Virtual Dolphin Therapy opens in La Quinta

Public Record, The, May 27, 2008

A unique service known as Virtual Dolphin Therapy opened for business in La Quinta's Old Town area during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Virtual Dolphin Therapy is designed to bring its participants into a deep state of Alpha relaxation, as well as provide inspiration, stress relief and self help.

The therapy involves laying on a VibraSound Wave Table, which gives the feeling of floating on the water.

It also sends vibrations throughout the body, making you feel as if you are underwater.

Simultaneously, you watch dolphins swimming and dancing on a plasma screen positioned just over your head while listening to dolphin echolocations (which are dolphin sounds captured during healing sessions in Cancun) and relaxing music through a pair of headphones.

Finally, a Vibrotactile Music Dolphin is placed on your stomach allowing you to feel the music and harmonics through your torso.

Virtual Dolphin Therapy was created by local entrepreneur, Brenda Burger, and her partner, Don Estes.

Burger hopes to bring the therapy to spas all over the world through her new company, Virtual Global Healing.

Burger also owns and operates La Quinta Healing Arts Spa in Old Town La Quinta, where the treatment is located.

"This is as close as you can get to actually swimming with dolphins," explained Burger.

"The special mattress makes you feel like you are lying on a body of water, you are experiencing the echolocations the same way as if you were in the water with dolphins, and we've added the sound of the ocean and beautiful, relaxing music."

For those who wish to meditate and explore self-help therapy as part of their session, you can hear your recorded voice reading personal affirmations through the same headphones that play the music and echolocations.

Part way through the therapy session, a set of goggles using synchronized light stimulates the senses and enhances your meditation. "We tell clients to follow the light inward," added Burger. "But this part of the experience is optional, particularly for those who might be light sensitive."

For more information, call 777-1447 or visit www.virtualdolphintherapy.com.