Taking the Waters Part 2 European and Balinese water spas By Shari
In part one I talked about the natural springs in Europe and Bali that people have been going to for centuries for healing, each with its own unique blend of minerals, giving it healing powers. During the 18th and 19th centuries bathing became more common in Europe, with physicians prescribing water treatments due to the benefits of cleanliness and the curative powers of mineral water for iron deficiency. Most European spas had Trinkhallen for drinking the mineral waters while other rooms contained baths and steam rooms for treating arthritis, rheumatism, obesity and over- indulgence. Regardless of whether a person was suffering or not, high society flocked to these resorts throughout Europe, spending up to a month “taking the waters” and enjoying other activities such as gambling, concerts, fashion shows and horseracing. These trips to the spas became a status symbol, being one of the most popular leisure time pursuits, and initiated a new travel culture. Guide books described the different spas with their treatments and social activities. The great spas of Europe focused on the therapeutic application of water in settings like grand hotels. The spas also were popular locations for international political negotiations such as the Congress of Achen/Aiz-la-Chapelle convened in Aachen in 1818 and during World War 1 the German Army High Command was based in Spa, Belgium.
In Germany in the mid 1800s Father Sebastian Kneipp became famous for his hydrotherapy treatments after he published his book “My Water Cure”. Thousands of sick Europeans flocked to his parish for healing, ranging from farmers to nobility. His reputation spread to the US at the turn of the 19th century, stimulating the opening of spas there, such as Hot Springs, Virginia and Saratoga Springs, New York.
Although today’s spas are no longer the social events where wealthy Europeans once gathered to “take the waters”, we do have an abundance of beautiful luxurious spas here in Bali. However, the majority do not fall into the original description of a spa, a place of healing with water. But we do have a few here that live up to the standards of a “real spa”.
Hydrotherapy is any treatment using hot or cold water as its basis for healing, with many benefits such as enhancing oxygenation and stimulating the circulation of blood and lymph, aiding digestion and assimilation of food and improving the intake and utilization of nutrients by the cells. It also assists in detoxifying overburdened organs and tissues as well as boosting the body’s immune system - all good reasons for jumping in the water.
The word thalassotherapy was created by French doctor, Dr. De La Bonnardiere in 1869 from the Greek word “thalassa” meaning sea and “therapeuin” for cure. It refers to treatments using marine elements, seawater and seaweed for prevention and cure. For over a century, thalassotherapy was a medical technique devoted to rehabilitation and used to treat rheumatism, arthritis, osteoarthritis and lumbar problems. But gradually, thalassotherapy moved towards treating stress, nervous tension, blood circulation problems, excess body weight and back pains. Our own blood plasma is almost the same as seawater composition. The mineral salts and trace elements are essential to our health in stabilizing our cells, constructing tissue, producing energy and synthesizing hormones. Seaweed has 10 times more elements than seawater. When applied in the form of a paste and heated to 32 degrees Celsius, the elements enter the body to enhance the immune system and to stimulate the cells.
A true thalassotherapy center must be no more than 800 meters from the shoreline, constantly pumping fresh seawater filtered through large canals to be used for treatments. The Aquamedic pool at the Thalasso Spa at the Grand Mirage is filled with pure seawater heated to 38 degrees with a water station massage and exercise bar. It reduces cellulite and improves your muscle tone, flexibility and circulation. Imagine being in a cave and being massaged whilst warm seawater rains over your body. It’s a divine sensation. The spa also has seaweed hydro-bath and balneotherapy, which is a seawater hydro-bath with a therapist directing an underwater jet massage to specific parts of the body to help tone muscles and stimulate deep relaxation.
