The Philippine Online Chronicles

Today’s health spas offer a variety of treatments that can help reduce stress and fight off the signs of aging.  It’s a relief to know that anytime you can unwind and escape from the daily stresses --- stress from work, home, relationships, etc. --- through therapeutic treatments being offered by these spas.

Among these spas include Zenyu Eco Spa, a new eco-friendly spa located inside Hotel H2o at Manila Ocean Park.  Just recently, I had the chance to experience this holistic healing being offered by Zenyu.

The word zenyu means complete healing, according to Dr. Eric Tan, manager of Zenyu Eco spa. The spa and the H2O hotel rooms and hallways were built using negative ion technology by EcoParadise. The technology is supposed to protect guests and clients from free radicals, which deteriorates the body’s defense system.

Dr. Tan advocates the healing powers of nature, specifically negative ions. According to him, nature’s healing power is replicated by deoxidizers emitting negative ions. Negative ions are invisible molecules we inhale in certain environments like mountains, beaches, and valleys.  These electrical charges in the air are said to remarkably improve overall health and wellness.

Hot bed experience

The spa’s main offering is the hot bed therapy (P392), a special technology from EcoParadise. The hot room can accommodate up to 8 people and is made of bricks that emit negative ions.  Built by Japanese engineers, the hot room is about 47 degree Celsius inside so it was very hot.

Wearing light blue yukata, I was asked to finish a glass of water to keep myself hydrated. I was also provided a towel and a mug full of water just in case I get thirsty during the 30-minute therapy.  Remember the Britney’s I’m a Slave for You music video where everyone in the bath house was glistening in sweat? Well, that’s how sweltering hot it was inside. In less than a minute, I was already sweating profusely, I could feel sweat running down my skin.

Compared to sauna and steam rooms, I personally find the hot bed better. I hate the smell of burning charcoal and eucalyptus which I experience in saunas while the water droplets in steam rooms makes it difficult for me to breath properly.

After the 30-minute therapy, I noticed that my body still continued to sweat for another 5 minutes. My cheeks were blushing and my skin felt so clean because the sweat wasn’t the sticky type --- it was like water coming out.

After cooling down, I showered using Zenyu eco spa’s pirakare multipurpose powder. The powder is antioxidant solution made of soya bean oil, purified water and other natural ingredients. Unlike commercial soaps, the pirakare solution isn’t foamy. I had to rub the solution, which felt like diluted olive oil, against my skin.

Massage therapy

After the showering and toweling myself dry, I was then treated for a relaxing 30-minute whole body massage (P672 or P1,008 combination).  The massage therapy helps with healing and relieves pain by increasing circulation of the blood.  The spa offers Swedish or Shiatsu therapy given in mild or hard pressure.

I tried their Swedish massage therapy which uses a lot of strategic pressure and stretching. The lady masseur has been very gentle on me. I like the pressure she’s applying because I felt really relaxed and somehow the tension building in my muscles has somewhat loosened.  For their massages, they only use virgin coconut oil.

Capillary scope

Aside from enjoying a hot bed and massage treatment, I also had my capillaries checked. When was the last time you’ve seen your capillaries? I’m sure we’ve seen our facial pores more often than our capillaries. According to Dr. Tan, capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in our circulatory system and are important because this is where the exchange of oxygen and nutrients happen. It is also an indicator of one’s state of health.

Curious about my health, I had mine checked. Dr. Tan poured a small amount of olive oil on my index finger and then using a capillary scope, he tried to search for my capillaries. After a few seconds, the capillary scope was able to detect my capillaries and showed small, fine spiral lines and sometimes eight-shaped lines. According to Dr. Tan, I have not been sleeping well and that I needed more water. He said that healthy capillaries are usually long and straight.

The whole spa experience is rejuvenating and informative. The hot bed therapy cleansed my body from toxins because of the heavy sweating while the whole body massage helped relieve my aching muscles. The capillary scope session, meanwhile, provided insight on how I should care for my body.

Photos owned by writer, some rights reserved.