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Asian Inspired Home Spas

March 11th, 2010

The sound of running water, river rocks, and split granite boulders for sink basins are all elements that bring tranquility to the home spa. When paired with simple lines, balance and harmony, an Asian-inspired sanctuary is born. For those looking to create the Zen bath suite there are a few design tips to keep in mind. First, blend plenty of natural woods, stone and metal to bring nature inside and abound. Secondly, look for bamboo bathroom furnishings such as shelves or storage boxes for added serenity.

Asian Home Spa by Troy Adams

Rock Border and Asian Flooring

Here we see a Asian Inspired Home Spa design by Troy Adams Design where a stainless steel soaking tub was placed on rocks, and then a teak bridge over a water-filled pond was created which leads to a glass-enclosed shower.

Yoko Suite Shower

THG Yoko Suite

Yoko Vasque Detail

Inspired by the Japanese bath, this stunning but understated design merges Eastern tranquility with modern features.
Intricate details epitomize the Cristal de Lalique Bambou faucet. A carved bamboo pattern brings a touch of nature to the sleek design. The matte finish of the crystal handles contrasts beautifully with the polished surfaces of the chrome faucet. The slender tub filler anchors the faucet, its geometric lines softened by curved edges. Images provided by THG

Beautiful Home Spa with Steam Shower

Beautiful Home Spa

Here is another design that uses more subtle Asian inspired elements to produce a soothing spa-like retreat. This minimalist and elegant bathroom suite was also designed by Troy Adams Design. The bathroom suite has a number of beautiful elements including a shower equipped with a rain shower in addition to a steam shower. The steam shower enclosure also has a top panel that can open to release steam after your steam shower.

Tags: asian hope spa designs, asian inspiration, asian spa, luxury asian home spa, luxury home spa designs
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The Benefits of Mud Baths

March 10th, 2010

Enjoying Natural Mud Bath

Mud baths are ancient treatments that are rooted in tradition dating all the way back to the days of Cleopatra, who used mud from the Dead Sea to absorb the natural ingredients from the mud. While these treatments are fun and are used today more for a relaxing and luxurious experience, the practice has actually been used for centuries throughout Europe to treat rheumatism and various skin conditions. The use of natural occurring mud baths to help with these ailments is known as fangotherapy, which belongs to the wider spectrum of balneotherapy.

Recently (2007) a study found that mud baths followed by hot baths can reduce pain and other symptoms in people with fibromyalgia. This was actually a fairly important breakthrough for people suffering with this disease, yet has not been widely reported due to the stigma of many medicinal, natural and herbal treatments in the medical community. People are also using mud baths to treat ailments such as arthritis, muscle fatigue, nervous diseases, painful joint diseases, kidney diseases and as treatments for the urinary system.

While mud baths are an excellent form of therapeutic treatment for a variety of ailments and diseases, their most popular benefit is the one that they have on the skin. Many people throughout the world swear by mud baths as their fountain of youth, and this is not an unfounded claim as the mud does contain sulfur, chloride, fluoride and other natural occurring chemicals which help the complexion. In addition, when the mud dries, it also stretches the skin and helps with wrinkles.

These days you can find all types of mud therapy in nearly any day spa, as well as natural occurring hot mud baths. Natural mud baths can be found anywhere that there are hot springs or volcanoes which will also contain volcanic ash. Some of the more popular natural mud bath locations include the Zorritos mud bath in Peru, the volcanoes Miravalles and Tabacon in Costa Rica, the volcanic mud bath in Cartagena Spain, the Dalyan channels of Turkey, the thermal mud baths of Rotorua in New Zealand and of course the volcanic ash laden mud baths of Calistoga, California where Mt. Konocti erupted and where you will find the most famous geyser, Old Faithful.

Tags: balneotherapy, benefits mud bath, healing mud bath, hot mud bath, hot springs mud bath, mud bath, natural mud bath, treating diseases with mud baths
Posted in Hotels Resorts Day Spas, Spa Reflections - Experiences, Rituals, History | No Comments »

SpaFinder Runs First Nationwide Deal Days This Week!

