It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, as many of Klafs clients know.  Klafs Sanarium for example offers a highly beneficial alternative to having to choose between either sauna or steam simply by creating a cabin delivering the benefits of both.

Sanarium creates a bathing environment where humidity and temperature are fully controllable to enable wide variations on bathing experience. The heat range sits slightly lower than that of a traditional sauna whilst the humidity levels are perfectly balanced to induce the benefits of steam bathing without necessitating the usually high levels of humidity. This flexibility works perfectly in the home and commercial environment allowing bather experiences to be tailored to need, thereby optimising the range of  health and wellness benefits available.

Another hugely beneficial but little discussed bathing experience is infrared and though usually regarded as the sauna of choice for athletes, there is a great wealth of benefits for any spa user. The shift to a health and wellness over health and beauty philosophy is bringing Infrared bathing back into focus and for good reason.

The gentle yet effective bathing experience induces deep physical and physiological relaxation, reduces heart rate, blood pressure, elongates muscles, eases tension, and stimulates healthy circulation. In fact Infrared does all a sauna can in a much subtler, gentler way which offers a safe and comfortable bathing environment particularly for those unable to withstand the rigours of a traditional sauna.

Klafs Infrared cabins combine the very latest in Infrared technology coupled with design flexibility and a choice of integrated technology.  Unlike many infrared cabins, Klafs Infrared uses gently radiating Infrared C panels, cleverly hidden within the walls to create a beautiful, practical and functional cabin.  The internal cabin walls are aspen, chosen for their knot free, resin free structure enabling even heating and heat distribution across the entire cabin.

Designing a cabin with the infrared panels integrated into the structure has enabled Klafs to combine sauna heating technology as well as Infrared capabilities within a single cabin, creating a choice of bathing options highly suited to a wide variety of home and commercial bathing environments.

Choosing an alternative to the traditional sauna or steam room options for your home or commercial spa needn’t be a headache or technically complex. Klafs offer a wealth of expertise and knowledge which can support the decision-making process within existing design and space constraints. If you are planning wellness spaces, call or email the office and we will happily talk you through the options and alternatives to help you really get the most out of your investment.

We would like to thank all of you who made 2011 a successful and interesting year and we wish you all well for 2012 and beyond.

Here’s to 2012… a year of innovation, creativity and possibility.

Spa businesses here in the UK have already begun to change and adapt to a new marketplace, tapping in to resources and technology which help deepen and improve connectivity with their clients. The urge to cut back on marketing activities has, in the main, been quelled, aided in particular by increasingly accessible marketing tools which utilise a varied number of technologies, apps and social networking tools.  Marketing has become less about selling ‘to’ and more about service provision and experience enhancement, enabling a multi faceted and responsive business approach.

The historic client and business separation is finally evolving into a more free flowing communicative process creating a collaborate approach to service delivery.  Technology has enabled information exchange leading to products and services which actually meet client needs.

The spa and wellness sector has changed rapidly in 2011 and the coming year will bring additional changes and challenges requiring ahead of the game thinking to respond and adapt to the shifting needs of the spa and wellness user.

2012 may prove to be the tipping point signalling a different and smarter method of working.  The ability to adapt, innovate and create closer more meaningful connections will be key in maintaining stability and steady growth.

For us here at Klafs this is an exciting and challenging time to operate within the wellness sphere.  Our activities will continue through the coming year and where many be tempted to cut back, tighten the belt and rein in activities, we will continue to develop, create and innovate to meet the ever changing needs of our clients, collaborators and partners.  2012 will also see the continuation in our charitable endeavours and will be a year of giving in new and evolving ways. We look forward to the journey into 2012, with it’s inevitable bumps, potholes and all!

Traditionally, time was set aside on Christmas Eve for family and friends to gather and spend time indulging in sauna bathing rituals. Nirkko writes that historically, the preferred bathing time was the afternoon to allow time during the evening for the spirit world to take their place in the cabin.

Today, Christmas Eve bathing traditions are a continued practice with the focus remaining firmly on the living, taking time for reflection and contemplation, enjoyment and cleansing before the festivities begin with renewed abandon. The process is slow, beginning with preparations for the heating of the sauna, through to the final cabin cooling stage. It is very much a social affair with the cold Finnish winter providing the perfect natural landscape for icy dips and snowy cooling in between hot sauna sessions.

