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 Home Spa, Nature's Path to Well-Being Luxury spas are Asia's hottest trend. The experience of a full-afternoon body scrub or a two-hour massage is no longer a figment of the imagination with Home Spa Bath and Body Essentials. Home Spa not only provides a catalogue of effective bath and body goods, it reveals a full-range of all-natural stress-busting therapies and body treatment products. Many of these incorporate age-old recipes and formulas handed down by generations of Asian women. The emphasis is on natural curatives rather than on chemicals and synthetic preparations. Traditional Asian beauty treatments for revitalizing facials, relaxing baths and scrubs; refreshing, healthy tonics and much more. Each is designed to soothe and nurture the mind, body and spirit. Restorative treatments offered in Asia's incredibly luxurious spas provide soothing relief from the modern-day world and are presented by Home Spa. Healthful herbal tonics, revitalizing facials, baths and massage oils are but a few of the stress-busting remedies they offer. Home Spa is the millennium buzzword for health, beauty and relaxation; it is a mantra for the growing band of worshippers at the altar of self-preservation. Yet despite its current popularity in the lives of trendsetters, jet setters and health fanatics everywhere, the spa is not a new stop on the road to wellbeing. It is a concept as old as the hills it springs from, rewritten for the contemporary scene. In broad terms, this new image has developed to meet the prevailing mood for an holistic approach to life. In today's era of mindfulness, the pursuit of vanity and pampering is happily fused with a desire for inner health. This is an extension of the original spa concept which, although is has existed since Roman times, was only formulized in 17th-century Europe out of an understanding for the curative powers of water. Today, the spa philosophy has moved on from the pain-is-gain approach and away from a curative emphasis towards a preventive one. And while there are country by country variations in the spa experience, the cutting edge is the Orient with its focus on spiritual harmony and natural, not pharmaceutical or clinical, treatments. The irony is that a spa culture is not traditional to tropical Asia; yet the centuries-old health and beauty practices in this region are being picked up and repackaged for spa retreats from California to Kensington. The tropical or Southeast Asian health and beauty philosophy stands in stark contrast to traditional Western beliefs that put faith in the contents of a gold-topped tub or in the hand of white-coated laboratory technologists. Year after year, the bible for beauticians across Europe and America has preached skin deep remedies, from wrinkle-reduction creams to liposuction, for the ultimate cover girl glamour. It is, however, a relatively recent revelation that beauty from the outside in is back to the front. Now it is more a case of a leg wax plus a dose of soul nourishment, please, for today's mindful and rejuvenating treatment. This worldwide vogue for spiritual and mental, as well as physical, fitness has been at the core of Asian beauty custom since the beginning of time. Lasting beauty comes from deep within the body and mind; how we feel about ourselves and the world around us directly affects our facial expression and outward appearance. Celebrity physician and mind-body guru Deepak Chopra writes: the mind and the body are like parallel universes. Anything that happens in the mental universe, must leave tracks in the physical one. In Indonesia, the birthplace of many tropical health and beauty secrets, there is an ancient Javanese expression: rupasampat wahya bhiantara, --which encapsulates exactly this notion. It roughly translates as the balance between the inner and outer beauty, between that which is visible and that which lies within and it is the parable by which women in this part of the world live without even thinking about it. According to Dr. Martha Tilaar, the founder and president of one of Indonesia's foremost natural cosmetic groups, outer beauty involves a ritualistic process using natural products for skin, hair and body. This is balanced by a number of inner beauty techniques, which include taking traditional herbal tonics and medicines; practicing spiritual exercises; fasting; and making more frequent giving, selfless gestures in our lives. A sense of gratitude and taking care of others, she explains, empowers us inside. This is not religious practice; it is all part of beauty ritual. It is also part of the Asian ideology that says that a desire to be beautiful is valid; it is not the vacuous pursuit of vanity that tends to be associated with beauty practices in the West. Body care is one route to spiritual growth. Home Spa encourages you to understand the benefits of mixed herbs and spices to make body scrubs, of blends of fruit-based oils and tea infusions. It is Home Spa's belief that these help people get back in touch with their spiritual souls, which have little role in day to day urban experience. All of this could be described as humanizing herbs and spices. The focus is on nature's cupboard and her rich aromas giving Asian beauty worldwide appeal. Fruit shampoos, crushed rice body scrubs and olive body moisturizers fall in line with the new mood for eco-chic, where eco-consciousness and style are no longer mutually exclusive. While a deepening commitment to a kind of environmental consumerism now grips people in the West, it has been the mainstay of Asian culture until recent economic development. In the realm of health and beauty, answers to radiant skin, shiny hair and even more critical issues such as cures for cancer have been found in the region's vast botanical heritage. Many of the natural treatments that are now commonly used throughout tropical Asian countries trace their origins to the palaces of Central Java. From the 17th century until today, princesses from Solo, Yogyakarta and Surakarta experimented with natural potions and lotions, concocted