Auberge & Spa Le Refuge is proud of its Spa services. The history and exact benefits of hot tubs, saunas, and steam baths seem obscure? Let’s explore some of the numerous health spa benefits as well as a brief history of spas.

The idea of spa's is actually an old ancient one spas back to the time of Babylonians and Greeks who practiced bathing in hot springs and mineral waters. Some say the origin of the word "spa" comes from the Belgian town of Spa, known since Roman times for its baths. Waters greatly eased the muscle pain and exhaustion after marching and fighting. In Europe, water treatments are still considered the heart of health spa benefits. In North America, however, the term "spa" has taken on a different meaning as it refers to a place to receive massages, facials, and generally be pampered.
 
Saunas
In the oldest known saunas, stones were heated over a fire until they were hot. Water was then thrown over the hot stones to produce steam and to give a sensation of increased heat. This process raised the temperature so high that people could take off their clothes. Once the temperature reached desired levels, the smoke cleared and the bathers entered. The aroma of wood smoke lingered and was part of the cleansing ritual. Many people found the smell of smoke and wood to be relaxing.

Health benefits
During a 10 to 20 minute sauna session, a person’s heart rate increases by 50-75%, roughly the equivalent of taking a brisk walk. There is a nominal effect on blood pressure because the heat also causes blood vessels in the skin to dialate to accommodating the increased blood flow. Steam baths and saunas induce providing a deep, cleansing of the skin and sweat glands. Sweating helps open pores and flush impurities from the body.

At Le Refuge
After about 10 to 20 minutes, you leave the sauna to cool down outside, either by entering a cold bath or standing under a cold waterfall or in the flowing river. The process may be repeated several times. After the whole process is complete, you must wash yourself. Conversation should be relaxed and controversial topics should be avoided in the spa.

Some health spa benefits:
• Soothes and relaxes tired muscles
• Helps relieve mental fatigue
• Relieves tension and stress
• Improves circulation
• Provides temporary relief for arthritic pain
• Helps maintain clear, healthy skin

Steam bath
The wet steam bath is the most widely known form of sweat bathing. The history of spas and steam baths are deeply rooted in many cultures that have their own equivalents.
• The North American First Nations sweat lodge
• The Turkish Hammam
• The Roman Thermae
• The Nahuatl (Aztec) Temescalli
• The Maya Temazcal
• The Russian Banya
• The Estonian Saun
• The Jewish Shvitz
• The African Sifutu
• The Japanese Mushi-Buro

Steam baths were popular with the ancient Greeks and Romans. In Turkey, the Hammam has survived thousands of years and coined the term "Turkish bath". Much like a sauna, a steam bath will induce sweating; however, it uses entirely different atmospheric conditions. The steam bath not only relaxes you and renews your energy, but also promotes your health and beauty. It operates most effectively with a relative humidity of 100%. The ever-present steam found in a steam bath is health giving as well as enjoyable. A great advantage of the steam bath lies in its highly beneficial effect on the skin. The moist heat stimulates blood flow and cleanses the skin intensively, opening the pores, removing dead skin and impurities, and leaving the skin feeling soft, clean and silky smooth.