From Forest Bathing to Meditation Pods: Decoding a New Wave of Spa Treatments
A guide to cutting-edge treatments and where to book them.
Sound Therapy
Where: Ventana Big Sur, California; Faena Hotel Miami Beach.
What: Sound bowls have been used for centuries by Tibetan monks—the pure tones and vibrations are said to provide immediate relaxation. Ventana offers quartz-bowl therapy, and Faena’s most popular treatment is its palo santo oil and sound-bowl treatment.
Forest Bathing
Where: Mayflower Grace, Washington, Connecticut.
What: Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the Japanese practice of mindful hiking through nature and is believed to curb stress, boost immunity, and lower blood pressure.
Meditation Pod
Where: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, Ojai, California; Six Senses Douro Valley, Portugal.
What: The om-inducing Somadome (the Ojai spa has one of only a few in the U.S.) uses LED color therapy and rhythmic beats to help nudge you into a meditative state. And at Six Senses Douro Valley, guests use the Nestrest, essentially a gigantic bird’s-nest-like structure set near the forest, to meditate while sipping lemon tea.
Crystal Healing
Where: Aja Malibu, California What The renowned Brazilian healer known as John of God created this therapy, which uses light and quartz crystals to balance each of the seven chakras.
