Archive for the ‘Aromatherapy Chromatherapy Sound Therapy’ Category
Amazing Steam Shower Sound System
Friday, July 24th, 2009The Complete Circle of Relaxation
Friday, July 24th, 2009Three Holistic Healing Methods
The bathing experience can be brought full circle with the addition of an innovative steam shower to your master bath or home spa. With this technology, you will be able to experience the ultimate in relaxation by enjoying all three Holistic Therapies during one session. Hydrotherapy immediately relaxes you through the power of steam, while chromatherapy evokes your ideal mood and aromatherapy invigorates the senses. The combination of these natural holistic remedies refresh your mind and body and provide you with a daily measure of tranquility. Chromatherapy features can be found with ThermaSol’s Deluxe or Premium Control steam shower packages. These systems put seven chakras of chromatherapy at your finger tips.
Hydrotherapy: For centuries, people have resorted to the restorative power of water to soothe pain and remedy illness. Hydrotherapy is the use of steam and vapor to promote ultimate relaxation. Conventional uses of hydrotherapy help to stimulate circulation, tone body tissues, alleviate pain, relax nerves and enhance overall well being.
Chromatherapy: Delight in the power of color. This alternative healing method uses color and light to balance energy wherever the body is lacking. The underlying principle is that certain colors, or the absence of color can affect your body and mood. Therefore, implement colors that evoke the specific emotions you would like to conjure. Soothing blue, meditative violet and harmonious green are the perfect complement to your bathing session.
Aromatherapy: Let nature calm your body and mind. Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils which are sourced from aromatic plants and flowers that stimulate the sense of smell and are absorbed through the skin. Rejuvenating scents are believed to improve mood and promote wellness.
Employ all three therapies for the ultimate in relaxation!
Spa Friendly Technology
Wednesday, July 15th, 2009As technology consumption grows and grows, we are seeing it prevalent in more and more places, including the spa. It is rare that you see a new master bath design that does not include some type of flat screen TV or sound system.
Neptune Tao Tub
Health Benefits of Aromatherapy
Thursday, July 9th, 2009
Lavender Field
Aromatherapy is actually known as a type of herbal medicine because it uses herbs as the base, but unlike other herbal treatments, Aromatherapy only uses the “essential oil” contained in the plants. Many different essential oils are used as fragrances for perfumes, fragrance oils, soaps, lotions and other bath and body products.
Essential oils are used for a number of different medicinal purposes, from everything to the oils used in Vicks VapoRub, to essential oils that are digested or applied to the skin. We are more familiar with the more popular form of aromatherapy of combining the oils with the steam from a steam bath. This form of aromatherapy has shown promising results when used to:
- Help ease the agitation that patients with dementia may feel (Lavender)
- Reduced need for pain medications following gastric banding surgery (Lavender)
- Help with the symptoms of insomnia (Lavender)
- Aid in respiratory problems (Eucalyptus)
- Used as a mild sedative (Lavender)
- Colds, sinus infections, and acute bronchitis (Eucalyptus)
Many aromatherapy oils are also used as oral herbal medicine. Some common uses of essential oils as oral medicine are used to:
- Help aid with a variety of stomach pains (Peppermint, Caraway Oil)
- Combating gingivitis and plaque (Eucalyptus)
- Helping with the symptoms of Irritable Bowl Syndrome (Peppermint)
Many people also use essential oils topically to help treat and aid with a variety of symptoms. Some of the ways these oils are used are:
- Various forms of viral infections (Tea Tree Oil)
- Fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and fibromyalgia (Tea Tree Oil, Bitter Orange)
- Hair loss (Thyme, Rosemary, Lavender, and Cedarwood)
- Repelling mosquito bites (Eucalyptus)
- Sun block (Coriander oil)
Essential Oils
Aromatherapy, when inhaled is thought to work in a number of ways to relieve stress, depression, anxiety and insomnia. It is thought that the chemical ingredients from the plants are inhaled, causing these herbal chemicals to be absorbed by the body. The other way it can work is through the olfactory centers of the brain (smell), where a nice soothing, refreshing, calming, stimulating smell will bring about the desired effects.
Be careful when using essential oils for the first time because they can cause an allergic reaction. Also, never digest any essential oils without first consulting a doctor or herbal specialist, as many can produce unpleasant and even deadly effects when ingested. Pregnant or nursing women, young children, or people with severe liver or kidney you should avoid the use of these oils because the potential negative effects are not known.
Music for the Spa
Tuesday, July 7th, 2009Music is an excellent stress management tool for not only your senses, but also your health. It can bring on actual physical changes to your brain waves, breathing, heart rate and state of mind. Music can be a great way to release stress and tension, and one of the best ways to use music to its full benefit is to listen to it when you’re at the spa, or relaxing in your own home spa or bathtub.
