Pulse SPA Magazine January February 2017 by Bel SPA

MIND& BODY

BALANCING BOTH FOR EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

FROM YOUR CHAIRMAN

2017 ISPA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTED OFFICERS CHAIRMAN Todd Shaw The Peaks Resort & Spa VICE CHAIRMAN Todd Hewitt Shangri-La International SECRETARY/TREASURER Garrett Mersberger Kohler Co. IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN Michael Tompkins Hutchinson Consulting DIRECTORS Sharilyn Abbajay ISPA Foundation Vice Chairman

“The best way to lose yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” – MAHATMA GANDHI

eal leaders understand that leadership is not about power or authority— it’s defined by service. Like everyone else serving on the ISPA Board, my

Noel Asmar Noel Asmar Group, Inc. Scott Duncan Spa Gregorie’s Blake Feeney Chaleur Beauty Michael Harmsworth ESPA International (US) Ltd. Patrick Huey Sandals Resorts International

commitment to volunteer my time and knowledge is fueled by a passion

Kristine Huffman Huffman Hospitality Concepts

to serve. It is truly inspiring to know that several like-minded spa profes-

Joshua Luckow Canyon Ranch Health Resorts

sionals share the same passion.

Julie Oliff St. Regis Aspen

This month, we welcome several new faces to the ISPA Board, and I couldn’t be more excited to have them join the leadership team! The strength of the board lies in our differences—each member brings a unique set of experiences and expertise, a trait

Laura Parsons ESPA International (US) Ltd. (Spa Division) Frank Pitsikalis ISPA Foundation Chairman

needed to encourage creativity and diversity of thinking. I encourage you to flip to page 50

Eric Stephenson Well World Group

to learn more about the new board members who will serve as your elected voice of the

Dawn Tardif BodiScience Wellness Center & Spa

industry. Welcome them, connect with them and let them hear your thoughts on how we can further strengthen ISPA and the industry as a whole. Let us also welcome the return of

Robert Vance Well & Being Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

several board members who continue to selflessly provide their time, expertise and service

Lynne McNees International SPA Association

because, like you and me, they believe we can be stronger if we are united as one community.

MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent A. Bauer, MD Mayo Clinic

As we ring in 2017, let us together welcome new opportunities, including a meaningful chance to serve. It is my hope, in the process of losing yourself in the service of others, you’ll find your true purpose in life. Cheers to new beginnings!

CHAIRMEN’S COUNCIL Past ISPA Chairmen who are current members: Gayle Brady • Brady Spa Consulting Jeff Kohl • Spa & Club Ideations Jean Kolb • Well By Choice John Korpi • Korpi & Korpi

—TODD SHAW, CHAIRMAN

Kate Mearns • 5 Spa Consulting LLC Jim Root • Glen Ivy Hot Springs

Todd Shaw MBA

@tddshaw

Todd Shaw

Jane Segerberg • Segerberg Spa Consulting, LLC Ella Stimpson • The Spa at Sea Island Deborah Waldvogel • Sedona Resorts

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THE MAGAZINE FOR THE SPA PROFESSIONAL EXECUTIVE Lynne McNees • ISPA President EDITORIAL Mae Mañacap-Johnson • Senior Editor Kelly Heitz • Editor DESIGN Marja Walker ADVERTISING AND SALES Tara Finn ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Jessica Pfister PRODUCTION MANAGER Chris Guzicki

Pulse is the official publication of the International SPA Association, a member organization for the spa and wellness industry. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of ISPA. All inquiries should be sent to Pulse, 2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite A325, Lexington, KY. 40504 USA. Canadian publication agreement No. 40042114. PULSE ACCEPTS LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. Please include your name, title, company,

EDITORIAL OFFICES International SPA Association 2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite A325 Lexington, Kentucky 40504, USA Phone: 1.859.425.5062 1.888.651.ISPA (4772) • Fax: 1.859.226.4445 experienceispa.com

address, phone and email address. Only your name, title, company and location will be published in the magazine. The editor reserves the right to edit for clarity and content. By submitting the letter, you are giving ISPA publishing rights. Pulse (USPS 017-893, ISSN 15259226) is published 10 times a year – January/February, March/April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December by Associations International, 2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite A325, Lexington, Ky., 40504. Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, Kentucky, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pulse, Attn: Member Services, 2365 Harrodsburg Rd., Suite. A325, Lexington, Kentucky, 40504, USA.

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is the magazine for the spa professional. As the official publication of the International SPA Association, its mission is to serve as the preeminent resource of expert insights, trends, tools and research to help spa professionals create innovative solutions and make informed business decisions.

h, New Year, it’s my favorite holiday of all. Why, you may ask? It is because New Year is about second chances. It’s the chance to put behind past mistakes, missed opportunities or painful disappointments. It allows us to pause, not only to find gratitude in our heart for the blessings the past year has brought us, but more importantly, to recalibrate our views of the future. In doing so, many of us create New Year’s resolutions—a list that’s notoriously made-to-be-broken but often needed, if only to remind ourselves to find happiness (read Conversations, page 24), eat healthier (read Mind, Body & Soul: Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Your Spa Guests, page 40) or break distractive habits (read Ask the Expert, page 52). If you have already worked on your resolutions for the year, what’s on top of your list? This year, I resolve to take more self-imposed vacations, especially after coming across research by Project: Time Off, a national movement that aims to shift culture toward the acceptance of taking time-off for personal well-being. Findings from the research show that 55 percent of surveyed respondents left vacation days unused in 2015. In total, that’s an estimated 658 million unused vacations and US$61.4 billion of forfeited benefits. Given that personal time-off is a key employee benefit, this seems ridiculous to even imagine! One of the reasons why employees feel reluctant to take vacations is because, based on the survey, six in 10 respondents report a lack of support from their boss on taking personal time-off. In fact, 80 percent of respondents said they would likely take more vacations had they felt fully supported and encouraged by their boss. Think about this for a minute: How are you communicating the importance of personal time-off to your team? Good leaders know that part of putting employee well-being first (read Creating a Healthy Work Environment: Helping Employees Manage Stress and Avoid Injury, page 36) is allowing them to de-stress so they return to work recharged. Yes, for 2017, I promise to take more vacations so I may come home creatively recharged— but only if you do as well.

—MAE MAÑACAP-JOHNSON, SENIOR EDITOR @ISPAPULSEEDITOR

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Do you love this month’s cover? Did one of the features hit home? If so, send a quick note at ispa@ispastaff.com or tag us on social media with a photo and you might be featured in the next issue of Pulse.

MARION PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

“One of the reasons why employees feel reluctant to take vacations is because, based on the survey, six in 10 respondents report a lack of support from their boss on taking personal time-off.”

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY

VOLUME 27 ISSUE 1

FEEDING THE

Mind, Body&Soul BY KELLY HEITZ

Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Your Spa Guests

Running Their Own Race How 4 Successful Entrepreneurs Can Help Bring Your Business to the Finish Line BY KELLY HEITZ

32 36

Continuing the Momentum ISPA 2016 U.S. Spa Industry Study

Creating a Healthy Work Environment Helping Employees Manage Stress and Avoid Injury BY KELLY HEITZ

50 10

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New ISPA Board of Directors Service with Passion BY SAMANTHA SMITH

January/February 2017

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pulse.experienceispa.com

IN EVERY ISSUE 2 6 14 16

From The Chairman Pulse Preview

34 52

Pulse Points Member Profile: The Spa at Four Seasons Las Vegas: An Oasis from the Chaos of the Las Vegas Strip

BY KELLY HEITZ

Member News BY TARA SALAH ELDIN AND BRIANA LEE

Conversations: Deepak Chopra Founder of The Chopra Foundation and Co-Founder of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing BY MAE MAÑACAP-JOHNSON

ISPA Snapshot Survey

Ask the Expert: Hugh Byrne Author of The Here-and-Now Habit: How Mindfulness Can Help You Break Unhealthy Habits Once and For All

58 59 60 63

Success Stories: Blake Feeney Vice President of Business Development Chaleur Beauty

End Notes

SEE + BE SEEN

Product Spotlight ISPA News and ISPA Calendar Social Connections: Mary Gendron Partner, Eric Mower + Associates

A Day in the Life: Shelley Pryor Organic Gardener, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat BY KELLY HEITZ

ISPA Foundation

34 ABOUT THE COVER Leaders know employee well-being comes first, for if one doesn't take care of its employees, employees will not take care of customers. The cover captures the top-level look on how to create mindful spaces to help build a healthier workforce. COVER PHOTOS © SHUTTERSTOCK

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PULSE POINTS

New Study Reveals Employees Well-being Has a Large Impact on Work Productivity Creating a workplace that prioritizes the physical, social and ccording to new data from The O.C. Tanner emotional well-being of its employees can increase productivity Institute’s Health and Well-being Study, and happiness within your company. How are you incorpoemployee well-being has a significant impact rating employee well-being into your company culture? Do you on work productivity, retention and, as a support the emotional, social, and physical well-being of your result, company bottom line. The study employees? Consider adding a few policy changes to your surveyed 2,363 employees who are working full-time in employee handbook and note the impact it makes on employee companies that had more than 500 employees and are located productivity. in the United States, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany. For this study, researchers define well-being as “a measure of a person’s perception of how her life is going— whether it is fulfilling and satisfying, whether she feels her best every day, and where her life is “...company culture was also headed in the future.” Results from the survey reveal that employees indicated as a key factor... by with poor well-being, on average, self-reported that respondents in helping to increase they are only working at 64 percent of their maximum output. They also tend to be less collabtheir well-being at work.” orative and have negative views toward working with their teams. This less than maximum effort of this group of employees has a dramatic impact on the bottom line due to lost productivity time. Apart from the standard benefits that impact employee wellbeing (i.e. fair base salary, family emergency or care leave, paid vacation time, maternity leave and paid sick leave), company culture was also indicated as a key factor. For instance, open work spaces where teams can meet and collaborate as well as employee recognition were considered important by respondents in helping to increase their well-being at work. The study suggests a few ways to incorporate each of the wellness elements into your company’s culture. l Emotional. Allow employees the freedom to work the way that fits their personalities and lifestyles. This could mean allowing employees to create their own schedules, or even allowing employees to choose to work remotely. l Social. Create social settings where employees can get to know each other like company outings, team lunches, and other activities where business need not be discussed. l Physical. Allow employees to take an extended lunch to attend a yoga class, or invite employees to participate in office-wide health initiatives.

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Staying Fit Can Help You Ward Off Health Problems Due to Work-Related Stress ata from research conducted by sports scientists from the University of Basel, the Institute of Stress Medicine and Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden suggests that staying physically fit and active, especially when stressed at work, could have its health benefits. To gather the data needed, researchers measured the fitness levels of nearly 200 Swedish employees using the bicycle ergometer test. Fiftyone percent of the respondents were male and were 39 years of age, on average. Researchers also measured cardiovascular risk factors, including blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, triglycerides and glycated hemoglobin. To measure stress levels, respondents were asked about their self-perceived stress. The resultsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exerciseâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;indicate that psychosocial stress, which is accompanied by impaired mental well-being, is one of the key factors that may lead to illness-related absences from work. This could also increase cardiovascular risks. The findings clearly show the relationship between self-perceived stress and cardiovascular risk factors. For instance, among stressed employees, the LDL cholesterol values exceeded the clinically relevant limit in employees with a low fitness level, compared to those with a high fitness level. Share this information with your staff to help encourage them to stay physically fit. Likewise, consider creating programs that would motivate them to stay active, such as offering incentives to those who can register the most number of steps using a company-provided pedometer or organizing company-wide fitness or hiking events. n

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MEMBER PROFILE

The Spa at Four Seasons Las Vegas An Oasis from the Chaos of the Las Vegas Strip BY KELLY HEITZ

Inspired by nature, the new retail and reception area at The Spa at Four Seasons Las Vegas reflects its desert surroundings with warm colors and natural materials.

