Aqua
Culture
From the icy Polar Regions to the balmy
tropics of the earth, water in its many
guises is a source of life. Like air,
water is essential. Without it we would
wither and die. In its variable forms
it has the power to heal, calm, invigorate
and destroy. Water’s transformative
qualities make it a universal symbol
of fertility, birth, regeneration and
purification. The word spa is rooted
in the Latin sanus per aqua meaning
“health through water” and as ice, liquid
or steam, H20 is central to the idea
of spa.
The northern Thai folklore
manuscript Pathamamulamuli contains
a description of the creation of the
world. Translated by Anatole-Roger Peltier
it beautifully illustrates how everything
that is springs from water. “When the
world was not yet in existence, there
were only the cold and the hot. By coming
together and by feeding each other,
these two states of matter gave rise
to a wind that blew very strongly and
called into existence the earth and
water. The moisture released by rocks
produced mosses and seaweeds which,
in turn, gave rise to grasses, plants
and trees. Insects such as fleas and
beetles were born from the elements
earth, water, fire, then beings endowed
with bones and blood. From the element
earth a woman called Nang Itthang Gaiya
Sangkasi was born. The scent of flowers
was her only food. Mixing her sweat
with clay, she molded animals so that
they ate the plants that grew in plenty.”
The Thai people have
an enduring relationship with water
and both are inextricably entwined.
Water lies at the heart of the Songkran
and Loy Krathong festivals celebrated
annually in April and November respectively.
Early communities congregated on rivers
or canals, or by the sea, while some
lived in floating houses. Natural springs,
streams and rivers are regarded the
world over as special places where magical
supernatural beings live. The mythical
serpent or naga, which is commonly seen
in traditional Thai architecture, symbolises
water. It is said to live underground,
or in water and links water with the
earth. One of its roles was to protect
the Buddha whilst he meditated. The
sacred lotus, a water plant, is depicted
in art and is commonly offered to monks
in temples throughout Thailand. It rises
up from the water representing the enlightened
Buddha, free of earthly cares and illuminated
with the light of spirit.
The sound of water is as restorative
as its form. Rhythmic ocean waves can
transport us to a meditative state,
whilst the crash of monsoon rains remind
us of the power of nature. The world
over, rain is described in numerous
and often romantic ways. On a more mundane
plane, water takes up more than 60 percent
of our body weight. Evolutionists tell
us that we originated in the ancient
oceans where the first primitive life
forms began and thus our affinity with
the sea. We cry salty sea tears. Even
the ratio of electrolytes in our body
is equivalent to that of seawater.
An array of water treatments, all broadly
classified under hydrotherapy, includes
baths and showers, hot and cold compresses,
body wraps and salt scrubs. Hydrotherapy
is essential for improving health conditions,
alleviating pain, beautifying the body
and managing stress. When applied therapeutically
it can stimulate the immune system,
boost blood circulation, eliminate toxins,
soothe and invigorate. It is one of
the most versatile media for health
maintenance.
Painful conditions such as arthritis
or muscular pain respond well to hydrotherapy
because its main focus is to help the
body eliminate toxins. Conditions thought
to be caused by toxic residue, and the
discomfort that often accompanies them,
can be greatly alleviated by immersion
in heated water. In fact many health
problems can be diminished with a regular
application of directed water because
of its ability to increase blood circulation
to affected areas of the body. No spa
visit is complete without a water treatment
and by having a hydrotherapy treatment
at a favourite spa, or dipping in a
river or floating on gentle ocean waves,
we are “taking the waters” and experiencing
spa’s original essence.
THAI WATER THERAPIES
Water therapies found in Thai spas
include traditional as well as Western
methods. The unmistakable bouquet of
the traditional Thai herbal steam may
be found all over the country. Commonly
used herbs such as lemongrass, galangal
or ginger root, kaffir lime leaf, basil
and camphor were traditionally boiled
in a pot which was placed in a makeshift
tent. The fresh scent of the herbs in
the resulting steam was inhaled, improving
blood circulation and cleansing the
skin. Today Thai herbal steam rooms
range from traditional-style tent arrangements
to sophisticated steam rooms. Thai herbal
baths use similar herbs to those used
for steam, bruised in a mortar, placed
in a cloth bag and soaked in the bath.
The effect is calming and uplifting,
providing welcome relief for overworked
muscles or irritated skin.
Thailand is known for its therapeutic
hot compresses containing numerous herbs.
Fresh or dried, the herbs are tightly
bound in fabric, steamed until piping
hot and firmly rolled, pressed or pounded
over the entire body. Compresses are
traditionally applied after Thai Massage
to prevent bruising, reduce muscle stress
and cure skin conditions. The contents
are prescribed according to the condition
being treated, with some of the most
commonly used herbs being zedoary (khamin
oi), turmeric (khamin chan), lemongrass
(takhrai), kaffir lime (makrut), camphor
tree (naat), tamarind (makham) and plai
(scientific name: zingiber cassumar).
SHOWERS AND BATHS
The simplicity of running a bath after
a hard day has a near miraculous effect.
People who are tense, overworked and
stressed do well by soaking in a hot
bath. Heat has a calming effect, slowing
the activities of the internal organs.
If tired and in need of rejuvenation,
a hot bath followed by a cold shower
invigorates and stimulates body and
mind.
The Vichy shower is a wet treatment
where the client lies on a table whilst
alternating hot and cold water is sprayed
from above from a minimum of seven showerheads.
Asian-designed versions are often made
of beautiful, local materials such as
brass, bamboo or wood that work well
with the natural spa ambience. Swiss
shower therapy sprays water overhead
and at the sides of the body. The jets
are alternately powerful and gentle
and the temperature is also varied.
Scotch hose treatments alternate hot
and cold water at high pressure whilst
the client is standing.
This is a specific hydro massage treatment
and is highly stimulating for the lymphatic
and circulatory systems. Jacuzzi or
whirlpool baths are commonly found all
over the world. Warm water is sprayed
from jets placed at the side and sometimes
from the bottom of a tub. This is an
effective and accessible remedy for
stress and tired muscles.
BODY WRAPS
Wet spa treatments such as classic
body wraps utilise various seaweeds
and sea muds containing trace elements,
vitamins and minerals. Mud from moors
around the world is a rich source of
ancient herbs and flowers that are extremely
beneficial to health. Both seaweed and
mud boost blood circulation, tone and
re-mineralise the skin as well as eliminate
toxins.
BODY SCRUBS
Rice is plentiful and a number of varieties
are native to Asia. It is no coincidence
that this water-loving grain is widely
used as an exfoliate in body scrubs.
Another popular choice is sea salt.
Both make skin smooth and soft and salt
has the extra benefit of being packed
with healthy minerals.
UNDERWATER MASSAGE
A feeling of weightlessness adds a
dreamy dimension to this massage technique,
inducing a deep level of relaxation
and release from tension. While floating
on an effervescent stream of water,
underwater jets continuously massage
specific areas such as neck, shoulders,
hips, thighs and feet. Meanwhile the
therapist uses a high pressure hose
to massage specific problem areas.
WATSU
A relative newcomer to the scene, Watsu
combines some Shiatsu techniques such
as pressures and stretching with a sequence
of fluid, dance-like movements while
the client is fully supported and guided
by the practitioner. Like most Eastern-orientated
bodywork, Watsu releases blockages along
the body’s energy meridians, rebalances
energies and deeply relaxes.
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Thailand