by themselves. These are considered the best skin softening elixirs set to beat the best designer bubbles and moisturizig body creams money can buy. The Home Spa experience is based on making its clients feel special. Serenity, soul-soothing and stress-busting is what its clients are after and they know how to provide it, some argue, better than any other type of spa retreat. Home Spa doesn't display any of the glitz of those high-priced bandwagon spa products that are floundering to find their meaning in the world of well-being. Its products' scents uplift our spirits even before we apply it on our bodies. Lie in the comfort of your own home while the healing hands of loved ones stroke your body in time with the relaxing sound of soft music. It is this ability to commune with abundant nature that puts Home Spa in a league of its own. Application of Home Spa treatment products unravel yet more exotic sensations. A trickle of tea and olive infusions between the toes beats rubbing cream in your heels. The heat of cinnamon and ginger smeared over your shoulder of the pungent smell of coffee bean wafting up from your cleavage elicits a giggle of decadent delight. Nature's store cupboard is feeding your body, but hey, this is also fun! Home Spa's holistic and natural approach to life is where it's at. But most of us can't seem to find the time to pamper ourselves. We may year for a 2-hour body scrub and massage in the increasing number of Day Spas but reality is more like ten minutes in the bathroom with a tub of alternative cosmetic cream called something like Peace of Mind. Home Spa offers the real thing that is fast, simple and convenient to use in the comfort of your own home and more importantly in the company of your loved ones. Asian Health and Beauty Secrets The people of tropical Asia have reaped the rewards of their botanical heritage for centuries. At last, some of nature's beauty secrets are available to us all in tantalizing treatments such as these. Long limbs and vital statistics are minor contributors to the beautiful body. Much more important is the state of mind that sits on top. While there is barely a woman alive who is content with her natural shape, every woman can improve her body by upping the respect that she pays to it. This is achieved by taking time for herself, a vital part of life that most of us ignore. The Asian approach to achieving and maintaining a healthy and beautiful body is a sensible one. For a start, it has no time for fad diets and punishing stomach crunches! Traditional body treatments from the tropics outstrip those from everywhere else in the world in number and variety and all of them rely on nature's own pharmacopoeia to produce results. Certainly not skin deep, they not only cleanse and soften our skin, but also draw out impurities from within. The ritual of application relaxes us, empties our minds and soothes our souls in an atmosphere of peace. All this emphasizes the oriental philosophy that regards beauty as a holistic concept embracing both the inner and outer self. Home Spa reveals some of the more exotic body treatment products, be they scrubs, baths, masks, polishes for glowing skin and improved self-esteem! Home Spa Banana Split Softening Milk and Honey Body Polish The tale of Queen Cleopatra and her milk is well-known. Banana is an herbaceous plant that's very effective in removing blemishes. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and contains triptophan, a natural relaxant. It has natural oils and minerals that add luster to the skin. Milk protein is the best-known natural emollient, it makes skin radically soft and pure to the touch. It soothes dry patches and pampers the skin, giving it it's natural nourishment, gently removing all traces of grime, makeup and dead skin cells. It is suitable for all skin types and acts as a continuous, complete source of moisture replenishment and retention, by putting back lost moisture and preventing further moisture loss, thus giving a silky smooth fee. At home, you can use this product as a liquid body cleanser or pour it in a tub of lukewarm water in which to dip in. Home Spa Green Tea and Vanilla Olive Bath Sea Salt This bath focuses on the healing properties of unrefined salt harvested on the coasts of the Philippines. This bath relies on the nutrients in the salt to draw out toxins from the body. The benefit of sea-salt is based on the premise that sea-water has practically the same chemical make-up as human plasma allowing the body to easily absorb its healing properties. This version of the bath sea salt is altogether a more exotic affair. The pure sea salts are mixed with pure olive oil, green tea leaves and vanilla to uplift the senses. Green tea is a fabulous antioxidant that tones, soothes and heals sun burnt skin. It contains antioxidants that combat free radicals, also called oxidant radicals (free radicals are by-products of the human body and cause damage to cells and tissues; antioxidants neutralize free radicals so they cannot cause any harm; free radicals are one of the causes of many illnesses and they are one of the reasons for our aging). It contains vitamins, particularly a large amount of Vitamin C, minerals (fluoride, in particular), and amino acids. The heavenly scent of vanilla wafts you off to sleep. Home Spa Mocha Frap Soft-As-Silk Honey Body Scrub for Cellulite Sadly there is no quick fix for beating that orange peel look that decorates the thighs of 95 percent of women. Improved diet, drinking water, dry skin brushing, swimming and yoga all help. And luckily, Home Spa has come up with an effective coffee-based cellulite treatment. Coffee helps prevent and improve the look of cellulite when massaged into skin. Caffeine is a main ingredient in many cellulite creams that cost a fortune. Honey is well known for its beneficial effects on skin apart from uses in medicine. It is very rewarding for the sagging skin because it firms the skin, adding luster to the skin by making up the moisture deficiency. It has firming, cleansing, smoothing and softening effects on the skin, nature's ultimate