travel

Burlesque stripteases, yoga for kids among spa and wellness trends 2016

January 14, 2016

Surfing spas and sexual wellbeing resorts are some of the wellness trends this year. – AFP/Relaxnews pic, January 14, 2016.From surfing spas and sexual well-being resorts to spas for kids, 2016 is poised to see the growth of spa and wellness trends that will chart new territory for the industry – and consumers.

That’s according to Spafinder’s 13th edition of the Global Spa and Wellness Trends report, which looks at how wellness travel is evolving around the world.

Here are some of the interesting trends predicted to shake up the industry and offer consumers more choice in 2016:

Surfing spas

There’s nothing new about surf tourism. But experts have noted an “explosion” of all-female surf retreats that offer surf classes as well as spa services. When the waves aren’t breaking, for instance, guests can partake in oceanfront yoga, or relieve sore muscles with a massage. Likewise, hotels are recognizing surfing as a particularly effective form of fitness, introducing surf-simulating classes into their fitness programs. Bali’s Hotel Komune is cited as a shining example of a surf resort, with yoga, paddle boarding and qi gong classes, as well as yoga pavilions and a full-blown spa.

Sexual wellbeing resort

Authors of the report start by pointing out that 2015 was a pivotal year for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and feminism. In 2016, the association between spas, “massage parlors" and prostitution will gain more distance as sexual well-being becomes an increasingly popular part of spa treatments and menu options, be it to address sexual dysfunction, couples therapy or to help guests explore their sexuality, fearlessly. Last year, Canyon Ranch Tucson, Arizona, for instance, hosted a retreat that helped women perfect the art of the striptease with a burlesque dance instructor.

Spas for kids

Adults may think they have the monopoly on stress, but today’s kids can likewise experience fierce pressure with excessive screen time, bad diets, inactivity and hectic schedules. Enter yoga classes for kiddies, massage classes for toddlers and child-friendly wellness programs for families. At the Six Senses’ children’s club in the Maldives, for instance, kids can participate in music meditation classes, yoga, tai chi and gardening. New York saw the opening of its first yoga studio Karma Kids Yoga, dedicated exclusively to kids and families. And at the monastery Plum Village in southern France, kids are taught about mindfulness, and how to meditate. – AFP/Relaxnews, January 14, 2016.