March 9th, 2010

SpaFinder is running its first-ever nationwide Deal Days, offering $50 deals on select spa services across the United States. SpaFinder’s Deal Days means you can enjoy luxurious spa treatments for just $50 at spas across America. This promotion started yesterday, March 8, and runs through Sunday, March 14, 2010. If you’ve been eying up your favorite, luxurious spa treatment, or if you want to experiment by trying something new, then this week is your opportunity! Click the image below to see how many spas in your area are offering this deal and visit SpaFinder’s Spa Deals page at www.spafinder.com/dealdays

SpaFinder Deal Map

Tags: $50 spa, deal days, spa deals, spafinder deal days
Posted in Hotels Resorts Day Spas | No Comments »

Healing Steam – Health Benefits of Steam Bathing

March 4th, 2010

Healthy Steam

Aromatherapy

The positive effects of steam bathing have been understood for thousands of years – since ancient Greek times when Hippocrates discovered that steam could cure many ailments. Today ThermaSol reaps on the benefits of steam by creating innovative steam environments which feature excellent healing attributes. A complete therapeutic suite right in the home! With added features like a Serenity Light and Music system with functions that are easily controlled by the Temp-Touch Series baseline control, it’s easy to have a complete therapeutic suite right in the home!

Respiratory Benefits

Home steam baths are great for promoting good respiratory health. Allergy sufferers often indulge in daily steam therapy for symptom relief as steam inhalation supports the respiratory system, and may help sufferers to alleviate their sinus afflictions.

Chakras

Skin Benefits

Aestheticians often recommend a good sweat: it creates a beautiful healthy glow by increasing blood circulation to unlock the pores to allow deep-seeded grime and dead cells to be washed away; unveiling healthy skin that glistens.
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Pain Relief Benefits

Steam can be a useful tool for managing muscular pain. The heat allows blood vessels to enlarge allowing more oxygen to flow through them and in turn release tension. This has the twofold effect of helping pain reduction and usually improves the healing speed.

Serenity Light and Music

Relaxation Benefits

A steam shower is an excellent way to unwind and help relieve daily stress. The heat of the steam allows muscles to loosen up while creating a comfortable atmosphere that calms the mind. Taking a steam bath before bed helps to achieve a relaxed and calm state which promotes a deep, restful sleep. ThermaSol also offers the option of light and music therapy. The Serenity Light and Music System with a six-disc CD player, waterproof speakers and mood lights can enhance relaxation, creating a tranquil state of mind.

Aromatherapy Benefits
ThermaSol’s steam and aromatherapy oils work beautifully together to bring deep relaxation and healing benefits to your mind and body. Combine ThermaSol’s Essential and Precious Reserve Oils with a steam session to surround the bather in blissful, aromatic pleasure that further facilitates the toxin elimination process and provides the most effective therapeutic, holistic treatments available for the mind and body.

Tags: aromatherapy health, health, health benefits, health news, health treatments, healthy practices, healthy spa, healthy spa treatments, healthy steam, holistic healing
Posted in Aromatherapy Chromatherapy Sound Therapy, Home Spa, Steam Showers | No Comments »

Get Hot…Stay Cool

February 26th, 2010

Our bodies have amazing – and fantastic – reactions when exposed to concentrated bursts of heat and cold. Need proof? Just look at an athlete after any game, sitting with a heat pack on his shoulder or soaking in an ice bath. And more often than not, athletes are advised to use a combination of temperatures – going from one extreme to the other – to facilitate circulation and healing. Turns out, sports aficionados aren’t the only ones who can benefit from this type of therapy. In fact, temperature-based relaxation techniques have become particularly hot among spa-goers, for their refreshing feel and myriad health benefits. (Read more below)

Hot and Steamy

It’s no secret that different temperatures cause different reactions in our bodies. Heat is a stimulant, increasing blood flow and accelerating physiological processes; while cold has the opposite effect, constricting blood vessels and numbing nerves. On their own, each extreme has specific health benefits, but when used in combination, the results can be invigorating. Exposure to a heated environment (which helps to increase blood flow and energy), followed by a sudden exposure to a cooler temperature, allows the cold to “trap” that increased blood flow, preserving that extra energy throughout your body and immediately increasing circulation. And happily, spas are quickly becoming the best place to experiment with hot-to-cold relaxation techniques, or what many call “contrast therapy.”

The best approach to this casual science can be summed up in three steps: heat-cold-repeat. And while some prefer the more traditional hot tub/cold plunge-pool method, don’t feel limited to any technique. Remember, it’s more about the change in temperature than how you get there! Which means that you can do ten minutes in a steam shower, followed by one minute under a cold rain faucet (and then back again!) for an energizing burst. Or take a seven-minute soak in a heated pool and then a five-minute respite with an iced washcloth over your face and behind your neck – best feeling in the world. To get the most out of your extreme temperature adventure, it’s best to use your time exposed to your cold source (be it shower, plunge pool or ice sauna) as more of a “burst” than an elongated period of time. Try different combinations and see what you like best! Ready to give it a shot? You’re getting warmer…

Tags: healing steam, hot steam aphrodisiac, steam aphrodisiac, steam circulation
Posted in Spa Humor, Steam Showers | 1 Comment »

How do you define a luxury property? A home spa helps!

