The faster and more stressful our lives become, the greater the need for therapeutic retreats to rebalance the mind, body and soul.

Norah Casey explores futuristic wellness programmes and emerging global spa trends.

Sometimes you need a holiday, after a holiday. The planning and packing, the airport queues, and the packed flight is bad enough before you’ve even arrived. ­ Then there’s the tired kids, the grumpy other half, the cramped room that looked so spacious online and the walk to the beach which is more than the promised stone’s throw away.

Holidays, in the traditional sense, are rarely the total recharge we imagine. If you’re planning a dream trip just for you then choose a holiday from life’s stresses and excesses. Even an hour a week can help to sooth the soul in a flotation pod, while for those willing to travel, some amazing new experiences await from totally silent spas to the healing vibrations of sound baths. Spa and wellness centres are increasingly pushing the boundaries to counter the damaging effects of the frenetic pace of life, with experimental and innovative treatments. For the adventurous spa traveller, the menu is getting more interesting from the benefits of plunging the body into freezing temperatures, the Zenlike peace of lucid dream meditation to the power of cannabis infused creams to ease pain and inflammation.

THE SOUND OF SILENCE

One of the key trends in the world of spas is a more radical shift towards total detox. In our fast moving overly connected, noisy world, the beauty of silence is rarely experienced in its most stark and dramatic form - ultimate noiseless solitude.

Most people see a spa visit as an escape from the pressures of life, yet few truly switch off digitally and emotionally. The world’s first completely Silent Spa opened at Austria’s Therme Laa Hotel offering utter silence, except for the lapping of the water landscape in the architecturally stunning tower with its own spa suites, sole pool, steam bath and sauna (therme-laa.at). The beautifully restored Eremito is one of the first digital detox spas in Italy offering serenity  in the spiritual Umbrian valleys. Guests can enjoy silent candlelit dinners with a no Wi-Fi/phone signal policy (eremito.com). In the historic spa town of Baden-Baden in Germany, world renowned Brenners Park Hotel & Spa has installed copper plates in the room walls to provide ‘digital kill switches’ to remove all external distractions for guests who want a complete escape. The resort reports that half of their guests flick the switch at some point during their stay (brenners.com). In Ireland, the wonderfully remote

Dzogchen Beara Tibetan Buddhist Retreat Centre in West Cork offers self compassion, meditation and silent retreats with a complete digital detox and an escape from all distractions (dzogchenbeara.org).

SOUND BATHS

Sound, both soothing and irritating, is already integral to many spa treatments from ocean waves to forest rain. But the deeper and ancient benefits of sound baths are on the rise globally and at specialist centres in Ireland. At the Yäan Healing Sanctuary in Tulum, Mexico sacred shamanic instruments are used to destress the body and mind. Serenity seekers are immersed in gongs, Tibetan bowls, Mayan shells, crystals and even didgeridoos to soothe stressed bodies through sound immersion (yaanhealingsanctuary.com).

In Johannesburg, The Saxon Hotel Spa uses therapeutic vibrations from bells and cymbals to realign the natural energy centres of the body (saxon.co.za).

While in Jamaica the Golden Eye Spa, the Jamaican home of Ian Fleming, author of James Bond, blends reggae with yoga (Reggaelates) and also offers Vibrational Sound Healing which it describes as: ‘Surrounded by 14 Tibetan singing bowls your therapist soothes you with a harmonized sound and vibrational healing where the bowls are sung and struck to activate the chakras and calm the nervous system” (goldeneye.com).

The Mojave Desert in California is home to a place where sound pilgrims head for the ultimate transportation in the Integration ‘energy machine’, a unique tabernacle constructed by legendary UFO advocate and aeronautical engineer George Van Tassel in 1950. Inspired by 'telepathic directions from extra-terrestrials', he designed this 38-foot-high wooden dome as an ‘electrostatic generator for the purpose of rejuvenation and time travel’.

While you may not get to do the time travel the dome is constructed on a geomagnetic vortex and having undergone restoration work it is now open to the public for the first time for 60 minutes ‘sonic healing’ Sound Baths (integratron.com).

Closer to home a range of centres offer therapeutic sound sessions. The Sound Healing Spa offers private and organised sound baths where: ‘You’ll be surrounded by beautiful sounds as the Sound Healing Spa Team play a range of Tibetan singing bowls, crystal singing bowls, gongs, drums, while enjoying a wonderful experience of sound and oneness’ (tessaunltd.com).