beauty product. Home Spa Strawberry Milkshake Honey Bliss Bath Gel If your skin tends to be a bit tough and leathery, you'll go nuts for the Home Spa Strawberry Milkshake Honey Bliss Bath Gel. Strawberry comes from the plant of genus Fragaria and has a high content of ascorbic acid and is necessary for healthy skin, nails, and eyes. It has toning and softening qualities and is popularly known for its cleansing, exfoliating and nourishing effects on the skin. Honey has antioxidant properties that protect and rejuvenate the skin, while its hydrogen peroxide properties aid in cleansing. As a natural humectant, it leaves even tired skin incredibly smooth. It not only softens the skin, but its anti-microbial properties can help ward off breakouts. A touch of honey is all you need for healthy, glowing skin. It is nature's silky moisturizer and effective in preventing wrinkles. Home Spa Rejuvenating Mocha Frap Mint and Olive Glow Scrub If you swoon when you pass by a coffee bar, imagine that smell smothered all over your body. Admittedly this coffee body scrub was only recently invented to cater to our addiction to the aroma of freshly ground beans. Home Spa Chamomile & Vanilla Honey & Oats Body Bar The humectant properties of honey nourish and moisturize the skin. You can use honey on both face and body. It has been traditionally used to cover open wounds in order to soften scar tissue and encourage the growth of new skin. Chamomile, on the other hand, is an aromatic plant that has soothing and cleansing properties. It is a known sensitive skin soother. A purifying and relaxing agent, it is well known for its healing, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Face Value More than any other part of our body, our face reflects most accurately what is going on beneath our face's fascade. It is the clearest indication of the popular maxim: beauty from the inside-out. While we know that we cannot halt our natural ageing process, we can help our skins age with grace by taking a few simple steps. Fresh air, adequate sleep, a high water intake, relaxation and a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in processed foods, all help our facial skin stay plump and relatively free from blemishes. Tropical Asian women have a head start on those in the West. These all -natural products have been an integral part of their traditional lifestyles for centuries. These facial preparations are mixed directly from the vast botanical heritage this region lays claim to. Now that au natural is de rigueur once more, women are running after all-natural Asian treatment products, free from clinical input, and giving them soft skin and a relaxed state of mind. Back to basics is the new concept for modern beauty, and ironically, they may now find themselves having their faces cleaned with the very food that, at home, they have hastily wiped from their chins. Home Spa Carrot Wrinkle Treatment Mask The principle ingredients of this facial: carrot, milk and honey -- enjoy an age-old reputation as skin healers, softeners and moisturizers. Used in conjunction with each other, these three natural ingredients reduce the discomforts of skin irritations and stem infection while promoting new cell growth. Carrot is a rich source of vitamin A and soothes all skin types. It is an excellent skin mask for acne and blemishes. This facial leaves your skin feeling soft and plump and your mind questioning the need for progress in the beauty industry. Who needs electric steamers, electro-magnetic currents, alpha-hydroxy creams for wrinkle reduction and ultimately cosmetic surgery, when nature can be so gentle on the skin and so much kinder on the complexion? Scientific intervention is part of the skincare regimen of the past. Home Spa Jasmine and Almonds Facial Mask While the concept of the Western facial and its ritual process of toning and scrubbing has no roots in the tropical Asian culture, one bumper spa facial makes use of fresh-from-the-garden produce. Jasmine leaves produce a wonderful effect that is all at once calming, inspiring and confidence building. It is best for dry to normal skin. Hair Story There I so much truth in the old cliche of having a bad hair day. Feeling bad about the cut, style, touch, bounce and shimmer of our hair or, more precisely, the lack of these affects our morale like nothing else. But just like our skin, our hair is a barometer of our general health; it becomes duller and lankier the more tired and poorly nourished we are. It needs fresh air, fresh foods, sleep and low stress levels to maintain its shine. It also depends on a healthy scalp; a good scalp massage activates hair follicles and reduces tension in our heads. One of the most striking features of tropical Asian women's beauty is their sleek and shiny hair. Historically their locks have been so lustrous precisely because of the lack of detergents available to them and their consequent reliance on nature's yield. Today, shampoo has taken over from coconut oil for washing, but hair remains a major focus of beauty ritual, and all manner of natural produce flowers, oils, plant matter are regularly applied to keep it glossy. Added to this, the traditional Asian diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains and oily fish is perfect nourishment for healthy hair. While proper cleaning and conditioning provides some of the best protection from environmental attack, manufactured hair products that contain harsh stripping chemicals can do more harm than good. Home Spa highlights some more natural remedies, tried and tested by the very women who tout those thick black tresses that speak for themselves. Home Spa Bath and Body Essentials, Manila Telefax: (632) 434.1126 Mobile: (0928) 347.9343 Email: General Inquiries - info@homespa.tk / my_homespa@yahoo.com Home Spa Product Orders - spaorders@homespa.tk Home Spa Service & Spa Parties - spaservice@homespa.tk Spa Training - spatraining@homespa.tk Feedback - marge@homespa.tk YM: my_homespa Yahoo E-group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/home_spa 
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