heighten the visual and auditory senses. There are apps that
provide music and guidance for meditation and yoga. Other
apps gently remind you to get up and move. Still others help to
educate about nutrition and physical activity. Indeed, there is
“an app for that.” It’s always about how one uses it appropriately and with limits and balance in the totality of one’s life.
P: What tips can you offer to help spas successfully
blend the high-tech and high-touch world?
P: Offer a range of spa-tech options for people to experience if
they feel inclined. Gently establish limits and boundaries within
the spa (no texting during yoga!). Establish smartphone-free
zones. Show people how to do the same once they leave the
spa. Turning off technology is essential to optimal healing. But
turning on also has a role. Show them apps and technologies
they may wish to continue using once they return home. Help
guide them to a balanced way to integrate healing technologies
in the spa and within the home environment.
P: In terms of consumer health demands, what new
demands are you seeing?
P: Consumers want to create a spa-like environment in their
homes. They want to know how to create and sustain a spamind. Fitbit works for a reason. It’s easy, accessible and does
simple things such as remind one that one has been sitting too
long. Consumers are seeking easy, doable products and practices that will keep them on track while helping them navigate
daily stresses and challenges.
P: You touched on epigenetics in a previous talk. What is
epigenetics and why is it relevant in the health and spa
world?
P: Epigenetics is the science of how environment and lifestyle
choices can activate or de-activate how our own genes control
our mind and body. Essentially, our thoughts, food and physical activity can significantly affect how each gene is behaving.
You can decrease the expression of negative genes (obesity,
heart disease, cancer, diabetes, mental disorders, addiction)
through meditation, consuming whole foods and performing a routine physical activity. These healthy lifestyle
practices then enhance other genes—stimulating the
development of more brain cells, muscle fiber and stronger
bones. Meditation, for instance, has been shown to decrease
inflammation, which is the basis of most disease processes.
P: What are some of the challenges you are seeing that
the spa industry faces in propagating the message of
health and well-being?
P: One of the biggest challenges is how the spa industry is perceived. Instead of an oasis of pampering for those who can
afford it, it could instead be seen as an invaluable resource for
learning how to deepen one’s level of self-care and self-awareness. People need a place to regroup, rejuvenate, readjust and
finally learn how to rejoice. Multi-media marketing and outreach needs to help shape and redefine the message and the
mission for spas. Prioritizing relaxation along with a real and
meaningful learning experience is key. Inviting tired and lost
souls to come and learn simple, practical tools to heal and
apply those lessons in real life is a major goal that each spa
should achieve. ■
Personal Side Notes:
App I’m hooked on: Slack
Book I’m reading: On the Move: A Life
by Dr. Oliver Sacks
Top of my bucket list: Sit down with
Stephen Hawking and talk about black
holes
Amenity I look for in a hotel: Fluffy
slippers
Food craving I usually cave in:
Anything from Georgetown Cupcakes
I live the spa lifestyle by: Smiling
with profound gratitude every time
I wake up and realize I’m still here. I then
say five repetitions of “carpe
diem,” a recitation of gratitude,
meditation, physical movement
(code for swim, bike, run, lift
and performing a sun salutation).
I spend my day practicing mindful
thinking, nourishing, challenging and
connecting with others.
October 2015
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PULSE 73