Inner Balance Spa

We love Inner Balance Spa! I was getting a massage from Lisa (owner/​leader) this week, and we figured out that we have been going there almost as long as they have been open! It all started about 10 years ago with a massage at another spa booked on my birthday which, due to unforeseen circumstances, that spa had to cancel. Disappointed but understanding, I decided to call around in the hopes of a cancellation, and Inner Balance responded to my message within 10 minutes! The young lady on the phone was welcoming and very professional, and from that moment on, Inner Balance has been our haven for de-​stressing and improving our health.
The therapists are professional yet caring, kind and friendly, learned in multiple techniques and they keep their knowledge current through continual study. Offering massage and other alternative-​yet-​proven health treatments, their approach to holistic health is never pushy or demanding, but their extensive expertise is always available to patrons. The products Lisa orders are top-​quality and never irritating, and the soothing, quiet and scrupulously clean environment offers a delightful opportunity to be pampered.
They have seen us through bad backs, illness, surgeries and other health issues, and some really stressful times in our lives. Always Inner Balance has been a place we could leave our cares at the door and simply relax. I recommend Inner Balance to anyone who needs or wants a spa that will take excellent care of them. Thank you, Lisa, for building such a terrific team, and thank you to all the Inner Balance therapists who provide such caring service!

I just had a quick 45 minute lunchtime massage with Lisa. Absolutely amazing! I have come here a few times before, but this was really extra-​fantastic. She worked out all the knots and soreness I’ve had in my upper back and neck, and I feel great. I like this place because it’s easy to access, clean, everyone is friendly, appointments are on time and the prices are appropriate. Best of all, the service is always good.

I gave this a mediocre rating based on my experience with a facial. Let’s start with what went well: The spa is clean, warm and inviting. The staff are friendly. They greet you when you walk in the door. Products are displayed on the shelving and pricing is clearly marked. They also have a good website denoting services. You can do an online booking once you set up a profile. I had a few online glitches but the receptionist resolved them.
I walked in the door with high hopes for my facial. Let’s be clear: I have had many facials from high end hotel spas to ‘clinic’ appointments at esthetic schools.
Here is my gold standard for a facial*: a warm, relaxing room (quiet and dim lighting), possibly with soft music. The client is given a terry cloth wrap and the hair is comfortably and securely wrapped away from the face. During the treatment the esthetician explains her service and does not try to up-​sell you at every turn; a simple recommendation will do. Components: cleansing, pore clean and blackhead removal (with steam), mask application, hydration and facial/​décolletage massage. Nice extras: a private room, aromatherapy, craniotomy-​sacral and arm massage as well as foot/​touch point massage, and finally time to linger before changing (a shower facility is a big bonus).
*this is not an impossible list. I have found these criteria at a massage and esthetician school!
So, this is what went poorly: my technician was a massage therapist not a trained esthetician. The 75 minute session consisted of several cleanses and applications of hot towels and a 35 minute mask application that was tight, uncomfortable and itchy (think egg whites). Interspersed with a 5 minute BRUTAL deep tissue arm massage — NOT relaxing at all. I thought that a massage therapist would at least be able to master the massage part of the facial but it was sadly lacking. No cranial-​sacral (ok, that is a nice to have). Oh, I forgot to mention the uncomfortable towel wrapped around my head with the knot at the back that gave my head a bruise! I did not mention the horrible music soundtrack that keep changing volume and getting cut-​off or the blaring overhead lights in the room. There should have been a work lamp with cotton balls or eye mask during cleansing and deep pore work but all of that was absent. No steamer in sight!
The mask got all over my hair and the technician spent a few minutes wiping it with a dry towel (???) but I was finding mask flakes for 30 minutes after I left.
I shall not return for a facial — I use the term loosely —
– as it was simply an application of DMK product. This was not worth my time or the $ 115 expense. I only do this 3 times a year and it should be a relaxing treat…
Perhaps their massages are better? Why are massage therapists doing facials?
Still searching for a decent facial in Calgary…

Went here with my sister for some birthday massages and facials. We both really enjoyed our services. I had the relaxation massage and the organic facial. My skin looked amazing after the facial and it felt really good. The massage was nice as well and I did leave feeling more relaxed and stress free. The prices for their services are extremely reasonable. I will definitely be returning!

