Are Bath Spa Gift Baskets The Latest In Therapeutic Indulgence?

The kids are screaming. The approaching deadline for the proposal lurks in the back of your mind. The spouse has issues that need attention. The television news spews forth a constant flow of negativity. Alas, the strain of existence has taken its toll on you both physically and mentally!

You search for a soothing and invigorating outlet to ease your troubled mind. What is a good way for you or someone that you know under trying times to take a step back and relax a spell? What can be experienced within the privacy of the home without the pitfalls of trekking throughout the highways and byways?

Bath Spa Gift Baskets just might be the sea of tranquility that you are looking for. They also may be the ultimate way that you can quickly convey your sympathy and understanding to a friend or family member who simply needs a break in the action of a busy and challenging life. These as gifts can be that refreshing reminder to someone fatigued that you sincerely care and would like to offer the gentle spirit of a helping hand.

Life gives us a variety of ways to gain a more blissful balance. There are choices of ways to rejuvenate, relax, unwind, and cleansing ourselves of the tension that surrounds us. Travel, fine dining and entertainment of sorts, however, may not be within the realm of possibility due to budget or time considerations. There will always be limits as to what can be accomplished regarding life's luxuries.

That's why Bath Spa Gift Baskets can be the solution to easing life a tad without adding a burdensome price tag later. You can get or give the melting away Aahhhhhh's without the grimacing credit card Eeeeekk's next month! A pampering spa weekend at home could be exactly the remedy for what ails you or a friend in need.

Tag : spa,spa gift,home spa,spa massage

Essential Safety And Care Tips For The Hot Tub/Spas

Ownership of a hot tub/spas is a big responsibility because not only does it require regular maintenance, but there are also safety considerations. Should any accidents occur in the area, the owner will be held accountable. Responsible owners regularly perform maintenance, enforce safety rules, and purchase spa covers to keep the area secure when it is not in use. These steps ensure that the health and safety of those in and around the area is maintained.

Hot tub/spas owners should establish safety rules and actively enforce them, making sure they are always setting the proper example. Drowning is one of the most common accidents that can occur, especially with children age five and younger. Supervision and enforcement of the safety rules can prevent these accidents from happening. The area should be completely enclosed and youngsters should not be permitted inside without an adult present.

Keeping infants and toddlers away from the area completely is the best approach, so adults should keep the house doors closed and locked. This way, children cannot wander outside and accidentally fall into the hot tub/spas. If adults do permit children near the area, these youngsters should never be out of eyesight. Adults should reinforce the seriousness of the issue and never allow children to "play scream" for help while nearby.

Children are not the only parties at risk in and around hot tub/spas, as adults should also exercise caution. People with diabetes, heart disease, blood pressure issues, or other serious illnesses, as well as women who are pregnant, should get physician permission to enter the water. Individuals should not go into the water during or after drinking alcohol or certain prescription medications. Those who have just consumed a heavy meal should wait a while before entering. In all cases, people should not soak in 104-degree Fahrenheit water for more than 15 minutes.

When entertaining, if the hot tub/spas are going to be used, owners should inform guests how to safely enter the water and where the seats can be found. If a rainstorm or lightning is present, everyone should stay out of the water, minimizing their risk of electrocution. Only unbreakable beverage containers, utensils, and dishes should be used in the area and electrical appliances should be kept a safe distance away.

New owners should ensure that the type of water being used to fill the spa or tub is proper. Water should be neither too hard nor too soft and spa products can be used to make adjustments to this as required. The water should also be sanitized and tested on a regular basis and the filter and tub should be cleaned according to a recommended maintenance schedule.

These are just a sampling of the responsibilities that go along with hot tub/spas ownership. New owners should read the usage and maintenance guides and may want to attend seminars on the topics. All owners should keep safety at the forefront of their minds whenever anyone is in or around the water, regardless of the person’s age or experience level.

Tag : spa,day spa,hot tub,home spa,massage spa

Luxury Spa Types - Which Ones Are Right For You?

