W WELLNESS IS MORE THAN THE ABSENCE OF ILLNESS. IT IS THE COMPLETE INTEGRATION OF BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT.
HEALTH & WELLNESS goes mainstream BY NANCY HARPER
e’ve all felt the curse of the modern lifestyle at one time or another: mounting responsibilities at work, kids with crazy schedules, that stubborn cold that just won’t go away. And then there’s the nagging feeling that when we’re living to cross things off a ridiculously long to-do list, we aren’t really living at all. With all the stress and over-the-top pressure, it’s amazing so many of us are able to resist the urge to climb under the covers and stay put. Enter the rapidly growing phenomenon of health and wellness spa treatments. No longer the sole domain of ladies who lunch, these spas are part of a mindfulness movement that’s redefining the way we live and the way we vacation. And we’re not just talking old-school manicures and facials. A whole slew of services, from alternative Eastern therapies and holistic nutrition training to body wraps using locally sourced natural products, have experienced a dramatic spike in popularity, mainly with sophisticated consumers looking to inject new life into their health and wellness routines. It used to be that we worked until we were about to drop — and lived for that two-week vacation. But more and more people (especially younger people) are getting the message: that more frequent, shorter wellness breaks work better to provide a lasting reboot for mind and body. In 2015, the biggest trend appears to be the pursuit of balance between mind, body and soul. Carol Barrett, owner and founder of Kalola Boutique and Spa, describes the spa experience as “a cellular detox.”
“We all live in a very fast-paced world,” she says. “When you go away somewhere, you’re looking to be able to come home with a feeling of rejuvenation, but you’re also looking for something you can take away with you. It’s almost like an Aha! moment.” Wellness is more than the absence of illness. It is the complete integration of body, mind and spirit — and the understanding that everything we do, think and feel affects our well-being. In the past few years there’s been an explosion of wellness-themed spas, which is good news for consumers who want to be in good physical and mental form so they can keep giving to their jobs and families. Iwa Spa, opening in the Blue Mountain Village this summer, is right on trend. Iwa’s signature massage and reflexology treatments help clients achieve one of four outcomes: chill, energize, rejuvenate or detoxify. Other spa packages are specially designed for couples, expectant mothers and small groups, while ganban’yoku — a popular form of hot stone therapy — soothes muscles, accelerates metabolism and eliminates toxins. Spa manager Michelle Ubell is incredibly passionate about inspiring wellness, and she’s thrilled to bring her skills and experience — and her family — to what she describes as “the perfect location” for a health and wellness spa. “I like to say we are a spa with a personality,” Michelle says. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously. Our environment is relaxed, playful and very comfortable — and our measure of success is how great you feel.”
People are getting the message that more frequent, shorter wellness breaks provide a better, lasting reboot. 62
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HEALTH & WELLNESS GOES MAINSTREAM
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