By Vishakha Talreja
A former business journalist, Vishakha Talreja is a Delhi-based travel writer, travel influencer, and entrepreneur. A wellness enthusiast, she loves exploring spas, wellness resorts, and new therapies.
Going beyond Shirodhara and Thai stretches, wellness resorts are offering unique therapies for rejuvenation and addressing concern areas. Here is a list of therapies you can try this year to feel the goodness first-hand.
1. Watsu Therapy
The term ‘watsu’ is derived from water and ‘shiatsu’. The therapy involves a trained therapist gently moving your body in a pool of warm water, helping you relax by using various movements such as stretching, cradling and also gently massaging the pressure points. Watsu Therapy is particularly helpful if you suffer from anxiety or PTSD. The chances are you will slip into a relaxed slumber as your body starts to feel weightless and moves gently in the water. A flowing meditation in water, Watsu is beneficial for your entire body, energy system, and emotional balance.
Where to try it: Joali Being, Maldives’ first wellness resort, houses a hydrotherapy center that has a blissfully tranquil Watsu therapy room with a pool. The hydrotherapy hall takes inspiration from the fascinating transformation of coconut from salt water into a luscious fruit. As you lie down the sound of the water and star-like lights on the roof set the mood for this unique therapy. Joali Being often invites world-renowned Watsu therapists such as Toru Ogasawara, for healing sessions. Add this to your wellness bucket list.
2. Equine Assisted Therapy
We all know that pets can play an important part in our healing and self-discovery journey. But did you know that there are therapeutic benefits of working with horses?
Equine Assisted therapy involves working with horses to improve self-esteem, self-awareness, confidence, and empathy. It is a powerful tool for emotional healing and can help individuals build better relationships, establish boundaries, and improve communication skills. It can also be beneficial for kids.
Where to try it: Fazlani Nature’s Retreat, a destination wellness retreat in Lonavala that has nature at its center, has a special Equine Assisted Program designed and led by experienced professionals. The program starts with safety talks and an introduction to the horse, followed by handling the horse, feeding, grooming and celebrating the new friendship.
3. Salt Cave Therapy
Salt Cave therapy is ideal for those suffering from asthma, allergies, bronchitis, and sinus conditions. In today’s day and age, when we are all constantly inhaling polluted air, this therapy which involves being in a salt cave, helps improve our respiratory system. When micro-particles of super dry salt are inhaled into the respiratory system, they absorb and remove allergens, toxins and foreign substances in the lungs as well as the respiratory tract. It also helps improve the skin’s pH level. Additional benefits of this therapy include mood enhancement and improved immunity.
Where to try it: Naad Wellness Centre, located in the vicinity of Delhi, has recreated the microclimate of salt caves. These Himalayan Salt Caves are based on the principle that when salt is heated, it becomes drier and kinetically more active.
4. Sound Therapy
Sound Therapy or Sound Healing uses vibrations, instrumental or vocal, to relax the mind and body. The therapy is recommended for people suffering from anxiety, depression, or insomnia. Though it is an ancient technique of improving emotional well-being using sound, it is fast catching on and has become quite a trend.
Where to try it: The Farm at San Benito, a popular destination wellness resort in the Philippines, offers Sound Healing sessions that involve bringing one to a relaxed state with sounds created by Tibetan singing bowls, tuning forks, various traditional gongs, and other resonant instruments, including the human voice.
Joali Being features a Discovery Sound Path that offers an outdoor oasis for sound exploration. Winding through lush palms, the self-guided trail invites you to interact with 12 unique instruments, calming the mind. It also has a Sound Therapy Hall, a space for sonic healing created in collaboration with sound healing visionary Aurelio C. Hammer.
5. Hammam Ritual
A relaxing and cleansing therapy that originates from the Hammam baths of Turkey and Morocco, this ritual has many benefits. Hamam therapy starts with herbal steam that helps to open up the pores and release toxins. The exfoliation, massage, and bath deeply cleanse and nourish the skin and calm the mind. Hammam Therapy also helps in soothing sore muscles and relaxing the body.
Where to try it: Moksha Himalaya Spa Resort in Himachal Pradesh has a dedicated Hammam Room where one can indulge in the therapy alone or with a loved one. The intimate and calming setting, complete with exotic Arabian décor, sets the perfect stage for the 120-minute ritual.
6. Infrared Sauna
Unlike a traditional sauna, infrared saunas don’t heat the air around you. Instead, they use infrared lamps (that use electromagnetic radiation) to warm your body directly. Dry warmth at a low temperature generates mild, healthy perspiration to sweat out impurities from the body, helping oxygen absorption through the skin. An age-old practice that promotes the release of cortisol, infrared saunas stimulate metabolism and optimize organ function, and have been proven to relieve strains, backaches, joint pain, and stress.
Where to try it: Ananda in the Himalayas has recently added infrared saunas with a salt brick wall to its state-of-the-art offerings. The reason? Compared to traditional saunas, infrared saunas allow you to eliminate about seven times more toxins.