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December 2016

“The non-gaming, non-smoking atmosphere of Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas distinguishes us from our competitors.” — SHANNON MARIANI n DIRECTOR OF SPA AND NAIL BAR n THE SPA AT FOUR SEASONS LAS VEGAS

ometimes, in order to create the best experience for your customers, you need a makeover, too. This was the theory behind the US$1 million renovation at The Spa at Four Seasons Las Vegas. The new facility takes cues from the natural beauty of the desert through the use of warm colors, natural materials and artwork inspired by nature. The new look and ambiance fits perfectly with The Spa at Four Seasons’ philosophy of seeking out each individual guest’s needs and helping on his or her wellness journey.

Upgrades and Renovation The work began in December 2015 with the renovation of the Fitness Center, which included all new state-of-the-art equipment, flooring and paint. The Spa at Four Seasons then expanded its nail offerings by transforming a vacant space in the hotel corridor into a sleek new Nail Bar, which opened in January 2016. “The opening of the Nail Bar allowed us to increase our nail offerings from one manicure and pedicure station to three manicure and three pedicure stations in a separate area with its own reception desk,” says Shannon Mariani, director of spa and nail bar at The Spa at Four Seasons Las Vegas. With this new addition, the spa is able to cater to the growing needs of hotel guests, as well as large parties who can rent the space out for special events. In addition to its new nail space, The Spa at Four Seasons expanded its retail and reception area, which features a polished Nevada quartzite desk in front of an oversized art piece of walnut hardwood, a nod at Las Vegas’ desert surroundings. The renovation also consists of a Co-Ed Zen Lounge and expanded treatment rooms to include two beautiful new couples’ suites.

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MEMBER PROFILE “We were very cognizant of how difficult long closures can be on our staff and tried to minimize this negative impact as much as possible,” says Mariani. “As a result, the spa was closed for only two weeks, during which the major work, like the retail and reception area, was completed.” Because of this effort, much of the renovation was completed overnight or during off-peak business hours. The spa was fully completed and reopened on Sept. 1, 2016, just in time for peak season in Las Vegas. Part of The Spa at Four Seasons’ allure to travelers is that it isn’t your typical Las Vegas destination. Although it’s right on the famed Strip, the hotel attracts guests who are looking for a more relaxing holiday. “The non-gaming, non-smoking atmosphere of Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas distinguishes us from our competitors,” says Mariani. For several consecutive years, The Spa at Four Seasons has won a Forbes Five Star Award, which is awarded by Forbes Travel Guide to the world’s finest spas and has become a benchmark in luxury travel. “Both Four Seasons and Forbes are synonymous with customer service and providing an unparalleled experience.”

Marketing to Your Base Guests checking in to the Four Seasons Las Vegas are looking for a quiet, yet luxurious oasis to the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas scene, which is why its spa is a favorite among travelers. “Guests are seeking a well-rounded, more comprehensive spa experience. They are coming to the spa early, working out in the Fitness Center and spending time relaxing in the space, utilizing the steam room or relaxation lounges. Instead of a quick in and out, guests want to take ample time to relax and de-stress. With the extended time they are spending in our spa, we are able to get to know them and customize their wellness journey throughout their stay,” says Mariani. Hotel guests make up approximately 80 percent of The Spa at Four Season’s customers, which means the spa is able to heavily rely on in-room and conspicuously placed marketing throughout the hotel to attract guests. “One of the biggest changes I am seeing is the guest’s desire to be educated,” says Mariani. “Guests are asking questions and wanting to maintain and achieve results after leaving the spa. There has been a shift toward overall wellness and we are seeing this when guests are booking services and purchasing retail.”

“Guests are seeking a wellrounded, more comprehensive spa experience...Instead of a quick in and out, guests want to take ample time to relax and de-stress.” 18

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As part of The Spa at Four Seasons Las Vegas' expansion, two beautiful new couples treatment rooms were created for the enjoyment of guests.

This shift is apparent in the spa’s new menu and choice of retail spa partners. After the renovations, The Spa at Four Seasons revamped its offerings with 75 percent new services, which include the new Cupping Therapy Massage (a guest favorite) and the

Power Peel Facial. Aside from already offering trusted brands like Phytomer and Jindilli to its guests, The Spa at Four Seasons has also recently begun carrying a new skin-care line, Naturopathica. It’s important for the spa that its partners align with its

philosophies and its customers’ needs, which is why Naturopathica is a natural fit. But more than that, Mariani likes to have a supportive and collaborative relationship with vendors. “This support can be in the form of product knowledge, email updates, sending

samples for our retail or employees, and more. We like to form continued relationships with our vendors and strengthen the relationships over time, recognizing that both parties need the other to be successful.”

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ABOUT THE SPA

MEMBER PROFILE

Spa open date: 1999 (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 19)

Recruiting and Keeping the Best The spa takes its time with the hiring process, making sure potential candidates meet with several members of both the spa and hotel teams. This ensures proper fit for both parties. When hiring, Mariani looks for someone with an innate sense to cater to spa guests. She wants to be sure each and every employee understands the customer has to be first priority. “When talking to applicants, we ask questions to get a sense of whether they understand the difference between assisting a guest and going above and beyond for the guest. I always tell my staff that technical execution can be trained, but

Re-launch date: Sept 1, 2016

personality cannot be taught,” says Mariani. The Spa at Four Seasons believes in continued education for staff, making sure everyone is up-to-date on the latest practices and procedures. Key members of the staff are designated as “Dedicated Trainers” who ensure all standards are maintained and daily information is communicated. Training of the staff ranges from one-on-one spot checks to role plays and full-service experience shops, ensuring that all staff education and training is ongoing. “We believe continued education is the key to maintaining our prestige,” says Mariani. “The more educated and informed the team is, the stronger we are.” n

Square footage: 14,000 Number of treatment rooms: 12 Facilities/amenities: State-of-the-art Fitness Center, Nail Bar, Eucalyptus steam rooms, relaxation lounges, a coed Zen Lounge and locker room facilities Percentage of guests (female vs. male): 65% female vs. 35% male Number of full-time spa staff: 12 Method of staff compensation: Commission-based Signature treatments: Cupping Therapy, Ultimate Facial and Essence of the Seasons Body Treatment Product lines used: Phytomer, Naturopathica, Jindilli Address: 3960 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, Nevada Website: fourseasons.com/lasvegas/spa Phone number: 1.702.632.5302

Guests unwind at the lounge area while waiting for their treatment to begin.

Facebook: Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas Instagram and Twitter: @fslasvegas

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MEMBER NEWS B Y TA R A S A L A H E L D I N A N D B R I A N A L E E

THE SPA SHIFT Announcements marking spa industry players on the move. ●

Martina Joseph joined Dr. Hauschka Skin Care as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer.

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Michael King was appointed Chief Operating Officer at Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, Florida. Cindy Racco was named General Manager of the resort.

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Elemis appointed Candice Burd to the role of Senior Vice President of USA Marketing.

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John Morris was named Spa Director at Sundara Inn & Spa in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.

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Soleil Toujours appointed Liliana Grajales as VP of Sales.

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Benchmark Hospitality named Brett Atkinson Senior Vice President of Finance.

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Lake Austin Spa Resort has appointed Janis Clapoff as Managing Director.

renovations to its Southbury, Connecticut location bringing technology, design and quality into harmony. New additions include a tablet check-in system, charging stations and a digital video wall.

2. Boyne Resorts introduced the newly renovated

GIVING BACK Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa offered a wide range of holiday celebrations including the Ninth Annual Gingerbread Competition and the Seventh Annual Holiday Lights & Ice events, which benefit Make-a-Wish Central & South Texas.

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Michael King

Cindy Racco

Candice Burd

John Morris

Liliana Grajales

Bret Atkinson

Janis Clapoff

OPEN FOR BUSINESS 1. Adam Broderick Salon & Spa unveiled new

Spa at Boyne Mountain (formerly Solace Spa,) which boasts a remodeled salon, entrance, retail area and fitness facility. At 19,500 square feet, the spa is the largest in Michigan.

Martina Joseph

NEW ON THE MENU 1. The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler in Whistler, British Columbia offered a Wilderness Wellness Hot Springs Experience, which included a helicopter ride over a remote ice cap to a natural hot spring where guests are treated to a private yoga session and aqua massage treatment.

2. The Four Seasons Hotel Denver in Denver, Colorado is offering the new Fig Massage, which uses ZENTS signature holiday blend of mandarin and fig. Also on the menu is the Luster Facial, using time-honored Chinese ingredient wild pearl powder to fade discoloration and age spots.

3. G2O Spa + Salon in Boston, Massachusetts is offering a new Hyperpigmentation Facial which, utilizes natural ingredients such as brown and red algae and Opuntia ficus-indica flowers.

MEMBER UPDATES 1. Curry Spa Consulting merged with Resources for Leisure Assets

(RLA USA LLC) in November.

2. The Balneology Association of North America (BANA) selected David Erlich, director of spa and retail operations at Spa of the Rockies at Glenwood Hot Springs, to serve on the association’s board of directors.

3. Astara Skin Care introduced a turnkey retail display featuring its

collection of six masks with a blend for every skin type and condition.

4. Cheraz Ecker, general manager at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa in Reno, Nevada, was named Nevada Hotelier of the Year by the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association.

5. Impact Cryotherapy’s cryosaunas were featured in four prominent media outlets including CNN’s Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Sports Illustrated, GOLF magazine and The Columbus Dispatch.

6. Hyatt Hotels Corporation will replace its Hyatt Gold Passport loyalty program with the World of Hyatt program in March 2017, adding a membership tier and making other changes to engage with high-end travelers.

7. SpaFinder Wellness 365 presented its Wellness Travel Awards to properties across 20 categories with winners representing six continents and 41 countries and regions.

8. The Grove Resort & Spa in Winter Garden, Florida is offering a

sweepstakes that will award the grand prize winner a Disney Vacation and includes accommodations at the resort (set to open Feb. 16, 2017), Disney park hopper passes, a spending allowance, and more.

9. The Four Seasons Resort Lanai introduced new specialty suites which offer views of marine sanctuary Hulopoe Bay, custom locally sourced artwork, lanais, and access to exclusive services and amenities.

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CONVERSATIONS WITH DEEPAK CHOPRA

BY MAE MAÑACAP-JOHNSON

In the field of alternative medicine and mind-body healing, Deepak Chopra is one of today’s most prominent thought-leaders. Boardcertified in Internal Medicine, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chopra initially envisioned a career in Western medicine. In 1970, he left his home country, India, to pursue a medical career in the United States. Following a residency, he worked as chief of medicine at New England Memorial Hospital (now called the Boston Regional Medical Center). Not soon after, he became disenchanted with Western medicine practices, particularly on its reliance on prescription drugs. It was around this time that his interest in alternative medicine was ignited. Today, Chopra is the founder of The Chopra Foundation and cofounder of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing. He is also the author of more than 85 well-being books and was named by Time magazine as “the poet-prophet of alternative medicine.” In this Conversations, he shares some of his philosophies, early influences and his views on the future of alternative medicine. PULSE: Before “wellness” was a cool thing, you were among the few trailblazers on the philosophy of mindbody connection. As you paved the way, how did you deal with critics? Chopra: Because of my background in internal medicine and neuroendocrinology, I saw a clear link between consciousness and biology. I was convinced that biology is different in different states of consciousness and my personal experience with meditation confirmed that. Even though the critics were vicious in the beginning, I learned to ignore it because I was convinced of the validity of the inseparability of mind and body. Of course, many decades later, we have research through gene expression, epigenetics and neuroplasticity to validate everything I said in the earlier years. P: Who were some of your earliest influences or thought-teachers who helped you embrace the lifestyle you now live? C: My personal teacher was Maharishi Mahesh Yogi who brought meditation to the west, J. Krishnamurti, and my own reading of wisdom traditions, Upanishads. P: You are a highly sought-after speaker, have written more than 85 books and continue to teach your philosophies to others. Where do you find the creative energy to do all that you do? 24

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C: I am passionate about the meaning and purpose of life, the source of existence and about the fact that our consciousness is a field of infinite possibilities. The creative energy comes from meditation, good sleep, yoga, exercise, and the emotions of love, compassion, joy and peace of mind. P: You’ve written several books on the power of the mind, including one entitled Super Brain. What are some of the game-changing discoveries about our super brain that have since changed our views about mind-body connection? C: The brain responds to every experience in every moment of our lives, so does our genetic activity. We have three brains: (1) Reptilian brain that is mostly concerned with the functions of survival; (2) Limbic brain that is the orchestrator of our emotions

Chopra’s Prescriptions to Happiness l

Find passion and purpose in your life.

