Backyard spa can be therapeutic haven

Nothing relieves stress better than spending a day at the spa being pampered, relaxing in hydrotherapy baths, breathing in the aromatic fragrances of eucalyptus and lavender, sipping on citrus-infused water and listening to calming sounds. But time constraints, work schedules and family activities prevent you from indulging at your favorite spa getaway. By the time you scrape together a few hours for yourself, the spa is closed for the evening or the baby sitter is unavailable.

There are plenty of backyard spas sitting idle and underused across the valley. With a few tips from spa experts, your backyard spa can be transformed into a luxury therapeutic haven or the site for the latest themed gathering: the spa social.

Water is the basic element of any thorough spa experience, both externally and internally. The healing powers of water and hydrotherapy baths date back to ancient Rome. In addition to the massages and facials a modern-day luxury spa offers, ritual or wet areas provide additional amenities such as multiple hydrotherapy baths, saunas and vichy showers to enhance the relaxation factor. Hydrotherapy tubs claim remedies for everything from day-to-day stress to headaches, hangovers, over-exercised muscles, fatigue and jet lag.

One of the country's most highly rated luxury spas, Aquae Sulis Spa & Salon in the JW Marriott here in Las Vegas, houses an extensive water-based therapy environment in the spa's ritual areas. Offered are hot and cold plunges, warm float pools, steam, wet sauna, whirlpool and cascading waterfall showers. In addition, Aquae Sulis features the only hydrocircuit chambered pool in Las Vegas, one of only two such pools in the nation.

There is more to indulging in a spa than simply soaking in a heated, bubbling aqueous basin. A comprehensive spa environment stimulating all the senses is what makes the encounter complete.

Home how-tos

Here are some ideas for preparing the spa and creating your own ritual area, making those few stolen moments feel like a top-rated spa experience.

Assemble a basket of spa essentials in advance to ensure that you are fully equipped for that moment when you can slip away. Essential items to include are sandals, a robe, aromatherapy candles, lighter, facial and bath towels, a variety of spa products in different fragrances, CDs, CD player, and eye and neck pillows.

Preheat the spa while you are gathering a few other items: a pitcher of chilled water with citrus slices, iced face towels and cucumber slices (for your eyes).

Wet the face towels in ice water, roll and place them on a tray along with the sliced cucumbers and ice cubes to keep them cold. Light the candles and arrange the items around the spa within arms' reach for easy accessibility.

"Introducing aromatherapy products into the spa ignites a multitude of natural therapeutic benefits. Lavender is a herb considered to be a natural remedy for a range of ailments and produces calming, soothing and sedative effects," notes Melissa Robinson, Aquae Sulis Spa & Salon director of spa operations.

Proper products

Ensure that products are spa friendly; knock-off brands may leave a film of scum in the spa or clog pipes. Spazazz, a leading spa products manufacturer, has been producing aromatherapy potions since 1993. The natural ingredients are specially blended for use in spas and jetted bathtubs and compatible with all spa and pool sanitizers and chemicals. Sixteen fragrances are available in elixirs, crystals, beads and tablet form. The company's Kidz Line was designed to enhance spa and bath time for children.

Angie Pettro, Spazazz founder and owner, recommends spa owners add aromatherapy according to one's personal desires. "Some individuals prefer a strong fragrance while others desire a more subtle aroma."

Spazazz is available at most pool supply stores; for additional information on the company's extensive product line go to www.spazazz.com.

Soothing sounds

The audio element is just as important as other spa components. Soothing background music with a melody of sounds, water environments or nature tunes further enhances the therapeutic mood.

Hydrating one's body internally is vital during any therapeutic encounter. Drinking detoxifying and anti-oxidant beverages will further the benefits of the spa experience. Hot organic teas, chilled water with citrus slices and fruit juices are perfect spa thirst quenchers.

Robinson notes that keeping the body hydrated is extremely important for proper health. Aside from aiding in digestion and absorption of food, water regulates body temperature and blood circulation, carries oxygen and nutrients to cells, and removes waste and toxins. Aquae Sulis' ritual areas feature a special water drink, a Phytomer product called Oligomer, which means "little sea." The seawater-based serum believed to have healing powers is available in patented, freeze-dried packets in the spa's gift shop. Aquae Sulis adds fruit for a fresh sweet taste.

Take the spa experience to another level by participating in an invigorating hot/cold plunge. Move back and forth from the heated hot tub to the cool waters of the swimming pool several times to stimulate circulation. Ideal plunge temperatures are 100-102 degrees for the hot plunge and between 68-72 degrees for the cold plunge.

Complete the hydrotherapy experience with a cleansing eucalyptus-fragranced shower.

And lastly before you climb into bed, spray the linens with lavender aromatherapy sheet spray.

Joe Vassallo is the president of Paragon Pools, as well as a member of the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals, a certified building professional and a representative of the APSP National Builders Council, Region XI. Send questions or suggestions for column ideas regarding pools and spas to him at jvassallo@paragonpools.net or 251-0500.