Whist here in the UK the likelihood of a white Christmas might prevent us from fully experiencing a traditional Finnish style sauna, the idea of taking time out on Christmas Eve to be with friends and family inside a warm and inviting sauna cabin is very much top of list this year. Here are some top tips for creating the perfect Christmas sauna experience:

• Make it social and make it an event, taking the afternoon through to evening to spend time relaxing, talking and enjoying time with invited friends and family.
• Have plenty of large thick towels, fluffy robes and spare flip flops for additional eager guests.
• Heat the sauna well in advance and ensure the there is plenty of water on hand for raponsing regularly.
• Herbs such as Rosemary, Sage and Thyme and essential oils of Frankincense, Cedarwood and Sandalwood can be used to fragrance the cabin with seasonal and uplifting scents.
• Prepare light and delicious snacks accompanied by non alcoholic drinks to keep everyone fed and happy during the afternoon. Try hot pear or apple juice warmed with cinnamon, lemon, ginger and clove for a festive but non tipsy tipple or hot chocolate and marshmallows for the younger family members.
• Relaxation space is a must, make sure there are plenty of seats, benches and cushions for everyone to rest and relax on.
• Finally, stock up with plenty of candles and pick out a suitably laid back festive playlist.

A Christmas Eve Sauna is the perfect way to unwind and take stock before the festivities commence. Personally, I’m secretly hoping for an icy if not white Christmas for that authentic hint of the Finnish cool!

First up is feet first with the prediction that we will see an increase in healthy feet treatments developed and offered across all spa sectors. Wellness comes to the fore with professional podiatrists consulting alongside foot therapists to deliver treatments combining foot beauty with foot health.

Next is the predicted rise in a more mainstream use of cooling treatments and experiences with the development of new and innovative technologies delivering icy blasts through cold water, ice and snow experiences. As many of you already know, Klafs has long understood the importance of cooling effectively so we are rather happy to hear that our Snow Cabins, Ice Fountains and Experience Showers are already ahead of next years trend towards the cool.

Third on the list is a shift towards lasting and effective health and wellness regimes with wellness coaches now looking set to become key in helping spa goers develop a health and fitness regime which is effective, manageable, achievable and delivers the desired results.

Wellness Gaming is next with online interactive games allowing the integration of fun activities with brand loyalty schemes with additional health and wellness monitoring capabilities. Fun combined with health and knowledge seems to be the key message.

As with 2011, the next prediction for 2012 is for the continuation in development of more tailored and unique packages incorporating Spa activities with fine wines and fine dining.  Consistency and curated will be buzz words ensuring that the spa goers receive a truly complete experience fit for their culinary as well as their bodily needs.

A focus on sensory stimulation through light, sound, music, vibration and colour are number six on the list with spas developing a range of therapies incorporating each element individually or in combination for a multi sensory experience. Good news for Klafs again given our long history of technological developments which deliver a whole range of sensory stimulation.

Number seven on the SpaFinders top 10 Global spa trends is the return to glamour where predictions see an increase in pop up (and pop in) spa salons and bars specialising in specific services such as blow drys, manicures, waxing and brow shaping.  Regular and short weekly treatments look set to become the norm.

2012 will also see an increasing thirst for knowledge and reassurance for the would-be spa goer with an ever increasing demand for the development of evidence based treatment programmes. The ‘science of spa’ will be key in delivering health and wellness treatments through a continued growth in the development of medi-spa facilities.

Ninth on the list is the predicted swing towards family friendly spa facilities where adult time can be combined with child-friendly spaces to enable time together and time apart as a family unit. Klafs latest development demonstrates how exceptional spa design is already challenging the ‘no children allowed’ rules.

Finally on the list of predictions for next year is the need for a bigger WOW factor with seasoned spa goers expecting to be astonished, delighted and surprised by the spa experience. Bigger, brighter and more unique experiences will come together through design and technology innovations. ‘Delivering beyond expectation’ will take notice of the little things, with closer attention paid to the small but greatly significant details which combine to create a unique user experience.

Our personal feelings on next year is that 2012 will become a year of immense global change creating an environment where innovation, technology and service delivery will be the key in adapting, surviving and thriving to create a sustainable spa business of the future. Our focus remains firmly on our clients.

The media has historically shied away from discussing sensitive mental health issues in an open, honest and public forum but has this week joined many of the supporters in talking openly about the death of Gary Speed.  Social media has helped create an expanded online community of friends, acquaintances and sympathetic well wishers sharing experience and feelings. A conversation has begun and it now time for us all to start talking.

