Spa Design History - Essay Example

Spa design history Contents Contents 2 Introduction 3 History of Spa culture 3 Roman and Japanese Spa 5 Comparative analysis 8 Conclusion 11References 13 Introduction Spa is considered to be the place of relaxation, treatment of various diseases, through different water therapies and of course the mean to be pampered. It can be broadly defined as the treatment or therapies (with water) through the regulated usage of time, place and the method of bathing, washing, showering etc. The origin dates back to the roman era, where the soldiers after long wars used to relax, treated as well by natural medication, which is water. Over some decades this concept was then used, improved and turned to be a significant area of business development and market growth. The history of the spa culture originates form the ways the ancient civilization practiced to use the thermal effects of water effectively. In this article, we will go through the different bath cultures like the Romans bath culture, the Japanese bath style and pattern in the renaissance era, which has helped spa to grow in the way as it is today. History of Spa culture The concept of spa is derived from the practice used by the ancient warriors, where they used the techniques of practicing water therapy for different medication purpose, for the treatment of the wounds and for rejuvenating after a long war. These were considered to be the best treatment for wounded and tired muscles or body part. SPA- The full form is Sanus Per Aquam or Sanitus Per Aquam, both emphasized the importance and the usefulness of water for health and more importantly treatment.1 There are different beliefs and understanding relating to the spa culture. The most popular directs to the time of the Roman Empire, where they invented the way to use thermal water to get rid of their ailments. They made the springs and took hot water treatment in it. SPA is derived form that practice, which means by or through water. In this period a town named SPA was founded in Belgium also, which gave the common man a chance to avail the services and the utility of spa. The concept of spa and its popularity reached its peak during this time.2 Some history dates back to 3100—300 BCE where the Egyptians used water therapy and herbal treatments , in the era 700-200 BCE, the Greeks used cold water for the Spartans, in 200 BCE, Hebrews used the purification practice by immersing in the sea. So it can be established that the concept and the practice of spa originated since a long time back.3 The Romans adopted, modified and practiced spa to heat bathing. This gained much popularity. Some baths could hold about six thousand people at a time.4 Richard Brown noted that in the early nineteenth century, in northern Hungary, there were seven different baths, according to the social status or groups. In the western and northern Hungary, the number of baths were also similar to the ones in northern Hungary, the elite people considered the bath a place of relaxing, a place of various social and cultural events during the season. For the poor people, it was just a health care unit. The central Hungary was still dominated by Turks, who practiced bathing as a religious requirement.5 The bath culture where the human activity started around the hot springs at least 8000 years back. The Romans started the development of Aquae sulis as a place of resting and relaxation, with water as the most used and considered to be a luxury thing; later by the ad 70’s they build a series of sophisticated baths and the haling centers with the use of the water therapy. 6 According to Geoffrey of Monmouth in documentary” History of the Kings of Briton” said Prince Bladud was diagnosed with leprosy, he was given a treatment of hot muddy water, following which was completely cured. Inspired by his treatment he builds a city of bath around the springs in 1863.7 Main theories relating to the origin of spa is around the hot springs. In the renaissance period, many baths and healing places were developed around hot springs. The thermal hot spring was no longer restricted to a bathing place; rather it was also looked upon as a medication center for treatments. However the treatment was restricted to the usage of the herbal medicines only. Germany also cultivated the culture and the usage of the spa tradition. A new trend was introduced which would promote the use of the natural therapies known as German Cure System. A patient is first diagnosed and then referred to the spa village, where a suitable climate along with the spa treatments like hot packs, hydrotherapy, physiotherapy etc is practiced.8 Roman and Japanese Spa According to some writers, the establishment of the spa history dates back to about 500 B.C. when the Greeks used hot baths, social bath. 475 years later Romans built the large spa, and after that many developments were brought forward to. Such huge spas were built in the entire Roman Empire, which included the areas from Africa to England. It included not only the health services and various types of baths but the sport centers, eating places are also included.9 There are rooms where there is a provision of the oil therapy, massages and then the warmer rooms. This whole process would be followed by a relaxation in specially appointed rooms. Besides the Romans, who practices the spa culture with hot and cold water, sport activities with massages and relaxation, other cultures also started developing spa centers and initiated the practice of spas? The culture of spa was also popular in Japan, since 737 A.D. when the first hot spring area was changed into public thermal area. Nearly a century after wards the Japanese builds the “Ryoken” where people can have food, outdoor and indoor baths. The widely used sauna appeared three hundreds years afterwards in Finland, which was made with the combination of the sweating and the coldness in icy lakes.10 Japanese have been using the techniques of spa since about 1600 years ago; they used the foot detox techniques as the villagers used to submerge their feet in the shallow hot spring. A group of monks who were unwell, they initiated this technique of soaking their feet in a passing hot spring