Spa, the Body and Spirit Refreshment

Spas are about health, relaxation and renewal.

Though spas (from the Latin solus por aqus or "health created with the help of water") have become popular in Beijing in recent years, it has been deep-rooted in Europe for centuries. As early as 500 BC in Greece, it was suggested that hospitals be set up near hot springs. In Belgium's Ardennes region during the 16^th century, many locals were surprised to find that the hot springs at a small town called Spau could greatly reduce fatigue and cure diseases. Soon after, these mineral-rich hot springs became famous throughout Europe, especially among the nobles, and spa therapy is still widely used in Europe today.

The spa concept in Asia can be dated back to 1500 BC in India where water was also used to cure a fever. And in Indonesia's Bali, it is customary that girls about to be married should undergo a 40-day spa course to get ready for the most holy day in their lives.

Here lies the essence of the spa: one feels refreshed in body and mind after such a pleasant treatment. Evolved from the original spa concept, current spa treatments have added "essential oil" extracted from plants, herbs, flowers, mud, stone, honey and algae to achieve a variety of effects. As these natural materials have different functions, they can be applied to meet the specific needs of people. 

Since spa's first appearance in Beijing in 2000, it has been warmly received by the city's white-collar elite and its wealthier housewives. The spas in the capital come mostly in two kinds: resort spas in hotels and day spas. The resort spas we are featuring this month follow the highest international standards administered by professional attendants, and they are a delicious option for a high-class Valentine’s Day present.

Before a spa journey begins, it is essential to immerse your body in a hot spring or in mineral-rich water for ten minutes. A specific kind of essential oil, tailor-made to suit your body's physical and psychological condition, may be applied. Generally, rose, lavender and lemon are the most suitable and nourishing for women. And these essential oils are more easily absorbed if a professional masseur rubs them in or if the body is wrapped in combination with an application of herbs, mud or honey. Areas around the body's lymph glands are the most important points for massage. Undesired impurities are expelled and nutrition is added. At the end of a treatment, a cup of flower or lemon tea replenishes bodily fluids lost during the hour-long treatment. This also accelerates the discharging of impurities from the body.

 

Part one: Ultimate Enjoyment

A spa is an ultimate pleasure, especially after a period of tiring work. The 1,500-square-metre St. Regis Spa & Club in the St. Regis Hotel off Jianguomenwai Dajie in Downtown Beijing provides such pleasures.

At The St. Regis, a written self-description of one's physical and psychological condition is a first step. This allows professionals to adjust spa programmes to the specific needs of individuals. Next come preliminary preparations and the indulgence of the spa's standard saunas and hot springs. Being the first of its class in Beijing (established in 2001), it has eight spa and body therapy rooms, men's and women's VIP suites, cool plunges, saunas, aroma steam rooms and relaxation lounges with personal headsets.

For people living in Beijing, the most common problem is dry skin. This can be attributed to the weather, air pollution and working pressure. OPC Antioxidant/Rejuvenating Facial and Body Polish are soothing treatments for dry skin. Special attention is paid to delicate areas around the eye and serves to reduce fine lines, dark circles, pigmentation, puffiness and redness.

Three other St. Regis spa programmes suitable for this season are recommended by professional masseur and facial specialist Du Juan: the hote's Relaxing Hot Oil Body Wrap, Aromatherapy Body Salt Glow, and Herbal Mud and Moor Body Wrap programmes. The essential oils are made by Jurlique, a maker of natural, herbal oils offering "the purest skin care on earth." During the Body Salt Glow programme, Black Sea salt is applied to remove impurities and increase circulation. Similarly, rich organic muds from the Dead Sea and the Australian Moors are used to benefit the skin and muscles. After the whole spa process, flower tea, lemon juices and fruits are offered free of charge. If time permits, one can try state-of-art fitness facilities in the club.

Rejuvenation can be achieved at home with do-it-yourself spa treatments.

