LOOKING OUT ON KALM HORIZONS

European Spa’s Mark Smith discusses his new mindfulness-based wellbeing concept and how the healing power of the ocean can bring tranquility to the mind, body and spirit

INTERVIEW BY DAVID FAGAN

The mental health and wellbeing benefits of mindfulness-based practices are well documented, with studies confirming that regular practice can reduce anxiety, boost cognitive function, ease pain and promote natural sleeping patterns.

Aiming to bring the benefits of mindfulness to an ever wider audience, meditation teacher Mark Smith, also European Spa’s beauty and wellness editor, has developed Kalm Horizons, a new type of meditative experience that draws on the immersive and aural therapeutic benefits of the ocean.

Mark Smith leads a beach meditation session

Officially launched to the spa industry at SpaFest 2021, the new concept has received extremely positive feedback. Kalm Horizons also presented alongside skincare brand Codage at The Spa at Sofitel St James, London bringing the adaptable meditation experience to a whole new audience.

We asked Mark about the principles behind the Kalm Horizons concept, how it can benefit people, and whether spas need to be beside the sea to share its powerful results.

Tell us about your journey into mindfulness

Back in 2011 I was in a stressful job and suffering recurring bouts of anxiety, so I was referred to a counsellor for help. I hadn’t meditated before but was taught the basic skills of mindfulness and have practiced regularly ever since.

Then during the pandemic I suffered a head injury and was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. My symptoms included daily headaches, confusion, loss of memory, speech issues and trouble processing basic information.

Mark Smith, founder, Kalm Horizons

While western medicine helped with some of the neurological issues, I turned to mindfulness in a much deeper way and decided to train as a meditation teacher with Mindfulness UK. As soon as I started the course – Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion in Professional Practice – I knew it was the perfect fit. I wanted something more than a meditation practice, and this brought in kindness and compassion and really elevated the teaching.

How did the Kalm Horizons concept come about?

At the beginning of 2021 I decided to move from London to live by the sea in Worthing, West Sussex. Fulfilling a lifelong dream, this natural progression led to further discoveries and realisations.

Taking up cold-water swimming, I noticed the health benefits immediately, feeling more focused and clear-headed. There is something about the sea, it has a healing quality and the therapeutic benefits of being in, on and by the sea are now being studied in depth. I joined Mental Health Swims, a national charity encouraging people to swim in the sea to support their mental wellbeing, training to be a host for my local group.

Transferring the programme indoors can enable inner-city spas to connect guests with the healing power of the sea. It can also help teams as part of corporate wellness events.

Mark Smith, founder, Kalm Horizons

The idea for Kalm Horizons came while I was meditating on the beach. I finished a meditation session and was looking out to the horizon. It was crisp and clear, and I felt at peace. I knew then that I could bring mindfulness to the beach and teach people how to meditate to the sound of the waves.

Tell us how the sessions work

The Kalm Horizons Wave Meditation session is an hour long and can be offered one-to-one or in a group setting. Designed to help people connect with nature and reconnect with themselves, it can help to calm and quieten the mind, reduce stress, ease anxiety and help people to sleep more naturally.

The sessions begin with some simple breathwork and aromatherapy inhalation to calm the parasympathetic nervous system before the meditation begins. A small amount of oil, a blend of petitgrain, frankincense, rosemary and chamomile,

A Full Moon Tibetan singing bowl adds calming vibrations to the sessions

is placed onto the back of each client’s hands, which they inhale deeply. Following some grounding techniques, clients are invited to bring awareness to the breath and use that as an ‘anchor’ for the meditation. Focusing on different elements of the breath and how it affects various parts of the body, a short kindness and compassion practice is included to promote feelings of joy, happiness and connectedness.

How do the waves play into the experience?

The attention is then taken to the sound of the water and people can quietly meditate to the sounds of the sea rolling along the beach, tapping into the variations in each wave and the differences as it travels along the shore. The waves can be mesmerising and I invite people to really listen to them, like it’s the first time they have ever heard waves, really tuning into the fine differences. The feedback I get is phenomenal.

Are there any other elements involved?

I use a Full Moon Tibetan singing bowl to bring an extra sonic factor into the equation. Moving around the group I gently tap the bowl and use its vibrational sounds to help continue the calming, relaxing session.

Finally I instigate a gentle discussion about how the session was, including what emotions, feeling and sensations were felt in the body. Then participants are offered a small amount of muscle-ease gel containing rosemary, ginger, black pepper and lavender, and I give a simple demonstration of self-massage techniques.

How can spas offer the sessions if they aren’t near the sea?

The programme can easily be transferred indoors with the help of oceanic recordings. This can enable inner-city spas to connect guests with the healing power of the sea. The concept can also be used to help teams as part of a corporate wellness event programme in any location.

During winter, the meditation concept can be offered in local wellness studios before returning to the outdoors in spring.

What’s on the horizon for Kalm Horizons?

Next year will be exciting, I plan to take the concept on tour to several iconic beaches in the UK, partnering with local artists and beach saunas for a truly immersive wellbeing experience.

www.kalmhorizons.com