The History of Spa
The word "spa" is thought to be an acronym derived from the Latin phrase salus per aqua, which means "health through water". The word may also have some connection to Spau, a Belgian town famous during the Middle Ages for the restorative qualities of its mineral hot springs. Today's spas can trace their roots as far back as the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians and Greeks. In the fast-paced and stress-filled twenty-first century, people face increasing obstacles to physical and mental well-being. Many seek alternative methods of relaxation to cleanse themselves of the "toxins" accumulated during the course of their busy lives. Those in search of outer fitness and inner balance have turned once again to age-old remedies and good old-fashioned pampering. Spas have become an increasingly popular destination in countries throughout the world. The Concept of Spa
In holistic terms, human beings consist of three elements: body, mind and spirit. These constituents respond to outside influences conveyed through our perceptual senses. Spas provide a method for correcting the imbalance by targeting our five senses. Through Sight, spas relax our visual perception by employing soothing earth-tone colors, beautiful natural landscapes and calming architectural designs. Spas influence Taste by adjusting one's balance with natural, detoxifying foods and herbal drinks. With aromatherapy, spas correct imbalances through Smell. Nature scents generate shifts in our physical and mental states. By combining solf turns and natural soundtracks, spas target the sense of sound to enhance one's creativity and imagination. The sense of touch is balanced at spas by the application of heat, coolness or water. One of the most common treatments - massage - involves the application of pressure to nerve centers throughout the bady. Types of Spa
Day Spa : a common type of spa that offers no overnight accommodation, but which provides treatments to patrons for varying periods throughout the day.
Hotel and Resort Spa : a spa service usually housed in a hotel or resort that offers services to cvernight guests.
Club Spa : a type of spa that operates in sports clubs and gyms that often includes exercise equipment, a member's lounge or recreation facilities.
Medical Spa : a spa that provides specific medical treatment and services by in-house, offcially licensed medical professionals.
Spa Services
Baths : spas provide a number of bathing options: hot baths to improve blood circulation, cold baths to refresh mind and body, mineral baths to noutish the skin, and flotation baths to relax and rejuvenate the body.
Steam : dry steam helps the body eliminate toxins through perspiration, while wet steam moisturizes the skin and improves the respiratiry system.
Massage : spas offer a variety of massage treatments that reduce muscle pain, allevate stress and improve blood circulation.
Exercise : a variety of exercises available at spas help refresh the body and burn energy. Low-intensity exercise options, like yoga and aquatic exercise, improve strengh and flexibility, and have become increasingly popular among spa patrons.
Herbal nutrition : spas emphasize the benefits of organic herbal foods and beverages, which contain essential antioxidants to cleanse the body. Herbs are also used in other nutrition therapies and in conbination with beauty and health treatments.
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