There are a number of reasons to feel pretty good about our world of Spa & Wellness and one of them is that we are showing signs of realizing what we can become. While the change we’re looking for may not be happening as fast as we’d like, the process is well underway. By change, I mean the role ‘wellness’ must play in sustaining our industry.
A few weeks ago, during the Global Spa Wellness Summit, I sat on a panel that was largely focused on the development and grooming of future spa directors. A good thing, of course, but what was noticeably missing was any discussion of the development of skilled practitioners who, to a large degree,, determine the quality of the guest experience. In all fairness, there were time restraints to the session and not everything could be discussed but my hope is that next year’s GSWS will have a panel focused on the education and development of hands-on therapies.
The positive change we’re seeking depends largely on our commitment to take seriously the role of education and, to that point, I want to share a quick story with you. One of the many very good speakers at the GSWS was an enthusiastic, engaging physician from South Africa who gave a wonderful talk on how stress can impact our brain and therefore, our performance. The physician discussed the three areas of the brain, highlighting which areas responded to specific sensations and which areas needed to be stimulated in order to promote clarity and peak performance. It was a great lecture and the reason I found it so exciting was because it spoke to our potential as an industry. I turned to the person sitting next to me and said we can provoke these same responses with spa therapies. And WE can.
By understanding which spa therapies illicit desired responses in each section of the brain, we are able to naturally induce a calm, relaxed, focused state of mind. My point is, Spa is powerful medicine. Education is the key that will unlock the door to a rich, rewarding future.
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