.svg){kind=small}
The Organic Spa Magazine – Experience Wellness & Travel Media Event was held at Andaz 5th Avenue, New York, with wellness experts, enthusiasts, and journalists in attendance to discover the latest trends in wellness travel, hormone health, and clean ingredients. Wellness activations included Ocean Sound Healing by Four Seasons Los Cabos and Facial Massage techniques by Kempinski Hotel Cancun. Press conferences were held by Dr. Nichola Conlon of Nuchido, The Biostation, on Hormonal Health for Women, and Mexican Caribbean, highlighting the variety of destinations in the region.
Fireside Chat: Amanda Kloots
“Wellness is now such a big trend; it’s a full mind, body, and soul connection,” explains Amanda, who stays on top of her busy schedule by successfully napping, even with just 5 minutes to spare. Amanda started a jump rope class and then ‘faked it till she made it’, sharing on social media while no one was coming to class. Eventually, people came, and once they tried it, they kept coming back! As a former dancer, fitness originally meant staying skinny, before she realized that at her lowest moments, during divorce, and then losing her husband to COVID, fitness became a form of therapy for her mental health. “When going through difficult times, you think you want to be alone, but forcing yourself to be with people is what you need; you need an army, you need a community.”
Amanda turned to supplement creation, developing PROPER nutrient powders for energy, metabolism, daily greens, etc., focusing on clean ingredients and great taste.
The Pleasure Principle
Anna Bjurstam, Six Senses
When we market to people looking to sleep better or feel better, it’s often about giving something up, about pain rather than pleasure. Take notes from the gaming industry, where you gain points rather than ‘spend’. How can we use language to better describe wellness and build anticipation for spa and wellness experiences? Seeking pleasure is a choice; we need to choose it.
Amy McDonald, Under a Tree Health & Wellness Consulting
Wellness is being curious, staying in the moment. Connecting with our purpose allows us to feel joy in every moment. Something magical happens when guests at a spa or wellness retreat share a moment of awe; this only happens when guests are not distracted and are really able to connect.
Alysia Reiner, Actress, Author, & Activist
In the face of the drama, pain, and horror surrounding menopause, Alysia was motivated to talk about joy and pleasure. Finding joy is not selfish; it promotes happiness, peace, and allows us to be of service to others. Rituals and habits can prevent us from trying new things that can be uncomfortable, we must get through that to uncover something new and pleasurable.
Liz Vaccariello, First for Women & Woman’s World
Women typically carry the burden of trying to make everyone else feel good. Now, they’re also in charge of their own pleasure? One more thing to do… Sometimes, women need to permit themselves to enjoy pleasure. To be mindful and take pleasure in the small moments of life.
Integrating Wellness Technology & Traditional Experiences
Paul Barattiero, LumaNova & Echowater
Motivated by the desire to help his wife heal, Paul created hydrogen water to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body and thereby prevent disease, enabling the body to heal itself.
Dr. Martin Bloom & Ross Bloom, The Biostation
The Biostation allows people to gain insight into their health via blood testing, allowing people to live a healthy life and preventing disease and illness. Why not live to 120 years, if you can still get out of bed and enjoy life each day?
Michella Metzler, OYA Wellcare
Decoding somatic imprints on the organs of the body, OYA uses AI to interpret frequencies and identify old trauma held in the body. Now, we can tap into our subconscious to avoid letting our minds negatively influence our bodies.
Tammy Pahel, Carillon Miami Wellness Resort
Post-COVID, the world is far more open to new technology and innovative alternative therapies; this was the perfect time to expand the wellness-tech offering at Carillon. Initially, they sold tech as packages, then circuits, and now, combination therapy – traditional and tech-driven experiences merged to create innovative journeys.
Slow Travel Movement
Alejandra Bustamante, Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas at Cabo Del Sol
Travelers are returning to the original purpose of disconnection. Younger generations care about how experiences are created and where the ingredients come from. Four Seasons is embracing the slow travel movement by immersing guests in local culture, collaborating with local businesses, and highlighting native plants like tepezcohuite.
Columba Calicchio, AmaWaterways
River cruises offer a slow-paced experience with a smaller number of guests, while still providing the amenities of larger cruises, such as massages, wellness coaches, gourmet cuisine, and excursions like walking tours, cycling, and hiking. Without the distractions of larger ships, they help foster deeper connections among families and travel companions.
Nicky De Jesus, Velas Resorts Mexico
The experience begins the moment a guest arrives at the destination. A slow travel experience can range from a simple walk on the beach to a Mayan ritual or a culinary experience at one of their Michelin-starred restaurants.
Sara Jones, Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe / Organic Spa Media
Wellness is about connection, connecting with yourself and with nature; we can truly immerse ourselves in experiences when we slow down to fully enjoy them. When a trip is packed with activities, we rush from one to the next without having time to truly relax and restore. Slow travel is not about doing less, it’s about experiencing more.
Adam Sebba, The Luminaire
Slow travel is gaining momentum, particularly among solo travelers. The Luminaire focuses on how guests want to feel when they arrive at their destination, whether it’s a food-focused trip to Mexico City or a watch-making tour in Geneva, the goal is to create meaningful experiences and see the destination through the eyes of a local. A collaboration with Mandarin Oriental Hotels is offering guests new ways to reconnect, enjoy authentic experiences, and travel like locals.
Hormone Health & Beauty
Dr. Nichola Conlon, Nuchido
Hormones are not just regulating menstrual cycles; they are important for every cell in your body. Mitochondria in our cells are covered in estrogen receptors; when estrogen levels fall, the cells struggle to produce energy effectively.
Indie Lee, Indie Lee & Co
Greenwashing became commonplace with skincare labeling; terms like clean and natural are not regulated and lead to misinformation about product ingredients. Harmful ingredients can stay in the body for years and can be passed down through generations.
Mariuca Moala, Germaine de Capuccini
Skincare through menopause must address the emotional changes and boost collagen production and hydration to increase firmness. “The fragrances of our skincare lead the guest through a journey, activating the senses to tell a story of travel, such as the Amazonian experience by Germaine de Capuccini.”
By Sara Jones, Editor
