Robert Cancel's Publications

• The "Hammam" Bath House, NFC Amenity Management January, 2011 by NFC Amenity Management While spa visitors have enjoyed relaxing in steam rooms or mud baths for years, the “hammam” offers a new trend in full immersion experiences. A bath house native to Middle Eastern countries such as Morocco, the hammam is modeled after the traditional Turkish sauna. Rather than the tubs typically associated with bath houses, hammams consist of a circular series of tiled rooms, where faucets perched on walls alternately emit hot and cold water. Bathers typically use a bucket or two to mix water from different faucets, creating the perfect temperature for their sensitivities. Many even bring their own shampoo and toiletries so they can fully shower prior to beginning the cleansing process. Other necessary provisions include an olive-oil based soap and a thick, mud-like paste, provided by the hammam. Once a haven for Moroccans who lacked indoor plumbing, hammams integrate modern technology and offer a social and luxurious experience. An inexpensive exchange rate attracted tourists to the bath houses to partake in the all-inclusive packages. A visit to a hammam involves following a particular cleansing process. Bathers first apply a thick mixture of henna and clay to their bodies, then rinse themselves under a warm water faucet. After the clay is washed off the body, bathers then scrub themselves with water using a rough, textured glove known as a “kiis,” which helps to exfoliate the skin from every angle. Following the scrub, bathers lather up with olive oil soap, often provided at a warm temperature to ensure a more pleasant experience. A deep tissue massage follows the application of soap, relaxing and stretching the muscles for an hour prior to the final rinse.

• NFC Amenity Management: Asbury Park, New Jersey, NFC Amenity Management February, 2011 NFC Amenity Management boasts five international offices. Headquartered in Asbury Park, New Jersey, NFC Amenity Management also maintains principal locations in Miami Beach, Florida; New York City; the Caribbean; and the mid-Atlantic area. The City of Asbury Park occupies 1.6 square miles along the eastern edge of the state of New Jersey, making Asbury Park an integral part of the historic Jersey Shore. Situated in Monmouth County, Asbury Park also remains constituent of the greater New York City metropolitan area. At last count, Asbury Park boasted nearly 17,000 residents. Officially incorporated as a city in 1897, Asbury Park ranks as an exceptional location for living, working, and vacationing. Asbury Park hosts a rich spectrum of ongoing community-oriented activities and continues to serve as a popular area in which to raise a family. Asbury Park also remains a popular tourist destination. Asbury Park’s attractive location, excellent restaurants, and broad entertainment options continue to draw regular international and local visitors. Among a variety of other options, Asbury Park maintains an active and diverse music scene. Additionally, Asbury Park’s famous boardwalk serves as a popular point of interest, and the city’s beach area has been ranked among the top beaches across the Jersey Shore. To view Asbury Park’s official site, please visit www.cityofasburypark.com.

• An Overview of Popular Aquatic Exercises , NFC Amenity Management's Blog on Bigsight October, 2011 Aquatic exercise has become a popular low-impact fitness option in recent years, earning a place alongside yoga and Pilates in the group exercise schedules of gyms across the United States. Commonly referred to as water aerobics or “waterobics,” aquatic exercise serves as an ideal fitness regimen for people with sore bones, joints, and muscles. Aquatic exercises typically rely on the water for resistance, often through the use of hand and foot webs. Here is a quick look at some popular water aerobic exercises. Walking with hand webs: Walking with hand webs, one of the most basic water aerobic exercises, strengthens leg and arm muscles without placing excessive pressure on the joints and muscles. Slip on a pair of hand webs and start walking in waist-high water. Swing your arms freely and keep your back straight as you walk, tightening your core muscles to prevent your body from swaying from side to side. As you become comfortable with the hand webs and the underwater walking motion, you might want to transition to deeper water, which provides even more resistance. By placing a flotation noodle between your legs, you can keep your head above the water while still maintaining the intensity of the exercise. Water noodle: To work your legs, tie a floating water noodle in a knot around your ankle. Stabilize your back against the side of the pool and straighten your leg out in front of you. Bend your knee about 90 degrees before returning to the starting position and beginning again. Weightlifting with water weights: In the world of water aerobics, water weights are foam dumbbells designed to generate resistance as they pass through the water. There are a variety of exercises involving water weights, each of which works a different muscle group. To perform underwater curls and tricep pull-downs, start with the weights at your sides and your palms facing up. Lift the weights until your forearm is parallel to the surface of the water before turning the dumbbells over and pushing them down to your sides. Kickboard resistance: Another common type of resistance equipment in water aerobics, kickboards can be used to work a variety of muscle groups. In particular, kickboards provide an excellent opportunity to work the abdominal muscles and strengthen the core. Extend your left arm to the side of your body and grab both ends of the kickboard with your hands. Rotate the kickboard to the center of your body and return it to its starting position. You should feel the burn in your abdominal and oblique muscles as you pull the board through the water. About the Author: An accomplished fitness and amenity management company, NFC Amenity Management offers a comprehensive selection of fitness courses and training programs, including personal training, yoga, Pilates, sport-specific training, and aquatics. To learn more about NFC Amenity Management, visit its website at www.nfcamenitymanagement.com.

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