Du Juan said, "Essential oils can be bought at places like The Malls at Oriental Plaza. Pour essential oils into pots with water, or into bathtubs. One's body and mind will be refreshed. If one's spouse or friend knows massage, it will be better absorbed."

The St. Regis Spa & Club offers gift certificates in the form of a "spa invitation" that may be given to family members, friends or colleagues, perhaps as a novel gift for St. Valentine's Day, which follows the Spring Festival. An exclusive Golden Card, available for 7,200 yuan (US$893) can be used to gain access to 10,000 yuan (US$1,240) in spa services.

 

Address: 21 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District

Tel: +86 10 6460 6688, ext. 2745

 

 

Part two: Hot Stones, Refreshed Bodies

Opened at the beginning of 2005, the I Spa in Intercontinental Financial Street Beijing has introduced a new spa programme, the Hot Stone Treatment. Originally from Hawaii, hot stone treatments are now the rage in Europe.

"This treatment is most suitable for winter, because it adds energy and increases circulation," Grace Yim, the manager of I Spa, said.

The most significant and magical tools are 28 pieces of stone, retrieved from volcanic craters in Japan, that come in different sizes. The rocks are soaked in essential oils for six months before being heated during the treatment for 20 minutes in mineral water mixed with essential oils.

As the treatment begins in an aromatic room accented with soft lights and soothing music, Jurlique essential oils are applied to the legs and shoulders with a focus on lymph gland sites. The stones, heated to no more than 70 degrees Celsius, are then used to begin a massage that conducts heat and increases blood and lymph circulation. Gradually, herbal oils in the stones, enhanced by the heat, and the stone's heat are absorbed by the body. The massage reportedly can reduce fat, accelerate the body's metabolism and remove impurities.

After the massage, 12 hot stones remain at critical acupuncture points on the patient's back for about 20 minutes. Sixteen other hot stones are loosely inserted between the fingers and toes. At the end of the 90-minute-long treatment, the hotel’s professional masseur will determine which part of the body needs more attention.

In addition to the Hot Stone Treatment, the unique Intercontinental Massage is worth trying. Chinese and western style massages are well blended during these 105 minutes of pleasure.

 

Address: 11 Financial Street, Xicheng District

Tel: +86 10 5852 5888, ext. 5601

 

 

Sidebar 1

The Purest Skin Care on Earth

Jurlique products, dubbed as "the purest skin care on earth," were developed by Jurgen Klein, PhD, and his horticulturalist wife Ulkike Klein in Australia about 20 years ago after they bought a farm in Australia's Adelaide Hills and began planting. Their products incorporate aromatherapy, herbal medicine, homeopathy and botanical and marine sciences to provide treatments that are organic, PH balanced and natural, safe and soothing to sensitive skin and the body's mind and spirit.

Sidebar 2

Simple Steps to Enjoy a "Spa" at Home

If it's too expensive to enjoy spa treatments at hotels or day spa centres, the following simple steps may help.

1.      Purifying masks should be used at least once every week; choose masks according to one's own skin condition.

2.      Wash your face; apply essential oils and steam the face with a hot towel.

3.      Pay special attention to dry skin, especially to the driest parts such as knees and elbows.

4.      Cover the body with honey, essential oils or fruit juices; then use a soft blanket to wrap the body. Be careful when choosing the honey and essential oils.

5.      Buy a special pot, available in spa equipment shops, to contain essential oils. In your bedrooms or bathrooms, pour several drops of essential oil into a pot filled with water. This treatment leaves the mind completely refreshed.

6.      Ask a friend who knows something about massage to help for a better effect.

7.      Put a pot of flower tea in the bathroom. Turn on a CD player with soft and relaxing music.

 

Sidebar 3

Seven Essential Oils Suitable for Winter Use

Rose—Nourishes the skin, especially good for women.

Geranium—Ease tension.

Lavender—Reduce pressure and nourish skin.

Sandalwood—Ease tension, cure bronchitis and respiratory diseases.

Jasmine—Reduce fatigue and increase confidence.

Olive—Adjust digestion and circulation.

Tea plant—Resist bacteria and purify air.