Modern wellness has evolved into a spiking interest in one's own unique spirituality, and for the first time, wellness providers can help aid guests on this journey. Resorts around the world are now offering guests opportunities to dive deep into self-connection through experiences led by locals, particularly those working to preserve the ancient traditions and practices of that destination.
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Modern wellness has evolved into a spiking interest in one's own unique spirituality, and for the first time, wellness providers can help aid guests on this journey. Resorts around the world are now offering guests opportunities to dive deep into self-connection through experiences led by locals, particularly those working to preserve the ancient traditions and practices of that destination.
From exploring lost Mayan cities, to participating in almsgiving with Thai monks, to engaging in full moon rooftop rituals, these offerings support travelers in their journey to awaken their sense of self. Notably, with wellness tourism booming at a value of $651 billion annually, according to the Global Wellness Institute, this trend reflects a profound shift in how individuals seek rejuvenation and connection during their travels.
1. Mayan Healing & Exploration
Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection invites guests to renew their unique rhythm with the guidance of its practitioners, keeping traditions of the ancient Maya moving into the modern world. Guests can explore lost cities and civilizations of the Yucatan with archaeologist, Dante Garcia. There, they can gain a deeper understanding of the Maya's day-to-day experiences, and learn about their own personalized birth chart reading through the Mayan Calendar with local astrologist, Itzel Castillo.
Other wellness opportunities include the option to select stones that are aligned with an individual's energy and intentions to create a personalized wellness bracelet or necklace, or participate in a nightly sunset copal ritual with the resort's in-house shaman, Yaotekatl. Guests can also discover insight into their soul through an immersive introspective journey with the ancient wisdom of the tarot led by local "xaman," Andrea Reyes.
2. Giving Alms & Aligning Chakras
The Peninsula Bangkok starts everyday with a local spiritual tradition. Tak Bart, or alms giving, is a sunrise ritual in Buddhist communities across Thailand, and is considered a crucial element of the “making merit” philosophy that underpins the Songkran festival. Guests are invited to partake in giving alms with monks at the hotel each morning or participate in sunrise yoga at Gong Wu Shrine.
3. Body, Soul & Spirit Alignment
SHA Wellness Clinic aims to align the body, soul and spirit through spiritual programming. Some of the experiences the destination offers are: Psammo Therapy, which is a healing technique used in ancient Egypt to relieve muscle pain and inflammation, and aid in detoxification; the holistic techniques of Shirodhara that drip oil on the forehead to correct imbalances, synchronize brainwaves, improve circulation, detoxify, regulate hormones and enhance overall mood; and a Nuat Boran (Traditional Thai Massage) that harmonizes the body, eliminates toxins and improves energy flow with pressure, joint movement and stretching.
4. Full Moon Series
Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk's restaurant, The Moon’s Daughters, inspired by the Greek goddess of the moon, celebrates its namesake with the “Cosmic Night” series that takes place whenever a full moon lands each month. Guests and locals are invited to experience a celestial experience, equipped with a telescope, full moon inspired cocktails, live tarot card readings and a tarot insight curated by Astrologer & Card Reader, Kate Wind.
Related: 3 Wellness Travel Trends in 2024
5. Hamman Ritual
The Spa at Condado Vanderbilt features the only Hamman in Puerto Rico — a ritual that blends ancient purification methods with modern techniques, offering a transformative journey for both mind and body. Guests step into a marble chamber, where a heated marble table awaits, draped in a traditional Turkish bath towel. The therapists exfoliate, bathe, and pamper guests from head-to-toe, rinsing away impurities and leaving skin rejuvenated. As the room warms, cooling ice cloths are strategically placed to ensure comfort.
6. Himalayan Sound Healing
Le SPA de l’hôtel LOTTE offers sound healing services to help guests connect to their inner spiritually. Using Himalayan singing bowls handcrafted with intention in Nepal, the singing bowls are placed on or around the body and played by striking or rubbing each bowl to produce sound. Healing sound vibrates the physical body at the cellular level and restores us to a natural state of harmony and balance by bringing guests back into “tune."
7. Medicine Wheel-Inspired Treatments
Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection's treatment menu is inspired by the ancient Mexica (Aztec) medicine wheel, a framework used by numerous indigenous peoples of the Americas for many centuries. The four quadrants of the medicine wheel each focus on different natural elements - earth, water, fire and air - and are accompanied by unique treatment experiences pertaining to the four core areas of well-being - physical, mental, spiritual or emotional.
The five-hour journey begin with a Gratitude Ceremony and Intention Card reading, establishing mental clarity and personal insight. A private breathwork and meditation session follows, allowing guests to access the heart space and promote greater healing. The Pasaje de Agua hydrotherapy circuit, rooted in the ancestral practice of the temazcal, or ‘steam house,’ prepares the body and mind for relaxation. Depending on the journey chosen, a curated selection of services will follow to encourage nourishment of the body and soul. The Madre Tierra journey incorporates an aromatic body massage and cacao wrap to promote detoxification and generational healing, while a purifying ritual and Sea of Life Organic Facial allow both physical and mental rejuvenation in the Ancestral journey.
8. Sun Renewal Ceremony
The Fairmont Spa Century Plaza invites guests to to partake in a Matahari Journey: a 120-minute ceremony that invokes a renewal of the senses, body and spirit. The Journey begins in one of the spa’s healing rooms with a harmonizing ritual of Tibetan sound bowls and inhalation vessels accentuated with curated essential oils to ground and relax guests. Wellness specialists guide guests in ancient breathing techniques and perform a tension-relieving scalp massage. An energizing dry brushing experience prepares the skin for a Turkish Rhassoul mud application, followed by a detoxifying raindrop therapy massage to activate and align the seven chakras.
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