premier med spa in all of SW Florida. Rebecca, my aesthetician, has not only improved my skin, but she has also transformed it. I drive an hour just to see her. The experience there is always relaxing, luxurious, and personalized. The staff at L. Spa has incredible product knowledge and perfectly recommends exactly what my skin needs. Nicole Hancock (on L.Spa): L. Spa is in my top five fave businesses in Sarasota. I’ve been going for 10 years – mostly because they serve me wine and mimosas. But truly, it’s my favorite place for much-needed self-care. My mani-pedi is always on point, too, thanks to Mary. My skin looks healthy thanks to the facials with Becky, and Doreen gives an amazing massage. Michelle and her Botox have helped keep my migraines away for much of the past few years too. Karen, I miss you up there, friend. Gina Caro (on Spa Hollywood): Always treats me like royalty. Platinum Winner- Flow Massage and Wellness/ Gold Winner- Sirius Day Spa / Silver Winner- Purify: An Urban Sweat Lodge / Bronze Winner- L. Spa.
BEST MANICURE Paint Nail Bar There’s nothing like fresh color on those digits or the satisfying sound of tapping elegant nails on a table. Ladies (and gents), may we present the winners of the best manicures, the ones who make your nails magnificent. PAINT NAIL BAR, the one-stop-shop for all-around opulence wins Platinum, followed by L. SPA sparkling in Gold. AJ NAILS wins the Silver with SPA HOLLYWOOD landing in Bronze by just a handful of votes. Make sure to check out the equally deserving Bee Nails, Expo Nails, Suite Nails by JC and Luxury Nails, our Honorable Mentions. -OL Hallie Harris (on PAINT Nail Bar): Affordable luxury. I absolutely love going there and treating myself without the guilt of a hefty price tag. Not only are their services, their staff and their products top-notch, but the added bonus of a chic environment, delicious mimosas and the cutest retail pieces make going to PAINT more than just a simple nail appointment. Chloe Crnojevich (on L. Spa): During COVID, I was hesitant to get my nails done, but L.Spa’s intimate nail lounge made it super comfortable for me to get my services. The nail girls always do a great job. Donna Geisdorf (on AJ Nails): I have been getting manicures and pedicures at AJ Nails for two years. The woman who takes care of me is a perfectionist. I go there because it’s clean and they are keeping up with COVID protocols. Platinum Winner- Paint Nail Bar / Gold Winner- L.Spa / Silver Winner- AJ Nails / Bronze Winner- Spa Hollywood.
BEST YOGA STUDIO
Pineapple Yoga + Cycle Studio The best thing about yoga is it’ll always be there for you. So come as you may to these top yoga studios in town to practice peace, relaxation and mind/body health. Once again, on a multi-year run, PINEAPPLE YOGA + CYCLE STUDIO wins Platinum though CIRCUSOUL YOGA is close on its heels, trailing by only a handful of votes to come in at Gold. THAVMA YOGA LAKEWOOD RANCH takes its Silver victory,
with THE YOGA SHACK close behind in Bronze. So go bend and stretch at these Honorable Mentions, Hot Yoga 4 You, Body Heat Hot Yoga, Prana Yoga and Healing Center and Yoga From the Heart. -OL Erika Hoffman (on Pineapple Yoga): When I walked through those doors of Pineapple Yoga Studio this past summer, little did I know just the incredible transformation I would be embarking upon. Apart from what yoga has done to change my life, I would be remiss if I did not recognize that at the very heart of what keeps me continuing to show up are the people. I would like to express my gratitude to the studio owner, Claudia Baeza, and the amazing instructors of PYS. I consider your family and such an integral part of my life. I am truly blessed to have this kind of genuine camaraderie. Alejandra Valdes (on CircuSoul): CircuSoul has affordable classes, a loaded schedule accommodating all times and is body-positive with amazing teachers and cute retail. Plus plenty of parking. Sabrina Finucane (on Thavma Yoga): I was looking for relief for my back issues when a friend introduced me to Marina at Thavma. After briefly speaking with her before class regarding my issues, she made a point to instruct me and others with similar issues with alternate movements to ensure additional injuries did not occur. It’s been five years now, and my back has never felt better. Marina and her team truly love what they do. They care about your health, and more importantly, they have become family. Bia Antunes (on Yoga Shack): I’ve been practicing yoga for a while now and have been to several different studios. Several things make The Yoga Shack special. The teachers I practice yoga with are phenomenal and dedicated to evolving in their craft and sharing with their students. They are giving, open, caring and very helpful. The studio itself is wonderfully located near Downtown Sarasota—very convenient. The space has high ceilings, nice floors and a peaceful vibe and the teachers often use candles. The owners are running a business, but they’re also concerned with sharing yoga and spreading love and peace. Platinum Winner- Pineapple Yoga + Cycle Studio / Gold Winner- CircuSoul Yoga / Silver Winner- Thavma Yoga Lakewood Ranch / Bronze Winner- The Yoga Shack.
