BY MARY BEMIS

THESE DAYS YOU CAN ’ T GO TO A SPA without a blessing with water . You can ’ t go to a spa without a little prayer to yourself — an intention . You can ’ t go to a spa without taking a bath — in sound — downsized from pipe organs to singing bowls . What ’ s shaping spa now is church-like . But it ’ s older than any organized religion . We ’ re embracing the ritualization of everything .

Classic rituals are morphing — as always . Sitting cross-legged and focusing on your breath has become a knee-shaking immersion in breathtakingly cold water . A home ice bath is now $ 199 at Costco ( buy the ice on the way out ) or buy Kohler ’ s new home version , which will take your breath away anytime for about 10 grand . It ( ultimately ) feels so good and is so good for you — but it ’ s called a plunge for a reason .

Aerobics , yoga and mantra are melding anew with the unveiling of the Sanctum Anthem , “ a collective ritual of unity and discovery , empowering the body and expanding the mind .” The hero track is a collaboration between the movement phenomenon Sanctum and music provider

Myndstream . This sacred and high-octane self-empowerment community trance dance is remarkably inspiring and is ultimately about “ cathartic movement , emotional release and the power of the mind .”

And speaking of emotional release , an entire session led by a blatantly tearful male at Synergy Retreat Show recently , consciously broke a final taboo and is likely opening the floodgates . Look for male ritual crying in 2025 .

Ritual touch has changed , and is now provided by your friendly robot — and with the speed of change in AI , the magic fingers are going to become increasingly magical — and coming to your home soon . Which points to the most important thing of spa — spa survival equals better touch . The combination at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay of an osteopathic massage and a private Yin yoga session will beat the bots for at least another decade . For the full report , go to insidersguidetospas . com . n

MARY BEMIS is a pioneer of spa journalism . Now editorial director of Insider ’ s Guide to Spas , she also co-founded American Spa and Organic Spa magazines . Bemis helped launch the Washington Spa Alliance , New York Spa Alliance , and is a special advisor to Global Wellness Day . A champion of sustainability , she curates Cosmoprof ’ s Discover Green .

PULSE n DECEMBER 2024 / JANUARY 2025 20