What is a Spa?

What is SPA and SPA procedures? Today these words are used more and more often. Advertising booklets, magazines and other sources of information boast of a tremendous rejuvenating effect, which can be achieved with the help of various SPA-services. But few will accurately formulate the meaning of these mysterious word combinations.

What is a Spa? There are two versions of the appearance of this expression. First, these letters are an abbreviation of the Latin phrase, in translation meaning "health through water". And secondly, SPA is also the name of a Belgian resort well known for its natural, healing springs.

What thoughts and impressions come to mind when the word SPA? Of course, this relaxation, pleasure, rest, health and beauty - everything that makes our life more qualitative and harmonious.

To understand what SPA procedures are, remember the ancient world.

Various water procedures began to be used to maintain a toned and healthy, and also for pleasure long before our era. The healing traditions of one nationality were adopted by others, and therefore the development and replenishment with new methods and elements constantly took place.

The use of curative mud and various minerals for healing and improving the appearance came to us from ancient Greece. A healthy lifestyle in this state and caring for oneself were an important part of the nation's culture. It was the Greeks that laid the foundation for combining health-improving water procedures with massage and various gymnastic exercises.

There were always market relations between the ancient states, and thanks to this, different nationalities introduced their own healing traditions into the SPA-procedures.

Saunas, which are now an integral part of SPA therapy, appeared at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in Finland. It was there that they invented the tradition after a sauna to dip into cold water and drink a little. This cheerful ritual has perfectly taken root in Russia, after all the Russian people like to have fun. For ancient times, these were full-fledged spa treatments.

Turkish baths (hammams), in which oriental design is combined with a chic interior, also included spa treatments. All actions in them were aimed at bringing the soul and body into a state of rest and harmony.

Since the beginning of the twentieth century in Europe and America, SPA culture has developed well and has become one of the most promising areas in business. Rapid development of the market of all kinds of cosmetology services and goods has served as this basis, as well as the emergence of new types of fitness - physical activity.

What is a SPA-salon? This institution, offering a full range of services for recovery, as well as face and body care. The first of them appeared in Manhattan, founded by his Elizabeth Arden in the distant 1910. The next sensation of the time - the opening of a large salon Golden Door Spa in 1958 in California. In it for the first time personal programs on weight loss were presented. After this, the general public became more clear about what a spa is. The famous actress Jane Fonda participated in the creation of these programs, she gave the world aerobics-the initial form of fitness.

Further, in European countries, such salons and fitness clubs appeared. In addition, many SPA procedures have been used in medical clinics and centers in addition to basic treatment, as well as for an effective and comfortable recovery period. Today the question of what a SPA is, has become topical, as never before.

Thus, the procedures that have arisen in the ancient world have become an inalienable, important part of modern life. And now you know that this is healing, pleasure and relaxation. Probably, the best explanation of what a spa, do not come up with more!