Health By Water-The History of “Spa”
At the heart of any spa is water and the rituals that surround it and we’re no different here at Glen Ivy Hot Springs. With 150 years of guests socializing, renewing and relaxing in our waters, one might wonder: Where does “Spa” and the idea of using water to heal come from? Well friends, sit back, relax, and enjoy a little trip through time!
The exact origin of the word “spa” is still unknown, but a popular belief is that it originates all the way back to the time of the Roman Empire. Roman soldiers looking to recover from their ailments
and wounds they received in battle turned to local bathhouses for relief. The thermal water brought relief to their aches and pains and they found rejuvenation in the hot water and now we have “Sanus Per Aquam”—or SPA which translates to “health through water.” Another popular belief is that “SPA” came from a Belgium town, Spa, whose name is known to go back to Roman times. However “Spa” came to be, the belief of the healing and purifying properties of water stands true today.
Now fast forward to August 2010! Guests continue to visit
Glen Ivy Spas for the same reasons that Roman soldiers visited local bathhouses—relaxation, renewal, and a deep sense of well-being. With warm water flowing around every corner, it’s hard not to completely lose yourself in the healing powers of our water. So take a tip from the Romans–head to warm water and let the healing commence!
Check out more on the history of Glen Ivy Hot Springs and even share your story of how you use Glen Ivy’s water to heal! For more water wisdom, take our August Challenge!
