Tropical Spa

The Tropical Spa: Asian Secrets of Health, Beauty & Relaxation by Sophie Benge She gives the example of Javanese rupasampat wahya bhiantara (the balance between inner and outer beauty) - using natural products for skin, hair and body balanced with inner beauty techniques including jamu (traditional herbal tonics and medicines), Daya Putih (spiritual form of exercise), fasting, and making more frequent giving, selfless gestures. She talks about the origins of many of the natural treatments now commonly used throughout tropical Asia. She talks about how the therapists carry compassion in their hands and transmit it as a matter of course. She describes about how building spas in tropical Asia is gaining popularity and how designers are blending indigenous raw materials such as teakwood, stone, ceramic, terrazzo, bamboo and alang-alang to make them "natural" but also ethnic-chic. I purchased The Tropical Spa before my trip to Thailand so I could see what I had to look forward to. Indeed, three spas that I would be visiting - Banyan Tree Spa Phuket, Chiva-Som, and The Oriental Spa - are covered in the section, Top Tropical Spas, where Benge devotes a third of the book presenting the essence of fourteen Asian spas in word and picture. But there is so much more. Tettoni's photography is fabulous - rich, colorful images of exotic locations, spa treatments, and ingredients. Benge discusses the tropical spa experience and how its focus on spiritual harmony and natural treatments sets it apart from other spa experiences. Even though the spa culture is not traditional to tropical Asia, centuries-old health and beauty practices of this region fit well into spa life. "The 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." The largest section of the book, Asian Health and Beauty Secrets, presents tantalizing treatments for home based on those the people of tropical Asia have used for centuries. Benge says, "every women 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 chapter, Body Conscious, presents exotic body treatments - scrubs, baths, wraps, heat treatments and polishes - "for glowing skin...and improved self-esteem". Mandi Susu, Balinese Boreh, Traditional Lulur, and Bali Kopi Scrub among many others are described and recipes for the treatments are provided by various spas. In Rites of Massage, Benge notes that massage has always been the backbone of health and well-being in Asia. She discusses Traditional Indonesian, Thai, Aromatherapy, and Mandara massage and what to expect from each. She also talks about carrier oils, essential oils, and oil blends. In Mind-Body-Spirit, Benge discusses the pursuit of mindfulness and how we are turning to mindful exercises such as yoga, tai chi, meditation, and breathing techniques that offer physical and psychological benefits. She says, "the mood for holistic self-preservation which has so recently become the favoured route to self-fulfillment in the West, has always been the unquestioned way of life in the East. Mindful exercise, in its various guises, originated here in the simple belief that we can only look and feel good if our bodies and our spirits are working together in healthy harmony". In Face Value, Benge describes natural, traditional treatments for the face such as Honey-Cucumber Facial, Egg White Mask, Polenta and Yoghurt Scrub, and Jamu Tropical Nuts Facial, among others. Recipes are provided by various spas presented in this book. Hair Story highlights natural hair remedies, "tried and tested by the very women who tout those thick black tresses that speak for themselves". Creme Bath Hair Treatment, Aromatherapy Scalp Treatment, Hibiscus Hair Shampoo, Merang Hair Treatment, among others are discussed. Once again, recipes are provided by the spas that use them. Feet First pays homage to the feet with instructions on how to make happy feet with pedicure, foot bath, foot massage, foot treatment, and foot soaks. The last section of the book, Asian Spa Cuisine, provides spa recipes for Asian Golden Muesli, Apple Strudel with Honey, Tuna with Coriander and Ginger Dressing and Spinach Noodles, Rucola (Rocket or Arugula) Salad, Silken Tofu, Asparagus and Oyster Mushroom Salad, Crisp Banan Blossom and Green Apple Salad, Thai Seafood Salad, and many more. Teas and herbal tonics are also discussed. The book ends with pictures and descriptions of natural spa ingredients and natural spa products. Benge says, "One of the appealing aspects of the Tropical Spa is the floral heaven that goes with it. Frangipani and jasmine blooms are never out of sight in Asia and their aromas must be among the sweetest of al tropical flowers." She is so right! I will forever be transported to the spas I visited in Thailand each time I smell jasmine.