Be immune to criticism and flattery.

Make compassion and love the most important reasons for doing anything in your life.

and (3) Cortical brain that gets activated through self-reflection, creativity, imagination, storytelling and meditation. The reptilian brain only gets activated in life-threatening situations; the limbic brain is nourished by healthy emotions and the cortical brain through practices such as mindfulness, meditation and transcendence. What we call the super brain is an integrated brain where three parts of our brain evolve into different parts of biological evolution and work in harmony with each other.

P: In your opinion, what are some of the challenges medical, health and spa industries are facing in shifting the mindset from cure to prevention? C: The future of medicine and health in our culture is going to be personalized, preventable, predictable, participatory and processoriented. We now have easy ways to quantify the effects of behavior change, including measuring the effects of sleep, meditation, movement, yoga, breathing emotions and nutrition. With our own research in collaboration with University of California San Francisco, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and Harvard Medical School, we have clearly shown the effects of lifestyle changes on gene expressions, the epigenome, inflammatory markets, brain and healing system. I do not foresee significant challenges in the near future. Mind-body medicine and whole systems biology have entered mainstream. P: What health and well-being trends are you seeing that spa professionals need to be aware of to ensure they have their pulse on consumers’ most pressing health needs? C: The major trends today are the introduction of technology which includes monitoring devices as well as biofeedback and BioRegulation devices, and virtual reality experiences. We are offering this through our platform jiyo.com. We also use devices such as Muse, Dreamweaver, Virtual Reality Meditation – Finding Your True Self. P: In today’s world wherein our busy lifestyles have turned sleep into a luxury and technology has wired us 24/7, what’s your advice to help us shut off and recharge? C: Practice meditation daily, get good sleep and exercise, avoid foods that are refined, processed, manufactured or contaminated. Engage in conscious communication. Set aside time for technology. Technology is neutral. How you use it is up to you. Do not allow technology to be your master. It should be your servant and should be used with the intention of good knowledge

and wisdom and helping to create a more peaceful, just, sustainable, happier and healthy world.

P: Many struggle to find the meaning of life. What do you think is the real meaning and purpose of life? C: The real meaning is first to expand the experience of happiness, but ultimately find our true self beyond our ego identity. The true self is the source of all our experiences and is a field of infinite possibilities, synchronicity, creativity, love, joy and equanimity. Wisdom traditions tell us the purpose of life is enlightenment, which is finding your source in the light of pure awareness. n

Personal Side Notes My idea of a perfect afternoon tea involves: A meaningful conversation with my higher self in deep stillness while savoring the delicate flavors grown in the foothills of the Himalayas. What the world needs is: Less melodrama and more compassion. I feed my soul with: Silence and deep connection with nature periodically. Today, I will let go of: All grievances and resentments and judgment. Regret is: Wasted energy. What’s done is done. To be present, I: Settle in being and rest in awareness. I live the spa lifestyle by: Periodically renewing myself through detox, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Taking a period of silence yearly and getting a massage occasionally.

WANT ADDITIONAL READING on wellbeing? Click here to access resources shared by Chopra on The Self Directed Biological Transformation Initiative and Well-Being (published by the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine) and Systems Biology Research Study Reveals Benefits of Vacation and Meditation (published by Sprinter Nature’s journal, Translational Psychiatry).

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Running Their Own Race How 4 Successful Entrepreneurs Can Help Bring Your Business to the Finish Line

BY KELLY HEITZ

Every successful entrepreneur has one thing in common: They believed in themselves and took that leap.

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Starting Young

Opening your own business can take many turns, some right and some wrong. How you start out isn’t always how you’ll finish, and how you finish is hardly ever what you imagined. But if your goal is to always work your tail off, success is imminent. Here are self-made entrepreneurs at various levels of success with stories and advice to inspire you to either take the leap you’ve been dreaming of, or keep you steady on your own entrepreneurial path.

“I always knew I wanted to own a business, even as a young child,” says Lisa M. Crary, CEO and owner of Sanitas Skincare. “I think my desire to lead likely stems from being the oldest of a large Southern family—I have six younger siblings—and I would venture that each of them would tell you I always liked being the boss!” Crary officially became a business owner at the age of 27 when she was made partner in an investment research and money management firm. “Although I loved the work and the company, the drive to start my own business facilitated my move to public accounting for a couple of years to learn about other kinds of businesses,” says Crary. “This was one of the best things I ever did, because understanding finances and numbers is key to being a successful entrepreneur.” After two years, she founded an accounting business management firm where she worked with other entrepreneurs to help them grow and thrive. Her clients spanned industries and included everything—from local salons and spas

“Never look back. You will make mistakes but you can’t change them. Learn from them and then move on.” — LISA M. CRARY, CEO and Owner, Sanitas Skincare

to national restaurant chains. “The main focus of our firm was to help turn around small to mid-size companies that were struggling, and that’s where I first learned of Sanitas Skincare.” Sanitas Skincare was a small, fledgling company struggling to succeed back in 2000 when they became Crary’s client. After a few years, she was offered the majority equity stake to become the managing partner. “I initially declined, as on paper the likelihood of success didn’t appear promising. However, the formulator suggested I try the product (I had never even used it up to that point) and I did. I used our Topical C for one week and saw an amazing result on my skin. I was hooked! So hooked in fact, that I sold my practice and took over the business.” Over the past 16 years, Crary has become the sole owner of Sanitas Skincare and focused on growing the business organically from a small startup to a thriving, international brand. “We now formulate, manufacture and build lines for other companies, including large brands such as Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour line and Sandals Resorts International’s Red Lane Skin Care line,” she says. For Crary, the hardest challenge she has faced as an entrepreneur was pulling the skin-care company from the brink of bankruptcy and turning it around into a thriving business. “Although I had helped do that with other companies, I learned very quickly that the stakes are a lot higher when it’s your own!”

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very closely and, second, that it can be more costeffective to hire someone and outsource operations that are outside of your — IRIS SHELTON founder and Spa Consultant, Shelton Management Solutions expertise. Hiring experts to run certain segments of my Venturing Out on Your Own business enables me to successfully oversee the entire operation For Iris Shelton, founder and spa consultant at Shelton and create accurate forecasts or projections.” Management Solutions, entrepreneurship was a long and winding road. The year 2005 was when Shelton first realized her The Entrepreneurial Journey life calling was in the spa industry. Two years later, she left a For Sue Harmsworth, founder of ESPA International, entreprecareer in corporate America and accepted her first job in the neurship runs in the family. “My father mentored me on a industry at a luxury spa in Michigan. When the economy began daily basis, encouraging me to be independent and free declining, she relocated back to the Washington D.C. area to thinking,” says Harmsworth. “He was an entrepreneur himself help manage a spa until 2010. and, through him, I learned many lessons. My childhood and “In these roles, I noticed the trend of high turnover rates in upbringing meant I understood the real value of money, how the front desk operations, issues with customer service, and to control costs, and how to make profit. For that, I am challenges to overall business operations,” Shelton says. “During forever grateful to him.” my time working for other companies and managing spas, I Harmsworth opened her first business in 1970 at the age found myself identifying methods to continuously improve their of 25: a day spa in Toronto, Canada. “Within three years I’d overall business, maximize their revenues, reduce their risks, and grown it from one to three floors and our turnover was $3 drive overall efficiency levels.” By determining the needs of the “Always be as honest as you can be with clients and your spas she worked for, she team. It takes years to build a reputation and moments to identified a niche for starting destroy it, so never overpromise on anything, always aim her own consulting to exceed expectations and don’t try to avoid difficult company. situations or conversations.” As a way to gain broader — SUE HARMSWORTH, founder, ESPA International knowledge of the spa industry and prepare herself in her role as an entrepreneur, she joined ISPA in 2012 and attended her first million, which was a lot, especially considering this was the ISPA Conference & Expo in Kissimmee, Florida. 70s and it was a cash-only business.” Then, in 2015 after being accepted into the Launch She sold her Toronto Day Spa in 1979 before moving to Hampton Road Entrepreneur Program (an initiative that provides France to run a thalassotherapy spa for eight months, and tools to aspiring entrepreneurs), Shelton officially launched then returned to the United Kingdom so her sons could Shelton Management Solutions. “I identified my opportunity to attend school there. She ran Grayshott Hall (the U.K.’s become a spa consultant and [founded the company] to offer foremost health farm) in Surrey for four years. From here, she solutions, including hiring and empowering staff members, was headhunted as managing director of a major cruise line creating and updating training, developing employee company, designing spas and overseeing 1,100 therapists on handbooks, and creating spa best practices and protocols,” she board. says. After working hard for other companies, she eventually felt As a new entrepreneur, Shelton admits to learning valuable the urge to get back out there on her own. “In 1988, I lessons. “When I started my consulting business, I was focused decided to start my consultancy business,” says Harmsworth. on business roadmaps, networking, sales, marketing, and devel“I worked on a visionary new spa project for Turnberry in oping my service plans. I did not create proper financial plans. Scotland, which opened in 1991, creating a collection of This oversight caused me to spend more than what was holistic treatments as well as formulating all the products necessary,” she says. “I learned, first, to monitor my financials

“If you are going to start your own business, do something you absolutely love. You will eat, sleep, and breathe your business when you are the owner. It takes much more work, dedication, and resources than working for another person or organization so if it isn’t something you love, you will burn out quickly.”

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used in them. Something must have been very right, as these formulations and treatments remain famous today.” Harmsworth then launched ESPA in 1993. “I took on a huge risk launching ESPA when I was 47 or 48,” she says. “Yes, it’s a great success today, but took much longer and cost much more to get off the ground than my business plan had anticipated.” It’s not that the costs should deter anyone from taking a risk, Harmsworth just recommends always giving yourself a cushion for when life happens. “As an entrepreneur, take your business as far as you can with your own financing. Be conservative in your planning and projections and keep that financial cushion in there so you don’t end up losing control (or worse).” She considers building ESPA into a successful global spa brand as her biggest success as an entrepreneur. However, through all her success in the spa industry, Harmsworth

After he finished his electronic and mechanical engineering degree 25 years ago, Gharieni began working for a large Japanese corporation. He enjoyed his work, but realized quickly that he wasn’t the kind of person who could work within a rigid corporate structure. “My boss took all of my ideas and presented them proudly as his own,” Gharieni remembers. “That made me furious!” He began looking down other avenues and met a school friend who worked with a company based in Clearwater, Florida that was importing facial lifting and toning machines to Canada. “I became interested as an engineer and helped to improve the technology. I then started the distribution to Germany and other countries in Europe,” he says. “That was my entrance into this world of spa.” Clients began asking about treatment beds, which got Gharieni’s mind racing. “I started to think about how to create a completely new model; one that was all-electric, that “First, it’s necessary to develop a good could be heated and business model which includes all more comfortable for the customer, realistic opportunities. Second, be willing something with lumbar to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.” support. So 20 years — SAMMY GHARIENI, CEO and Founder, Gharieni Group ago, the SL was born, the first beauty bed of the Gharieni strives to prioritize her family, her team and the big picture. Company, which became a best-seller,” he says. “The business “My Toronto day spa made its first million in 1974. ESPA, hit its million-dollar mark in 1996 with the SL beauty bed.” which launched in 1993, achieved this in 1994. Of course, His innovative thinking and ingenuity got his business off both were exciting moments, though I really didn’t think the ground, but it didn’t come without its challenges. Starting about it too much at the time. These milestones were part of out, funds were tight and the budget didn’t stretch far. “The a much bigger picture: building a great team, winning awards, beginning was the most challenging time for the business,” says receiving the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the Gharieni. “I had excellent products but nobody knew us and our British Empire (MBE) honour from the Queen and being advertising budget was low. To emerge, we had only the opporblessed with grandchildren were all far greater rewards.” tunity to place small ads and to offer incentives on pricing.” For Gharieni, things have since come full circle. “I started Constant Innovation in Florida 25 years ago. Now, I’m back. Gharieni USA Inc. has Sammy Gharieni, CEO and founder of Gharieni Group, a recently opened its doors in Aventura, Florida. The prestigious German manufacturer of high-end spa tables and medical Turnberry Isle is now home to the Gharieni USA equipment, realized he had the mindset of an entrepreneur at a headquarters.” n very young age. “At the age of seven, I took some of my toys and sold them secretly at school to my friends for German WANT MORE success tips? Click here ‘Groschen’ (the equivalent of pennies),” says Gharieni. “So you to read more valuable advice about starting and running your own business. can say that my hobbies and spirit for entrepreneurship have fused into a passion since my earliest youth.” 30

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ISPA 2016 U.S. Spa Industry Study

Continuing the Momentum

ccording to the ISPA 2016 U.S. Spa Industry Study, the spa industry is continuing the momentum of growth. Data from the annual research has shown promising figures, particularly on increases in the majority of its Big 5 indicators: revenue, spa visits, revenue per visits, locations and total employment. The numbers below offer a snapshot of the health of the spa industry and the positive outlook ahead of it.

