U.S. Olympic Wrestlers get pampered at Tranquility Salon and Day Spa

to Fuel the Dream

´Tranquility´ is usually not a word associated with members of the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. After all, the lives of these world-class athletes are a mix of discipline, training and putting their minds and skills to the test against other highly-trained wrestlers.

So when Ben Askren, Clarissa Chun, Marcie Van Dusen, Randi Miller and Ali Bernard, all of whom will represent the U.S. in Beijing in August, had a chance to spend the afternoon being pampered by the pros at Tranquility Salon and Day Spa in Bedminster, N.J., they were understandably excited.

"Between training and preparing for matches and tournaments there isn´t much time for facials and massages,”said Chun, a native of Hawaii who qualified at 48 KG. "It´s fun to feel a little pampered and get to show that we´re women as well as athletes."

For Miller, the U.S. women´s representative at 63 KG, the day was a chance to relieve the stresses that competing has brought over the past few weeks getting ready for Team Trials. "We´re happy to have this little breather in between Trials and Olympics, and we´re aware of how intense the training will be," she explained. "But washing away that stress, even for a couple of hours, is a great way to re-energize for what´s ahead."

The athletes have spent the past few days in the New York Metro area doing clinics, meet-and-greets and media appearances in support of "Fuel the Dream," a program instituted by USA Wrestling to assist the families of these athletes with travel expenses to Beijing. The time at "Tranquility" has also helped take the edge off their busy schedules while in the area.

"We are happy and honored to be able to support these tremendous athletes in this way," said Jody Maurais, owner of Tranquility, which has been in business for 18 years, including the past five at its present location, a charming two-story converted residence. "It´s a sheer pleasure for us to be involved in this way, and to help make them feel relaxed and look great."

The session was the brainchild of Steven John Jastrabek, Tranquility´s manager and artistic director and a longtime supporter of USA Wrestling. The makeovers preceded the team’s appearance at a special welcome dinner at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, which also served as a fundraiser for “Fuel the Dream.”

Even men´s 74 KG freestyler Askren and his signature curly locks got in on the fun. "I think a couple of the guys were a little jealous,” he joked, “though they may not want to admit it."

"’Tranquility’ is all about making people feel good," added Maurais. "There´s a therapeutic quality to what our professionals do for people, and the wrestlers got that same treatment t

to Fuel the Dream

´Tranquility´ is usually not a word associated with members of the U.S. Olympic wrestling team. After all, the lives of these world-class athletes are a mix of discipline, training and putting their minds and skills to the test against other highly-trained wrestlers.

So when Ben Askren, Clarissa Chun, Marcie Van Dusen, Randi Miller and Ali Bernard, all of whom will represent the U.S. in Beijing in August, had a chance to spend the afternoon being pampered by the pros at Tranquility Salon and Day Spa in Bedminster, N.J., they were understandably excited.

"Between training and preparing for matches and tournaments there isn´t much time for facials and massages,”said Chun, a native of Hawaii who qualified at 48 KG. "It´s fun to feel a little pampered and get to show that we´re women as well as athletes."

For Miller, the U.S. women´s representative at 63 KG, the day was a chance to relieve the stresses that competing has brought over the past few weeks getting ready for Team Trials. "We´re happy to have this little breather in between Trials and Olympics, and we´re aware of how intense the training will be," she explained. "But washing away that stress, even for a couple of hours, is a great way to re-energize for what´s ahead."

The athletes have spent the past few days in the New York Metro area doing clinics, meet-and-greets and media appearances in support of "Fuel the Dream," a program instituted by USA Wrestling to assist the families of these athletes with travel expenses to Beijing. The time at "Tranquility" has also helped take the edge off their busy schedules while in the area.

"We are happy and honored to be able to support these tremendous athletes in this way," said Jody Maurais, owner of Tranquility, which has been in business for 18 years, including the past five at its present location, a charming two-story converted residence. "It´s a sheer pleasure for us to be involved in this way, and to help make them feel relaxed and look great."

The session was the brainchild of Steven John Jastrabek, Tranquility´s manager and artistic director and a longtime supporter of USA Wrestling. The makeovers preceded the team’s appearance at a special welcome dinner at the Bernards Inn in Bernardsville, which also served as a fundraiser for “Fuel the Dream.”

Even men´s 74 KG freestyler Askren and his signature curly locks got in on the fun. "I think a couple of the guys were a little jealous,” he joked, “though they may not want to admit it."

"’Tranquility’ is all about making people feel good," added Maurais. "There´s a therapeutic quality to what our professionals do for people, and the wrestlers got that same treatment t