They always say that if it was between water and rock, water would always win, because even though rock is a lot harder with the years water will pave its way through the rock. Thanks to Masaru Emoto the healing power of water has become more widely recognised – or at least how water responds to healing. Mr Emoto simply took pictures of crystalized water after first exposing it to love, classical music, hatred, etc.
The results were shocking in the sense that when you said kind things to the water, or played classical music to it, the molecules rearranged into beautiful crystals, whereas if you played heavy metal, or said unkind things, there were no beautiful patterns at all.
It makes sense therefore that as human beings being made up of about 60% water (although closer to 75% as children and as low as 45% if you are obese) we are very affected by our surroundings – what intentions and emotions are poured all over us. Most of us experience unease when someone is angry, even if we are just sitting next to them and it’s not even us they are angry with! The kind of water we drink and other forms of liquid affects us greatly And potentially how we treat that liquid? Maybe it’s time to start playing Beethoven more frequently? Or say “I love you” both to the water and yourself?!
Another important thing to bear in mind with water is that we bathe in it. Our skin is our largest organ and it soaks up what is around you. If you have ever tried putting on some body lotion, or oil, you know this. You also sweat through the skin, releasing toxins. Therefore, it is important to cover your body in nurturing oils, as well as ensuring that ever so often you exercise, or take mineral baths and go to saunas, or steams, to ensure your toxins come out. From Moroccan hammans to Russian banjas and from Swedish Saunas to Native American sweat lodges, the tradition of sweating it out and soaking in healthy water is ancient.
Natural hot springs have long since been ascribed as medicinal; often thanks to their high temperature and mineral content (you sweat out the bad and soak up the good at the same time!). Here at Illum we are obviously building a wellness centre around the concept of thermal baths – of protecting an ancient hot spring, filled with minerals, from being turned into a commercial development, whilst at the same time creating a world breaking health resort and generating jobs for a province struck by the economic recession.
Although the plans for Illum aren’t finalized yet we will also probably provide Turkish baths, saunas (there are many interesting forms of these nowadays, everything from ones made with salt crystals to the traditional Swedish versions), steams, etc. and therapies such as the traditional Moroccan scrub performed in hammans to Watsu massages.
To be able to provide so many of the healing benefits of water at the same time, in one place, thrills us! And we are likely to take Mr Emoto seriously too and start saying prayers over the water!
Below you can find a Q&A with Stan Colders, the Founder of Illum, regarding the water from the hot springs at Illum.
~ What is the water well known for healing/what conditions does it help with?
Treatments are good for: rheumatology, phlebology, digestive and buccolingual disorders, as well as blood circulation (venous return and heavy legs).
The water is excellent for Watsu treatments – a form of massage given in water and for the skin because of the mineral content – it’s rich in copper, selenium and zinc. (Ingredients used for nurturing body lotions and creams.)
The temperature must remain at 38° all the time for rheumatology disorders and about 26°-28° for phlebology, like heavy legs and venous return.
~ What kind of spring is it and what minerals does it contain? Is it a sulphur spring?
The water is mesothermal (temperature higher than 50°C) with high mineral concentration (more than 1500mg/L). The major minerals are sulfate, bicarbonate, sodium, calcium and magnesium. There are also minor quantities of other minerals like chloride, potassium, silica, strontium, iron, fluoride, lithium, ammonium and boron. Other small quantities of bromide, manganese, aluminum and arsenic. Due to the high concentration of calcium and magnesium we can speak of a high water hardness (185,3°F)
~ Can you drink it, or is it solely for bathing in?
The original spring in Jafre is a drinking spring. The one on our grounds, used for centuries as well for its healing powers is a hot spring. The water is not drinkable in general, however under medical supervision you could drink maximum one glass a day for digestive disorders. With some filters we could create a sparkling water/soda water, for the moment we have not investigated this in further detail.
As for bathing; baths of maximum 15 to 20 min a day during 3 weeks are recommended. You can only take a bath up to your shoulders.
~ Will the centre be open to people who are not guests – so locals and visitors to other hotels?
As the water is strong it is not a public swimming pool, the public will be able to pay an entrance fee for visiting the gardens, including the meditation pavilion, the labyrinth the tree of life and have a bath of 20 minutes included. The basic extras around the thermal baths, like Turkish baths, vapour rooms or relaxation rooms will be included in the basic entrance fee. Treatments like Watsu massage, or other types of therapy (inside and outside the thermal baths) will be charged separately.
There are likely to be physical classes such as yoga and events held in the auditorium that will be open to locals and visitors as well.
Any more questions? Please do not hesitate to contact me.
Stan Colders