February 24th, 2010

If you’re looking to buy a luxury home, new or old or transform your existing home into a luxury property there’s one thing that you will surely need to include… a luxurious home spa. I did a quick search the other day and found some amazing luxury homes, all complete with their own spa-like bathroom, each complete with a steam shower. Here are some of my favorites:

Classic Spanish Revival Retreat | 9 White Water Lane
Previously Offered to $15M
Reserve $6.9M Pre-Sale Estimate $8-11M
Dana Point, California

9 White Water Bath 1

Big Spa Steam Shower at 9 White Water

This amazing house is set just off the water in Dana Point, California. This home has not one amazing spa-like steam shower, but two in its massive 11,000 square foot space. In the smaller bathroom there is a nice, private steam shower with a bench, while the other bath is described as a “spa bath” which is equipped with an oversized steam shower that is finished in stone and tile with glass accents, a private massage area, and fully appointed exercise room. For more details visit the auction site at www.thestrandauction.com

Stunning Architectural Topanga Canyon
List price: $1,499,000
Los Angeles, California, United States

Topaga Home

This beautiful modern home is a bargain compared to the Dana Point home, but this one only has 2,464 square feet compared to the 11k that you will get for $8-11M. This home does qualify as a “luxury property” though, and the steam shower in the master bath does help its cause, even if it looks small in these photographs. More information on redfin.com

Family Home Remodel
Approximately $100,000

Master Bath Before

Master Bath After

A couple called in Interior Designer Candice Olson to make their bathroom a luxury bathroom. While the bathroom was cute before, it wasn’t as luxurious as the couple would’ve liked so Candice spared no luxury by putting in a fantastic shower with a frameless glass enclosure, a rain shower, steam shower, body sprays and a white-quartz bench. She wanted the room to be calm and refreshing, so she chose cool, watery greens for the color scheme. She selected a small, green marble mosaic tile for the steam shower and for the backsplash for the soaker tub and vanity. The tile matches the green in the solid glass vessel sink and the painted glass in the luxurious shower. Now what was a cute, but very ordinary bathroom is now an extraordinary, refreshing oasis in which Tonia and Francis can retreat from the chaos of everyday life.

Villas at Miraval
$2.25 million to $3.4 million
Tucson, Arizona

Amazing Spa Like Bathroom

The Villas at Miraval are beautiful estates that have between 2,700-3,100 square feet of living space with an equal amount of outdoor space. These Villas have been designed to reflect the region’s earth-friendly architecture which is why they use raw materials like natural stone, cedar and hickory wood and natural materials in their designs, including their home spas which have a hot tub, single-family-sized spa pool and steam shower. Find more information at www.miravalvillas.com

Tags: amazing spa like bathrooms, luxurious home spa, luxury houses with spa master bath, spa like bathrooms, spa master bath
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The Art of Stone in the Home Spa

February 19th, 2010

Individual by nature and illustrious in its final shape, the use of stone in the home spa produces a captivating and tactile experience unmatched by other materials. Earthy, exotic, and sometimes extravagant, there are many beautiful types of stone that fuse effortlessly into home décor. The unique quality of these creations lies in the distinctive patterns created by the colorful veining in each piece of stone. No two pieces are alike – ever. Hand-carved using a hammer and chisel with respect to the nature of each piece, the designers delicately carve each form into a modern masterpiece. Here are just a few of our favorite stone elements that we have seen more and more in the home spa:

Old World Bathtub

Stone Forest Old World Bathtub

Inspired by ancient Roman baths, Stone Forest’s Old World Bathtub in Papiro Cream is a true testament to times past. Carved from a solid block of marble, the bathtub features unique veining and the alluring natural colors of the distinctive stone. The custom tub weighs a stunning 1500 pounds – holding up to 500 pounds of water, and when filled the bather will be comfortably immersed in 17″ of warm water.

Vogue Collection

THG Vogue Collection

THG perfects the delicate combination of crystal and precious stones with their Vogue Collection. A perfect compliment to the exquisite faucets, the luxury bath series offers a range of gemstone inlays for the handles to suit the finest of tastes, including: Turquoise, Chalzedon, Gray Agate, Rose Quartz, Thulite, Cornaline, Smoky Quartz, Rock Crystal, Amethyst and Aragonite. Just imagine having his lav set in your own, luxurious home spa!