BEST EYECARE PRACTICE Center for Sight
Eye health should be a top priority, and the Sarasota area has optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians and their practices ready for you. Coming in at Platinum is CENTER FOR SIGHT, followed by SOTO EYE CENTER in Gold, COASTAL EYE INSTITUTE, LAKEWOOD RANCH in Silver and DR. SUSAN M. SLOAN in Bronze. Honorable Mentions include Dr. Donna L. Shotwell, O.D. P.A., Envision Eye Specialists, Spectacle Gallery and Dr. Bovio, O.D. Gulfcoast Eye. -OL Deborah Watkins (on Center for Sight): My husband had cataract surgery in early 2020, and the staff and surgeon were very thorough in their examination and evaluation, thorough with their patient education and on the day of the procedures, my husband received excellent care. I was able to
be with him at every step in the process, including observing the procedure itself with a friendly, compassionate office associate who explained every step of the procedure as I viewed it live behind glass and on a screen showing a close-up view of the surgeon’s actions. My husband had excellent results with well-timed and efficient follow-up, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. Christine Dowell (on Coastal Eye): I first contacted Dr. Silverman at Coastal Eye Institute seven years ago when my youngest son’s preschool alerted me of a possible problem with his depth perception. Dr. Silverman was thorough and compassionate. He clearly explained the abnormality and, since it was hereditary, recommended he see my other children. He was able to intervene and stop further loss and even correct the damage in three of my children. The staff is so friendly and helpful, and my husband and I now see Dr. Freidberg at the same convenient Midtown office. My youngest still wears glasses, and they are high quality with a great warranty—much needed for an active youngster. I have and continue to highly recommend Coastal Eye Institute to all my friends and acquaintances. Laurel Dove (on Dr. Susan Sloan): Dr. Sloan is extremely good at assessing my needs and very responsive to my concerns. Her staff is very friendly and helpful, and she uses the most upto-date equipment I’ve ever seen. I’m a totally satisfied patient. Platinum Winner-Center for Sight / Gold Winner- Soto Eye Care / Silver Winner- Coastal Eye Institute / Bronze Winner-Dr. Susan M. Sloan
BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY
Siesta Key Sports and Physical Therapy When rehabilitating an injury or combatting a physical challenge, having the right partner and team on your side are crucial for success. And the voters have spoken for who they trust most. Coming in at Platinum is SIESTA KEY SPORTS AND PHYSICAL THERAPY, followed by 360 ORTHOPEDICS in Gold, FLOW MASSAGE AND WELLNESS in Silver and FYZICAL THERAPY & BALANCE CENTERS SARASOTA DOWNTOWN in Bronze. In the words of Dr. Niles Crane, “Let’s get better.” Honorable Mentions include Back in Motion: Sarasota Physical Therapy, Hands-On Physical Therapy and CORA Physical Therapy North Sarasota. -OL Janet Bye (on Siesta Key Sports): Kristy, Dave and the team are fantastic. They treated me with state-of-the-art technology for Bell’s palsy and my husband for a shattered knee cap. They care for their patients and are truly experts in their field. “Best” doesn’t begin to cover it. Paula Campbell (on 360 Orthopedics): I have been to physical therapy several times in different locations, and 360 PT is by far the best. They are truly concerned that the patient is doing the exercises properly. The physical therapist stays with one patient at a time and makes sure the exercise is being done correctly to give the patient the best way of healing. Never have I seen a better run office. 360 is dedicated to helping the patient heal and continue a better life. srq magazine_ APR21 live local | 109
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