This may seem an unusual topic on what is a sauna spa feed but the team here at Klafs is not your usual team. Wellness is very much at the heart of what we do, not just for our clients but for our staff too.  We are a team and we take care of each of other.  Honesty, integrity and support is at the very heart of what we do in the office and outside of it. Employers have a responsibility to encourage open dialogue and to offer support networks through the sharing of information.  Why should you take the lead too?

Here are some quick and rather stark facts:

• 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience mental health issues during their lifetime
• Depression and Anxiety related disorders are the most commonly diagnosed
• 10% of the UK population will be experiencing depression at any one time
• 4000 people every year in England and Wales will take their own life
• 75% taking their own life will be men
• In Men under 35, Suicide is the second most common cause of death in England and Wales

So, in context even if you are a small team of only 4 individuals, it is statistically likely that one of you will, at some point, experience mental health issues at some time. But, if you are a large company employing 100’s of individuals, it is highly likely that there will already be a number of individuals experiencing mental health issues of some kind. Conversation leads to action and action ultimately helps to safeguard the health and wellbeing of each of us individually.

This time of year is particulaly busy for Mental Health Charities and Support networks who are in need of volunteers and donations to help keep vital services in place so if you can offer time or money, do it this year and help support the work these amazing organisations continue to do.

Our personal support goes to CALM which originated here in Liverpool but there are many other organisations which need funds and time including MIND, Samaritans and HOPElineUK.

Start a conversation today, support your team and support the bigger picture.

This year, the office will close on Friday 23rd December and will reopen again first thing on Tuesday 3rd January 2012.  We will be offering our usual levels of technical support and will continue to process spare parts orders up to and including Friday 23rd December.

If you require technical support during the Christmas period, please call your Klafs Engineer directly.  Calls and messages to the office will be picked up on our return on Tuesday 3rd January.

To help you avoid unnecessary difficulties during the festive break, here are some quick tips to keep things running smoothly:

• If you haven’t already done so, ensure your equipment has had its regular service before the busy December period begins.
• Check stock levels for key spare parts such as replacement bulbs, steam generator filters and seals. Re-order early to allow for any delays.
• Order extra essences to keep up with demand.
• Check door seals and hinges, tighten or replace as necessary.

Don’t forget, that spare parts and accessories can be ordered until Friday 23rd December.

2011 has been a great year for the Klafs team and we would like to extend our warm thanks to all of you who have helped to make it such a pleasurable, productive and successful year.

Take Ebay for example who recently announced their plans for a 5 day pop-up shop this Christmas in Londons Soho district beginning December 1st 2011. A seemingly backward step some may say when the growth in online retailing has been sounding the death knell for the high-street store, but actually not so.  Ebay has cleverly woven the old with new, albeit in a temporary fashion, to create a physical virtual store where goods can be seen but not taken home (they are delivered to your door) and where payment is made through your mobile not via the till.  They are bringing a virtual online experience into the reality of the high-street in a way which engages the user, creates a new and different experience yet continues to stick firmly their core business offering. They are delivering exactly the same service but bringing it to the consumer in a different way.

Technology has long been a driving force enabling smarter, leaner ways of working whilst improving user engagement through enhanced customer experience. Now, mobile technology combined with affordable, value-added apps is leading the way in changing buying habits and business to user engagement (and not just for the temporary Ebay store). Businesses across many sectors are finding new and innovative ways to apply and indeed develop technology to suit their needs.

Mobile Technology has evolved to form a vital missing link joining people directly to products, services and information wherever they are and whatever they are doing which could mean great news for your spa operations and activities. This year, we have already touched on a couple of influential reports highlighting the key trends for the coming year with luxury for less, authenticity, value added services and user engagement coming top of the wants and needs list. Take into account ComScores statistics on mobile user behaviour in Europe and we begin to see that the mobile market should not be ignored when web browsing, retail activities and social media engagement are high priorities for mobile users.

The ability to engage clients and potential clients through mobile technology creates an endless array of possibilities for the spa business operator enabling multi channel marketing and service provision to a single device.  Email, diary, sms and web browsing capabilities can be paired with scanning and payment technologies or interactive apps to create a cohesive and easily synchronised personal device allowing incoming data to be viewed, shared and actioned or scheduled immediately.

If your marketing activities have not expanded to incorporate products and services which are mobile compatible, you may just be missing out a new and engaged marketplace which could enable a highly tailored service to your users and clients.

