A cure for what ails us: work, work and more work. Whether at home or at the office, we seem to exist as dormant volcanoes, ready to erupt at any time! The spa--a centre to heal the mind and body--seems a natural antidote.

For ancient Greeks and Romans, spas offered both a social outlet and simple hygiene. Today we seem to look for repeat doses of relaxation and rejuvenation.

But whether for fitness, stress relief or just pure pleasure, spas offer a wide variety of old and modern techniques from the East and the West by way of Swedish and Thai massages, Japanese Shiatsu, European facials, Chinese acupuncture, salt scrubs, mud wraps, thalasso therapy, aromatherapy, reflexology, reiki, watsu, lomi-lomi and more.

And when in Switzerland, let's not forget to mention thermal baths in natural mineral spring waters that bubble through certain areas in the Alps. The region of Seuol (Graubunden), boasts over 20 sources of mineral springs, ten of which are in use for mineral water cures and carbonic acid mineral baths.

Seuol's water contains between 1.1 and 17 grams of mineral salts per litre and the springs have high concentrations of calcium and magnesium. For centuries, these minerals have been believed to possess curative powers. Magnesium is said to promote healing, and compounds like magnesium sulfate draw fluids from the body to reduce inflammation. As they do, they allow deep cleansing.

We absorb mineral salts to offset mineral deficiencies in our bodies, while toxins are lost through perspiration.

As toxins accumulate, hot mineral baths put us in detox.

A culture of kind

Bogn Engiadina Scuol has made use of its unique location and evolved into a well-known wellness spa. Along with the thermal baths, it provides its customers with massages, wraps, salt scrubs and other beauty and wellness related treatments from Eastern and Western cultures.

Says Madlaina Barblan of the centre's marketing team, "the Roman-Irish bath is one of our unique products. We are the first ones to have started this in Switzerland. It's very relaxing."

The bath combines two bathing cultures: that of the classical Romans, who enjoyed relaxing in steam baths of varying grades of warmth, and of the Irish, who preferred to bathe in dry, hot air.

Barblan explains the process: "First you spend five minutes in different rooms with warm air baths between 54 to 70 degrees Celcius. Then you shower and go in for a soap and brush massage that removes dry skin and helps stimulate circulation. You move through the mineral steam baths, ranging from 42 to 48 degrees, have a shower and take the mineral bath. The mineral water is warmed to about 36 degrees. After this, you can go to what we call the 'cream station' for a massage using herbs from the region. You can relax here and enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains."

Another popular treatment here is the thalasso massage. "We use the healing power of seaweeds that we import in the form of a powder extract from the coast of France," says Barblan. "These are mixed with our mineral water to form a paste and then applied to the skin."

Thalasso helps in curing rheumatic problems, metabolic disorders, muscle cramps, circulatory disturbances, stress-related problems, tension relief and for general well being.

Seaweed is believed to tone and detoxify, being rich in minerals and high in electrolytes that regulate hydration and muscle function.

Around 80 per cent of the Bogn Engiadina Seuol's clients are Swiss, although the spa also draws many Italians (ten per cent), Germans and French. In the past few years, the number of Italians has increased. Barblan believes the increase is due to Italians realising that the spa is close enough for a day trip, and admits that most clients enjoy a 'comfortable lifestyle.'

Ayurveda in the Alps

From Scuol to Weggis, we now head from an independent spa to the La Mira Spa in the Wellness Hotel Rossli. Certified cosmetologist and aesthetician Roswitha Rosinger says Ayurveda is one of the most popular treatments at La Mira.

"Abhyanga in Ayurveda means to rub around the energy points. The massage is relaxing, energising and healing. It balances the medians that run along the and the energy systems of the body (the chakras), Rosinger says.

It is a 60-minute treatment, mostly devoted to massage but with about five minutes reserved for the bath. Special natural like sesame and almond, aim to cure what ails you.

Rosinger says the oils are selected to correct any imbalance in the five elements that rule the body--water, air, fire, earth and ether. According to the theory behind Ayurveda, our bodies display one of three combinations: ether and air: fire and water; or earth and water. These combinations should have a natural balance but poor air quality, life-style or eating habits can result in an ailing body. The massage is done with oils that are known for their dominant water, air. fire, earth and ether content, to restore the balance.

The customer fills out a questionnaire to establish their state of balance, so a treatment can be devised.

The 60-minute procedure costs SFr 115, or the full-body cream peeling, including Abhyanga massage, footbath. Ayurveda facial treatment, oil massage, mask and herbal tea. costs SFr 245.

Rosinger treats 20-year-olds to 90-year-olds. Her clientele is mainly Swiss, but she sees other Europeans as well.

Authentic from the Alps

Moving on to Leukerbad--another Alpine haven of natural baths.

Paola Masciulli, general manager of Hotel Les Sources des Alpes, says the hotel has its own hot springs. "We have an indoor and outdoor swimming pool with thermal centre. The water is very rich in magnesium, fluorides, potassium, sulphur and other minerals, so--obviously--the baths are the most popular feature of our spa."

The hotel spa, Aquawell. has a sauna. solarium, Turkish Hammam and jacuzzi. The Hawaiian lomi-lomi, an ancient massage technique, is relatively new here. and the name literally means 'loving touch.' It is said to be a specialised treatment for soft tissues, blood and lymphatic systems.

"The massage, done with oil and essential oils, has rhythmic movements and is done with the forearms. Hawaiian music is played in the background for the authentic touch. The face, head and body massage is energetic and is done to soothe and relax the client," says Masciulli

The treatment costs SFr 180 for 75 minutes and SFr 210 for 90 minutes.

While Aquawell provides customers with different massages, it specialises in its Alpin-line treatments with products that are locally available. For example, they make extensive use of Edelweiss, which protects the skin from ultraviolet light.

Edelweiss extract is also considered a potent antioxidant, cleaning up free radicals that are believed to combine with almost anything in the body--including skin--to cause serious damage, including cancer.

Then there is Calendula, another Alpine plant that is known as a superior moisturiser and has antiseptic properties. It is used to heal chapped or flaky skin, and even soothe sunburn.

"We offer treatments with the natural products that are locally available in the mountains. Some of these are also added in the bath waters," says Masciulli.

She adds that spa visitors come mostly from Europe and include a large number of 40--to 60-year-old Swiss, French and Italians--many of whom make a three- or four-day trip for the therapies.

A culture of kind

For more information contact:

Bogn Engiadina Scuol--PF 57

7550 Seuol

Switzerland

Telephone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Ayurveda in the Alps

For more information, contact:

La Mira Wellness Hotel Rossli

CH-6353 Weggis

Switzerland

Telephone: [phone]

Authentic from the Alps

For more information, contact:

Hotel Les Sources des Alpes

Tuftstrasse 17

3954 Leukerbad

Switzerland

Info: www.sourcesdesalpes.ch