Veneto Pedestal Sink in Multi-color Onyx

Stone Forest Veneto

Inspired by classic Italian design, Stone Forest’s striking, barrel-shaped vessels are perfectly carved from single blocks of multi-color onyx. To add additional character to their environment, each sculpture includes a cavity in the back that can accommodate a light source to enhance the luminosity of these architectural forms.

Onyx Wabi Vessel

Onyx Wabi Vessel

Carved from small boulders of rare purple and green onyx, each Stone Forest Onyx Wabi is a one-of-a-kind piece. As in nature, the shape, size and color of each creation is unique, yet the precision and skill of contemporary design remains evident in each piece.

Tags: art of stone in spa, high-end home spa, luxurious home spa, luxury home spa, spas with stone, stone in home spa, stone in spa
Posted in Home Spa | No Comments »

Chi Spa at Shangri-La Villingili Resort in Maldives

February 18th, 2010

For many people looking to escape one of the most brutal winters in history even just seeing the Shangri-La Villingili Resort’s Chi Spa in Maldives will give a moment of relief from the cold and the snow. Others may not be so happy to see this tropical setting with a magnificent spa. We decided to take a chance and bring you some information about this amazing Resort and Spa in case you’re looking to book your vacation next winter!

This is an amazingly luxurious spa that offers treatments and scenery like none other. The treatments are very unique and all based on the origins of the Shangri-La legend, a place of personal peace, enchantment and well-being. From a private and romantic villa toCowrie shell massages right on the water, the Chi Spa will provide you with an experience and memories to last a lifetime.

For more information visit Shangri-La.com

CHI- The Spa village

Spa treatment

CHI- The Spa treatment villa

Cowrie Shell Massage

Ayurvedic Spa Treatment

Tags: amazing resort spa, amazing spa, destination spa, top detination spas, travel spa, tropical destination spa, tropical spa, vacation spas
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Salt & Oil – “Body Polish” Home Recipe

February 17th, 2010

If you’re looking for a new body care product, try a simple Salt & Oil Body polish that you can use to exfoliate your skin, pull out toxins and relax tense muscles (salt) and re-hydrate and nourish skin with fixed oil and essential oils.

Oil Blend Recipe:

- 3 oz of Almond Oil (med) or Sesame Oil (heavy) or Apricot Oil (light)

- 20-50 drops total of your favorite essential oils

Body Polish Directions:

1. Place 3 oz of an OIL BLEND into 8 oz wide-mouthed container.

2. Top with salt. POUR SLOWLY AND mix while pouring. Add enough salt to make your preferred consistency.

Where can I get Good, Therapeutic Sea Salts?

You can purchase pristine Sea Salts from natural salt sources, (i.e. The Dead Sea or the Mediterranean Sea) at SALTWORKS – www.saltworks.com

Please refer to this website to learn about the countless healing benefits of sea salt – internally and externally. Natural Sea Salt is an amazing mineral that we have replaced with synthetic table salt. Sea salts have many minerals that are perfectly balanced -unlike sodium table salt- and are therefore healthy and essential for good health.

We have lost the historic knowledge for the wonders of true, naturally occurring salts. Europe, for instance, has not forgotten and natural salts are a part of Europeans’ daily cuisine and gourmet cooking

Where can I get Epsom Salts?

You can buy Epsom Salt in Bulk at Natural Food Stores. The beautiful thing about Epsom Salt is its composition; Magnesium Sulfate – a natural muscle relaxant, mild laxative, and detoxification mineral.

Tags: body polish, body spa products, home spa products, home spa recipes, make your own home spa products
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Luxurious Steam Showers Are Now Not Only for the Rich!

February 16th, 2010

Enjoying a Steam

The days of the rich being the only ones able to afford the luxuries of having a home spa with a steam shower are over! For years steam showers have been far to expensive for your average family to afford, but now thanks to ThermaSol’s SteamSuite line of affordable steam showers nearly any home owner can now invest in this added luxury without breaking the bank. These steam showers are inexpensive, yet they are still built in the USA, come with a Deluxe steam head, time and tTemperature controls and five year “no questions asked” warranty.

You can find a SteamSuite steam shower generator for between $1,099 – $1,760, depending on the size of the shower stall. The steam generator can be plumbed 50 feet away from the shower enclosure so you can put the generator in a closet, basement or other location that is out of sight. Click on any of the SteamSuite pictures to see a larger version: