FREQUENT FLYER
Mark Sands of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas
How well do you take care of yourself in current times of psychological duress, physical exertion and environmental stressors? Self-care advocates have gone to lengths to heal on a deeper level, drawing inspiration from modern-day solutions offering energy medicine in various forms. From herbs and roots to crystals and reiki, wellness providers have embraced the new and respected the old to provide seekers with integrated solutions that embody a range of disciplines and therapeutic approaches.
Beyond the pampering massages and treatments so often found in luxury spas, there is an ever increasing emphasis on the importance of holistic healing, and the options can be exotic and profound. You have the likes of silent spiritual retreats; body cleansing programmes; yoga and meditation getaways; colour vibration therapy; and even Mayan sweat lodges with cleansing rituals known as “temazcals”.
The options are staggering and will take you from mental and spiritual to astral and physical.
The oldest type of healing modality known to man is believed to be shamanism, one of the oldest divinatory practices in the history of the world. While the mention of shamans conjures up images of dramatic headdresses and
trippy experiences, there is in reality a new breed of modern-day shamans who have shrugged off this stereotype, giving rise to the presence of professional shamans who drive wellness treatments at hotels and resorts. Called by many names, from “mudang” in Korea and “babalawo” in Nigeria to “fugara” among the Bedouins in the Middle East, shamans now play an important wellness role in the world of hospitality.
Going beyond just traditional and modern healing practices, Six Senses launched the “Grow a New Body in a Week” programmme last year, which incorporated neuroscience and biology with the ancient wisdom of shamanism. This programme saw the hospitality group collaborating with Dr. Alberto Villoldo, a best-selling author, medical anthropologist, a teacher and healer, who has studied the shamanic healing practices of the Amazon and the Andes for more than 25 years. It was available for a few months at properties in Turkey, Portugal and Cambodia.
Embracing this mindset in health and wellness, Mark Sands, VP of Wellness at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas is passionate about exploring the various
dimensions of truth and application. “Be it Chinese traditional medicine, Indian ayurvedic treatment, South American shamanic healing, yoga or new-age therapies, they all have their place of importance. I incorporate the relevant principles and treatments with a modern approach into the wellness programmes at Six Senses, which are tailored and adapted to individual needs for maximum impact,” says Mark.
A believer of traditional medicines, Mark has had memorable experiences with doctors of ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine, Tibetan medicine and shamans in his travels, and going back to lands such as India and China, where traditional healing methods are a sacred practice remain his favourite destinations to revisit. “I’m very keen to learn more deeply about how traditional medicines are used for healing, and that’s the reason why I’m drawn to tribal locales. Not only are these rural areas more stimulating and beautiful in their history, culture and natural landscapes, but their tribal practices are also fascinating to me. How they use herbs and foods for their medicinal value; it’s something that can be incorporated into the wellness treatments we offer. Wellness is about the holistic healing of mind, body and soul, and all forms of traditional medicines would refer to food as the medicine,” shares Mark.
“When it comes to food, we believe in seasonal produce that’s organic and responsibly sourced, and we believe in keeping our menu simple, wholesome and house made. Growing much of our own produce in our organic garden enables us to connect directly with what is served in our restaurants and canteens. When making our own dishes or sauces like tomato ketchup we use a “less is more” approach, using as few ingredients as possible to create great flavours,” he adds.
Traditional cures have their roots in plant medicine, and the resurgence of a plant-based diet as a source of healthy living is a completion of the cycle that takes us back to mother earth.
Whether it’s roots being grounded into powder for medicinal purposes; finding a palatable way to cook a vegetable from its leaves to its roots; or creating a sound (as in the noun) bath to clear your auric field of negative energy; the roles of the shaman; the chef and the wellness practitioner are interwined by their motivations.
IN COMMUNE WITH THE LAND
Grounded by his innate love of the land, Mark is the ideal advocate for the kind of Gaia luxury that brings out the beauty of a destination such as Thailand, which offers up a treasures’ chest of stories about its heritage, its land and its food. This man walks the talk –he loves to do it barefoot too – and his beliefs drive his mission for promoting wellness: To cut through the distractions of commercial luxury to create the kind of community bonding between locals and visitors that will lead to priceless stories and experiences.
Thailand’s appeal is manifold and multifaceted, providing the tapestry for hotels and resorts to weave their tourism allure into the fabric of local communities. Showcasing the cultural activities and origins of food sources are several ways in which Six Senses aligns itself with the social agendas of its locales. The words “community” and “bonding” came up frequently in the course of Mark’s sharing, and their importance are evident in the way he views the beauty of travelling and dining
– it’s the communal sharing and human connections that make it worthwhile. This mindset has seen Mark break down cultural barriers and become part of communities in which he didn’t naturally belong.
“My most memorable travel experience was a trip to Bilkhawthlir, a small village in a tribal area of Mizoram, in North East India. I had gone there to formally ask for my wife’s hand in marriage, and being an outsider, it wasn’t easy to get the approval of not just her family, but also that of the village. It taught me that respect and a genuine desire to understand other cultures are important in creating harmony despite diversity,” Mark shares.