Decoration : bubbles of well-being
All the benefits of balneotherapy... The secrets for home enjoyment.
Three-quarters of the earth are covered with water. And our bodies are 80 per cent water. The liquid element is thus a very important factor in our lives…
One can never say enough about the benefits of balneotherapy. Originally a bathing treatment for various health disorders, today its definition has evolved. Now we install balneo baths in our bathrooms more to relax or to prevent aches and pains. Massages include those which use pressure on the skin to give a relaxing effect, and those using propelled air and water for an energizing effect (“Aquaconfort Eau”, 1,370 €, or “Aquamust”, 5,041 €, bathtub extra, from Selles). An air-only massage improves circulation of the blood, eliminates toxins and combats stress. Then you can check out some interesting extras : Jacuzzi’s “Riverbath” proposes a cascade of water which runs down your neck and shoulders ; to reach Nirvana, add a water re-heater (from 11,083 €).
Chromotherapy combines the virtues of colours with that of water. Each one has its own special feature. Red stimulates blood circulation and lifts one’s mood, magenta harmonizes the emotions, yellow energizes the digestive system and tones up the muscles, blue imparts a feeling of peace and serenity. As for green, it apparently reduces blood pressure, helps insomnia and calms the nerves. Finally, violet is supposed to quell anxiety. “Sok” from Jacuzzi, an overflow bathtub (the water runs into a periphery basin), has a built-in re-heater : you can thus enjoy a sequence of eight different colours with water temperature maintained (from 10,166 €). Selles distributes a chromato spotlight with four or eight colours for 349 €. And what about aromatherapy ? It accumulates the beneficial effects of essential oils which spread through the room. In 15-minute periods for each session, Jacuzzi’s “Deseo” provides : first, an air massage, then a cascade of water and finally, both chromotherapy and aromatherapy. From the same manufacturer, “J. Sha” borrows the ancestral principles of shiatsu massage. With Kinedo and its “3000” concept, you’ll design the balneo of your dreams : six massage systems, as many dimensions and colours. What’s your idea of bliss ?… The system called “Détente” (relaxation) from 1,224 €, “Santé” (for backache, from 1,900 €), “Tonique” from 1,411 €, “Bien-être” (both relaxing and stimulating, from 2,426 €), “Energie” from 1,718 € or the fabulous “Vitalité”, a professional balneo for the home (with six orientable lateral nozzles, two orientable nozzles for the feet, two more for the lumbar region, also orientable, two dorsal strips with eight hydrojets, 15 peripheral injectors and three central injectors for the dorsal area, from 2,755 €). The winner of the “Grand Prix de l’Innovation 2003” was Grandform’s “Biosphère”. A cocktail of high technology in the guise of a tub. It combines hydrotherapy, ozone, chromotherapy, musicotherapy and aromatherapy. “Noovalis”, “Nearia” and “Aveness” have all been designed visually, to fill the space. These bathtubs from Teuco (rectangular, oval or triangular) even succeed in making you forget their effectiveness because they’re so beautiful ! (from 2,026 €).
Water babies
Hydromassage offers a range of sensations. In the morning, the jets provide all the tonus you need to confront the day. At night, they ensure relaxation. To be precise, the “stand-up” massage is intended to envelope and fortify you while the “sit-down” dorsal massage gets rid of stress. The intense “pulsating” massage, to be combined with dorsal or cervical massages, eliminates stiffness. Finally, “lymph draining” massages the body from top to toe and stimulates blood circulation to banish fatigue. And as the trend is now to blend technical features with design, manufacturers are using lots of imagination ! Jacob Delafon, for example, proposes “Up” in exotic wood, glass or aluminium (from 1,375 €) with six multi-directional massage nozzles. Kinedo’s “Aquateck” comes in teak : a model of purity with a full range of equipment including six orientable chrome showerettes with pulsating effect, six nozzles positioned above the seat for dorsal massages, a built-in thermostatic mixer tap and a glass shelf to prevent falls. To be installed against a wall or in a corner (approx. 1,860 €). New from Grandform, “Cristal” is a showerstall offering spearhead technology. It too can be installed in a corner. Roca’s incredibly futuristic “Aurum I” is a transparent Sécurit glass showerstall with an anodized aluminium column fitted with six bi-functional and orientable nozzles. Comfort takes the form of an inviting benchseat, a steel linen basket, a glass shelf and magnifying mirror (8,569 €). And you don’t need to have an outsize bathroom in order to benefit from hydromassage. As demonstrated by Kinedo’s “Chorus” (80 x 80 cm) : 1,750 € for the showerstall with sliding corner access and hydromassage option, 1,800 € for the same unit with pivoting door. “Edenjet” from Prestige Sanitaire operates on a closed circuit basis, thus guaranteeing exceptional massage force and solving the problem of water pressure (7,987 € with the possibility of transforming the whole unit into a hammam). Tempted by the sound of music ? Jedo’s “Macao” is equipped with hi-fi speakers and the electronic keyboard is set inside the showerstall (from 5,992 €). And if, perhaps, you’re a competent do-it-yourself fan, check out a showerstall (hydromassage corner) called “Brehat” which just needs a little ingenuity to put in place (299 €, Le Briconaute).
Spa or swimming spa ?
Some say the word comes from the Latin “sanitas per aquam”, which means “health through water” ; others say it comes from the town in Belgium of the same name. When it comes to choosing your very own spa, several factors have to be considered. Its location and size, and your own needs. Clair’Azur has made an effort to improve the ergonomics of its models for five, six or seven people. The aim is to offer different depths of immersion in the water. As for swimming spas, Clair’Azur enables its customers to benefit from all the equipment provided by thalassotherapy. On the bill : cascade jets, air volcanoes, seats with integral multi-jets (from 24,000 to 42,000 € for the classic model, up to 34,000 € for the “Aquatrainer”).
By Cécile Olivéro - photos : press.
Carnet
Clair’Azur (0 825 825 818). Espace Laporte, RN7, Antibes (04 92 91 33 99). Grandform (0 800 05 15 25). Balitrand, Saint-Roch station, Nice (04 93 89 98 98). Point P, 225 avenue du Général-Brosset, Toulon (04 94 24 30 01). Jacob Delafon, Etablissements Richardson, 70/72 route de Turin, Nice (04 93 89 56 70). Jacuzzi (01 34 40 12 60). Jedo (03 29 25 71 96). Kinedo, ZI Athelia III, voie Antiope, La Ciotat (04 42 71 56 00). Selles (01 60 71 64 64). Uwe 02 38 44 25 12). Wellness@home, Readers' N° (01 34 58 25 89).
