 |
Over
the last few years, the SPA concepts popularity has blossomed. An acronym for
‘Salud por agua’, or ‘health by water’, the SPA concept
dates back to the Romans and pre-Columbian civilizations in the Americas.
Many ancestral techniques have returned to favor, including the use of natural
ingredients in cosmetics and treatments for body and spirit. Hydro therapies
and massage, exercise and nutrition help relax, detoxify, hydrate and purify
the body while shoring up it’s natural strengths to fortify it against
illness.
There are many SPA oriented vacation plans available, in a variety of formats.
SPA hotels feature holiday stays based on SPA itineraries, while many hotels
now offer sophisticated SPA facilities that guests may use ‘a la carte’.
To get the best effect at either, we suggest you dedicate a full day to your
SPA. Relax by the brilliant Caribbean and treat yourself to the ‘full
treatment’. A full week or a weekend in Cancun or in the Riviera Maya
are full of wonderfully restorative possibilities.
Leave your work at the your office, forget your cell phone, computer, pagers
and worries. Your only task is to prepare yourself for the delightfully different
treatments available to you — whether you choose an exclusive SPA hotel,
or a hotel with SPA services!
SPA SERVICES:
TEMAZCAL: This ancient ‘sweat
lodge’ was a popular ritual in Mesoamerican cultures. Available in specialized
hotel spas and in natural and rustic settings away from the hotel zone, this
sauna technique uses hot rocks to steam herbal infusions to gently activate
circulation, respiration, detoxify and enliven the body.
DRY
AND WET SAUNAS: The sauna process activates the body’s
circulatory system, detoxifying and cleansing as it relaxes and provides reflection.
Available in almost all 5-star and Grand Tourist hotels, in Cancun and Riviera
Maya.
THALASOTHERAPY:
An immersing treatment, thalasotherapies combine water, precious oils,
marine salts and algae in specific temperature ranges designed to reduce stress,
nervousness and depression. The treatment also has found great success in rheumatism
and bone treatment. Available at the specialized spas. The most popular thalassic
therapies are:
FLOAT:
this unusual therapy consists of floating in body temperature saline
solution in an isolation capsule. Free of sound and excess light, the mind and
body are able to completely relax. Currently unavailable, for now, in Cancun
or Riviera Maya.
BODY
WRAPS: For slimming, toning, exfoliating,
nutrition or detoxification of the skin, body wraps use a range of natural materials.
• Exfoliates: based on mineral sales, essential oils and marine algae,
exfoliation removes dead cells while it revitalizes and tones the skin by oxygenating
and improving circulation.
• Paraffin: a warm coating of paraffin softens the skin and provides a
healthy ‘glow’.
• Mud: to detoxify, relax and stimulate circulation, a mud compound rich
in minerals, water and oils are used to coat the entire body. Available at many
hotel and specialized spas.
FACIALS:
Facial wraps that feature all the nutrition and hydration benefits of
body warps, but tailored for the skin. Most area spas feature many types of
facial treatments.
MASSAGES
SHIATSU: an acupressure based
massage that re balances the body’s energy points.
REDUCTIVE: A dynamic massage that
loosens body fat and forms an essential part of any slimming or reducing SPA
program.
THERAPUETIC: realigns and strengthens
the spinal column. Primarily for healthy back care, either preventative or restorative.
SWISS: the
most common massage features fruit and seed with essential oils to relax muscles
and tension.
REFLEXOLOGY:
hand and foot massages that reactivate the body’s natural energy,
reduce chronic pains and tension.
VICHY: This classic shower massage
uses precision jets of water to stimulate circulation.
All
five star and Grand Tourism hotels and spas offer different types of massage
therapies and treatments. More specialized treatments like Vichy and reflexology
may be available only at specialized spas.
AROMATHERAPY:
A favorite accompanying many other types of therapy. An oil base carries essences
of herbs, flowers and fruits and can be applied directly to the skin with massage,
as an atomized scent or in a bath. Aroma therapy reduces stress. Available in
most spas in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
|