while they ere in search of the cure of their illness. Soon after their cure this became popular, as people believed the spring had healing powers.11 It is a basic trend and practice of the native people to use and adopt their ancient practices and experience in using the herbal techniques and the other treatments used in healing themselves. From many years people have been transferring this knowledge from generation to generation. In countries like Japan, Chinese acupuncture, traditional Thai massage etc. are some ancient practices which are been used now a days as well. An Asian spa gives a variety of treatment. In Thailand there are many Thai massaging centers that are famous for the treatment of many diseases along with offering some great place for relaxation. There is no set rule of the massage or the treatment, but all the places have their unique way of offering the practices.12 The Japanese people are believed to have practiced and used the hot spring spas from the ancient times to overcome their physical and mental tiredness. In the outdoor baths, the warm water therapies are used which are build in a natural landscape.13 In Thailand, the spa is very popular among health aspirants. The meaning of spas is now extended to the relaxation in natural surroundings, with water as the main ingredient for cure; it has also combined with the natural surroundings and other natural therapy methods like massages. 14 According to the international spa association, spas can be categorized in to seven types of spas: Hotel and Resort Spa, Destination spa, medical spa, day spa, city spa, mineral spring spa, club spa, and cruise ship spa. Hotel and resort spa refers to spas situated in hotels or resorts for the guests and in house persons, Destination spa is situated in the building , which had yoga or the meditation programmes, medical spas are situated in the hospitals or in clinics for the treatment of the patients , day and city spas are located in cities or in the business centers, mineral spring spa are situated along with the springs, club spa are the spas which are combines with the training and fitness center, cruise ship are available on the ships. Spas has evolved out of the water bathing, which are the useful techniques to get rid of various ailments from the body, helps calm down the mind and the body. In the hot spring water a person can bring about the happiness, peacefulness in his/her life as a result of the mineral salts which are there in the vapor. Comparative analysis Spas of today are the result of the various cultures and their contribution towards the development of the spas and the usefulness. Like the Romans used the method of using the time, temperature and they followed a structured flow of warming, heating and cooling. The Roman’s spa included several architectural structure placed within a framework of space to have and maintain the different temperature , so as to provide the perfect room and to transfer the healing power of the water to the wounded.15 The roman spas had an entrance, changing rooms, warming rooms, sweating room, large swimming pool and washrooms and toilets etc. In Rome, the spa was used and maintained for the well purpose and to bring about the attributes of leisure much similar to the fitness clubs etc. of today. The difference persists in the areas of the regulation of the hot, warm and cold waters, whereas today most of the health and fitness centers mainly deal with the heat and sweat generated because of the use of machines and machines.16 Thailand has witness much improvement in the field of practicing and adopting the practices of the various herbal treatment and spa techniques. This has actually improved and helped in the economic growth by contributing to the revenue earned by the government. Mostly the spas in Thailand are equipped with the mindset of practicing religious beliefs, which has again urged the need and the demand of the spa techniques to a greater extent. It can be safely said the Thai people have taken the spa culture and have reformed it to the art form. Thailand has many beaches and is a perfect tourist spot, but to add to the beauty, it offers spa on each and every beach, which is a kind of mandate. Thailand has the most renowned spas, where people practice their religion, Buddhism in a quiet and peaceful area. According to Global Spa Economy Report, today the spa industry is growing and contributing much to the revenue earned. Japan contributes to 12% of the total global revenues earned, Thailand contributes to 1%. 17 In the cities of Rome, the bath would be of long duration, and would have exercises, baths etc. It also included gardens, a reading place food joint, market places and an ancient museum etc. Bathers have the flexibility to move about from one event to another, thus they would enjoy the spa very nicely. By the Elizabeth era, the hot springs were seen to be more popular and of wide usefulness. It aided in the process of attracting more and more tourists, thus adding to the revenue and opening the country to the outside world. This gave the tourist a chance to get rid of the ailments as well.18 The development was also frequent in 17th and 18th century, when spas were built in mountain town, from where the view would be excellent. For example in Thailand, on the beach, there are some exotic spas which are built in the mountain caves, so as to give a cozy and a great and secluded feeling to the bathers. It is now a mandate for all the spas to be accompanied by the doctors or medical staffs that would have a constant monitoring and would provide the right kind of spa treatment for a particular ailment. The spas have now become a tremendous success, much to the extent of adding food joints and market places and other amusement areas. In the Roman medicine and society, mineral hot spring spas were the considered as a highly recommended therapy for the treatment and for the ability to regain health. More than thirty spas were in Italy, and together with other spas in Rome, the number would go up to hundred. In today’s world, the tourism industry has become a source of adding capital and to compete with each other in different product and destination, by venturing