Gearing up to visit the spa...

(Published in the July 2006 issue of Hi!! - Sri Lanka)

A visit to the spa can be quite an intimidating experience unless one is well versed and acquainted with the various treatments and jargon used at this luxurious wellbeing centre. Simply put a spa is a centre for healing and nourishing of not just the body but the mind and soul as well. People go to spas for fitness, stress management, peace of mind, pampering and pleasure, and overall health and wellness.

It is believed that the word spa comes from the Belgian town of Spa, known since Roman times for its baths. However the more common belief is that spa may be an acronym for the Latin phrase "sanitas per aquas" which means health through water. Although it seems as though spas have sprung up in the last couple of years - that is not the case. The use of water for therapeutic use can be traced back to early civilizations. The modern spa has descended from the ancient practice of bathing in hot springs and mineral waters. Social bathing was an important cultural process practiced by Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. With growing stress levels in today’s fast paced life the spas stepped in to make people realise the value of wellness of the mind body and soul.

Today’s spa is an interesting combination of ancient traditions and modern equipment. However, the heart of the modern spa remains water and the treatments that evolve around it. The proper sequence of the typical spa routine is cleaning, heating, treatment, and rest.

Tips to keep in mind!

The first trip to the spa can be a daunting experience. A spa center would usually have friendly therapists, who are geared towards customer care. However there are some things that you should keep in mind and exercise while visiting a spa. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your visit.

• Take out enough time from your daily routine for your treatment at the spa. There is no point being in a rush and not having enough time to unwind and relax.

• Run through the entire procedure with the therapist prior to the commencement of the treatment. That way you are not taken by surprise and expect what is to happen next.

• The biggest point of concern and the reason of hesitation to enter a spa is the fear of having to take off your clothes for a treatment. Do what you are most comfortable with. Share your concern with the therapist who will put your mind at ease.

• If you are uncomfortable with anything during your treatment – the pressure, the music, the temperature – voice it. The therapist will make suitable adjustments.

• Do remember to tell the therapist if you are allergic to anything in particular like honey, pollen, etc.

• You can talk during the treatment or stay quiet, as you choose. However, silence is relaxing and its best to let your body including your mind relax.

• On completion the therapist, as is procedure will ask you to take your time getting up. That usually means a few minutes. It's not a license to take a nap.

• And oh yes last but not the least… do not forget to turn off your mobile phone once the treatment commences. This is ‘me time’ and the world for once can wait!


Word Power - at the spa

A look at the spa menu can be overwhelming. Get familiar with terminology used at the spa and equip yourself with the knowledge that you will need. Gear up to visit the spa.

Aromatherapy: The use of volatile plant oils, including essential oils, for overall well-being.

Body Wrap: Treatment where a body mask made of algae, seaweed, mud, clay, lotion or cream, depending on the treatment is applied to the entire body, which is then wrapped to keep the body warm. Later the mask is rinsed off. Body wraps are treatments that either help rid the body of toxins through metabolic stimulation or are hydrating treatments geared towards softening the skin.

Detox: Short for detoxification, which is the removal of toxic substances from the body.

Exfoliate: The word exfoliate simply means to peel off the outer surface of something. The process involved helps remove the top layer of dead epidermis cells, and makes the skin appear smoother, less wrinkled and radiant.

Facial: Treatment of the face that involves deep cleansing, massage, extractions of blackheads and other impurities, toning, and moisturising.

Floatation Therapy: The Floatation therapy involves a tank containing water to a shallow depth that is treated with a very high concentration of Epsom salts. The resultant high density allows your body to float naturally and spontaneously without effort. The experience ultimately isolates an individual from external stimuli, enabling him to forget the body and concentrate on the mind.

Hydrate: Treatments that hydrate the skin enable the skin’s surface to restore elasticity, gently fortifying the skin with its moisturising effects, thereby minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Hydrotherapy: or water therapy, is the use of water (hot, cold, steam, or ice) to relieve discomfort and promote physical well-being.

Invigorate: Refresh, stimulate and revitalise resulting in overall well being.

Jacuzzi: A trademark used for a whirlpool bath or a device that swirls water in a bath.

Masque: A facial masque will help you retexture and re-mineralise your skin and prevent wrinkles and other signs of aging. It allows you to deep cleanse your skin. Products vary to suit different skin types. Following application the masque is allowed to dry after which it is washed off.

Reflexology: A natural healing art, based on the principle that there are reflexes in the feet and hands which correspond to every part of the body. By stimulating and applying pressure to the feet or hands, one can increase circulation and promote specific bodily and muscular functions.

Rejuvenate: Treatments that renew, restore and make you feel younger

Scotch Hoses: A hydrotherapy treatment which entails alternating warm and cool water massage via a high velocity and intensity water wand controlled by a therapist. The Scotch Hose works to speed up the client’s metabolism through pressurised water being directed to the client’s specific points of pressure.

Scrub: An exfoliating treatment where the therapist rubs off the outermost layer of dead skin cells.

Swiss Showers: An enclosed shower with a large number of showerheads surrounding the client. Water temperature is controlled by the therapist.

Therapeutic massage: The manual manipulation of the body's muscles. Massage has been around for years and has a number of health benefits.

Vichy Showers: A shower designed with multiple showerheads providing an invigorating hydrotherapy experience. These can be either, wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted or stand-alone and have adaptable spray patterns and thermal controls.

Watsu: The word means WATer ShiatSU. Through gentle movement and acupressure, Watsu brings a deep sense of relaxation to all parts of the body while floating in water while the body is stretched, glided and gracefully turned and floated by the practitioner.

Wassertanzen: (pronounced vassertahn-sen) The treatment which in Swiss means ‘Water Dance’ is like a passive ballet. The therapist gently rocks and cradles the client in the water and guides the client to unwind. The treatment is a harmonising blend of timeless and weightless wonder.

Now that you are at speed with the A-Z of the spa vocabulary - step into the spa with confidence. There is nothing like giving yourself the gift of little pampering. And the next time you want to gift something to your mother, wife, sister or even a colleague – how about gifting them a visit to the spa. They will associate YOU with the most memorable and relaxing time they have ever had.

Need a stress buster? Just walk into the nearest spa and leave all your stress behind!