US$16.3 billion 179 TOTAL REVENUE is estimated to have increased by five percent, up from US$15.5 billion in 2014 to US$16.3 billion in 2015. The increase in spa revenues was driven by a rising number of spa visits combined with increased revenue per visit and expansion in the number of spa locations.

The number of SPA VISITS remained on an upward path, increasing from 176 million in 2014 to 179 million in 2015.

million

When asked about their more RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE SURVEY (September 2015 to March 2016), three in four spas (75 percent) reported an increase in revenue.

75%

TO ACCESS THIS MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE report, log in as an ISPA member and download the full report at experienceispa.com.

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US$91

With revenue growth outpacing the increase in visits, the AVERAGE REVENUE PER VISIT increased from US$88 in 2014 to US$91 in 2015.

US$773,000

AVERAGE REVENUES PER SPA LOCATION rose to US$773,000 in 2015, an increase of 3.2 percent compared to revenues in 2014.

21,020

The total number of SPA LOCATIONS increased from 20,660 in 2014 to 21,020 in 2015.

71%

Seventy-one percent of spas said profitability had improved compared to the same period in the previous year. Seventy-two percent of day spas reported an INCREASE IN PROFITABILITY.

Overall TOTAL EMPLOYMENT is estimated to have remained broadly stable, at 359,300 (as of May 2016) compared with 360,000 (as of May 2015).

359,300

162,000

As of May 2016, the estimated number of FULL-TIME WORKERS (162,000) was slightly in excess of the number of part-time employees (157,800).

58%

Almost three in five spas (58 percent) said they had INCREASED STAFFING LEVELS in the last six months (September 2015 to March 2016) compared to the same period in the previous year. The trend toward increasing staffing levels was strongest among day spas, with 61 percent indicating an increase in employment.

SPA TYPES

16,700 1,800 1,760 600

The number of DAY SPAS operating across the U.S. has increased at 1.8 percent compared to day spa number estimates (16,400) in 2014. The number of RESORT/HOTEL SPAS is estimated at 1,800, representing an increase of 1.3 percent compared to 1,780 resort/hotel spas in 2014. The number of MEDICAL SPAS has risen by two percent compared to the 2014 estimate of 1,720 medical spas. CLUB SPA LOCATIONS are estimated to have risen to 600, a growth of 2.3 percent compared to numbers in 2014. January/February 2017

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SEE + BE SEEN

CATCHING UP. ISPA Chairman Todd Shaw visited his mentor Darryll Leiman at Mandara Spa Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort for a spa day.

TOUGH LOVE, BIG HEART. The Las Vegas Spa Association (LVSA) held their 4th annual charity event called “Tough Love Fitness.” The event raised more than US$4,000 for NextStep Fitness, which assists persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities. BOLD CONFERENCE. Integrative health expert, Deepak Chopra served as the opening keynote speaker at MINDBODY’s BOLD Conference in Hollywood, California. The annual event brings together leaders in the fitness, wellness and beauty industries to experience critical educational and networking opportunities designed to fuel business growth and success.

WELLNESS EDUCATION. MINDBODY’s BOLD Conference attendees enjoyed a wellness class. In addition to educational seminars on a range of topics, BOLD offers attendees a variety of networking events and wellness experiences. SPA TIME. Kristine Huffman with Huffman Hospitality Concepts enjoyed a Blue Coyote Treatment from Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass – Aji Spa. Pictured here with Spa Director Sara Howard.

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WANT TO BE SEEN? Email allie.martin@ispastaff.com to submit post-event press releases and photos for potential inclusion in SEE+BE SEEN.

NO BARRIERS. Body Bliss recently sponsored Kiliclimb 2016, a trek inspired by the charity No Barriers USA, a nonprofit organization that empowers people of all walks of life and abilities to overcome obstacles and live a life of purpose.

ASIA EVENTS. ISPA Vice Chairman Todd Hewitt, who is also the corporate director of spa, health clubs and recreation at Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and ISPA President Lynne McNees attended Cosmoprof Asia held at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. In photo, attendees gained business insights from speaker Neil Jacobs. Hewitt, McNees, ZENTS Founder Cord Coen and Kelly McElroy were also spotted at the AsiaSpa Awards 2016, which recognizes leaders in Asia’s dynamic spa and hospitality industry.

FOR A LIST OF THIS YEAR’S Asia Spa Award winners, click here.

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Creating a

Healthy

Work Environment BY KELLY HEITZ

Helping Employees Manage Stress and Avoid Injury

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No one works well under adverse conditions. It’s important to create an environment wherein employees are provided the tools to help them manage stress as well as avoid work-related injuries. “With rising medical costs, not only for individuals but also for companies, employers should take a preventative approach toward creating a healthy workplace,” says Shane Evans, president and founder of Massage Heights Corporate LLC, a day spa franchise company with headquarters based in San Antonio, Texas. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), productivity losses due to absenteeism cost employers US$225.8 billion annually in the United States (or US$1,685 per employee). Based on the Labour Force Survey in the United Kingdom, stress accounted for 37 percent of all workrelated ill health cases and 45 percent of all working days lost due to poor health in 2015 and 2016. The study further indicated that employees in public service industries (such as health-care workers) show higher levels for stress compared to all other occupations. The findings highlight a great need for providing a safe workplace in a spa

environment, where employees are expected to genuinely care for guests. “The spa specifically is a place of healing, relaxation and rejuvenation, so we put processes in place to ensure the wellbeing and health of not only our guests, but our employees too,” says Jacquee Thompson, spa manager at SiSpa at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa in Pompano Beach, Florida.

STRESSED OUT While it’s unlikely to completely remove stress factors at work, it can be reduced by providing employees the resources and support they need, especially during stressful times. “The biggest symptom is disengagement in the workplace. This shows up in absenteeism, lack of focus, and agitation with co-workers and supervisors,” says Jean Kolb, owner of Jean Kolb Well By Choice, LLC. “You can’t function at your highest performance when you are mentally or emotionally stressed. Business owners have to recognize the symptoms early so they can be addressed prior to an employee becoming disengaged.” According to TouchAmerica Inc. CEO Stewart Griffith, a few of the symptoms of a stressed-out employee include reduced productivity, high irritability, increased

Staff well-being is top priority at SiSpa at Fort Lauderdale Marriott.

Targeted treatments aren’t just for your guests. Massage Heights invites their therapists to indulge in regular massage to relieve tension and avoid injury.

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illness, increased absences, and even a loss of humor. Some of the top factors that contribute to work-related stress are long work hours, lack of job security, lack of training and resources, and poor work relationships. Add the physical demands of many sparelated jobs and you get an environment where stress levels can easily escalate. “One of the major contributors to employee work-related stress is the physically demanding nature of certain treatments, such as massage and body work,” says Thompson. “Also, many therapists by nature are sensitive to the energies of people and will pick up on the stress and tension of their guests, which takes an additional toll on the therapist.” Employees can also feel stressed when they feel like they aren’t able to get their work accomplished, whether from lack of help, training, or support from management. “We are a society of functioning within our business with a ‘lean and mean’ mentality. That is, we have to do more with less in order to remain competitive. As business owners, we need a good handle on what the responsibilities are of each position and

Adjustable tables, like the Atlas Flex-Block™ Salt Table from TouchAmerica, allow therapists to work more comfortably and avoid injury.

how best to prioritize what functions will make the biggest impact to the business,” Kolb says.

REDUCING THE STRESSORS As a manager, you can’t control what is going on at home or in your employees’ personal lives, but you can help make their work life less stressful. “As a leader, it is my job to both listen directly to my employees, as well as to stay abreast of potential problems before they present themselves,” says Griffith. “Giving people the training and support they need, plus providing the materials, equipment and technology required for them to do their job efficiently [are ways

to reduce stress factors].” Griffith also pointed out that it’s important to give people a chance to express their grievance in a safe setting with the intention of finding a resolution. “Once the particular workplace stressor is identified, we work together toward a solution, whether it is additional resources or training or a change in the job description,” he says. To help identify common work stressors, Evans suggests keeping a journal for a week and creating a plan once factors are identified. “This may include blocking time on one’s calendar to either recharge or focus on the work one needs to complete, rather than allowing others to create additional meetings for you to attend. Have an open dialogue with your supervisor, peers and/or direct reports establishing boundaries that would allow you to complete your tasks in a timely fashion or seek help from those who support you,” she says. Sometimes, all your employees need to de-stress is a little break. A 2011 study by the University of Illinois at Urbana-

Common Spa Injuries and How to Prevent Them INJURY

TIP

Tenosynovitis: A condition caused by overuse—in this case, excessive use of the tendons of the thumb.

“Massage therapists should adequately condition their bodies for the physical demands of massage therapy. Stretching of the affected tendons after each massage session on a regular basis will be helpful. Additionally, practitioners can self-massage the affected tendons to help reduce any adhesions that might develop between the tendon and its sheath, effectively decreasing the incidence of this condition,” says Evans.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A condition where the median nerve becomes compressed, causing sensory and/or motor dysfunction.

“One alternative is to slightly supinate the forearm so that the therapist massages the client more on the ulnar side of the hand instead of the center of the anterior wrist or palm. Forearms are another good alternative contact. Stretching, selfmassage and conditioning is important too. Finding all means possible to help decrease compressive loads on the median nerve is crucial. Massage therapists should get regular bodywork to their upper extremities, including the anterior forearm and hand,” says Evans.

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Champagne shows that brief diversions from a task can dramatically improve one’s ability to focus on that task for prolonged periods. “We often hear from our service providers that it is important for them to have an adequate rest between appointments to rejuvenate,” says Thompson. “As such, we encourage our employees to take a few minutes to walk outside and breathe in the sea air. We also encourage therapists to offer each other reciprocal

AVOIDING INJURY Creating an injury-free and healthy work environment means providing your staff the proper training so they can perform their job correctly without injury. Many spa jobs are physically demanding, and proper training will alleviate the risk for work-related injury. It’s also important to provide staff the proper medical benefits and access to wellness programs that may help reduce their risks of injury.

