this is great for couples or friends that like to enjoy sauna time together.

Our therapy pool measures 34 ft long and 20 ft wide. We keep it at 86 degrees - warm enough to be comfortable but not so hot you'll overheat while you water exercise. Additionally, we heat the pool to 92 degrees to accommodate people who are sensitive to cooler water temperatures and provide multiple water classes for pain relief at those times. See our class schedule for specific times.

We also have a small hot therapy pool that is 7 foot by 10 foot heated to a comfortable 98 degrees. We suggest using it when you are doing stretching exercise.

The saltwater chlorination system ensures a pleasant sanitary experience that feels better on your skin.

Our clean changing rooms have showers to make it possible for you to get ready for work and fit some exercise into your busy schedule. Although, they are temporarily closed due to COVID restrictions.

The entire facility is handicap and wheelchair friendly. After all, we want to help people to improve their mobility, and we have designed the space to make it easy and comfortable for you, should you need it.

This is an adult-only pool, and children under the age of 18 are not permitted unless it is strictly for therapeutic use and accompanied by an adult.

We have the following ways for you to enjoy the use of our pool:

Open swim or water exercise or aquatic therapy pass: For $8.00 an hour, you can use the pools, water exercise equipment, and do whatever swimming workout routines you desire.

Monthly Wellness Membership for therapy pools and infrared sauna use information can be found here.

We offer a variety of aquatic rehab and water exercise in our pool, taught by Paradise staff. These are designed to address a multitude of conditions and a variety of fitness levels. Pain relief comes from increased movement and exercise, and pool exercise is a proven method to treat both pain and limited mobility.

See the water exercise classes section of our web page to see what events and classes we have available. Reserve your place, since pool space may be limited. Keep checking back, and/or sign up for our newsletter to keep up with us as we develop more classes for you. Classes are priced by the trainer and do not include a day-use pass. Download our flyer for more information.

For a complete experience, we recommend using the pool and the  FAR Infrared Sauna. The sauna will help increase circulation and aids in weight loss and healing, among other things. Follow the link for a complete description of the features and benefits of the far infrared sauna. 

The pool is open for your enjoyment Monday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. General use is only closed during classes, so please see the class schedule for when the pool use is restricted.  See our FAQ for what to wear and bring.

Microdermabrasion, also known as Microderm, is one of the easiest and most effective anti-aging treatments you can get. Its benefits are many: Microderm softens fine lines and wrinkles, helps to smooth coarsely textured skin, decreases the appearance of scarring, decreases pore size, and reduces superficial hyper-pigmentation, also known as age spots.

For certain skin, types microdermabrasion can be used in conjunction with a chemical or enzyme peel to increase their effectiveness.

This item cannot be booked online. Please call the esthetician directly to find out more.

Esthetician comes from the french word “to beautify.” Esthetician services at our Spa include customized facials, microdermabrasion, waxing, and many other treatments. We offer skin consultations. Let our expert spa associates determine your skin type and the proper skincare regimen to recapture the youthful look of the skin you were born with. 

We usually perform these services in our upstairs aesthetic lounge; however, if you have difficulty climbing up a flight of stairs, tell the person making your appointment, and they will arrange for our ADA compliant downstairs room to be available for you.

Let them make your skin radiant. There are so many ways to accomplish this, check out the services menu to see all the options you have.

Let our hair stylists help keep you looking good. Our cosmetologists have years of experience. We do not accept new cosmetologists in the industry as our associates. Each associate is a tried and true veteran in the beauty industry, so you can be assured you are getting some of the best hair services Carson City has to offer.

Be sure to examine everyone's detailed pages to see their biographies, prices, and offerings and then schedule with them, call us or go on-line.

We're doing our best to gather the finest people in Carson City together to give you a great experience all the way around. This is the complete list of individuals associated with our vision to make your life better.

Click on the menu to the left to sort the list according to your specific interest.

Every service provider here is an independent contractor and is solely responsible for their services. Each provider sets their prices, schedules, and terms by which they will deliver their service to you. Please click on the "Details" button to view their page and see these terms.

Most of the time, you can reach them either on their personal cell phone to schedule your service. If you would like to make appointments with multiple providers for say "A day of beauty" call Paradise directly and our concierge will be happy to make the necessary arrangements for you.

Want to be an associate of ours? Click on the "employment" link at the bottom of this site and submit a resumé. We would love to hear from you.