The mesmerising artworks are enhanced by a meditative state called a ‘sauna trance’ which is brought on by contrasting hot and cold bathing experiences / photo: TikTok teamLab Reconnect, Roppongi, Tokyo ©Teamlab

Art and sauna bathing collide at mesmerising Tokyo art exhibition Global art collective teamLab has combined art and sauna to offer an immersive exhibition called teamLab & TikTok, teamLab Reconnect: Art with Rinkan Sauna Roppongi.

The dynamic and interactive sensory exhibition in Tokyo invites guests to view mesmerising artworks while in a meditative state called a ‘sauna trance’, brought on by contrasting bathing cycles.

According to Yasutaka Kato, professor of Keio University School of Medicine and representative director of the Japan Association of Sauna, sauna trance is a unique neurological state caused by the transition of dominance from the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) to the parasympathetic nervous system. This change results in an invigorating trance state where people feel the effects of adrenaline, noradrenaline and endorphins released in the bloodstream, as well as increases in oxytocin and serotonin.

The collective wants visitors to give in to this state and let themselves relax and expand their sensory awareness to experience artwork in a deeply immersive way. Sauna trance “sharpens the senses, clears the mind and allows the beauty of the surrounding world to come into focus,” says teamLab.

The exhibition is a continuous flowing experience composed of a sauna area, cold bathing area and an art submersion area, where visitors can rest and view interactive art installations.

Exhibition guests are required to wear a bathing suit and begin the experience by spending five to 10 minutes in one of seven unique saunas supplied by Metos, each with varying levels of heat and humidity, scent, light, sound and music.

Next, visitors travel to the cold shower area, complete with two different art installations, to awaken and invigorate the senses. Guests then dry off, rehydrate and are invited to rest in one of three art submersion areas with works based on teamLab’s new Supernature Phenomena project that focuses on occurrences that transcend the laws of nature.

Highlights include an installation named Levitation – Flattening Red and Blue & Blurred Violet, consisting of a large glowing sphere levitating between the floor and ceiling. Once touched, the sphere falls to the ground and rolls away, but if there’s no external interference, it will slowly rise into the air again, as though restoring itself to its original state. Visitors are advised to repeat this cycle a maximum of three times.

“By taking alternating hot and cold baths, visitors open their minds, experience an ever-expanding physical sensation and become one with the art,” explains teamLab.

Where: Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
Duration: 100 minutes
Cost: Tickets start at JPY4,800 (US$44, €37, £32)

Banyan Tree is growing its flexible and customisable wellness concept – Banyan Tree Wellbeing Sanctuaries.

The package involves guests staying in a Wellbeing Sanctuary villa with a set rate allowing them access to 50 different types of wellness activities weekly, plus a daily massage.

The villas first launched at Banyan Tree Phuket in May 2018 and are now being rolled out across China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Thailand and Vietnam.

A Wellbeing Sanctuary stay includes accommodation, in-room amenities such as singing bowls for private practice, pre-sleep bath and body rituals, healthy meals, bodywork and spa therapy experience and a personalised, take-home wellbeing guide.

Where: Multiple Banyan Tree properties
Duration: Two day minimum
Cost: US$500 (€414, £360) a night

Bürgenstock Resort’s new package helps guests sustain health through supporting immunity and lowering risk of viral infections.

The retreat begins with examinations to assess current health, including ultrasound, blood analysis, lung function tests, biometric scans, an electrocardiogram and skin analysis. Results inform the creation of tailored nutritional profiles.

In addition, IV infusions, pulmonary physiotherapy, functional movement screening and PT sessions feature to help strengthen guests’ bodies. The package is rounded off by four massages and a 90-minute healthy cooking class.

To finish, staff conduct a final consultation to assess progress and recommend how guests can integrate new healthy lifestyle habits at home.

Where: Bürgenstock Resort, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland
Duration: Seven days
Cost: CHF8,000 (US$8,610, €7,250, £6,220)

Crkonova’s approach is to help the healers

Martina Crkonova has tapped her 20 years’ global experience as a therapist, spa manager and consultant to create an in-person training course to equip spa therapists with tools to physically, mentally and emotionally support and sustain themselves.

“In my opinion, there isn’t adequate support for therapists even though self-care is as important to the success of a spa as the clients and business skills are,” she says.

The course will include vibrant discussions and activities focused on:
• Body mechanics and awareness
• Therapist injury prevention
• Avoiding burnout
• How to properly take care of hands, wrists and forearms
• Steps to integrate body, mind and spirit

Where: Massage or Knot Wellness Clinic, Newquay, UK
Duration: Two days
Cost: £190 (US$264,€220)

Strata Integrated Wellness Spa in Colorado has devised five scientifically-driven Wellness Concierge Medical Memberships to support guests’ specific healthcare needs and accomplish personal health and wellness goals.

Created by Strata’s team of over 30 board-certified doctors, nurses, therapists and wellness clinicians, memberships are founded upon patient-centric and proactive healthcare, each including integrative, immersive and innovative services and treatments.

Five targeted options are offered – Immunity, Cardiology, Lifestyle, Health or Premium VIP.

Throughout all programmes, members will be assigned to a lead Strata Med clinician.

The new memberships were recently recognised in ISPA’s Innovation Awards.

Where: Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, Colorado, USA
Cost: Membership starts at US$3,000 (€2,498, £2,166)

England’s Summer Lodge Country House Hotel has launched a masterclass to inspire guests about fermentation and its health benefits.

Fermentation describes the transformative action of microorganisms on other molecules, a process humans have harnessed for 10,000 years to create and preserve food, such as kombucha and miso. Fermented foods are increasing in popularity as growing evidence indicates they offer a host of nutritional and health benefits.

During the session, guests forage for seasonal produce in Summer Lodge’s gardens and then use their pickings to make fermented cocktails while learning about the history of fermentation and its role in wellness.

Where: Summer Lodge Country House Hotel, Dorset, UK
Duration: 60 minutes
Cost: £50 (US$69, €58)

Filipino spa destination The Farm at San Benito has partnered with integrative medicine provider Living Life Well to launch a mental health retreat.

Mental Health Management identifies immediate health problems before offering psychotherapy sessions and water wellness treatments. There’s also a Pain Management programme which includes acupuncture, physiotherapy and myotherapy.

Both experiences include accommodation, fitness and nutritional assessments and daily meals.

Where: The Farm at San Benito, Batangas, Philippines
Duration: One, two or three nights
Cost: PHP26,025 (US$538, €447, £387) a night

Modern wellness brand The Well is known for its flagship New York location offering integrated holistic health solutions and access to doctors and wellness practitioners.

And now it’s taken the concept to Auberge’s famous Mayflower Inn in Connecticut to offer an array of retreats and treatments – ranging from acupuncture and craniosacral therapy to energy healing, plus bespoke treatments from its SkinHealth programme in partnership with Biologique Recherche.

Every guest is offered a Wellness Download from The Well’s digital platform, to build customised treatment plans based on unique concerns and goals.

This means support extends beyond one’s stay, allowing guests to continue programmes and classes and schedule visits with practitioners on-demand.

Where: Mayflower Inn & Spa, Connecticut, USA
Duration: One to 15 nights
Cost: US$105 (€87, £75) – US$1,000 (€825, £717)