“If you are seeing a stressed employee, offer to help them prioritize so everyone is working smarter, not harder.” — JEAN KOLB, Owner, Jean Kolb Well By Choice, LLC

spa services, which helps them to unwind and de-stress.” Kolb says spa owners and managers should take a proactive approach toward educating the workforce on the importance of self-care so they can function at a high level. “If you do see someone is struggling (I call it the ‘deer in the headlights syndrome’), give them a mental time out. Be flexible in allowing them personal time to take care of themselves so they can come back refreshed and ready to go,” she says. “If you are seeing a stressed employee, offer to help them prioritize so everyone is working smarter, not harder. It is a good return on your investment of time if you do.”

“We encourage our franchisees to offer benefits such as regular massages for all employees at a reduced cost and reimbursement for health and fitness clubs, health and fitness events, and chiropractic care,” Evans says. By providing the right tools, such as ergonomic equipment, work-related injuries can also be reduced. “In our Massage Heights retreats, we provide hydraulic tables that are adjustable to the therapist and to the client, which make it easier on a therapist while performing services. In addition, the flooring we use has extra cushion to help mitigate job-related aches and pains, as well as fatigue,” she says.

She says it’s also important that managers have an honest conversation with therapists to help identify their limitations, such as the number of hours of massage treatments they can do in a day. She also recommends providing therapists access to self-care products to use during their breaks. In addition, Griffith says offering incentives to employees who choose to live a healthy lifestyle helps motivate them. “We have paid bonuses to employees who quit smoking. We are happy to currently have no employees who smoke,” he says. Unfortunately, even if you take all the preventative measures possible, accidents can happen. If a member of your staff is injured at work, be sure to take all the necessary legal steps your company requires. “First, make sure the staff member has proper medical attention and is supported in following medical advice,” says Griffith. “Second, identify the cause of the injury. Third, take steps to prevent it in the future, which may require better training, repairing equipment, providing safety equipment or removing obstacles.” Whatever practices or tools you have in place, be sure to put safety and employee well-being top priority as it has a direct impact on employee morale, productivity and, ultimately, company profitability. n

F E AT U R E D S O U R C E S

WANT MORE? Click here for more about spa injuries and preventions.

STEWART GRIFFITH

SHANE EVANS

JEAN KOLB

JACQUEE THOMPSON

CEO TouchAmerica Inc.

President and Founder Massage Heights Corporate LLC

Owner Jean Kolb Well By Choice, LLC

Spa Manager SiSpa at Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

KOHLER, WISCONSIN

POMPANO BEACH, FLORIDA

MEBANE, NORTH CAROLINA

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FEEDING THE

Mind, Body& Soul BY KELLY HEITZ

Meeting the Nutritional Needs of Your Spa Guests

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On-site gardens, like this one at The Lodge at Woodloch, are an exceptional tool for teaching guests about nutrition and wellness.

Nutrition is no longer just about consuming food to fuel the body. Now, guests also think of nutrition as an encompassing way to feed the mind and soul. Spas respond to this demand by not only offering nutrition classes that teach guests how to embrace a clean diet, but also by adding plant-based treatments to the menu.

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“Nutrition and hydration are vital to vibrant health. With busy schedules, life changes in combination with known food and environmental toxins, there is often a tendency of feeling out of balance and, ultimately, becoming vulnerable to longterm health complications,” says Leslie Johnson, spa director at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.

“It's not just about pampering anymore. From 'health-conscience' millennials to 'worried well' baby boomers, these guests value a more holistic approach.” Kathryn Petty, president and founder of White Lion Tea, a luxury food and beverage company based out of Scottsdale, Arizona, believes that “the spa industry is evolving in tandem with the demographic profile of its guests.” “It’s not just about pampering anymore. From ‘health conscience’ millennials to ‘worried well’ baby boomers, these guests value a more holistic approach. A fresh focus on healthy lifestyle and well-being is part of this evolution, and proper nutrition is an essential element,” Perry says. Naturopathica Founder and CEO Barbara Close agrees, stating that the slow food movement emerged in order to (CONTINUED ON PAGE 44)

At Deer Lake Lodge, guests are taught the importance of nutrition and are given easy-to-follow detox drink recipes to implement in their daily lives.

POWER HERBS Which herbs should you add to your spa treatments, cuisine or product lines? Here are a few considered by our expert sources as power herbs:

MAGNESIUM: Keeps muscles loose and bowels active.

OLIVE LEAF: For anti-fungal and anti-bacterial use.

MILK THISTLE: Helps with liver and clogged arteries.

TURMERIC: Supports healthy muscle function.

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OREGON GRAPE ROOT: Soothes eczema, psoriasis and rosacea, and contains Berberine, which offers antimicrobial and antibiotic benefits. PASSION FLOWER: Calming herb for anxiety, nervousness, insomnia and stress. ROSEMARY: Helps with digestion and memory function. GINGER: Helps with stomach issues, is anti-inflammatory, and has been known to give your immune system a boost. STINGING NETTLE: Anti-inflammatory and helps get rid of dandruff. COCONUT OIL: Burns fat, decreases appetite, fights bacteria, boosts immunity, and contains tons of antioxidants.

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refocus the intent behind what we eat, drink and, ultimately, how we interact with the world around us. “People are now more educated than ever and seek information about the ingredients they are consuming and the effects on the body. As thought leaders in wellness, we have to continue to provide this information and empower our communities to live better every day,” Close says. In today’s world, Lake Austin Spa Resort Nutritional Consultant Terry Shaw thinks there’s an even greater need to educate guests on proper nutrition because of the plethora of misinformation available on the media and the internet. Educating Guests “Guests are craving knowledge,” says Carrie Harmon, spa director at Deer Lake Lodge and Spa in Montgomery, Texas. Beauty begins on the inside. Supplements like Collagen Sparkle give guests the internal nutrients they need to look and feel beautiful.

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“They notice their food is making them feel bad, and they want to make better choices so they are not so tired and worn out. They just don’t know how.” Educating spa guests on proper nutrition is an important aspect to their visit. Consider starting each treatment with a consultation, whether with a nutritionist, massage therapist, or esthetician, to better understand each guest’s health goals. At Naturopathica’s Vitality Bar, for instance, the therapist or esthetician will sit with the client before each treatment to better understand health goals and concerns. “Together, they select one of our Remedy Teas, tonics or elixirs from the Vitality Bar to enjoy post-treatment. Our Vitality Bar menu contains some of the most powerful healers in nature’s ‘pharmacy’: Turmeric for sore muscles, Burdock and Aloe for radiant skin, Milk Thistle for cleansing, Oats for stress relief as

SUPER FOODS FOR THE SKIN Food is no longer just for eating. “Delivering nutrient dynamic and dense foods and fluids that speak to our cellular structure, whether through ingestion or topical application is gaining greater understanding and awareness due to their active macro- and micro-nutrients,” says Leslie Johnson. Here’s a quick look at how these superfoods are incorporated into the spa menu at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California.

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AVOCADOS: A great source of vitamins E and D along with healthy, hydrating fats. TREATMENT USED: Body Bliss Avocado Oil Body-wrap Treatment KALE: Packed with nutrition, low in calories, zero fat, high in protein and fiber, which aides in digestion. TREATMENT USED: Éminence Organic Skin Care Citrus and Kale Facial BLUEBERRIES: High in antioxidant phytonutrients. TREATMENT USED: Éminence Organic Skin Care Blueberry Facial Peel SEA SALT: Abundant in minerals, including magnesium, calcium and potassium needed for skin health. TREATMENT USED: SpaRitual’s Instinctual Sea Salt Pedicure Soak

“My motto in menu development was to 'drink something wild everyday,' incorporating therapeutic ingredients that come from the wild.” well as Kombucha, a rich probiotic,” Close says. Yu Ming O’Neil, founder of Collagen Sparkle, a nutritional supplement company based in Hawthorne, New York, believes that nutrition counseling is an important element in a broader wellness offering. “It’s not just about weight management (though that is important), but really about helping clients to understand the best possible ways to fuel their body and lifestyle,” O’Neil says. Nutrition, according to Chef Josh Tomson of The Lodge at Woodloch in Hawley, Pennsylvania, is now at the forefront of the minds of spa guests. “With our philosophy of ‘Personal Awakening,’ we like to share tips and tricks with our guests to make their already healthful techniques even more nutritious

while enhancing the flavor. We often find with the trends of diets that guests are misinformed, and we like to shed light by using freshly grown whole foods,” Tomson says. Nutrition Offerings At Naturopathica’s Vitality Bar, its menu highlights the benefits of herbs and probiotics. “When our guests read our menu, they are immediately curious about the unusual blends with ingredients, ranging from Probiotic Hot Sauce and Horseradish to Turmeric and Burdock Root,” Close says. “My motto in menu development was to ‘drink something wild every day,’ incorporating therapeutic ingredients that come from the wild—including herbs and spices along with cold-

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pressed juices and nut milks.” To ensure that guests have access to the correct nutritional information, Close made sure to hire a team composed of an herbalist, a nutritionist and a certified tea sommelier. As a way to educate guests, The Lodge at Woodloch offers an extensive list of nutrition-based offerings. Guests may choose to watch cooking demonstrations using seasonal ingredients, attend a homesteading class that offer organic gardening tips as well as a Culinary Nutrition in the Garden

tour led by the property’s holistic nutritionist and plant-based vegan chef. The Lodge at Woodloch also offers a seasonal herbal class and one-on-one consultation with the property’s master herbalist, as well as classes on Healing Foods, The Green Smoothie and BeeKeeping 101. Every Thursday during the summer, the property offers Garden Dinners to guests who love to see food as it is harvested, prepared on the grill, and served right in the garden.

Guests at Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas are wowed by Executive Chef Stephane Beaucamp's nutritional cooking demontrations.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT FOOD MISCONCEPTION: All carbohydrates are bad. TRUTH: The body needs carbohydrates. “A combination of appropriate carbs and protein will improve the body’s ability to utilize the protein. An appropriate ratio of carbs and protein before or after exercise also increases stamina by effectively storing glucose in muscle as glycogen and providing the body’s favorite exercise fuel,” Shaw explains.

MISCONCEPTION: It’s all about the calories. TRUTH: “One thing that we hear often is portion control and counting calories. One thing we love to share about our food is that it is much more about what you eat than how much you eat (within reason, of course). If you eat one small breakfast muffin, you could have enough calories for two meals,” says Tomson.

MISCONCEPTION: Food does not have healing properties. TRUTH: “Food is our best medicine, as the gut is the seat of our immune system. Sadly, because modern diets contain a lot of processed foods and low fiber, we have lost a lot of the essential nutrients that keep our gut and our immune system healthy. Learning about foods that support a rich diversity in gut health is essential,” says Close.

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Similar at The Lodge at Woodloch, guests at Lake Austin Spa Resort in Austin, Texas, are offered a variety of hands-on activities and educational classes. “Guests thoroughly enjoy walks through our organic gardens to learn about beneficial

Using nature's ingredients in your treatments, like the Berry Firm Facial at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, gives guests a well-rounded nutritional experience.

herbs,” says Shaw, a registered dietitian. “I also do a talk on the medicinal aspects of culinary herbs and teach guests how to implement them in their own kitchen via cooking classes and demonstrations.” At Deer Lake Lodge and Spa, guests may choose to attend a class on raw food and juicing, essential oils or the use of food and herbs to treat common ailments. For weight management, the spa offers herbal supplements and fiber detox drinks with an easy-to-follow plan. “We try to get guests to take home parasite, kidney and liver cleanse packages to take their detox efforts to the next level,” says Harmon. When it comes to weight loss, O’Neil says people tend to sign up for spa programs when they want to see a more dramatic result at a short period of time. “But the key to maintaining results in the long-term is to learn how to keep the weight off on your own after you go home—in comes the necessity of education on proper nutrition, exercise and wellness,” says O’Neil. “Achieving optimal health and beauty requires consistency and changing negative habits into positive ones.” Emerging Science In the world of nutrition, there’s an emerging science on ‘gutbrain axis,’ the communication between the gut and the brain. “New studies have shown that bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract can activate neural pathways and central nervous system signaling processes and responses. In other words,

Not only are White Lion Teas natural and healthy, but they are also responsibly sourced to ensure workers are treated and paid fairly.