WHOLE BODY CRYOTHERAPY

Whole Body Cryotherapy (WBC) involves freezing your body to -90 to -150 degrees for up to three minutes while standing naked in a cryotherapy chamber. There is a solid body of evidence about using cryotherapy to reduce inflammation and WBC is widely used among athletes to relieve soreness and aid healing from sports injuries. Cryotherapy was developed in Japan in 1978 to help treat arthritis.  But cryotherapy has now extended into mainstream therapies with lots of (largely unscientific) claims regarding the benefits which range from anti-ageing (smoother skin) to weight loss through boosting metabolism. Of the two friends I know who have tried it, one said she was bouncing around full of energy afterwards the other said she took to her bed for the rest of the day. This is one stage on from plunging your body into an ice bath but for those who like to experiment then it’s available in many locations worldwide and in Dublin at South William Spa, a session costs €100 (southwilliamspa.com).

MARIJUANA THERAPY

While the debate over the medicinal benefits of cannabis continues in Ireland in more liberal parts of the world the soul soothing, pain relieving and relaxation benefits of marijuana massages, creams and spa treatments are on the rise.

In the USA eighteen states including California, Colorado, Portland, Nevada, Massachusetts and Washington DC allow personal use and possession of cannabis for adults. In Ireland a new Medical Cannabis Access Programme (MCAP) is operational as of July 2021. Worldwide  you can take cannabis legally in Canada, Malta, Portugal, The Netherlands, Spain, Jamaica, Uruguay, Peru and even North Korea. So, no wonder that cannabis based spa treatments and beauty products are increasing. An important point to note is that cannabis based topical creams and oils can’t pass into the bloodstream and do not get you high. The therapeutic benefits arise from the pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effects and some early research indicates that it may improve skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis. Whoopi Goldberg’s own brand cannabis bath soaks, rubs and tinctures (whoopiandmaya.com) launched a few years ago targeting the relief of menstrual cramps and while only available in California currently, the beautiful product range is already garnering a significant following. Even Queen Victoria was said to use a marijuana infused tincture to relieve menstrual pain. CBD massage (€75 for 45 minutes) is available at Cork-based salon Priya (priyatherapy.com) and at the Buff Day Spa in Dublin (thebuffdayspa.com).

FLOATATION THERAPY

There’s been a steep rise in people using flotation tanks and devotees claim significant mental health and physical benefits from the sensory deprivation and deep meditative state of floating in warm water saturated in Epsom salts, in a dark, soundproof pod. The feeling of utter freedom from physical stimulus creates an almost trance like state allowing complete freedom for the mind to drift uninterrupted. I tried it a few times and felt blissfully zoned out after an hour’s session which passed in the blink of an eye. There is now a growing body of research around the benefits of flotation, also known as Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy, in reducing stress and anxiety. Doctors in Sweden, home to more flotation tanks than anywhere on the planet, can refer patients for flotations. Here in Ireland there are a growing number of places offering flotation tank sessions. Prices range from €60 to €65 for a one hour session. Try Slí Beatha Float House Naas Town Centre ( floathouse.ie); Harvest Moon, Dublin (harvestmoon.ie); Float Ireland, Cork (floatireland.ie); and Drift in Stillorgan (driftfloattherapy.ie).

LUCID DREAM MEDITATION

You may already have experienced a dream where you know you are conscious of the fact that you are dreaming even though you can’t control the dream itself. Lucid dreaming is just that. Lucid dream meditation aims to create a ‘dream reality’ state which reaches into the furthest unexplored areas of the mind to promote relaxation and restful sleep. There are a few workshops and sessions that pop up in Ireland but the opening of the first ever Dream Reality Cinema in Beverly Hills created quite a stir. This is a novel experience and very accessible even to the most meditative sceptic. The 40 minutes session is in a zerogravity chair with virtual reality glasses and noise cancelling headphones while watching a four-part meditation movie that induces the wakeful sleep of ‘dream reality’. According to the brains behind it all, Hungarian philosopher, teacher, and human cybernetics researcher Sandor Lengyel, ‘Dream Reality Cinema is the ultimate brain hack… With continued practice, individuals will learn to remember, control, and eventually unlock valuable information stored deep in the subconscious mind’ (dreamrealitycinema.com).

