Is it Any Wonder That Waterfalls and Fountains Have Become the Symbol of the Spa Industry?

It is not uncommon to be welcomed by the gentle sights and sounds of moving water when entering a spa lobby or treatment room.  Indoor waterfall fountains are often used to create an atmosphere of peace and serenity.  These natural sights and sounds have a universal calming effect on people despite their lifestyle, personality or culture.  Water seems to be a universal connection we share.  I want to invite and encourage you to help spa clients and patrons explore why this may be and help them understand the importance and value in interacting with and incorporating water into their treatments and ultimately into their daily lives. 

Firstly, there is no debate that gentle and natural sights and sounds of flowing or cascading water help soothe the inner soul.  These natural yet calming features help people not only connect with the natural world but also seem to help them let these gentle features replace the anxious and chaotic thoughts and feelings created by an over-booked  schedule and busy lifestyle. 

Water has been a vital piece of the spa experience since the inception of the spa experience dating back to the 1300s.  The first spa was created out of the realization that the high iron content water from a spring in Belgium had medicinal abilities.  From this realization the town called Espa (the name is derived from the Walloon language term for “fountain”) was created.   There also appears to be linguistic ties to the Latin word “spagere” meaning to moisten, scatter or sprinkle.  Ever since the inception of the idea that water can be used to heal, rejuvenate and awaken the mind and body there have been many different treatments incorporating the interaction with water. 

Because the gentle sights and sounds of moving water have such a universal effect on creating an atmosphere of peace and serenity, fountains and waterfalls go hand in hand with the spa experience.  A spa experience can be reflected in the universal symbolism of the mood created by flowing water within a fountain or waterfall.  The imagination is truly limitless when it comes to creating an indoor paradise using cascading water as a backdrop.  The key issue is not necessarily how it is done, rather that it is done. 

Wall mounted fountains can be an excellent back drop for an entrance, foyer or reception area.  These units can also be a fantastic focal point for a massage room as they are usually very soft and subtle in the audible noises they produce while providing a bold classy feel to the room.  Many wall mounted units have a lighted feature that can create a unique ambiance in low light conditions.  A classy touch can be to have a logo or spa name etched into a slate panel wall fountain.

Indoor table top fountains can easily be set on a reception desk or on a shelf within a small treatment room or even in a washroom to bring these relaxing sights and sounds to a small concentrated location.  Typically standing floor fountains have a larger physical presence then their sister, the table top fountain, but these features also can be a very simple way to add some visual structure and depth to a smaller room while bringing the same soothing presence of moving water. 

Another great reason to incorporate these units throughout the building is to increase the negative ions within the spa facility.  Because we live in a world with an imbalance of positive and negative ions it is important to help increase the negatively charges ions so as to ignite the natural energy-producing processes within the body.  Because water cascading within fountains and waterfalls produce negative ions a healthier environment can be created.   

There is little doubt that water plays a vital role in physical and emotional health.  With this in mind it is no wonder that with water, the sights and sounds have become a symbol within the spa industry.  It is so simple yet the effects can be so impacting by incorporating indoor fountains of varied sizes throughout a spa or day spa.  Because of the influence that water can play in our overall health it is important that people interact with water during a spa experience. 

It really is no wonder why water is, and has been, a vital component to the spa experience.  The sights, sounds, fragrance and touch of it bring life and rejuvenation.  It is essentially the life blood of the natural world.  Just as in the early days within the industry water has played a vital role in the effectiveness of the spa experience and that role has only become stronger in helping people feel more alive physically, emotionally and spiritually.