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what we eat can not only have an effect on our mental health, including illnesses like anxiety and depression, but also skin health, especially in the cases of acne and atopic dermatitis.” To combat these diseases, Close suggests building healthy bacteria with prebiotics from herbs as well as supplement the diet with probiotics, such as fermented foods. Another research that has emerged focuses on the benefits of tea. According to Petty, in an article published in the March 2016 issue of Health magazine, Dr. Elliott Miller—an

internal medicine physician and instructor of medicine at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore—found that those who drink a cup of tea a day had about one-third less risk of a major heart disease event. “Tea drinkers, those who drank from one to three cups a day, showed a decline in the calcium buildup in their arteries,” Petty says. In deciding what nutrition-based offerings to include in your spa menu, Tomson suggests staying away from fad diets and taking cues from nature. “Our main goal is to buy local and sustainably. While in season, we get many of our

“We may not always have the same items on the menu, but we use nature and the seasons as our muse.”

The Vitality Bar at Naturopathica Chelsea gives guests the opportunity to sample natural therapeutic ingredients and take home recipes to implement at home.

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vegetables and greens from our own garden. We may not always have the same items on the menu but we use nature and the seasons as our muse.” Like The Lodge at Woodloch, White Lion Tea keeps sustainability in mind when sourcing ingredients. “Responsibly sourced teas leave a smaller carbon footprint, and we can better

monitor that the workers are treated and paid fairly,” Petty says. “Direct-sourcing also dovetails with White Lion’s pride mission. We provide scholarships to girls in the villages where our tea is grown. These girls would not otherwise be able to attend school, and education is key to a better life. It’s about sustainable social change one life at a time.” n

F E AT U R E D S O U R C E S

LESLIE JOHNSON

BARBARA CLOSE

TERRY SHAW

CARRIE HARMON

Spa Director President and Founder Omni La Costa Resort & Spa White Lion Tea

KATHRYN PETTY

Founder and CEO Naturopathica

Nutritional Consultant Lake Austin Spa Resort

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

AUSTIN, TEXAS

Spa Director Deer Lake Lodge Resort and Spa

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

MONTGOMERY, TEXAS

WANTING SOME SKIN TONIC, SMOOTHIE OR SOUP RECIPES? Click here to download YU MING O’NEIL

JOSH TOMSON

Founder Collagen Sparkle

Chef The Lodge at Woodloch

HAWTHORNE, NEW YORK

HAWLEY, PENNSYLVANIA

all the recipes shared by some of this issue’s featured sources.

IN MEMORIAM Our hearts are in pain with news of the passing of Glen Ivy Hot Springs Executive Chef Bill Wavrin. Author of a James Beard Award-nominated cookbook and honored by The Aspen Center for Integral Health as one of the “Healthiest Chefs in America,” Chef Bill will forever be remembered for his unwavering passion and larger-than-life persona. Jim Root, Glen Ivy Hot Springs senior executive, offers a loving tribute: “Although my heart is heavy, Chef Bill’s bigger-than-life spirit will stay with me always. For almost 30 years, Billy and I worked together at three of the great spa and wellness destinations: Rancho La Puerta, Miraval and, for the last eight years, at Glen Ivy Hot Springs in Corona, California. Through it all, we never lost sight of each other. As I’d say, ‘See you later, Billy,’ he would give me a big bear hug and say, ‘I love you, Jimmy.’ I miss you so much my friend.” n

TO READ Root’s complete tribute, click here.

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SERVICE WITH PASSION Welcome New ISPA Board of Directors

BY SAMANTHA SMITH

In January, the newest members of the ISPA Board of Directors took office, joining a prestigious group of spa industry leaders. Join us in welcoming our new directors (and a few familiar faces for a second term) to the ISPA Board.

SCOTT DUNCAN, SPA GREGORIE’S Scott Duncan is the president and partner of Spa Gregorie’s, LLC, with day spas in Newport Beach and Rancho Santa Margarita in California. Since 1998, Spa Gregorie’s has accelerated beyond industry standards in terms of gross/net profit, staff retention, retail sales, overall growth, and is recognized as an industry leader. In 2003, Duncan founded Greet the Day, a nonprofit organization that facilitates alternative healing services free of charge to cancer survivors. He also co-founded and served on the board of the Southern California Spa Directors Association and the Spa Connection, which hosts events at luxury venues to highlight keynote and educational speakers, product manufacturers and spa industry professionals. PATRICK HUEY, SANDALS RESORTS INTERNATIONAL Patrick Huey is the corporate director for Red Lane Spa, Fitness and Tennis, the award-winning wellness brand for Sandals Resorts International in St. James, Jamaica. Forward-thinking, passionate, and personable, Huey is responsible for all facets of brand development, marketing oversight, product development of Red Lane’s proprietary skin-care and body care lines, and the newly launched Red Lane Institute for therapist certification. In 2013, Huey assumed his current position with Sandals Resorts International.

JOSHUA LUCKOW, CANYON RANCH HEALTH RESORTS Joshua Luckow, MBA, is executive director at the award-winning brand, Canyon Ranch Health Resorts headquartered in Tucson, Arizona. In addition to his leadership of the brand’s well-known Health and Healing division, which comprises of more than 80 health professionals, Luckow also serves as corporate director of the rapidly growing Spiritual and Creative Wellness division. He himself is a long-time visual artist who works in oil and pencil, and draws on both real life and mythological inspirations for his art.

ROBERT VANCE, WELL & BEING SPA AT THE FAIRMONT PRINCESS Robert Vance’s career in the spa and wellness industry started more than 15 years ago by way of the necessity of making ends meet while working as an actor in Los Angeles. His journey has included working as spa director at the Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa in Arizona, spa director at the Golden Door Spa at Naples Grande in Florida, VP of operations for Elizabeth Arden Red Door in New York and spa director at Mii amo Destination Spa in Arizona. Currently, he is the managing director of the Well & Being Spa at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess located in Scottsdale, Arizona. 50

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NOEL ASMAR

BLAKE FEENEY

TODD SHAW

TODD HEWITT

GARRETT MERSBERGER

SHARILYN ABBAJAY

MICHAEL HARMSWORTH

JULIE OLIFF

LAURA PARSONS

FRANK PITSIKALIS

ERIC STEPHENSON

DAWN TARDIFF

MICHAEL TOMPKINS

LYNNE McNEES

KRISTINE HUFFMAN

Returning to the ISPA Board Join us in welcoming back Noel Asmar (Noel Asmar Group, Inc.) and Blake Feeney (Chaleur Beauty) to the ISPA Board. These industry leaders will join the current directors who are in the middle of an active board term, including: Todd Shaw (Chairman), Todd Hewitt (Vice Chairman), Garrett Mersberger (Secretary/Treasurer), Sharilyn Abbajay (Foundation Vice Chairman), Michael Harmsworth, Kristine Huffman, Julie Oliff, Laura Parsons, Frank Pitsikalis (Foundation Chairman), Eric Stephenson, Dawn Tardif, Michael Tompkins (Immediate Past Chairman) and Lynne McNees (ISPA President).

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ASK THE EXPERT

HUGH BYRNE

BY MAE MAÑACAP-JOHNSON

What’s the secret to habit change?

HUGH BYRNE, author of The Here-andNow Habit: How Mindfulness Can Help You Break Unhealthy Habits Once and For All (published by New Harbinger Publications), says intention is key to changing habits. “As Yogi Berra said, ‘if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll end up someplace else.’ Intention provides our compass, our direction,” Byrne says. “It connects us to our deepest values and intentions. It brings us back to what matters most to us. But it must also Check out Byrne’s book at

be accompanied by other practices—

newharbinger.com

for example, the practices of

mindfully staying present Pulse: In your research for the book, what are some of the common factors that drive people to forming destructive habits? Hugh Bryne: People normally form destructive habits as a way to avoid or deal with a difficult or painful experience—in the way a young child might start eating unhealthily if she isn’t getting the love or care she needs—or to have a pleasant experience, often not realizing the cost of indulging in that experience once it has become habitual or addictive (as with taking a recreational drug). P: What could be some of the factors that hinder habit change? B: A number of factors can hinder habit change. A lack of 52

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with our difficult experiences.”

clarity about how important it is to you to change a habit can prevent meaningful change because life will tend to come along and you’ll forget to carry out your commitment or forget why you wanted to make the change. Beliefs that you can’t make the change—that you don’t have the strength or will-power can also be an obstacle. You can work mindfully with this kind of belief through practices of inquiry—exploring the belief and asking whether this is really true and ‘who would I be without this belief?’ A lack of consistency or half-heartedness can also hinder habit change. It is important to repeat the new habit or to practice not repeating the old unhealthy habit and consistently enough so that our brain learns new habits, and establishes a new default setting.

“Scientific research has shown how the practices of self-compassion and loving-kindness provide support for a wide variety of conditions.” P: You wrote in your book, cultivating a welcoming attitude is an important step toward changing one’s habit. Can you expound as to how this practice can help? B: An attitude of kindness and friendliness is, I believe, essential to habit change. These attitudes—coupled with a diligent commitment to making change—allow us space to grow and learn in a way that harsh criticism and selfjudgment don’t. Scientific research has shown how the practices of self-compassion and loving-kindness provide support for a wide variety of conditions such as pain, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, negative emotions, depression, and in sticking to a diet, reducing smoking, and exercising. P: In what way does the practice of paying attention help change distractive habits? B: The practice of paying attention helps us to create new neural pathways in the brain that support being present here and now rather than constantly moving away from our experience into distractions, such as checking our cell phones, surfing the internet or watching TV. We can create new default mechanisms—of being present here and now— rather than the old defaults of distraction. Abandoning unhealthy habits and establishing more beneficial ones comes from practice and training—repeating the new and letting go of the old until our brain adopts the new healthy pattern as a habit. P: Can you share recent research that supports the notion of mindfulness as one way to help change habits? B: In a smoking-cessation study, 36 percent of participants who received mindfulness training had quit smoking at the end of a four-week program, compared with 15 percent who received a standard smoking-cessation training. The abstinence rates at the 17-week follow-up were 31 percent for those who received mindfulness training, versus six percent

4 Categories of Unhealthy Habits According to Byrne, it is helpful to understand habits based on their underlying energies, which is why he created four categories of unhealthy habits: 1. Habits of wanting or craving—this may involve an unhealthy craving for food, drink, sex or drugs. 2. Habits of distraction—moving away from your present-moment experience toward something that seems more attractive, interesting, or exciting, such as social media, text messages, e-mail, or TV. 3. Habits of resistance—wanting to avoid something you find painful or unpleasant. Anger, frustration impatience or judgment often signal that you’re resisting. 4. Habits of doing, stress and worry—feeling as if you’re always on your way somewhere, without enough time to get things done, or always checking things off a “to-do” list.

for those who received the standard smoking-cessation training (Brewer et al, 2011). A study of prisoners in a mindfulness meditation program showed reduced substanceabuse, fewer alcohol-related problems and diminished psychiatric symptoms (Adams et al, 2014). P: When it comes to relationships, it’s often difficult to break harmful habits. What advice can you give to help those struggling in relationship-driven habits? B: With relationship-driven habits, it is important to establish ways of having honest, compassionate conversations. An approach I have found helpful is Dr. Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-violent Communication, which helps get beyond the language of judgment and blame to connect with feelings and deeper needs, and provides a framework for having these honest dialogues. Also, if both parties are committed to being mindful, practices such as pausing and reconnecting with each other when triggering situations arise, can help untangle the patterns that keep us locked in unhealthy habits in relationships. n January/February 2017

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SUCCESSSTORIES INSPIRING TALES OF STARTUPS, GROWTH AND OVERCOMING HARDSHIPS

