Indulge & Revitalize: The Art Of Spa

By Pat Cantor

There is some debate about the origin of the word "spa." Modern usage references the Belgian town of Spa, a historically important resort renowned for its ferruginous baths even today. But scholars are unsure as to whether its name derived from the Latin spagere, meaning "to pour forth." Other less credible sources say it comes from the Latin for "health through water" or Sanus Per Aquam (SPA). No matter where the term springs from, spas have been a continuous element of life since man realized that water provided both health and pampering.

No one is sure who built the first spa. Healing waters and bathing were an integral part of life in many early civilizations. The Egyptians, Babylonians and Minoans preceded the spa cultures of Greece and Rome by thousands of years.

Roman Emperor Agrippa grew the spa concept into a full-blown cultural revolution in 25 B.C. when he modified the balneum, or small social bath, and created the first mega spa, or thermae, which could hold up to 6,000 bathers in one session. The Roman spa continued to grow in popularity far beyond its original purpose of bringing healing of wounds and relaxation to the weary Roman soldiers as they marched from Africa to England. In every conquered town that possessed a mineral spring, the legionnaires built a bath. Many of those towns still host thriving spas today such as Bath, England and Evian, France. The Roman spa was an all-encompassing experience that included hot- and cold-water therapy, beauty treatments, massage, exercise, cultural pursuits, fine dining and beverage service. When the empire fell, its legacy of the spa continued in other cultures. In the eighth century, the first hot-spring facility opened in Japan, followed in the 11th century by the Finns, who introduced the sauna coupled with an ice bath, beer and vodka! The Ottomans revived the opulent Roman spa concept by building extraordinarily beautiful hammams.

Surprisingly, the small island of St. Maarten/St. Martin boasts a large number of spas—which offer many of the same treatments you might have found in a Roman thermae or Ottoman hammam. Just as spas revived the Roman legionnaires, the island's excellent spas will revive you from the "wounds of modern life" and will soothe your weariness through relaxation and pampering. All the spas below pay very close attention to your individual needs, and customize treatments just for you; these are not "cookie-cutter" treatments.

L'AQUALIGNE
Belgian-born cosmetologist Marc Van Thielen is a pioneer, artist and philosopher. Twenty-three years ago, he combined these compatible energies into L'Aqualigne Health and Beauty Clinic, St. Maarten/St. Martin's first health and beauty facility. The clinic offers a wide range of services to relax the mind and body. Van Thielen designed L'Aqualigne as a place to restore your disturbed energies, and gives you the individual attention that makes it easier to continue in the right direction. He digs deeper than the superficial promises of "beauty" and labels, using real science and research to design his treatments.

Each client's individual needs are taken into account when he or his highly trained aestheticians provide treatments. It is a holistic approach and includes the important elements of health, happiness and well-being. Van Thielen believes that combining these elements helps each person find their own path to a higher form of experience beyond society's superficial philosophies. Health, both physical and spiritual, is critical to self-awareness, growth and the maximization of our potential. It connects us with our environment and society in a meaningful way, promoting external as well as internal beauty. This is one important reason why Van Thielen chose St. Maarten/St. Martin to follow his dream. If you want to be healthy, beautiful and happy, what better place than this beautiful tropical island with its mélange of cultures, therapeutic influence from the tropical breezes and warm Caribbean waters, and a wide range of spas and fitness centers to help you live life to its fullest.

One of L'Aqualigne's most helpful therapies for both relaxation and beauty is a Facial Deep Cleansing using excellent products from Swiss cosmetic maker Hormeta. It is a wonderful experience for either men or women, designed to leave your skin glowing and your mind and body fully at peace. The customized facial combines layers of treatments using products specific to each skin type. You begin with an exhilarating cleansing using a frimator (brush). This is followed by the vapozone that softens and disinfects the skin, which prepares it for manual extraction of impurities. If the skin requires deeper extraction, then fine needles, a facial vacuum or high-frequency electrical stimulation are used. Next is the gentle peel, followed by thermal stimulation using a hot and cold gold-plated thermodyn. It feels wonderful and stimulates the circulation. This is followed by a facial massage and a nourishing mask. The result is skin you love to touch and look at.

Van Thielen's advice for continued beauty is to take good care of your skin, have monthly facials, eat well, drink water and limit you time in the sun. And of course, enjoy your life.

GOOD LIFE
The new owners of Good Life Spa, Fadi and Gabriella, have continued with the spa's excellent reputation. That's why the spa was named the No. 1 Spa in St. Maarten once again. While you will not sense a big change, as the team is still very much the same, they have further developed the treatment menu to include the latest in scientific developments designed to address the body, spirit and mind using the Decléor AROMESSENCE products exclusive to Good Life. Each season, new treatments, which get customized for each client, will be added.

In addition to traditional body treatments, Fadi and Gabriella added such innovations as the Good Life Aromamassage to replenish your body and mind through balms specific to your need, such as "relax," "flow," "detox" or "tonic." Two unique body treatments perfect for your island visit are the Absolute Well-Being Wrap to help your skin hydrate and firm (best on your last day on island), and the Sunburn Aloe Vera treatment using fresh island-grown aloe. Another special concept is Man Essential, an A-to-Z, from-head-to-toe program designed for men using the Decléor line for facials, body treatments, pedi-mani and more. Prenatal treatments are unique to Good Life and have been expanded to include special treatments and skin care for moms-to-be.

Skin care using Decléor products includes the "aroma duo" signature concept based on blending aromatherapy's essential oils, nature and science with "phyto," or plant-based elements that protect the skin. Each skin treatment is customized to the client and is very, very special.

Fadi and Gabriella also create custom packages, and are happy to accommodate special requests. One custom package is perfect for couples who are getting married on the island. With your special his/hers treatments before the wedding, Good Life will present you with Champagne flutes customized with your name and date of visit. For birthdays, anniversaries and the like, Good Life will arrange for private parties at the spa—complete with fruit and Champagne to be enjoyed as you relax during the day. It makes for a fabulous gift.

LOTERIE FARM YOGA + BODY WORK
Imagine a splendid tree house high up in a rain forest garden at the Loterie Farm, where you can unlock the stress of your daily life, learn to let go, improve your health and center your spirits. This is where you will find Dinah, a yoga teacher and massage therapist with 25 years of experience. Dinah teaches the slow vinyasa yoga that's suitable for anyone as long as you can breathe, relax and let go. It is an enjoyable journey that helps you unblock your energy and expand on what exists within you that is unexplored. Dinah also practices customized body work techniques, including aromatherapy, reflexology and more. Call 599- 522-5840 (cell phone on Dutch side), 590-690-532-686 (cell phone on French side) or 590-590-875-532 (home) for class times and body work appointments.

Contact a spa for reservations before you go... get the full details on the islands spas from our online guide.