The word spa is taken from the name of the famous mineral springs in Spa, Belgium. Its therapeutic mineral springs and baths, frequented since the 16th century, made it an internationally fashionable watering place. Its name became so well known that the word spa has become a common noun used to designate any health resort devoted to overall well-being achieved through a variety of professional services, encouraging the renewal of mind, body and spirit.

So now you know a little bit about the history and evolution of spas and you're ready to dip your toe in the water, so to speak. There are many different kinds of spas and because of this, it's important that you educate yourself on spa types and available services in order to choose the establishment that's right for you. In the next few paragraphs we will be discussing the most popular types of spas.

Fitness/Club Spas

Fitness spas focus on getting fit, losing weight, and adopting a healthier lifestyle. These spas are specifically designed for the fitness enthusiast, even though you can also expect to find many relaxing services like massages and body wraps at a club spa. Fitness spas seem to be a growing trend in resorts across the country, offering guests the benefits of their favorite workouts at peak level. If you need to re-energize a workout, ramp up your athletic regimen, or just try some new activities with new people, a fitness spa is a great way to accomplish these goals.

Cruise Ship Spas

A cruise ship spa provides professionally administered spa services, fitness programs and wellness components, as well as spa cuisine menu choices. For obvious reasons, a cruise ship spa is probably one of the most expensive kinds of spa. You can expect to pay quite a bit for spa services while on board, but then again, you get the added benefit of the ocean waves lulling you into a weekend of relaxation.

Luxury Hotel Spas

A resort spa is usually owned by and located within a luxury hotel resort. These resorts are often found in out of the way locations and are known for their consistently high level of service as well as their unbelievable cuisine. These establishments offer a full menu of professionally administered spa services, body treatments and fitness a la carte. Not surprisingly, the cost of your stay may be fairly pricey, however most patrons feel that the service and ambiance more than make up for the cost.

Destination Spas

A destination spa is a short term residential/lodging facility with the primary purpose of providing services for spa-goers aimed at developing healthy lifestyle habits. Historically, many such spas were developed at the location of a natural hot spring or source of mineral water. Typically over a seven-day stay, such facilities provide a comprehensive, all-inclusive program that includes spa services, physical fitness activities, wellness education, healthy cuisine and special interest programming.

Day Spas

Last but not least, there's the day spa. This option is perfect for people who opt to stay close to home but want a relaxing respite from their daily grind. Most day spas offer their guests a full menu of products and services and allow them to choose whatever they desire. This is one reason why gift certificates to day spas are a favorite of women everywhere. They are perfect for special occasions such as bachelorette parties, birthdays and anniversaries, or if you just feel that someone you love is pushing themselves a little too hard and could use a break.

While these are some of the most popular types of spas available, keep in mind there are also many spas that focus on only one service. For example, stress management spas focus on stress management and relaxation. Spiritual spas focus on developing and maintaining peace of mind through introspection and reflection. Pampering spas provide their clients with luxurious treatments in glamorous surroundings.

When choosing a particular type of spa, first narrow down your choices by considering the atmosphere and services that you are looking for. Then, simply factor in your personal preferences as well as the desired outcome you hope to achieve. If you consider these factors carefully you will certainly find the perfect spa type for you.

Tag : spa,luxury spa,foot spa,spa massage,home spa

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louise_Revelas-Canham

Treatments for the Successful Spa Therapist and Manager

Working with Core Professional Protocols and Techniques

A growing spa-savvy general public expects availability and high quality execution of spa treatments. As a massage therapist, manager or spa technician you are well advised to learn how to perform them well, especially since they are a path to finding more clients as well as generating more revenue by adding them to your menu of services and promoting them to your clientele. Depending on your ambition and goals, this might mean becoming a successful spa and body technician in addition to your existing training as a massage therapist or esthetician by learning proven and creative techniques to add to your repertoire or this might mean becoming a thoroughly informed manager or owner in order to make informed decisions about service programs and implementation.

