Benefits of a Health Retreat
The water in the spa facility is treated without chlorine. The
water is high in mineral bore water and re-energised with Ecovortek,
kept hygienic with UV lights and hydrogen peroxide.
Research has shown the benefits of hydrogen peroxide. It oxygenates
the body and cleanses the blood. Hydrogen peroxide has great healing
properties for all skin disorders and infections. The skin feels
hydrated and soft, smelling beautiful.
In the spa the space is designed to encourage harmony and relaxation.
Entry to the Wellness Centre
Enjoy 2 hours of bliss; this wet area is like
nothing you have experienced. Our 3 section spa, massages your whole
body. Then pop across to the 2 different temperature regulated Infrared
saunas for a gentle, slow increase of your body temperature. After
sitting back and relax use the hot sauna with a steam enhancement
function. Cool of with a Kneipp shower before dipping in to the cool
water plunge pool. Have a good rest in the relaxation room and let your pulse slow down.
Protocol for the Wellness Centre
Bring your Bathing Suits to enter the Wellness Centre
Come in a 15 minutes before your appointment to our reception
lounge and enjoy a special blend of house tea to stimulate the
sweat-glands, followed by a glass of re-energised water while we talk
about your visit to the wellness centre. You are provided with all
the towels you need.
Observe your body while using this facility and respect and respond to the signals. Duration given is a guideline only.
How to use the facility
The first step before entering the spa facility is undressing and
leaving your clothes in the change room locker, or in your
accommodation rooms. Arrive showered and with make-up removed, with your Bathing costume and Kimono at the reception.
Hot water prepares you for the heat of the spa facility. Showers
and washing is an enjoyable part of the ritual. Each body part is
soaped, washed and rinsed off with warm water from a rain shower. We
supply sulphate free shampoo and shower gel. Hair must be washed and
wet when entering the wellness centre to avoid hair or body products in
the spa water.
The facility is warm and steamy. Step into the spa or hot pool, relax and enjoy the experience with all your senses. Follow thestep by step
protocol given for spa and 3 types of saunas followed by Kneipp shower
and cold plunge pool for the more experienced spa user or enjoy
the facility to your level of health.
After drying and dressing in your silk kimono you can rest in the
tranquility room and replenish the fluid intake while looking out to
the relaxation garden. Repeat using the facility and feel your worries
to be left behind you and be revitalized by the experience.
Step by step for the best benefits
[1] Hydrotherapy Massage Spa section 1, 2 & 3 massages your whole body in 35° C Water
[2] Pat yourself dry before entering any sauna
[3] Infrared Sauna approximate temperature 40 ° C for 15mins
[4] Infrared Sauna approximate 45-60 ° C for 15mins
[5] Shower is a must after a sauna. Try to have the water tempered to cool.
[6] Traditional hot Sauna (80-100 ° C) for 10-15mins. Poor water over the stones
for extra heat.
[7] Shower is a must after a sauna. Sit down on the stool and start with cool water first,
turn as cold as possible following the correct application.
[8] Cold plunge pool as long as comfortable if you are strong and healthy.
[9] Pat yourself dry and rest in your Kimono in the relaxation room for 10mins or go
outside to breathe some fresh air to replenish oxygen until your pulse slowed down.
[10] Choose to either;
go back to enjoy the spas
repeat steps 6 to 9
return to the change room. Gently pat your body dry and massage in a hydrating oil while you're still damp
Hydrotherapy benefits
Releases heavy metals from the body
Strengthens the immune system
Provides detoxication through better water management within the body
Assist with weight loss, 500 grams of sweat consumes 300 cal
Relieves stress
Improves sleep, lifts depression and winter blues
Has a balancing effect on the psyche and emotions
Eases pregnancy and childbirth
Relieves bad back and muscle tension
Has a protective effect on the arteries, especially important for diabetics
Improves heart circulation and oxygenation
Helps regulate high blood pressure
Helps the respiratory system, hay fever and asthma
Reduces colds and flu
Speeds healing of acne and skin problems
Gives you younger looking skin trough better nourishment from within
Provides deep, total-body cleansing
Hydrotherapy Massage Spa
The healing properties of water were recognized by the Greek
physician Hippocrates (c.460-377 BC) centuries before the birth of
Christ, but certainly known long before then. Fundamentally,
hydrotherapy works by stimulating the body's own processes. Its
underlying principles have remained unchanged for centuries but, in
recent years, they have finally received the boost of scientific proof
(Father Sebastian Kneipp has known for over 100 years) and the
physiological effects of hydrotherapy are now seen to be quite
remarkable.
