Kathleen Gardenswartz
1.
Spa Delivered, there’s
an app for that.
Yelp.
You are
at work, home or traveling and you feel the need to spa. Now it is
very easy to find a spa in your neighborhood. Just click on the Yelp
iphone application and they will use your GPS location to produce a
glorious list of spas in your area. Better yet, get some peer advice
by reading spa reviews that are available for you. It’s all there
ready for you and right in your hands.
Deepak
Chopra.
Feel the
stress releasing its hold as you hear your personal stress coach,
Deepak Chopra, guide you toward peace and tranquility. This is a new
iphone app that will be part of a guided series centered in
traditional Vedic principles and designed for living a better life
one day at a time.
Good
Guide.
This
iphone app and website allows a consumer to find “good” products
in stores by scanning barcodes with your phone. This is putting your
environmental impact values into action by allowing you to find safe,
healthy and green products for you and your family. Follow their
blog and twitter feeds to get the latest information on the products
we purchase every day. Download this applications and start testing
the beauty products you use every day.
2.
Preventative Spa Therapy, live longer, live healthier.
Forward
thinking spas are developing overall wellness programs geared toward
making our bodies work better for much longer. Think of the Jack
Lalane lifestyle, his existence has been devoted to wellness and he
is still jumping at age 94.
“More
Americans are gingerly tiptoeing into their golden years than ever
before. At the same time, modern healthcare is helping ward off
life-shortening disease at a tremendous rate. The result is a growing
population that is expected to live longer than any generation
before, how they live those years is dependent on how they live their
lives today, and massage and bodywork can be instrumental in making
the process a graceful one.”
Read more.
Many
spas are establishing age management programs that incorporate
regular spa treatments to enhance appearance and overall health.
Massage has been shown to increase flexibility, circulation, boost
the immune system and reduce stiffness. There isn’t a pill out
there that can deliver those results.
3.
Hammam.
The
Turkish bath conjures up images of Moroccan tiles, ancient
aromatherapy and sipping exotic teas while gazing at beautiful
landscapes from ancient terraces. The traditions of the Hammam reach
back to the Roman’s and Greeks but were improved by the Turks into
luxurious bathhouses with sophisticated architecture. The Turkish
bath, or hammam, incorporates cleansing and purification, exfoliation
and massage treatments all together along with a final cool down and
tea.
Lucky
for us, hotels and day spas in larger cities, like Los Angeles, Las
Vegas and New York are incorporating the traditions of the Hammam
within modern, full service spas. They are becoming social hubs
within the spas for individuals but also to allow us to step back,
renew and enjoy the benefits of these ancient traditions.
4.
Indigenous Spa Treatments.
Imagine
linking back to the earliest known indigenous cultures through their
massage and health treatments and tradition. Many spa tourists are
taking advantage of local exotic ingredients known among indigenous
cultures to produce glowing results during spa treatments. These
indigenous products and traditions are making their way to the US,
creating the opportunity for state-bound spa enthusiasts to enjoy
treatments like the Kodo massage. This spa treatment comes from the
traditions of the Australian aboriginal culture and is designed to
expand consciousness and honor dreamtime. Even the indigenous
healing powers of Shamans are being shared today. There is a growing
practice of these guiding intermediaries ready to help you connect,
body, mind and spirit.
The
thread of ancient cultural wisdom runs deep within many existing spa
treatments and can be clearly traced back to their roots. This trend
of rediscovering indigenous treatments, uncovering their benefits and
adapting them to the modern spa will have an overall impact on the
industry.
5.
Mind.Body.Spirit.
The
body-mind connection is the link between the physical body, our mind
and spirit. True and lasting health pivots on bringing balance to
those relationships. Our basic health is intrinsically connected to
the body and how it physically reacts to our emotions.
Spas are
harnessing the power of balance in their practices through
treatments, energy focused bodywork and spiritual awakening. Silent
retreats are growing, as is the importance of guiding clients toward
a more balanced lifestyle. Spas are using massage as a way for
patients to reconnect to their most basic senses and have more
restorative and mindful spa experiences.
6.
Spa Amenities.
Evidently,
the word “amenities” as applied to spa will mean very different
things to diverse spa goers. Consumers will weigh their specific spa
amenity preferences when choosing a spa experience. The top
identified spa facility amenities are:
Locker
room.
Relaxation
room.
Hot
tub, steam room and sauna.
Fitness
facility.
Top
treatments: Massage, facial, body scrub and wraps.
Read more.
7.
Massage therapy merges with mainstream hospitals.
Hospitals
around the country are now using body-mind exercises and therapies to
help patients in the emotional and physical healing process. They
are currently using body-mind connection therapies to allow patients
to actively participate in managing their health and have been shown
to enhance the healing process, reduce the number of medications
required and give patients peace of mind.
Therapists
are using the body-mind connection in conjunction with traditional
therapies to help PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), anorexic and
other eating disorder patients to re-establish the body-mind link,
facilitate self-acceptance and initiate a more caring relationship
with their bodies. Ultimately the goal is to incorporate these
skills and exercises as life tools to handle emotions and ultimately
achieve long-term health for these patients.
8.
Scandinavian Water Therapy.
The
bathhouse is a traditional Scandinavian treatment that incorporates a
mix of hot and cold baths to rejuvenate, relax and enhance overall
wellbeing. The mix of hot and cold-water therapies is becoming very
popular; particularly near large winter sport and ski areas. The
changes in water temperature during the spa experience will
invigorate the body, increase circulation and eliminate toxins from
the body.
9.
Holistic Spas.
A
holistic approach to spa and healing emphasizes treating the whole
body. It includes consideration of a client’s environment and all
the integrated variables that make up the individual’s well being.
A holistic spa may incorporate yoga, silent meditation and detox
along with more traditional spa treatments for an overall regimen
designed for the individual.
10.
Simplify.Relax.Rejuvenate.Appreciate.
We have
all experienced or know others who have been touched by the economy.
Difficult experiences give us the clarity to see what is truly
important and allow us to change our lives for the better.
While
the last year has been difficult for families and businesses, it has
also given us the collective motivation to simplify our lives and
appreciate the things we have now. Spas are responding with
treatments and spa experiences that are designed to reduce stress and
create environments that allow clients to rejuvenate and relax.