Chaleur Beauty Meeting a Market Need for Self-Heating Masks hen Dan Young, founder of Chaleur BY KELLY Beauty, saw the lack of a skin-care HEITZ product that uses therapeutic heat technology to activate ingredients, he had a lightbulb moment. Seeing a business opportunity to fill this market gap, he launched Chaleur Beauty in early 2016. “Dan determined there was a missing link in the skin care and spa product market, which was the use of therapeutic moist heat combined with amazing heat-activated ingredients,” says Chaleur Beauty Vice President of Business Development Blake Feeney. “I have to say, the self-heating facial treatment mask is the most innovative product I have seen for quite some time.” BLAKE FEENEY Despite being new in the market, Chaleur Beauty’s Vice President of Business Development • Chaleur Beauty innovative product line has caught the eye of some of the best Henderson, Nevada in the industry, even winning the coveted Discover Beauty Award at the 2016 Cosmoprof North America. the best ideas and you just have to have the ability to create The team at Chaleur Beauty credits their whirlwind success what the market is telling you. It also helps to have unique and to an unbeatable combination of innovation, creativity, and internationally patented products.” good old hard work. Chaleur Beauty products are powered by a unique selfheating mineral technology. Special minerals, sea salt, marine Focusing on Innovation kelp and algae create a natural and soothing heat source when Innovation is at the core of the brand’s DNA. “The best way to combined with water. be innovative is to listen to your clients and staff. They all have Thermalzyme, a fusion of super-antioxidants and adaptive

“The best way to be innovative is to listen to your clients and staff. They all have the best ideas and you just have to have the ability to create what the market is telling you.” 54

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Chaleur Beauty’s small but revolutionary product line uses heat-activated ingredients to hydrate and restore skin.

extremophiles used to help neutralize the effects of free radicals and prolong skin quality and skin health, is another one of Chaleur Beauty’s innovative ingredients. One of its key components is Thermus thermophilus, a thermophillic gram negative eubacterium found in deep sea vents and thrives in heat when above ground. The skin-care line is designed not only for professional spa use, but is also ideal for inclusion in a spa guest’s at-home skincare regimen. In fact, it is convenient enough to use even when traveling. “The consumer wants to be able to bring their spa regimen on the road, so mobility is key,” says Feeney. “With Chaleur Beauty, all you need is water to activate the mask and you are good to go.” As far as key beauty trends are concerned, he expects products that can multi-task to continue to grow. “The strength of this trend is that it spans over so many generations—Gen X, Gen Y and millennials.” Small, But Powerful Young and his team wanted to be hyper-focused, a strategy reflected in Chaleur Beauty’s range of products. With a total of only four products—a self-heating mask, ThermalZyme serum,

ThermalZyme renewal mask, and their apple stem cell moisture lotion—Chaleur Beauty is able to work into almost any spa menu at any time with a small investment but big profit potential. “I truly feel the best decision by Dan and his team that created Chaleur Beauty was making it a very small and tight spa product line,” says Feeney. “The ability to focus on add-ons and enhancements in the skin care and massage departments gives Chaleur Beauty an edge in the spa industry.” Having a small product line also has other benefits. It allows the brand to support and cater to their spa partners in an individualized way. “The foundation of the Chaleur Beauty way is to support our partners so they can’t live without us. The primary focus is not on a big opening order but supporting and educating them so it eventually creates many reorders and a long-term relationship,” says Feeney. Chaleur Beauty’s product line isn’t the only thing that is compact. The staff is a tight-knit group of industry professionals who are passionate about the products. “We have a small but mighty team. I feel my role is to create an environment wherein the team feels excited, cared for, and is given the ability to contribute to the success of the company.” n

ISPA as Partner In Success Joined ISPA: “Chaleur has been a member since 2015. We felt ISPA was the perfect association to be involved in to launch and grow our business.” Growing with ISPA: “Our first big conference and trade show was at the 2015 ISPA Conference & Expo. After our successful launch at ISPA Conference, Chaleur participated in the Reveal Box and the East Coast Media Event in 2016. Both have helped us gain a huge amount of awareness within the spa industry and beyond.” Most Valuable ISPA Resource: “I love the ISPA SmartBrief as it keeps us well-informed on what is going on in the spa world. The ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study is also extremely helpful in confirming or denying our internal thoughts as it relates to trends and business opportunities. I also log on to experienceispa.com multiple times a week!”

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A Day in the Life! BY KELLY HEITZ

SHELLEY PRYOR Organic Gardener, Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, Queensland, Australia

or Shelley Pryor, organic gardener at the Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat in Queensland, Australia, organic gardening has long been her way of life. “I grew up in a regional area where my parents grew and farmed everything we needed, so through all of my life, gardening and food were both my passions.” Pryor was a chef for 23 years, working in many hotels and restaurants, and then health spas. Because of her life’s work and background, it was a natural transition for her to move into gardening at Gwinganna, which boasts the largest organic gardens in an Australasian health retreat. “We have four garden areas, with two main gardens supplying vegetables and greens. The other two areas predominantly supply fresh herbs and edible flowers for the chefs as well as medicinal herbs,” says Pryor. “We currently supply most of the leafy green vegetables used at the retreat in all meals, plus around 80 percent of the herbs.” The site also includes orchards and four active bee hives. “As someone who is allergic to bees, it was very challenging introducing the hives to the property,”

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The life of a spa professional is a continuous cycle of daily responsibilities that help make the spa world go round. Pulse asks ISPA members to give us a sneak peek into their daily lives to help us understand the roles they play and the difference they make on a daily basis.

says Pryor. “I had always wanted to have bees but was too fearful of being stung. Bees sense your energy and know that you are afraid before you know it. I have learned how to do a meditation to settle my energy and work with the bees on the same vibrational level. Now, I rarely get stung.” For Pryor, the extensive benefits of having the hives on-site outweigh the personal risk factor. “The reason I wanted them to be on-site is all about pollination. By improving the pollination of our plants, we have increased both our production and quality. As my role is also to help educate guests, I now talk to them about the importance of bees to our environment and encourage them to plant edible flowers to attract more bees to their own gardens.” Pryor’s most extensive guest education retreat is the Organic Living Program, in which she teaches guests how to grow and use sprouts and edible flowers, create their own compost, the importance of soil quality, and even solutions for small home and apartment gardening. “It’s so rewarding when guests return again and tell us how their health has changed and what things they have done in their own gardens. I have been here for

more than 10 years now and still love meeting new guests and seeing guests return to us looking healthier and happier.” On an average work day, Pryor starts her day early: ★ 5 am Feeds the retreat’s silky bantam chickens that also help to control pests in the garden. Pryor then waters and talks to her seedlings, and plants any micro greens or seeds that need to be planted that day. ★ 7 am “A few days each week, I take guests for a garden walk as one of the early morning activity options. This shows them our gardens and I talk to them about herbs and their particular uses. I aim to inspire them to start growing their own nutrient-dense organic food at home.” ★ 9 am It’s time to get her hands dirty! Pryor picks any produce the chefs might need for upcoming meals, and then focuses on feeding the worm farm and making compost. “We currently make 50 to 60 tons a year, which all goes back into the gardens.” ★ 2 pm After lunch, Pryor’s schedule could include anything from teaching a gardening class to guests and coordinating small group gardening session to beekeeping or working in the orchards. n

Bring A Taste of Gwinganna Home Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat, which recently received an Eco Spa of the Year honor by the 2016 AsiaSpa Awards, has released a new organic cook book, A Taste of Gwinganna. Like all meals served at Gwinganna, every recipe in the book is gluten- and dairy-free. It includes a special section on organic gardening and tips shared by Pryor. “I worked with our editor on selecting some key components of my expertise to share with readers. We wanted to offer ideas and information on things like fermented foods, non-dairy milks and edible flowers so people can try something different at home and follow the process step by step. I love being able to share what I do, and now people can take the book home after they visit and be able to reproduce things we talk about at the retreat.” To learn more about A Taste of Gwinganna, visit gwinganna.com.

ISPA FOUNDATION

FOUNDATION

2017 ISPA FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS CHAIRMAN Frank Pitsikalis ResortSuite VICE CHAIRMAN Sharilyn Abbajay Abbajay & Associates, LLC

DIRECTORS Todd Shaw ISPA Chairman Todd Hewitt ISPA Vice Chairman Lynne McNees ISPA President

MEDICAL ADVISOR Brent Bauer, M.D. Mayo Clinic HONORARY BOARD MEMBERS Ruth Stricker The Marsh, A Center for Balance and Fitness Deborah Szekely WELLNESS WARRIOR

The ISPA Foundation wishes to thank the following supporters for their generous contributions: LUMINARY

Ruth Stricker BENEFACTOR

Dr. Howard Murad

Trends, Forecasts and the Importance of Supporting the ISPA Foundation In a one-on-one conversation with ISPA Foundation Chairman Frank Pitsikalis, Éminence Organic Skin Care General Manager Attila Koronczay discusses the ISPA Foundation’s research as well as emerging trends in the spa industry. Frank Pitsikalis: In your opinion, what makes the ISPA Foundation’s mission and work so important to the spa industry? Attila Koronczay: The ISPA Foundation’s mission is integral to the success of the spa industry. Providing a path to exciting talents seeking to enter the spa industry through scholarships, as well as providing the most comprehensive, reputable collection data on the spa industry, the ISPA Foundation actively shapes the future of the spa business. P: How do you use the research provided by the ISPA Foundation? K: Our team dives into the research provided by the ISPA Foundation to get a better understanding of what spa directors anticipate for growth, their feedback, forecasting and thoughts on the industry. This knowledge helps us to be the best partner possible to our spas. P: In your view, what does the future of the spa industry look like? K: I see the spa industry at the forefront of socially and environmentally conscious business. We are comprised of a network of healers; it seems fitting that we will also be healers to our businesses. I also predict a rising trend in purity of ingredients and a return to our roots for growing and farming with the most traditional methods possible. P: What are some emerging spa industry trends you have noticed? K: Wellness is now a part of the conversation, whereas two years ago, it was still considered a trend. In addition, consumers are more educated now and seeking more than just a spa visit. Consumers are looking for unique experiences that will remind them of how that facial or treatment made them feel for years to come.

PATRON

Red Door Spas ResortSuite —FRANK PITSIKALIS, ISPA FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN

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very month, ISPA members are given the opportunity to participate in the Snapshot Surveys. The surveys look into the state of the spa industry and its trends while helping to identify needs of spa professionals. Only respondents to Snapshot Surveys receive the final report for the data compiled that month, but this column serves to bring you the highlights. Octoberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Snapshot Survey was on quarterly performance for the third quarter of 2016. Overall, the numbers show positive trends for growth in the industry. Seventy-three percent of all ISPA spa member respondents reported some level of gross revenue increase over the third quarter in 2015, as well as 62 percent reporting that spa visits increased as well.

Similarly, 80 percent of ISPA resource partner respondents reported some increase in gross revenue change when comparing the third quarter of 2016 and the third quarter of 2015. Sixty-six percent of resource partner respondents reported an increase in profit change over the same period. To receive the full Snapshot Survey results, be sure to keep an eye out on your inbox for an invitation to participate in the Snapshot Surveys. 58

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4 1. Kerstin Florian International’s Neroli Collection’s unique floral water from the bitter orange blossom soothes, hydrates and freshens the skin. Use as a toner after cleansing the face or as a body spray after showering.

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2. Vancouver-based designer Noel Asmar Group Inc. has expanded its portfolio of lifestyle brands with the addition of Noel Asmar Fashion, launching in spring 2017.