Music Therapy is a great form of therapy, but what type of music is the best to listen to while you’re at the spa? Many experts agree that soft, soothing, New Age music gives the listener the most health benefits when they are listening to it at the spa. This type of music is very soothing, and in a sense puts you to sleep, which is perfect for your psyche. In this state of mind your heartbeat and breathing is at its most natural rhythm and you also feel secure, safe and comfortable. If you have been overworked and feel burnt out then we suggest some soothing New Age music such as David Arkenstone, Paul Lawler, Secret Garden, Rachel Kamps, Vangelis, LMT, or Robin Spielberg. Here is a list of some Grammy Awards winners for the Best New Age Album:
Enya New Age
2001- Thinking of You, by Kitaro
2002- A Day Without Rain, by Enya
2003- Acoustic Garden, by Eric Tingstad
2004- One Quiet Night, by Pat Metheny
2005- Returning: Pieces for Guitar 1970-2004, by Will Ackerman
2006- Silver Solstice, by Paul Winter
2007- Amarantine, by Enya
2008- Crestone
Fun Music
If you are looking for something more upbeat or get you out of a sad, depressed funk, then you should consider listening to something that makes you tap your foot, sing in the shower or want to dance. Music that will help promote a positive mood could include tunes that take your mind off of what is stressing or depressing you. This type of music will even continue to help you from getting as stressed and depressed in the future. Some suggestions for music to fill this need in the spa include oldies, 80′s music, or even current music like high-energy hip-hop, or pop. Really any music that at makes you happy and picks you up when you’re feeling down.
When you have spent all of your brain power and just need to rejuvenate your mind it would be wise to subscribe to classical music while indulging in your spa treatment. It has been a well known myth called the “Mozart Effect” that listening to classical music will make you smarter. There is even an album titled “Bach for the Brain: Classical Music to Make You Smarter!”
This myth originated from the psychologist Frances Rauscher, in 1993 who published a study titled “Music and Spatial Task Performance” where he noted that students who had listened to Mozart showed a significant IQ improvement. Regardless of what the findings tell us today, Classical music does have it’s proven benefits. It is very intricate and mathematical while at the same time soothing and relaxing. We suggest listing to the classics of Classical, including: Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Bach.
Healing Arts
Although healing physical ailments and disease through the use of music and relaxation is not a proven method, many people do subscribe to this idea and there is a lot of spa music designed for healing purposes. Some of these albums include: Sound Healing- The Definitive ‘Best of Soundings’ collection, Healing Waters by Dean Evenson, Tao of Healing by Li Xiang-Ting and Dean Evenson, and Music for the Healing Arts by Dean Evenson and Soundings Ensemble. These collections are similar to the New Age music, but these have been written and compiled with guidance from health practitioners for the specific goal of healing.
We’d love to hear about your favorite spa music, so please share with us by typing your message in the comment box below.
Elements of the Stylish Home Spa
Friday, June 26th, 2009
Spa-Like Shower
Aside from an exotic array of treatments, therapies and fitness sessions – influenced by everything from cutting-edge medicinal studies to far-off foreign cultures – spa-goers make repeat visits to a specific spa for its soothing ambiance. Today spa enthusiasts are looking at their spa’s décor and trying to recreate these stylish designs in their own home as previously described in the article: “New Bathrooms Take Cues From Spas“. Just as resort and day spa owners ensure that their retreat is a stylish and soothing sanctuary, home owners are now doing the same with their own bathrooms, transforming them into their own amazing home spa. With spa architecture and décor ranging from cool and classical to modern and minimalist, there are several must-have furnishings that bring design and functionality full circle.
The Immersive Shower Experience: When you are planning out your own home spa, you should expect a powerful shower with jets galore. JACLO® creates custom shower environments that feature body jets, hand showers, rain bars and large rain canopy shower heads.
Canyon Ranch SpaClub
Friday, June 19th, 2009
Canyon Ranch SpaClub
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Of all the cities in the world – none of them need a great spa like Las Vegas. After all it is hard work playing at the tables until the wee hours of the morning, dancing in the nightclubs and walking for what seems like miles in the over air conditioned casinos, or even worse walking in the desert heat of the strip. So for those that are looking for a little R&R away from the flashy Vegas lifestyle, the Canyon Ranch SpaClub in The Venetian and The Palazzo is where you will find it.
When I visited this spa a few weeks ago with a couple of friends I was surprised to have a fantastic experience without even getting a treatment. We enjoyed the large steam room with chromatherapy lighting, before hitting the unique array of aqua thermal tubs. Best of all when you exit the thermal tubs there are heated stone chaise lounges to relax on. In addition, we enjoyed the experimental cabins such as the IGLOO which combines hot and cold water treatments for a rejuvenating effect. For those that like dry heat, their large sauna is enclosed in glass so that you don’t feel closed in. The day pass costs $40 and one can easily spend up to four hours relaxing, soaking and sipping cucumber-infused water. Plus, they have a spa restaurant serving up healthy, organic cuisine, which also provides a nice break from the all-you-can-eat buffet. |
 Club's Aqua Spa  Mosaic Tiling |
Holistic Therapy
Tuesday, June 9th, 2009ILLUMINATE THE SPA EXPERIENCE
According to the ancient Indian art of the chakras, color therapy has the potential to heal. These days, bathtub, shower and steam shower manufacturers are inspired by this age-old practice to create a multi-color experience focusing in on specific colors to achieve relaxing effects. By using different color spectrum’s on specified body parts, chromatherapy – dictated by the chakras – takes the bathing experience full circle.
To integrate color into the steam experience, systems can be purchased which offer a full color spectrum and features that even change colors to adjust to one’s mood. The technological components are mounted behind a solid brass ceiling grill. Look for systems with a remote control for the ultimate in comfort and convenience.
