INDUSTRY TALK
Discover the ingredients that come together to create an effective spa routine to suit your wellness needs
Wellness Programmes
Just like the blossoming of a fresh bud, the quest to achieve harmony from inside-out needs several petals, or steps, to unfurl, that will ultimately lead the way to wellness. After all, it was only after meditating for centuries that yogis would achieve a state of peace and enlightenment. In fact, have you heard the tale of Goddess Parvati’s meditation journey? Through sadhana or dedicated practice, she is believed to have escaped the limitation of a human body, connecting step-bystep with the seven elements of life: sky, air, water, fire, earth, light and soul. The tale may be buried in Hindu Mythology, but the fact that there are steps, or levels, to reach the pinnacle of wellbeing have been ascertained time and again. Yoga sadhana is believed to allow you to cross your human prachir (or wall) and enable your first chakra, and then bring to life the subsequent chakras. So, it is understandable that sequencing steps to achieve the target of wellness and then to execute them with perfection must be devilishly complex; so is the art of creating an effective wellness programme.
A spa is a sanctuary for healing the body and spirit. Directly influencing your senses, various traditional and scientific treatments come together to create the perfect recipe for wellness. Some focus on holistic healing, while others target physical fitness or focus on beauty treatments. Dr. Arijita Kumari, Spa Manager, Alila Diwa Goa, talks about the focus on individuals in their programmes: “Our programmes are customised for individuals. We are also now developing a self-start wellness programme in which guests can come for a day or even a couple of weeks and go at their own pace. The entire goal is just to eat better, exercise, reconnect with themselves and with the Earth and basically just take time to pause, stop and breathe again.”
INVESTIGATION
Physical, mental, spiritual and emotional aspects are taken into account to define the crucial components of a wellness programme. Dr. Manoj Kutteri, Director Wellness at Atmantan Wellness Resort, explains what goes into its construction. “A wellness programme must start with a consultation with a wellness advisor or doctor.
Following the consultation, an analysis is done to validate the findings and also to understand the person’s body type and other parameters in detail,” he says. After this, physical activities are used to enhance blood circulation and stimulate the nervous system. “A combination of holistic activities such as yoga, meditation, and spiritual practices such as healing help us manage stress effectively,” adds Dr. Kutteri.
To adopt wellness as a way of life, you must carry home the teachings. “A wellness programme is temporary, but a wellness journey needs to be continuous. The physicians share how one can carry on this journey of health back home: by eating right, doing yoga and meditation practices, eating as per their body type and on time...,” says Mahesh Natarajan, Senior Vice President – Marketing, Sales and Business Development for Ananda in the Himalayas.
TOOLS & INGREDIENTS
With an aim to relax the five senses, a tranquil setting is thoughtfully created within spa treatment rooms.“to heal from within, one needs a change of scene. Most city dwellers live a cyclic life of routine, which includes regular stress triggers as well as polluting environmental factors. It’s good to go to an environment that helps reduce stress and create a feeling of inner peace,” says Mahesh. Several aspects are kept in mind while constructing an ambience fit to calm and heal the mind, body and soul. Holistic experiences ranging from traditional healing to modern treatments are combined with a relaxing environment and balanced diet. Pankaj Gupta, Deputy General Manager – Marketing for
MAYFAIR Hotels & Resorts, says, “Ambience helps in enhancing a particular wellness programme in order to keep the flow positive and for fast healing. Every piece of decoration, music, light, aroma and room temperature is selected to give optimal pleasure and relaxation to guests.” When the setting is right, a key factor in the effectiveness of a wellness programme, apart from a healing environment, is food. “At Alila Diwa Goa,” Dr. Kumari says, “the diet is based around clean eating, supplemented by a range of detoxifying and rejuvenating juices throughout the day. It increases vitality and stamina, encouraging weight loss and improving digestive functions. The mind benefits from a greater sense of peace, heightened mental clarity, focus, concentration and memory.”
Choosing the right programme can help you make a permanent shift towards positivity in the way you look at life. Take a break to pamper yourself with spa experiences that rejuvenate your mind and enhance your wellbeing.