I would not recommend this place. The fact that it is called inner balance is a joke. I booked in for an infrared sauna on Monday to help deal with cold weather. It was my first time there & when I arrived at 11 am I was politely asked if I would mind waiting because the sauna had not warmed up yet. I waited a half hour before going in & the sauna was still heating up. The first thing I noticed was how cold the room was where the sauna was located. The next thing I noticed was that the door to the sauna is not completely sealed. There is a gap along the hinges & a definite draft is created within the sauna. The intense heat that is to be created does not happen. I barely broke a sweat & when I stepped out I was cold again because of the chilled room. When I was asked how my service was I made my complaints known, decided to give it a chance & bought a $ 100 package for five sessions. My next appointment was Wednesday. I called early to be sure the sauna was turned on early & if the heat could be turned up. I got a lot of wishy washy responses. I was informed it’s a large space so that its difficult to control. When I brought up the draft I was & asked if I shut the door properly & the receptionist followed up with ‘do you know the benifits of infrared sauna. ’ Actually i do know the benefits. I also made mention that if the sauna is not hot there the benefits are lost. Lots of attempts to sway me with excuses. I realized they are not solutions people but excuse people. I came up with my own solution. I brought hand towels to fill the gap & a space heater for the room. Unfortunately the space heater blew the fuse, common problem & fixable. The room was nice & warm for a moment with the heater & the hands towels helped a lot to decrease the draft. I let the receptionist know I had the same complaints & the owner was there. She just stood there with a big smile on her face nodding making it sound like she is sincerely listening. I brought up finding a solution to the problem &; pulled out my space heater. As soon as the owner knew the fuse blew she changed her attitude quickly. She said maybe next time you could not use that. I formed her I wouldn’t I would use an oil heater which is less power. She was not having that. In stead of being direct she passively said maybe not do that. When I said I blocked the gap with hand towels she became very edgey & said she had to check it right away to make sure its not broken. Then told me to go some place else. Right in front of a new client that was there checking out the place for the first time. I have never seen a business owner be so quickly dismissive to a client & not at all want to hear what her clients have to say regardless of the tone or temperment. If she actually knew the business she would know a cold client is an unhappy client. As well as a happy client tells on average 4 people about a business & a dissatisfied client tells on average 10 people not to go there & place reviews online. The owner said she she was sorry to hear this. My last words ’ Your not sorry at all’.

Needed a stat massage. Called and was booked in with Terry for one hour therapeutic massage.
Entrance into the spa was relaxing and comforting. Loved the calm music playing as well.
Been to other spas and I will have to say the table was very comfortable. — didn’t feel like a hard board. Terry was professional and friendly.
After the massage I felt great. Felt like a feather! Best way to end all of this was the tea to go. Yum!
Will definitely recommend to friends and be back in the future!

I just finished working for Inner Balance Spa as the receptionist for the last 4 months and know all the ins and out of this company and just have to say…
How amazing this company is and all the staff that work there!
The owner Lisa and Massage Therapists are truly rock stars! I have had many treatments there in the past and each one of them was amazing. Each of the therapists have amazing talents. Working there was a pleasure and getting the treatments was a gift! Feeling so relaxed and rejuvenated. Top quality customer service from the moment you walk in to the moment you leave they create a warm experience. The tea at the end of your treatment, each one feels great and soothes.
Lisa the owner for her amazing facials, she really cares about your skin!
Twyla for her Deep tissue massage
Ashley for the way she truly nurtures people in treatments
Jenna, so positive energy and always a raving revue massage
Karen does an amazing everything but great craniosacral & energy work
Margaret fantastic massage
Terri deep tissue & all other styles and dmk facials
Darlene for her energy, reiki, aromatherapy, prenatal massages & her amazing loving spirit
Gabbi our newest little rockstar is killing it!
They have 2 doctors and super nice human beings. Dr. Denis Lee (Acupuncture & Traditional Chinese medicine) his prices are fantastic and I have seen people come out of his treatments in such a serene, indescribable & Dr. Ramona Charikar is a wonderful woman who truly cares about her patients. Her heart is in helping and healing you.
Overall these woman are a power house team of amazing! They not only do those types but have such a variety, There prices are some of the best in town, only $ 85 an hour for a massage. They do a fantastic
They have a sauna, indian head massages, they do fantastic organic facials, all the products are organic, and Jane makeup… Holy smokes what an amazing product! My makeup has never ever ever ever… continue on for 10 lines never looked so good and totally good for you. It is more expensive but my makeup bag is not a drawer anymore, it is a tiny bag that lasts me forever.
Most past employees see everything that goes on in a company and usually have bad things to say. I just have the upmost respect for the owner, Lisa. She is an amazing woman and does business with her heart, the right way. She leads her team with her heart as well and it shows. I have seen clients transform from the treatments. So many people walk out in such relief and others change on a spiritual level. Massages are more then you go and relax for a bit, it is for the body and soul to heal.
These amazing woman and one man are not just a company, they are people who really care about others.

