The power of lightness

I slowly tip to the right. Unintentionally. My right hand counteracts it under water and wags its tail like a dog. I had imagined aqua yoga to be easier. After all, I have been practicing yoga on dry land for 15 years. Nok, my aqua yoga teacher from Thailand, stands motionless in front of me in the tree pose and smiles. The 38-degree water quickly reaches her chin and mine up to my chest. We are in one of the few hydrotherapy pools in the Maldives. More precisely, on a mini-island in the South Malé Atoll, on Como Cocoa Island. The 15 Como hotels worldwide have been pioneers on the market for years with their own holistic wellness concept called Shambala, which means “source of happiness”. Wellness in water is an important component in the world of well-being. This trend has also arrived in Germany and its neighboring countries. Many hotels are banking on this and are luring customers with modern water wellness offers such as aqua yoga.

The long history of water therapy

The healing power of water is nothing new. The ancient Greeks and Romans already knew about it and celebrated it in steam baths and thermal water pools. In this country, water doctor Sebastian Kneipp laid the foundation for today’s aqua healing with his water cures in the mid-19th century. For the Allgäu priest, water was the simplest and safest remedy in the world. This gave rise to an impressive universe of water wellness: from sporting activities such as aqua gymnastics, aqua jogging and aqua biking to relaxing treatments. These include aquatic bodywork such as water shiatsu, also known as Watsu, water massages, floating in tanks filled with salt water and hydrotherapy.

The secrets of the hydrotherapy pool

Hydrotherapy has long been the domain of rehabilitation and spa facilities, where water of different temperatures and pressures is used. With alternating baths, showers, washes, wraps, steam baths and underwater massages, joint and muscle pains are alleviated and the circulation, blood flow, metabolism, nervous system and immune system are stimulated. And the body’s self-healing powers are activated. Some of these positive effects can be experienced in a hydrotherapy pool. This looks like a giant version of a whirlpool. With various stations equipped with different massage jets. These include a stronger water jet, which often looks like a waterfall, which is intended to loosen the shoulder and neck area, as well as special jets for deep tissue massage of the back, stomach, legs, arms and feet. Attached handles and holders help to maintain the position despite the water pressure. The water temperature is 38 degrees. “Pretty warm,” I think as I get into the hydrotherapy pool. No wonder with an outside temperature of 32 degrees. But Nok explains to me that this is the optimal temperature to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation and promote relaxation. The surface of the pool is calm and smooth as glass, not a single jet is running. And it stays that way during the aqua yoga class.