Recently, I was introduced to an exquisite gem of a wellness space located right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. Called Zenhae, a name that means harmony, the boutique spa is the brainchild of Leslie, a formerly single mother who built the business from the ground up when forced to do double duty as a caretaker and provider for her beautiful kids. With Mother’s Day on the horizon, I wanted to spotlight this incredible female founder and proclaim, loud and proud, to all Moms: self-care isn’t a luxury!
Amid a touching journey of resilience, strength and deep dedication, Leslie founded Zenhae while navigating a broken marriage, setting herself on a path to financial freedom while remaining strong for her family. A bodyworker and licensed esthetician with over 18 years of hands-on experience, Leslie quietly built Zenhae’s steady client base with little or no advertising. Carried by her perseverance and meticulous dedication to her craft, over the years Leslie has continuously refined her techniques — from precise lymphatic work to the signature buccal facial that built her brand — and embodies a level of skill that is instantly felt.
As for my recent spa day, what began with sashaying into a pair of lavender slippers and savoring a few sips of crisp floral tea, I immediately felt a sense of ease. Away from the street noise and pollution, as I sat waiting for my lymphatic body therapy session with Leslie, my eyes landed on a series of white cranes adorning the walls. Deeply revered in Asian cultures as a healing symbol associated with immortality, wisdom, and happiness – more broadly speaking, cranes, both the wildlife and origami variety, are a creature representing longevity, good fortune, peace and fidelity.
As echoed in client testimonials, once I had relaxed on the heated table and Leslie began to work, it was as if I could feel her gentle hands melting away tension in areas I didn’t even know I held stress. The treatment felt personalized without being didactic, as if she just knew where to move the energy. I had felt supreme that day, walking into the spa. However, my awareness shifted as I was able to settle into a clearer head state, becoming open to fully receive the treatment. Even though I initially felt pretty fluid in my body, once Leslie hit those pressure points, I was almost shocked by the heightened intensity of sensation as my inner tension rose and released. This was affirmed when I spoke with Leslie’s business partner, Victoria, later on, who remarked, “That moment of connection is exactly what we hope every client can feel — when a treatment becomes more than just a service, but something genuinely restorative.”
Benefits of Lymphatic Drainage Treatment
Manual lymphatic drainage is a gentle, specialized technique using light, rhythmic strokes to stimulate lymph flow. The practitioner makes gentle, circular motions and long, light strokes to stimulate lymph nodes and move fluid from tissues into the vessels to reduce swelling, bloating and fluid retention. Known to boost immunity, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation by encouraging lymphatic fluid to move toward the heart, it’s a popular treatment used to reduce pain, bruising, and congestion following cosmetic or medical surgeries. Unlike deep tissue massage, this method uses very light pressure to avoid damaging delicate superficial vessels. Additional benefits include removal of cellular waste, detoxification, cellulite reduction, enhanced circulation and stress reduction. During my session, Leslie focused on activating nodes in my neck, collar bone, armpits, shoulders and lower back.
Next time you’re in the area, I suggest asking about these Signature Zenhae Treatments:
Buccal Facial Massage
When I booked my Lymphatic Body Therapy, I didn’t even know about Buccal Facial Massage, if I had, I probably would have booked that too! But shhhhh! The real secret behind Leslie’s devout following all these years, it’s intentionally NOT on the service menu. What’s the scoop? While it is similar to the Lymphatic Body Therapy, this treatment targets the face. Getting its name from the buccinator lymph nodes (small, superficial nodes near the corner of the mouth, which serve as our first line of defense against infections), the goal is to drain lymph from the eyelids, nose and cheek. As a beauty editor, I know that the best makeup always starts with hydrated, well-prepped skin! From a less-is-more perspective, techniques like facial massage offer preventative care that goes well beyond skin deep.
Hailed as a natural, non-invasive face lift, Buccal facial massage is an advanced intraoral technique that targets deep muscle tissues inaccessible through traditional surface-level facials. In addition to moving stagnant lymph fluid to reduce puffiness and detoxify the skin, Buccal facials relieve deep-seated jaw tension, clenching and symptoms of TMJ. As a facial sculpting modality, it’s often used to define the jawline and cheekbones by draining fluid and reducing muscle sagging. Additional anti-aging benefits include increased blood flow, oxygenation, and collagen production, which help brighten the skin and soften fine lines.
Ginger Head Spa
A therapeutic scalp treatment utilizing ginger-infused products to deep-cleanse, exfoliate and massage the scalp neck, and shoulders… think of this as a nourishing ‘scalp facial.’ Remove buildup, boost circulation and reduce dandruff without the use of chemical additives! An invigorating, scalp nourishing treatment, Ginger Head Spa benefits include deep relaxation, stress relief, improved sleep and hair growth as well as general relief from neck and shoulder pain, dizziness, or nausea.
Your convenient, accessible, woman-owned and operated destination for wellness, Zenhae Spa proves exceptional for achieving an impressive balance between results-based beauty treatments and emotionally-responsive care.
Not only does founder Leslie’s story reflect great personal strength, but also the philosophy behind Zenhae — where care, technique, and intention come together to support you, no matter where you are on your individual journey. A space at once humble, unassuming and sweet, the timing of my visit and hearing Leslie’s story aligned so perfectly with Mother’s Day. Whether you’re a biological mother, caretaker or simply in your ‘Mother’ stage of life, relax shamelessly knowing it feels good to be a woman helping other women. It’s never selfish to honor your physical limits and take time out to rest and restore. You deserve it, Ma!
Book your Session HERE