Really wanted to love this place and there were some nice things about it. It smelled great, the tea was nice, acupuncture was ok and the technique used by the massage therapist was also just ok. That’s where it stopped. I booked an acupuncture session followed by a prenatal massage. The receptionist asked me how far along I was then said I looked «HUGE». Really not something you want to hear when you’re pregnant. I had 30 minutes in between appointments (which I scheduled back to back to ensure I wasn’t waiting), but wish someone had told me I could sit in the comfy looking leather chairs instead of at the front. It was a bunch of smallish things that really rubbed me the wrong way… until the end of my massage when she didn’t do my feet, neck, head or face. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled in the US but EVERY massage I’ve had included those really key body parts. It was half a massage and not worth 90 $. I won’t be going back.

Had a one hour therapeutic massage with Twyla yesterday and man did this girl know what the heck she was doing. Hands down one of the best massages I’ve had in a VERY long time. She worked on all my trouble spots and targeted those muscles using techniques no one has ever done on me.
She had lots of knowledge and even gave me a few stretches to do on my own to help with the spots I tighten up in the most. She knew I had a shoulder injury just from touch and I didn’t put it on my form because there wasn’t really a spot for it. WOW girl!
I cannot say better things about this place! I enjoyed my treatment so much! I think this place also has some very good prices based on the services and the bonus is the staff obviously knows what they are doing. Can’t wait to book my next treatment in December.
Add bonus… they have a wedding planner across from them which I will look into now that I know it’s there!

I made an online reservation with inner balance and showed up for my appointment and they said I wasn’ t booked for an appointment. I went home and rescheduled for the following day. I had a massage booked with twyla and asked for deep tissue treatment on my neck. I showed her my limited mobility and asked for the treatment to focus on my neck and shoulders. Twyla was a nice person but proceeded to spend the entire massage on my back and barely spent any time on my neck. She is listed as a therapist who is trained in myofascial treatments but she didn’t apply any of the myofascial treatments on me even thought I asked for that treatment as well as deep tissue. This is a place where you can get an appointment any time of any day you want They have decent therapist but it is not worth the 90.00 they charge for a 60 minute massage. Find another place to get a massage.

I was talking to my roommate and she stopped me to ask what I was doing… in fact, I was massaging my temples and parts of my face while I was talking to her. What? Yeah, I didn’t quite realize I was doing it until she pointed it out. A quick check in with myself and I could feel how strained my neck and shoulders were as well. Into the Unilocal I went to search for spas. I needed a massage… stat!
Inner Balance had a massage called an Indian Head Massage on their treatments list. It’s described as a «seated and clothed massage that embodies the areas of the upper back, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, scalp, and face to relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, headaches, shoulder tension, and insomnia.» Well… no insomnia. But stress release and focus on my shoulders, neck, scalp and face? Sounded like a good fit to me!
I phone on Monday for an appointment and they had an opening Tuesday at 3. Lovely! It was my first time there, so there was the usual health information form to fill out. My therapist was Terry. The massage itself was just as it said, in this little room where I was seated in a cushiony chair. It involved a series of gentle squeezes, easy chopping actions and a lighter touch to the massage that lasted half an hour.
I think I could use an entire day at the spa to really unwind, but for a Tuesday afternoon pick me up, the Indian Head Massage should help bring a bit of that spring back into your step.
Bonus… they sent me away with a free cup of tea!