in new tourists products, places, offering more and more means of relaxation methods to the tourists etc. Spas are contributing largely to this industry. Apart from attracting the tourists, the wellness theory and the tourism attached to it has become a compulsory in many countries.19 The spas, which are available in hotels and the resorts has become a point of attraction of the tourists and the in house guests as well. Spas have become no privilege of the rich only also they are not subjected to be used only on vacations per se. All the five star hotels, every resort are giving a flexibility of spa an added advantage to the people. Nevertheless it helps in curing a person also. The culture of medical spas is increasing, with the treatment available, and the success rate of this therapies have contributed to the inventions, and more discoveries in the field of the spa treatment. Owing to the non usability of the drugs and other allopath medicines in the hot springs treatment, it has actually made it quite easy and lucrative for people. People from all over the world are now realizing the importance and need of these therapies, which were originated long time ago and the history of these treatments and the relaxation techniques emerged since along time back. The only requirement in the following of these practices would be time, as the effect can be everlasting, but it takes some time for the action of the therapy. The Japanese are known to practice many methods in their daily life as well. The medical spa movement is growing. With the increasing elegant, simple procedures now available, the time is ripe for medical spa success. However, along with the trend toward more medical spas will be increasing government and medical specialty concern. The trend is toward more regulation, not less. When planning for the development of your medical spa, all of these issues must be addressed. Conclusion Over the years, spa has changed in terms of the usefulness. Compared to the earlier times when spa was used only for treating the wounded soldiers and recreation of the tired ones, now it has been extended to an entertainment place, where bathers can engage themselves in sports, eating points and leisure. Different baths are available under the same roof for the convenience of the people. Since baths are located along side of the natural springs, the Renaissance period also saw changing of the natural springs in to spa destinations. But they were more restricted to the use of herbal properties and were used for treatments. The inventions of medical science have actually grown and it is now dominating every sphere of medicines and well being. Compared to Thailand, where the spa culture is already improved, nurtured and established, other countries like South Korea, Malaysia etc are also taking an active interest in the development and practicing the teachings of spa. Spa industry is facing problems in terms of the lack of the skilled persons and the non availability of the accepted standard of spa rules. There are many tourism schools and the hotels who are engaged in the full time training of spa. The importance of spas in the treatment of patients was getting obsolete, it was either restricted to the rich and the famous. But now many spas have actually set up which are the center of treatment and they are still approachable to everybody. Water therapy is considered to be a way of healing in many countries. This concept is also called as hydrotherapy. The meaning and the usefulness of spa has constantly changed and evolved to incorporate other types of treatments as well. Now spa treatments are not restricted only to the treatment of particular disease, rather it has opened its doors for many different preventive methods as well like yoga, acupuncture, European facial etc, The mechanical devices like Jacuzzi, Swiss showers etc has also been introduced and developed to improve the therapies more and to give the bathers a nice and better experience. Spa is going through the inventions, changes for all the years, so as bring it to the common people, irrespective of the class, needless to mention that the core tradition is not at all being compromised. With the growth and the demand of spas especially in the hospitality industry, it is a mandate that the tourism industries become involved in the spa industry. For the future growth of spa and to bring about changes, reforms and improving the accessibility , the tourism depart along with the hospitality industry has to take an active participation to maintain standard and service, as this contributes to the growth of the revenue as well. References 1. Detox Store website, “Detox foot spa facts” 2011, accessed Nov 26 2011 http://yourdetoxstore.com/yourdetoxstore/detox-foot-spa-facts/ 2. E. Dvorjetski, “Spa culture and medicine in ancient Eastern Mediterranean” 2007, Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden. 3. Europe Mountains, “Brief history of spa (including Roman times)” 2011, accessed Nov 26 2011 http://www.europe-mountains.com/wellness/brief-history.aspx 4. J.P. DeVierville, “Spa industry culture and evolution” 2003, accessed Nov 26 2011 http://www.massagetherapy.com/articles/index.php/article_id/434/Spa-Industry-Culture--and-Evolution 5. Kansai website, “The information of Kansai’s spa” 2011, accessed Nov 26 2011 http://www.kansai-japan.net/spa/en/index.html 6. L.Stanton, “World service” 2008, Spa Business, Issue 4. 7. R.Mistry, “The origin of spa – a brief history” 2010, accessed Nov 26 2011 http://www.traveldir.org/articles/misc/spa_resorts/the_origin_of_spa_a_brief_history.html 8. S. Kajonborrirak, “The importance of professional health care and spa therapist training in the tourism industry” 2006, School of Aerobic Dance and Spa, Thailand. 9. Stone Waters website, “A short history of spas” 2011, accessed 26 Nov 2011 http://www.stone-waters.com/clinicalwork/historyofspas.html 10. Thaiways, “About spas – the origin of spas” 2011, accessed Nov 26 2011 http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_article/2119_spa_thailand/spa_thailand.html 11. Visit Bath, “History of Bath’s spa” 2011, accessed Nov 26 2011 http://visitbath.co.uk/spa-and-wellbeing/history-of-baths-spa Read More