The Essential lowdown to spa elements for mind, body and spirit; a guide to ritual every women needs
BY VISHAL KHEDNAH | MAY 27, 2009
When it comes to rejuvenating and unifying your mind, body and spirit, nothing beats being pampered, massaged and having lots of exotic treatments to help you towards health and overall wellbeing. If you?ve never had a spa experience before, then you?re surely missing out on one of the most luxurious gifts you could bestow yourself with.
Visiting spas is a new cultural trend and has become increasingly popular over the last few years as more people become conscious of their health and wellbeing. What many people do not know is that spas have been around and practiced for thousands of years, although throughout history their design, features and treatment styles have and continue to change as we learn more and more from all the world cultures and their spa practices. However what have remained consistent, are the benefits of spa.
From the times of the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and later the Ottomans (Turkish empire), Japanese and Western Europeans; hundreds would flock to the public steam baths for the benefits that spa going offers today.
DID YOU KNOW? During the Ottoman Empire, public baths, inherited from the Byzantine Empire, were widely used. The baths had both a religious and popular origin deriving form the Qur?an (ablution ritual) and the use of steam rooms by the Turks.
The word spa originates from the Latin word ?spagere?, meaning ?to pour forth?. But the oldest of all of these is the ancient art of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is a complex Indian art, which has been practiced and perfected over generations. It uses ancient wisdom for health and beauty.
The word Ayur means life and Veda, the science or knowledge. It is presently in daily use by millions of people in India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, and in some way being through it, a major influence on Unani, Chinese and Tibetan Medicine, in China, Tibet, and Pakistan too. Today we are lucky to be able to have some of the best treatments from around the world at our fingertips, which address all of our active and inquisitive lifestyles.
DID YOU KNOW? There are 8 Branches of Ayurveda:
1. Internal medicine
2. Surgery
3. Ears, eyes, nose and throat
4. Pediatrics
5. Toxicology
6. Purification of the genetic organs
7. Health and Longevity
8. Spiritual Healing/Psychiatry
You can experience the ultimate spa experience, all in the comfort of your own home. Vishal Khednah brings to you the Home Spa Experience guide every women needs. A one-treatment guide of the many spa treatments you can begin to introduce and use at home to benefit you and help you lead a more balanced life to revive your body, refresh your mind and energise your spirit. The serenity of the spa is just a finger tip away...
LOVE & CARE FOR YOUR HANDS
1.Nail & Finger Soaking
Fill a medium sized bowl with warm water and add a few drops of Lavender Pure Essential Oil (The Body Shop ?3.30). Place the tips of your fingers in the water making sure your nails and cuticles are completely soaked and covered. Keep them soaked for around 5-8 minutes. This helps soften your nails and cuticles ready for grooming. During this time place your whole hands in the water, in the last few minutes. INSERT IMAGE
Lavender Pure Essential Oil
It has?pure essence steam-distilled from the lavendula hybrida plant.
Which means?you can enjoy the pure wellbeing and sensory benefits of the essential oil. It is known to relax and calm, helping to reduce anxiety and promote restful sleep. Is also known to provide antibacterial properties.
Has a soothing herbal and floral scent.
2.Skin Exfoliation and Nail Grooming
Choose from one of many salt scrub products Almond Refining Hand Scrub (The Body Shop ?7.00), Sanctuary Hand Sugar Scrub (Boots ?6.95) or Nulon Hand Scrub Treatment (Superdrug ?3.99) for exfoliation. Start from the wrist working through the top of your fingers and nails, working around the cuticles. Once exfoliated thoroughly, rinse and dry off. Then, using a soft Ms Manicure Washable Emery Board (Boots ?1.99) (try not to use metal file, as they are too harsh and can damage your nails), file each nail from one side to the other in one smooth action, repeating to the other side.
3.Moisturise, Massage and Buff
Use Vitamin E Hand and Nail Treatment moisturizer (The Body Shop ?7.00) or Hemp Hand Protector (The Body Shop ?9.00), to help soften your skin and keep them hydrated. Apply a small amount of cream/moisturiser onto your hands and rub them to spread the lotion all over and evenly over your hands. With your thumbs stimulate reflexology points by pressing deeply into your palm, working with tiny circular motions from the wrist to the bases of each finger, cover the entire palm area. Try to press firmly, circle and slide along each finger to the tips.
Finish by giving your nails a shine by using a buffing file.
Vitamin E
Which is?a naturally powerful and one of the best antioxidants that help protect the skin against damaging environmental elements, such as the sun, pollution and cigarette smoke. Helps neutralise free radicals, which are destructive molecules that attack cells and harm the skin. It is an excellent moisturiser that improves the smoothness of the skin and helps to protect the future of your skin.
