Apparently, people fall for this stuff.

 A place called Yelo in Manhattan rents private chambers so people can take a 20- to 40 minute nap. Clients may pay $12 to $65 or more (the higher price experience comes with hand and foot massages to lull the body to sleep) for this power nap.

A New York Times story by Natasha Singer suggests these sleep centers will open "in every crazy low-quality-of-life city where people lack space," according to Yelo owner, Nicolas Ronco.

I'm not sure if that describes Bakersfield, but I happen to be an expert at naps so I will save you all the trouble.

Close your eyes, relax, gradually breath more shallow and let yourself go. You can do this power nap in as little as five minutes, but more typically 10 to 20 minutes.

You go through all four stages of sleep and wake up highly refreshed.

It ain't more complicated than that. I learned I can do this by listening to a record album (about 20 minutes). I heard the first, second and part of the third song; slept through the rest of the third, fourth and fifth song, and woke up as the 6th song was ending.

And no one played with my hands and feet as I did that.

You're welcome.

Posted by Steve E. Swenson


P.S. Here's some more stuff from the New York Times story.
 

Yelo consists of seven private chambers that can be rented for 20- to 40-minute naps. Each hexagonal pod has a beige leather recliner, dimmed lighting, a soporific soundtrack and a blanket of Nepalese cashmere. Clients may also book reflexology treatments, designed to lull the body to sleep, for their hands or feet starting at $65.

 Sleep is the new bottled water. Although it can be had free, it is increasingly being marketed as an upscale amenity.

 “It’s a corporate wellness center,” said Nicolas Ronco, the entrepreneur who opened Yelo in early January. “For people who are overstressed and overworked, for lawyers or brokers who abuse themselves, a power nap is a way to recharge naturally without caffeine.”

Inside the pods, clients can electronically adjust the angle of the leather recliners; Mr. Ronco recommended raising the leg rest above the head to slow one’s heart rate. When time runs out, ceiling lights gradually brighten, an awakening prompt meant to mimic dawn.

One health professional said, “I can’t believe people think there is magic in the pods or the cashmere blanket. But maybe they think they are going to get better sleep if they spend a lot of money.”