In 2010, Don Goede and Kat Tudor, along with millions of others made pilgrimage to bathe in the sacred rivers of India. Known as the Kumbh Mela, this sacred journey is thought to cleanse bathers of sins and has become one of the largest peaceful gatherings in the world.
While soaking in the Ganges of Kumbh Mela, the duo felt inspired—the waters they had traveled around the globe to experience were quite similar to those in their home of Manitou Springs, Colorado. The only difference was a big one, however; unlike the Ganges, Manitou Springs was entirely underground.
This wasn’t always the case. The Native Americans used these waters for centuries. In fact, the springs are said to be a place of peace—if tribes were hostile they laid down their weapons in order to soak in the waters.
In the 1800s, the waters of Manitou Springs were sought after by health-seekers around the country. Bathing in mineral waters was found to help ease ailments for everything from the common cold to more prolonged health issues, including hypertension, insomnia, and arthritis. But in the early part of the 20th century, the springs fell into a state of disrepair. The cause isn’t exactly clear, but its thought that with the rise of the pharmaceutical industry, fewer individuals were seeking the benefits of natural water therapy (balneotherapy), and the tubs became poorly managed. It wasn’t until 1986 that the city of Manitou Springs created a fund to manage the springs. And it wasn’t until 2015 with the vision of Don and Kat that the springs returned to their original healing glory.
My husband and I paid a visit this past summer to experience the healing waters ourselves. Upon arriving on property we were seduced by the splendid views of Tava Mountain (Pike’s Peak). To enter SunWater Spa you climb a Chakra staircase (you ascend the chakras as you climb the stairs) to the reception area and yoga studio, which has garage-style doors opening to the outside. From here, guests have access to the tubs.
These cedar tubs utilize no chlorine and instead rely upon a three-part sanitation system that involves oxidation, UV light and hydrogen peroxide. Rich in minerals, including calcium and magnesium, the water eased both our joint pain and muscle stiffness from the 2-hour drive. In addition to the mineral tubs, SunWater Spa offers a full menu of spa services including a Couples’ Treatment that we indulged in during which one partner soaks in a claw foot tub while the other receives a Thai-influenced massage. After the swap, another soak in the mineral waters awaits.
We followed our treatment with dinner at Adams’ Mountain Cafe [adamsmountain.com], enjoying a cultural shift with the Senegalese Vegetables made with a delightfully spicy peanut sauce, snow peas, carrots, cauliflower, currants, scallions and roasted almonds. The menu at Adams Mountain Cafe fits in with the eclectic vibe of Manitou Springs. The town of Manitou is a place where glass blowing shops as well as a Fairy & Dragon Boutique intermingle with a classic arcade featuring such iconic games as skeeball and Pac-Man.
After dinner and a brief romp through the historic quarters of town, we returned to the Teva House. SunWater Spa organizes retreats throughout the year and has the ability to accommodate a few guests on-site. The Teva House is a small studio apartment, featuring a bathroom with river rock tile, a kitchen and an open and airy room. (It also has its own private cedar tub.) In our room we sampled some of the chocolates we purchased in town, and then settled into one of the best nights’ of sleep both my husband and I have had in years.
The following morning we connected at the spa for the M.E.L.T. workshop for hands and feet. M.E.L.T. is designed to help your body learn how to repair and balance itself. Using props including a foam roller and MELT balls, the class has you stand, bend, roll and utilize pressure points to release tension in the fascia and soft tissue of the hands and feet. I was startled by the amount of pain my feet felt during the class, but even more surprised at how much better I felt afterward. So impressed in fact, that we bought a set of MELT balls to have at home.
It’s hard to believe that prior to SunWater opening this past summer, visitors and residents of the area were only able to drink the healing waters. But with the vision of Kat and Don, the waters of Manitou are once-again above ground. The pilgrimage they took to make the waters available for healing use was well worth the efforts.
Make the trip:
SunWater Spa, sunwaterspa.com
Manitou Springs, CO
By Melissa B. Williams
With her love of health and writing, Melissa has written for such publications as Shape, Natural Solutions, Yoga Journal, Self and Pilates Style, and has created recipes and food-oriented stories for such publications as Delicious Living and Cooking Light.
- Saving Our Coral Reef One Tube of Sunscreen at a Time. - June 28, 2018
- Healing Tonics: 5 Ingredients You Need to Cure All That Ails You. - May 3, 2018
- Is it Addiction? 4 Surprising Culprits Behind Your Gnawing Sugar Cravings. - April 20, 2018