Cute little place with friendly staff. It was my first time there and i enjoyed every second of my body massage. I loved the oil that was used on me and the heated pillow. Overall, i had a great experience and would definitly go back.

Amazing!
They had amazing service, the spa smelled wonderful, and they were super flexible when my fiancé booked the wrong service I’d asked for.
I got a full body massage and a facial. Everything was super relaxing and professional. I loved the smell of the product they used for the facial.
Their packages are reasonable, and their service is amazing.

I was looking to book a massage on short notice (1 – 2 days in advance) and I couldn’t get in at my usual place. Naturally, I turned to Unilocal to get a suggestion for a good alternative! Inner balance has really good reviews, is close to my house, and is less expensive than my usual place, so I was excited to try it out. I booked an Indian Head Massage and a 30 minute sauna.
The appointment started with the head massage. I was seated in a comfortable chair and the massage covered my shoulders, neck, head and face. It was so relaxing! The sauna was great too. It’s a small single-​person sauna inside the massage room, so you can feel comfortable sauna-​ing (schvitzing??) in the nude.
Overall, the experience at Inner Balance was great and I’ll definitely be going back. It’s not the same experience as a spa with shower/​sauna/​steam/​whirlpool facilities included in the change room, but the price is right and the massage is good quality. If anyone is looking for a spa without extra bells and whistles, give this place a try!
Things to know to make your visit even better:
— They have approx 10 stalls for free customer parking behind the building.
— Wear something comfortable (head massage is done fully clothed).
— Drink a lot of water before the sauna so that you don’t get de-​hydrated from all the sweating.
— Be prepared to stay 15 minutes after your appointment time to shower after the sauna. Bring your own shampoo, conditioner and body wash.

I like to try different types of massages, so I checked out the Indian Head Massage here. Why? Because it focuses on the shoulders up, which is what I needed at the time, plus it was only $ 50 for 30 minutes, and I only had $ 50 left to use on my work place massage benefits.
My therapist was kind, and made sure I was relaxed. This is a fully clothed, and seated upright massage btw. She balanced my chakras (I think), and in the end told me I had a very open heart and was now available for unconditional love and balance so that I could now in turn help others — interesting to say the least.
If you’ve never had a head massage before, this is a treat, because I literally fell asleep in the chair — I never can sleep, not on planes, trains, or my bed most nights, so this was a big deal. This is my second experience with this type of massage and it’s amazing how much tension can be released from it.
Inner Balance has always provided good customer service, and they serve the best teas to their clients, and will engage you in friendly conversation as you wait.
If you’re into trying something new, go visit them. But be warned, they use oils, so you’ll end up with hair that looks like you slicked it with Vaseline once done. They have showers, just keep in mind the oil takes a bit of time to wash out.

I love Inner Balance Spa. I tried out another place a few months ago and was not as happy, so I went back here again last week. I was met with the sad sad news that my last massage therapist Karen Lawes no longer works there. *cue crying and wailing*
I accepted my fate and decided to go with Darlene, upon Erin D’s review. Anyway, when I went to the salon, I met the massage therapist and was okay with everything. She was really good too. Very strong, and knew what to do to my shoulders and back, which I expressed were my areas of concern.
At the end when I was done and paying, I learnt my massage therapist’s name was actually Lisa Gossen. I was confused, but chose my tea, paid and was on my way.
It was a great massage, as expected from Inner Balance. Every massage therapist I’ve had here has been amazing and a true expert. I will continue to return. My favourite spa in the city by far.
¹⁵⁄₃₀

This is a fantastic spa. Friendly staff call to remind you of your appointments. They have a selection of tea for you to take with you in a to-​go cup when you are done your treatments. It’s a calming, tranquil environment without being crazy expensive like so many other spas in Calgary.
I go there almost exclusively for massage and have followed my massage therapist there probably 5 years ago when she moved from a different massage studio.
Inner Balance is always clean, calm, and friendly. If you are looking for a spa in Kensington, check out Inner Balance.