FIRE MASSAGE (HUO LIÁO)

Not for the faint hearted and unlikely to be coming to a salon near you anytime soon, Chinese fire massage claims to have a wide spectrum of benefits from rejuvenation to weight loss. The treatment involves igniting alcohol soaked cloths placed on the problem areas and allowing them to burn for a minute or so before being extinguished by the therapist using a wet towel. Fire Facials are popular in Chinese beauty salons which led to global headlines a few years back when the practice became known. There is some science to the use of extreme heat (hence the use of sauna and steam baths) which can encourage lymphatic drainage and aid metabolism but the use of fire is not recommended by the science community.

WATER MASSAGE (WATSU)

The marriage of Zen Shiatsu and water led to the development of Watsu by Harold Dull at Harbin Hot Springs in California back in the 1980s. The proximity and intimacy of the therapy is integral to Watsu where the therapist cradles the client waist deep in water. The use of warm water and flotation allows for greater flexibility in muscle stretching, bending and arching while the therapist gently rocks the recipient. The benefits of Watsu include deep relaxation and reduced muscle tension. Many claim it helps with sleep disorders and insomnia. Check out watsu.com.

Medical Spas

THREE TO TRY

1. THE FARM AT SAN BENITO, THE PHILIPPINES

Where: Rooms and villas (only 33) Nestled in the lush greenery of a 48-hectare coconut plantation 1.5 hours’ drive from Manilla (inland and on higher ground) with beautiful pathways adorned with floating flowers and meandering peacocks. Why: A comprehensive medical and health programme ranging from detox, weight loss, get fi t to cardiac and post-cancer healing. The Farm balances mental and emotional wellbeing with the body and there are five medical doctors on the team.

Expect: The signature Hilot massage (traditional Filipino), hours of therapies and massages at the serene pool-side Healing Sanctuary overlooked by frangipani trees. A varied programme of treatments including ozone therapy, colonics, blood analysis, liver compresses, acupuncture, meditation, yoga and t’ai chi. There are also specific skin programmes and diabetic management retreats.

Need to Know: The all-vegan menu is designed to help you lose weight and detox. All of the spa products are handmade at The Farm.

Cost: Rates starting at circa €1000 (single occupancy) for a 3-night Wellness Experience package (except peak period).

Contact: thefarmatsanbenito.com

2 CLINIQUE LA PRAIRIE, SWITZERLAND

Where: On the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland with stunning views of the Alps.

Why: This long established (since 1931) retreat is renowned for its innovative life-changing medical therapies that focus on the science and art of longevity. This is a place where high tech and holistic traditional therapies merge, with a team of 50 medical specialists on hand to cater for the mind, body and spirit.

Expect: The machines do a lot of the work here so you don’t have to. The frontiers of anti-aging technologies and therapies are being constantly pushed by this medically innovative centre. Treatments include injections of live sheep-embryo cells to boost the immune system and intensive daily electro-stimulation for weight loss. Other innovative treatments include laser and electro therapies, such as the Corpolux and the Corpotrim originally developed to keep NASA astronauts in shape (17 minutes equals one hour of aerobic exercises).

The medically supervised personalised weight management programme includes nutrition, exercise, sculpting and toning spa treatments and life changing consultations.

Need to Know: Diet and nutrition is a key part of the programmes.

Cost: The cost of the 4-day Beauty Programme is €5777.

Contact: laprairie.ch

3. SHA WELLNESS CLINIC, SPAIN

Where: Sha Wellness is perched in the mountains near the little town of Altea in Alicante. The contemporary space-age designed building across four floors is a well-kept secret among the fashion set and wealthy Europeans.

Why: This is the home of macrobiotics so you’ll be following in the footsteps of Madonna and Richard Gere while enjoying the oxygen bar, rooftop infinity pool and the organic hair salon. This is the place for an all over body fix from insomnia, smoking, weight loss to teeth discolouration, sagging necks and fine lines and wrinkles.

Expect: Genetic testing (if you want to know the results that is), phytotherapy (plant based medicine) and acupuncture. Intensive weight loss programmes include fasting days and colonics. You can also book in for smoking cessation and insomnia or for a good old fashion destress with reiki, reflexology and meditation workshops.

Need to Know: The diet consists of wholegrains, soya protein, seaweed and seafood (no dairy or meat)

Cost: The seven day Sha Detox programme costs available from €5,300.

Contact: shawellnessclinic.com

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