When you walk into the hidden oasis of Fivelements near Mambal you’ll be amazed at the incredible bamboo structures next to the Ayung river. The place oozes energy. All of the water is supplied by a spring well which is treated for drinking and bathing and is recycled to the meandering stream in the garden. No chemicals are used, providing a pure source of mineral water. I had a fabulous sensory water Healing Dance session in the Watsu pool. It was like being in a Fantasia movie. Colours and visions wafted through my mind as I floated being supported by my therapist Michael, who swirled me in circles and figure eights in a dance, stretching my arms and legs, releasing all tension from my body. The trick is to completely surrender your body and let him glide it through the warm water with chakra lights and underwater music enhancing this memorable experience.
There’s a new way to get fit at the recently opened The Private Spa Wellness Centre in Seminyak, the ultimate spa sanctuary, using state of the art equipment. The indoor Vitality Pool was the first thing that widened my eyes when I entered the luxurious premises. This is one of the first spas in the world to feature hydrothermal biotherapy in the pool, which is a strong detoxifier, promotes fitness and health restoration. The bio-charge supplied by this water energy system will help re-enforce the body’s immune system and increase overall energy. Before entering the pool, a diagnostic test is performed with a Prognos machine to check your energy levels based on Chinese medicine. The pool uses resistive therapy walkway, seats, workout walls and a bubbling bed. The workout usually takes 35 minutes with a calorie burn assured, as the circuit is equivalent to a long distance run, yet you feel elated with a real improvement in wellness and energy levels. I felt great afterwards with softer skin and hair.
The Laguna Spa & Villa has a lovely outdoor area, which has a Kneipp water walkway of warm and cold water to stimulate the blood circulation of the feet, revitalizing tired sore feet. There is also a large Jacuzzi with bubbling waters and waterfalls to stand under for a great neck and shoulder massage. Inside, is a Vichy shower, a rain massage including a mango body scrub. The temperatures vary between hot to cold to stimulate the blood circulation, boost the immune system and relax you. They also have a thalassotherapy seaweed hydrotherapy bath. The seaweed has the powerful ability to eliminate toxins and revitalize the metabolism, making it a great treatment for slimming and softening the skin. Or you can enjoy the benefits of Moor Mud, known for alleviating aches, pain, rheumatism and arthritis, also in the hydro-bath.
When you see the magnificent Aquatonic pool at Thermes Marins Bali at AYANA Resort & Spa Bali, you’ll be awed by the size of the largest Aquatonic pool in south-east Asia, filled with warmed seawater to rebalance mineral deficiencies and provide the body with curative and preventative properties of seawater. As you travel through the therapy pool of 12 hydro-massage stations you massage each part of your body, from the arches of your feet to the nape of your neck. It takes 2 hours to complete the circuit and afterwards you’ll feel so relaxed and rubbery in every part of your body when you emerge from the pool.
Nestled amongst the rice fields near Ubud is Furama Villas and Spa with all of its pools filled with natural spring water. The large lagoon surrounded by villas is a delight to swim in with pure spring water. This is a perfect way to remineralize your body. But inside the spa I enjoyed a seaweed scrub then continued with the warm Vichy shower. After this energizing experience a choice of massage followed in a spacious room overlooking the rice fields.
Entering the tropical garden of the water treatment area at the Remede Spa at St. Regis Bali, the first thing you notice are the two thatched lumbung roofs canopying the sparkling water in the butterfly shaped Aqua Vitale pool, filled with warm saltwater. As you traverse through the circuit of targeted water jets from the ankles to the neck, every muscle in your body is massaged to stimulate blood circulation, relax muscles and help eliminate toxins. The seawater is also great for remineralizing your body. After 45 minutes in the pool, complete your regime with a refreshing dip in the cold plunge pool to stimulate the blood circulation. Just next to the pool are the stream rooms and saunas, one each for men and women. The steam room is scented with a different aroma each day. Then complete your water treatments with a rain shower.
For a sublime water treatment Watsu is a nurturing underwater treatment based on Shiatsu in the water. The practitioner stretches and cradles the client to painlessly release tension as the body floats in warm water. Four Seasons at Jimbaran and Oazia Spa & Villas both have Watsu pools.
Now get out there and jump in the healing waters available in Bali.