The aim of hydrotherapy is to use water to stimulate our biggest
organ, the skin. It increases blood flow and stimulates the flow of
lymph and brings fresh oxygenated blood and other nutrients to the
cells. Warm water dilates the blood vessels, where as cold water
restrict the blood vessels The thermo receptor in the skin transmits
via the nervous system impulses of hot and cold sensations that help
regulate the body temperature more efficient.
Being submerged in water, especially warm water makes the muscles
relax and joints soften, as well as bringing a state of tranquility to
the mind. The massage of water in the form of underwater jets helps
relieve stiffness and eases pain and tension.
Water is related to the emotion and has a comforting feeling of
renewal upon it. Spas are a concept which existed since Roman times,
rewritten for the contemporary scene, an altar of self-preservation for
health, beauty and relaxation.
Lasting beauty comes from deep within the body and mind. The
balance between inner and outer beauty helps to get back in touch with
sensuality. While people were taking these various water cures, they
discovered that there are other benefits, besides those to their
physical health. Energy levels increased, minds became simultaneously
calmer and more alert, people were less vulnerable to stress.
Traditional sauna
Sauna is sweating induced by high, dry heat followed by rinsing or
immersing in cold water, increasing total circulation. When a body part
is not well circulated the energy flow through our channels, or
meridians, become sluggish, even blocked. Increasing circulation with
spas, saunas and hot-cold treatments restore the flow of body energy.
The contrast on hot and cold trains the blood vessels to react quickly
in order to adjust the body temperature to heat or cold. It strengthens
veins and arteries and keeps them elastic.
The skin is our “third kidney” by taking over waste and
water management if the kidneys are overloaded. Sweat rinses away
metabolic waste and attached bacteria. The sauna puts less strain on
your cardiovascular system than other daily activities. The blood
pumped by the heart almost doubles, but with only a 50-percent increase
in beat frequency. Raised blood pressure sinks.
Your pulse will get faster when talking, sitting or standing in the
sauna, so lie down, relax and be quiet to help your heart. Conversation
alters your mind set, changes your blood pressure and prevents normal
relaxation. The sweat glands perform better when you are relaxed.
Dousing the rocks with water will add another fifteen to twenty
heartbeats for about one minute. A pulse rate higher than this could
indicate weakened heart muscle or other problems and could be a
contradiction for the sauna. The use of cold water after the hot sauna
is paramount.
People with high blood pressure should use a hose, such as the one
used for Kneipp water therapy. Avoid the cold immersion tub if you have
hypertension, but regular sauna visits contribute to stabilization of
high blood pressure if the sauna is done correct.
Listen and respect the signs of your body. No one can tell better then you.
How to apply cold water
Apply cold water from the feet up and cover the skin like a mantle.
Start at the furthest away spot from the heart, the right little toe.
Move up the leg; repeat on your left leg. Now point the water into your
right hand, move it up to the shoulder and let it run over the right
half of your body, moving the hose back and forth covering front and
back. Do the same with the left arm. Now bend forward, point the water
at your chest and make a figure eight several times. Straighten up and
run the water up the right leg again. Make a spiral around the abdomen
starting on the lower right side. Rinse your face and behind your ears
and over your head slowly while you sit down.
Infrared Sauna
Infrared radiant energy (not the hot air of traditional sauna)
directly penetrates the body’s tissues to a depth of over 1.5
inches. The infrared system may induce up to 2-3 times the sweat volume
of a hot air (traditional sauna) while operating at a significantly
cooler air temperature range. The lower heat range is safer for those
not accustomed to regular saunas.
Father Sebastian Kneipp firmly believes in a gentler approach of
promoting the bodies self healing ability. By using infrared sauna
first the body warms up slower and gentler. Too hot too quick can be
uncomfortable and hinders the relaxation. The body needs to be relaxed
in order for the sweat-glands to work efficient.
Infrared sauna helps generate two or three times the sweat
production of a hot air sauna. A person can easily sweat 1000 grams,
burning of 600-800 cal with no adverse effects. While the weight of the
water loss can be regained by drinking water, the calories consumed
will not be.
Both Saunas induce sweating. Hot and cold saunas are best for
circulation, while infrared focuses on a gentler warm up and cool down
approach and are an easy introduction to newcomers.