As an esthetician or cosmetologist it is good to know the ins and outs of spa treatments whether you perform them or not, so you can refer your clients to other complementary treatments, or answer questions posed by clients, as well as understand how spa treatments can work together with your practice. Finally you can become more flexible in your with the jobs you apply for and at the same time make it more interesting.

Even if you never apply the techniques personally because you are involved in management or another role in the spa business, it makes sense to know as much about these processes as possible as they form one of the core components of the spa business and become instrumental in distinguishing your facility in most people's minds as a spa.

It is recommended that you build a foundation of knowledge and general understanding of spa treatments and hopefully it will complement and expand your interest in areas of natural health and beauty care that you previously did not consider.

Whether you are a novice or a seasoned professional, you know that spas are not a new invention, but that they are becoming increasingly popular and new adaptations are forming all the time. Spas are becoming an integral part of many healthcare and hospitality operations ranging from resorts to hospitals, and spa services are penetrating new areas of our lives all the time. They are building a bridge between lifestyle choices and health.

Spas have been in business since ancient times with waxing and waning presence in culture and society. All ancient civilizations developed treatments to cure ailments and increase wellbeing - all using the natural products and resources they found in their environment. Hundreds of years of protracted observation, trial and error and spontaneous discovery refined products and treatments that we are now rediscovering.

A large part of our Western spa culture today evolved from "taking the waters" at mineral baths throughout Europe and Eurasia. These waters had a combination of beneficial minerals and trace elements as well as thermal qualities that occurred naturally.

Healers, doctors and health practitioners were knew about these sources and collected their patients around them. Massage and scrubs were an integral part of the process. Spending time in one of the Roman baths, such as those in Baden-Baden, Germany, or Vichy, France one can still feel the spirit of ancient times, oftentimes little has changed in the architecture, method and ambience. With growing consciousness around body, mind and spirit, there has also been an increased interest in alternative health starting in the 60's and 70's that continues to grow strongly until today.

One theory suggests that the word "spa" came from an old town in Belgium by the name of "Spa" famous for its mineral baths. Resident doctors developed methods and techniques to improve results introducing products such as Fango, a volcanic mud from Italy, hydrotherapy, Kneipp therapy, body brushing to exfoliate, and hosing down with cold and hot water to activate blood circulation and detoxification.

Ancient cultures integrated their own philosophies of healing such as Ayurveda in India, Jamu in Indonesia, Huna in Hawaii and the Polynesian Islands, Tibetan Medicine and others, to structure and inform the healing procedures around the natural healing properties of spa waters. Today we are reconnecting and reactivating not only traditions from cultures we encounter where we live, but also those of our ancestors from all over the world, as well as embracing age-old traditions that are very alive and well in their originating cultures and taking them to new places with new availability.

Back to the present: Whether you are a new therapist, recent graduate, seasoned spa professional, or exploring options in a new skill or career, I would like to inspire you to become adept at practicing spa therapy as well as creating your own body therapies and increasing your spa/practice client satisfaction not to mention increasing your own joy at providing these services.

New clients will often be overwhelmed and confused when presented with a standard spa menu that typically features a long list of services with little explanation. Before embarrassing themselves by displaying a lack of knowledge, many will resort to the one thing on the menu they recognize, which is in most cases a Swedish massage, missing the opportunity to experience the many additional beneficial spa treatments.

This is a shame because spa treatments have many advantages when delivered professionally including substantial health benefits as well as the opportunity to offer alternative treatment forms that are gentle or which appeal to niche markets. On top of that, they are ideal complimentary treatments to every other service available and can top off revenue and profit very nicely. And so spa treatments do not have to lead an unpopular life at all. In fact they can be the power and the glory of your spa.

To some spa mangers and owners, it might seem appealing to go straight to the exotic, unusual and rare spa treatments following a line of thought that the client always wants something new, better and different, but for many new and also regular clients, results, quality of delivery and understanding of value are higher on the scale of desirable attributes than fancy.

Tag : spa,day spa,foot spa,spa massage

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicolay_Kreidler