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3. The new BABOR Active Night Fluid effectively boosts skin energy levels, regenerating and lifting overnight.1.855.929.0508 | US.BABOR.COM 4. The Robert Henry Signature Line by TouchAmerica Inc. consists of three core pieces of convertible, portable spa furniture and equipment: The Masquerade – convertible day bed + massage table, The Concierge – stylish portable spa service cart, and The Zero-G – spa lounger. 1.800.678.6824 | TOUCHAMERICA.COM 5. Zenoti, leading business management solution for the spa and wellness industry expands already unmatched suite of assets to include Mobile POS and Custom Reporting. 1.877.481.7634 | ZENOTI.COM

PRODUCTPEEK

Products worthy to carry or use in your spa. 7

6. FarmHouse Fresh debuts two luscious Lip Balms - Whoopie! and Coconut Beach, as well as aromatic new gourmet Mineral Bath Soaks. 1.888.773.9626 | FARMHOUSEFRESHGOODS.COM

7. Elemental Herbology’s Facial Soufflé Overnight Cream is rich in amino acids, collagen and reparative botanicals, which help to soothe, plump, hydrate and repair parched skin. 1.800.937.4372 | ELEMENTALHERBOLOGY.COM

8. Ilike organic skin care from Szep Elet’s Phytolift Neck & Décolleté Cream is formulated with a unique blend of grapeseed oil, calendula, moisturizing shea butter, flaxseed and lavender oil that renders skin dewy and deeply hydrated. 1.888.290.6238 | SZEPELET.COM

9. The Elemis Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream is clinically proven to increase oxygen levels in the skin. 1.866.643.0856 | ELEMIS.COM

10. Osmosis Pür Medical Skincare’s Refresh Eye Serum Collection features two moisture and antioxidant rich serums, Refresh and Refresh PM, for a complete eye care round the clock. 1.877.777.2305 | OSMOSISSKINCARE.COM

11. New Harbinger Publication’s Raising Entrepreneur by Margot Machol Bisnow, Elliott Bisnow and Austin Bisnow presents 76 stories from the mothers of some of the most successful entrepreneurs today. 1.510.594.6145 | NEWHARBINGER.COM

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ISPA NEWS

WELCOME 2017! Year of the Rooster

Start 2017 with a Clean (and Updated) Listing When did you last update your ISPA member profile? Help ISPA ensure that we have the most up-to-date information for you and your

Declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

JANUARY IS...

company by taking a few minutes this month to check your listing.

●

Remember, this is how fellow industry peers and spa-goers are

●

searching for you. This is a great time to ensure you have the appropriate employees receiving ISPA communications.

UPDATE YOUR MEMBER PROFILE 1. Log on to experienceispa.com. 2. Click Manage My Account in the top-right corner under My Account button.

Human Resource Month National Hot Tea Month

1 13 16-20 19

New Year’s Day 2017 ISPA Conference & Expo Speaker Application closes

ISPA Conference & Expo booth placement opens to Platinum sponsors and year-round Pulse advertisers

3. Use the Edit button to change any information.

People of ISPA Continues to Inspire

ew stories about your fellow spa industry professionals are added to peopleofispa.com on a regular basis, so be sure to check in often. Read and appreciate how Jeremy MCarthy’s love of

Healthy Weight Week

20 26 27 28 31

ISPA January Snapshot Survey opens ISPA Conference & Expo booth placement opens to Gold sponsors and seven- to nine-time Pulse advertisers ISPA January Snapshot Survey closes Chinese New Year ISPA 2017 U.S. Spa Industry Study survey opens

fitness and well-being has him living out his passion as he helps people take care of

FEBRUARY IS...

themselves as the group director of spa & wellness for Mandarin Oriental

1-7 4 9

Women’s Heart Week

Hotel Group, based in Hong Kong. As well as the amazing story of Lynille Steffenhagen, director of training for JEREMY McCARTHY

Jindilli Skincare, and how she grew up on a game reserve in Johannesburg, South Africa

World Cancer Day ISPA Conference & Expo booth placement opens to Silver sponsors and four- to six-time Pulse advertisers

surrounded by lions and other wild animals

as well as how her desire to travel and work

February Snapshot Survey opens

in the spa industry has taken her around the world.

ISPA Conference & Expo booth placement opens to early commitment exhibitors with five consecutive years

ISPA Conference & Expo booth placement opens to exhibitors with five consecutive years

February Snapshot Survey closes

We would love to hear your story too. To participate head to peopleofispa.com and, select “Share Your Story” from the drop-

LYNILLE STEFFENHAGEN

down menu to complete the survey. If you have any questions, email us at ispa@ispastaff.com. We hope you will get involved and inspire others with your own amazing story! 60

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January/February 2017

Lynne McNees • President lynne.mcnees@ispastaff.com • 1.859.226.4260 Crystal Ducker • Vice President of Research & Communications crystal.ducker@ispastaff.com • 1.859.226.4427

ISPA STAFF PROUDLY SERVING ISPA AND THE ISPA FOUNDATION VISION To be the leader in promoting and enhancing the well-being of the spa industry and the

Jennifer Duckworth • Senior Director of Events jennifer.duckworth@ispastaff.com • 1.859.226.4254 Megan Browning • Events Marketing Manager megan.browning@ispastaff.com • 1.859.219.3549 Eric Callaghan • Digital Marketing Coordinator eric.callaghan@ispastaff.com • 1.859.963.1877 Tara Finn • Sales Manager tara.finn@ispastaff.com • 1.859.226.4372

people it serves.

Kelly Heitz • Editor kelly.heitz@ispastaff.com • 1.859.359.8010

MISSION ISPA advances the spa industry by

Briana Lee • Project Manager briana.lee@ispastaff.com • 1.859.219.3527

providing invaluable educational and networking opportunities, promoting the value of the spa experience and speaking as the authoritative voice to foster professionalism and growth.

Mae Mañacap-Johnson • Senior Editor mae.manacap-johnson@ispastaff.com • 1.859.425.5062 Allie Martin • Public Relations Manager allie.martin@ispastaff.com • 1.859.425.5072 Allison Martin • Membership Manager allison.martin@ispastaff.com • 1.859.226.4334 Jessica Pfister • Fulfillment Coordinator jessica.pfister@ispastaff.com • 1.859.687.7014 Autumn Phelps • Trade Show Manager autumn.phelps@ispastaff.com • 1.859.226.4207 Amber Phillips • Events Manager amber.phillips@ispastaff.com • 1.859.226.4420 Elizabeth Pulliam • Membership Experience Specialist elizabeth.pulliam@ispastaff.com • 1.859.219.3512 Ashley Roberts • Project Coordinator ashley.roberts@ispastaff.com • 1.859.219.3621 Tara Salah Eldin • Project Coordinator tara.salaheldin@ispastaff.com • 1.859.219.3615 Samantha Smith • Project Manager samantha.smith@ispastaff.com • 1.859.219.3619 Jenny Wallace • Strategic Communications Manager jenny.wallace@ispastaff.com • 1.859.226.4354 January/February 2017

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AD INDEX ISPA would like to thank the following Pulse advertisers for their support of the association: IBC Biotone Professional Massage and Spa Products 1.800.445.6457 biotone.com 43

Candle Warmers 1.801.771.8650 ariome.com

Cosmoprof North America 1.702.558.8460 cosmoprof.com

IFC, Éminence Organic Skin Care 1 1.888.747.6342 eminenceorganics.com

ISPA Welcomes New Members to the ISPA Community

ESPA International (US) Ltd. 1.786.350.1192 us.espaskincare.com

EuroSpa Aromatics 1.800.395.6478 eurospaaromatics.com

INSERT

FarmHouse Fresh 1.888.773.9626 farmhousefreshgoods.com

8,9

HydraFacial MD – Edge Systems LLC 1.800.603.4996 edgeforlife.com

HydroPeptide 1.800.932.9873 hydropeptide.com

jane iredale 1.844.350.1610 janeiredale.com

Jurlique 1.800.854.1110 jurlique.com

Millennium Systems 1.973.402.9500 harms-software.com

Phytomer Group Brands 1.800.227.8051 phytomerusa.com

ResortSuite 1.866.477.8483 resortsuite.com

Resource Partner 111SKIN Girvin Inc. Peter Thomas Roth Spa Dermis Advanced Skin Care and Medi Clinic Eau Spa - At The Old Orchard Inn Four Seasons Hong Kong Healthglades Hospitality Pvt Ltd John’ Ric International NicholsMD of Greenwich O2 Spa Salon Pvt Ltd Spirit Spa Inc. Studio Beaute Actuelle

EDITOR’S NOTE: This includes new members from November 4, 2016 – December 13, 2016. You can access the online membership directory at experienceispa.com.

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January/February 2017

Bold indicates year-round Pulse advertisers and 2016 ISPA Conference & Expo sponsors.

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

Like a true community, let's make meaningful connections. Aimed at helping ISPA members discover each other, share one another's passions and inspirations, and hopefully kick-start warm introductions among peers, this section called Social Connections is all about building bridges. Share your passion with Pulse and see yourself featured in this section.

Mary Gendron

PARTNER • ERIC MOWER + ASSOCIATES • NEW YORK, NEW YORK

1. CAN’T-LIVE-WITHOUT PIECE OF ACCESSORY: My

FITNESS ROUTINE: Weekend gym visits and daily walks from

maternal grandmother’s wedding ring

my East Side office to Manhattan’s West Side

2. MOST USED APP(S): SpotHero (for parking in New York City)

and Starbucks

FAVORITE INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE: “The heart has its reasons that reason knows not of.” – Blaise Pascal

3. BOOK CURRENTLY READING: The Kingdom of Speech by

FAVORITE MOVIE: Sully (current) and It’s a Wonderful Life

Tom Wolfe

(classic)

4. HOTEL AMENITY YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT: Lighted

INSPIRATIONAL LEADER OR BUSINESS ICON: Rancho La

makeup mirror

Puerta Founder Deborah Szekely, former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Founder Isadore Sharp

5. FAVORITE “ME” TIME ACTIVITY: Spa-going, reading,

walking outdoors, sitting quietly and meditating FAVORITE CHARITY/CAUSE TO SUPPORT: American

BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED: Do your best.

Foundation for Suicide Prevention

It will always be good enough.

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Must I choose one?

IF YOU COULD TIME-TRAVEL, YOU’D TRAVEL BACK TO:

Around the world, I love Bali, Indonesia; Paris, France; London, England and Kowloon City, Hong Kong. In the U.S., I love Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts and Adirondacks, New York.

Pre-historic times—with a setting similar to Clan of the Cave Bear book series by Jean M. Auel ONE SUPERPOWER YOU’D LOVE TO HAVE: To fly like an eagle ■

SOCIAL CONNECTIONS: mower.com/travel-and-tourism/

@mgendron

@marygen

Mary Gendron

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STYLING & PHOTO BY ECHOSTARMAKER.COM

“What you stay focused on will grow.” — The Light in the Heart Author Roy T. Bennett

THERE ARE MANY DEFINITIONS FOR BALANCE such as the Merriam-Webster’s version: “to bring or keep in equilibrium.” As hard as we may try, balance is often not possible. During a recent panel at the Cosmoprof Asia Spa Conference, the art of work-life balance was discussed. A key takeaway for me was from Jeremy McCarthy, group director of spa with Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, who commented that we may be setting ourselves up for failure if we are constantly trying to find the balance. Rather, it was argued, that the key is to focus on work-life integration not balance. Andrew Gibson, vice president of wellbeing with Accor Luxury, presented on the many ways various hotel groups are tackling wellbeing for their guests. Everything from vitality rooms, fitness-on-demand classes, and a focus on ergonomics. I love that! Andrew also reminded us of the August 1997 issue of LIFE Magazine with the cover title, “The Healing Power of Touch.” It’s that time of year the talk of trends surfaces year after year folks trying to

LIFE Magazine circa 1997

identify the craziest and most outlandish treatment or experience. Even spirited debates around the most innovative way to find work-life balance! Twenty years later, our core focus remains the same: the healing power of touch. What an important job! We often get wrapped up in the things that steal our time and may not REALLY matter. As we embark on a new year, let’s vow to make an effort and stay focused on the important things and see what grows. How will you stay focused? CONNECT WITH ME ON FACEBOOK! Lynne Walker McNees —LYNNE McNEES, ISPA PRESIDENT

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January/February 2017

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