Predictive and preventative maintenance procedures can work hand in hand to assess, monitor and address any issues which could lead to breakdown or failure if left unattended and for most spa operators this is a key consideration throughout the year. To keep your Klafs equipment running smoothly, here’s a quick rundown of those things to consider when planning for winter ready spa checks and maintenance:

Look at things from a different perspective

If you get the opportunity out of normal operational hours, take time out to use the spa equipment in exactly the way a spa goer would, using an objective eye to assess areas for maintenance.

• Check doors to establish if they open smoothly, that the hinges are properly tightened and that the rubber seals, where fitted, work correctly.
• Assess whether the lighting systems operate fully and if any of the bulbs require replacement.
• Sit on the benches within each cabin to feel where maintenance or repair may be needed.
• Think about the environment and the actual feel within the cabin checking temperature and humidity on each bench tier to assess the need for replacement sauna rocks or steam generator maintenance.
• If essences are used take notice of the strength of fragrance and response it prompts noting the need for alteration or changes in frequency, quantity or fragrance change requirements.

Take stock, be prepared

The busier colder months requires longer operational periods and increased wear and tear so ensuring replacement parts and sundries are on-site and available will mean any unexpected occurrences can be dealt with quickly and efficiently.

• Servicing your Klafs equipment now will keep things operating well and creates an opportunity to check the stock you already have on site and re-order any spare parts for use during or after the busy winter period.
• Keep at least one complete set of replacement bulbs on site at any one time to ensure cabins are fully lit at all times.
• The requirement for Essence increases and so too generally does the need for more herbal based, head and nose clearing fragrances such as peppermint and eucalyptus. Order ahead to maintain stock levels as demand and use increases.

Our team offers servicing, support, technical advice and spare part provision to help you assess and address the particular maintenance requirement of your spa environment. Call our technical team today on +44 (0)845 833 6381 and we will be happy to help you get things on track for the winter months.

The key concern for many is the effect of heat and the temporary fever that sauna bathing induces and whilst there is a wealth of research relating to hyperthermia during pregnancy, few, if any, relate directly to current sauna bathing practices.

The key findings which bridge the possible gap are derived from research specifically looking at the relationship between fever (caused by internal biological response mechanisms through infection) and feotal development or miscarriage. The studies all broadly concluded that high fever during the first trimester could possibly, particularly during the first 6 weeks, create a slightly higher risk of nueral tube defects leading to congenital issues such as spina bifida.

It is worth noting that the temperature increase induced by sauna bathing raises core temperature, on average, by less than 1 degree and that the duration of time spent in a sauna during pregnancy is suggested to be no longer than 5-10 minutes so the key difference between externally induced fever (via the sauna) or internally induced (through infection or other biological processes) is the duration and temperature differences experienced.

One of the few published research pieces on sauna bathing during pregnancy was assessed and can be found in a 1979 edition of the British Medical Journal where the sauna bathing practices of Finnish women during pregnancy were investigated to assess a possible correlation between sauna induced hyperthermia and the instances of congenital abnormalities. It was concluded that sauna bathing had no ill effects in this group of women nor could they establish a scientific reason for finnish women to discontinue their usual bathing practices.  An important factor was noted on the historical context of traditions in sauna bathing rituals where regular sauna visits were a regular part of cultural  practices.

So, where does this leave the unanswered questions surrounding sauna bathing during pregnancy?  As with all health related issues is it is for the individual to firstly assess their own personal medical history and current sate of wellbeing.  Stage of pregnancy should be taken into account, exercising restraint or caution during the first trimester.  Blood Pressure can fall, body temperature will raise naturally and nauseous feelings may continue throughout inducing feeling of dizziness and lightheadedness and so sauna bathing under such circumstances is ill advised due to risk of fainting and vomiting. It is also wise to avoid sauna bathing during pregnancy if it not a regular part of your routine.

Sauna bathing during pregnancy is yet to become part of our cultural norms here in the UK but is rarely questioned in countries where there is a long history of regular sauna practices but that is not to say that we shouldn’t question or assess the risks. Our advice is  to talk to your GP, obstetrician or midwife first, then if you are in good health and are a usual sauna bather, the health promoting benefits of the sauna should continue throughout   – just remember to take a friend or partner with you for support, stay only for 5-10 minutes or less if you feel uncomfortable and take regular sips of caffeine free fluids to keep you fully hydrated.