State of One

Wellness is a somewhat overused spa buzzword, but how can I truly introduce a holistic wellness element to my spa?

Currently, probably one of the most widely used words in the spa industry are wellbeing and wellness. Theses words have become so trendy that even a herbal tea mix or vegan snack is now dubbed as a “wellbeing experience”. To get to the root of what the word wellbeing really means consider that a word like wellbeing has two parts. Firstly, “well”. Most of us agree what this part means, but as for the rest of the word, that is where we clash. A being is an entity of three parts: a physical part (body), emotional part (mental) and the part that holds the first two together. Some label it as spirit, or energy, others may call it the universe.

Regardless of what you call it, if you look for wellbeing/ wellness and you are true in your quest, you should insure total wellbeing/wellness on all three different levels (body, mind and spirit) at once. You might ask if it is actually possible, or what this means for yourself or your business.

Well, as a spa you will already offer therapies such as massage that ensure physical wellbeing. For the other parts, you need to add an extra dimension.

At State-of-One we use ancient, almost forgotten, yoga techniques, which can provide detailed instructions on how to ensure mental and emotional wellbeing.

Just as “wellness” is overused and abused as a word, the same goes for “yoga”. Not just a method of exercise, yoga is, in fact, a profound ancient technology that once applied is a transformative tool towards total everlasting wellbeing. As well as yoga, another innovative offering to consider is interactive dynamic exercises. Having their origin in Drama Therapy and Art Therapy, these safe, simple, sometimes fun, exercises can act as a catalyst for clearing any blockages, unwanted emotions and past experiences that hinder a person from reaching his ultimate potential.

A spa can be a door, a stepping stone towards holistic wellbeing. One of the most nobel auspicious things you can offer people is showing them their true nature, infinitely boundless, a beam of light having a form. Humbly, we can say that this cannot happen due to a massage alone.

It needs physical relaxation through a massage, clarity and stillness of mind and a reflective journey inwards to tap on the inner source of being. This, if executed, with the right attitude and intention can unleash that person on a journey towards self-discovery and enlightenment.

A spa applying this model then becomes complete and different in the market. It can attract people looking for mental wellbeing as it provides a safe non-judgmental place for people who seek mental and emotional stability. Thus the spa can then attract a larger target group of the market.

You can add these experiences to your menu in many ways. This could range from a 20 minute add on to a massage, to a 90 minute themed experience that combines massage, creative art therapy techniques, and a meditative experience, like we, State of One, are doing with the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont The Palm, Dubai.

Your services could even stretch to offering a full retreat, lasting a day or a few days. The most important aspect is to be truly and fully wellness oriented and integrated.

Wissam Malaeb and Laura Kohlhase are the founders of State of One, www.stateof-one.com which has recently launched at the Willow Stream Spa at Fairmont The Palm