Spa Executive | Issue 12 | November 2019

ISSUE #12 NOVEMBER 2019
SPA EXECUTIVE
FOR LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS OF WELLNESS
NEWS
Condé Nast
Traveler’s best
spas in the world
GROWTH
Four Seasons
Lanai at Koele: all
new, all-inclusive
wellness retreat
FEATURE
Six Wellness
Trends for
2020
Noel Asmar
THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD UNIFORM DESIGN & THE NEED FOR MORE SUSTAINABILITY IN THE SPA INDUSTRY

PUBLISHER
Roger Sholanki
EDITOR
Elizabeth Bromstein
DESIGNER
Shajee Aijazi
Note from the Publisher
Spa and wellness is going through a great evolution right now, and it feels like the speed at
which this is happening keeps increasing. Technologies and ideas that were just recently in their
infancy are suddenly maturing and taking on exciting new forms with the potential to change our
world as we know it.
Take Noel Asmar’s sustainable spa uniforms made from recycled plastic that recently won the
ISPA Innovation of the Year award. This simple but brilliant idea not only creates a solution to
the waste problem, it brings sustainability to the forefront -- something spa and wellness
desperately needs to do. Asmar, who is in our Spa Executive Spotlight this month, has also
launched her new Hospitality Lifecycle initiative, which provides hotels and spas with access to
practical, cost-effective solutions to safely and securely dispose of used textiles. These are just a
couple of examples of how sustainability initiatives are maturing.
In this issue of Spa Executive we also list our spa and wellness trend predictions for 2020.
Among these you’ll find more examples of the sort of innovative thinking combined with scientific
discovery, creativity, and technological advancement that make this such an exhilarating time for
us. These include, but aren’t limited to, the use of psychobiotics to potentially revolutionize the
way we see mental health; clothing that can monitor and improve our wellbeing; and more
movement towards cleaning up our planet, holding businesses accountable, and demanding
transparency.
Only time will tell if we were right in our trend forecasts, and in the meantime I’ll be content to be
humbled and amazed by people’s ingenuity and curiosity.
Spa Executive
The online magazine for Spa
Executives, featuring news
and exclusive interviews.
I hope you’re similarly excited.
Roger Sholanki,
CEO, Book4Time

Contents
November 2019 Volume 12
3
NEWS
Mud and mineral baths
potentially viable natural
treatments for osteoarthritis.
3
5
NEWS
Condé Nast Traveler’s best
spas in the world
7
TRENDS
Psychobiotics: the wellness
trend you need to know about
9
BUSINESS
10 questions to ask in a
customer satisfaction survey
11
GROWTH
Four Seasons Lanai at Koele: all
new, all-inclusive wellness retreat
15
15
SPOTLIGHT
Noel Asmar on the importance
of good uniform design & the
need for more sustainability in
the spa industry
19
TECHNOLOGY
Skin II: fabric with probiotic
technology for healthier skin
21
FEATURE
Six spa & wellness trends for
2020
5 11

Mud and mineral water
baths are natural treatments
for Osteoarthritis
Mud and mineral baths have been found to be potentially
viable natural treatments for osteoarthritis.
A study by a group of Lithuanian researchers has found that
hot mud treatments and sodium chloride mineral baths may
relieve the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
OA is the most common articular disease in the world
According to Medical News Today, Osteoarthritis (OA) is a
degenerative disease that causes pain and stiffness in the
joints, most commonly affecting the knees, hips, and hands.
OA is the most common articular disease in the world and
affects more than 20 million people, including 10% of men
and 13% of women aged 60 and older, in the United States,
alone.
The current first line of treatment is a combination therapy
that includes pain medication and non-pharmaceutical
treatments like physical and occupational therapy. OA can’t
be reversed but treatments can reduce pain, slow the
progress of the disease and improve movement.
Mud, minerals are less expensive, drug free interventions
The new study examines peloid therapy and balneotherapy
as potentially less expensive and drug-free interventions.
The first is the use of clay or mud to ease symptoms and the
second is the practice of immersing the body in mineral rich
water or mud. The findings were published in the
International Journal of Biometeorology.
The researchers wrote, “The treatment of OA using
pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures remains
a topical subject. The purpose of this study is to assess the
effect of natural factors (mineral water and mud) on
changes in the functional state of patients with knee joint
OA.”
Ninety-two participants – aged an average 64.6 years –
were involved in the study, with females representing 87%
of the group. All participants had low to moderate knee-joint
OA and their symptoms were graded on a variety of physical
measures, including walking speed, range of motion and
extension, and the speed with they could sit down and
stand up five times. Subjects were divided into three
groups. Over the course of one month, all groups received
physical therapy every other day, while the first group also
received mineral water baths, the second received mud
application procedures, and the third received physical
therapy alone.
The researchers found significantly greater improvement in
levels of stiffness, pain, and physical activity in the groups
that received either water or mud treatments combined with
the physical therapy than in the group that received
physical therapy alone. Symptoms were also better one
month later in the intervention groups than in the control
group.
Improved pain and functional state
They wrote, “Balneotherapy and peloid therapy effectively
reduce pain and improve the functional state of patients
with OA of a knee joint.”
Previous research has found that mineral water baths show
advantages in reducing pain and improving functional state
compared with freshwater baths, and that mud therapy
significantly reduced pain, stiffness and improved
functional state.
The researchers say future randomized controlled studies,
and larger studies, are needed to confirm their results.
Be sure to keep your guests informed about the latest
research on treatments commonly available at spas and
wellness retreats that may ease their symptoms.
03 | Spa Executive

News
Spa Executive | 04

CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S
BEST SPAS IN THE WORLD
2019 READERS' CHOICE
Condé Nast Traveler recently announced the winners of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking the best hotels, resorts, destination
spas, countries, cities, islands, trains, airlines, airports, and cruise lines in the world.
It’s the company’s first year as one global brand, and Condé Nast Traveler combined the annual surveys conducted in the U.S. and U.K.
into one global Readers’ Choice Awards list. Collectively, the company received a recording-breaking number of responses from more
than 600,000 readers who rated their travel experiences.
“The way we travel today has changed significantly, and we know that is front and center in people’s desires and conversations,” said
Melinda Stevens, editor-in-chief of Condé Nast Traveler. “As our readers continue to explore, we continue to listen. Our readers’ curiosity
shapes our inspiration and ultimately our next adventure, and based on this year’s list, we’ll be making plenty of new discoveries.”
The top spa on the list was Ananda in the Himalayas, in Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, India, with a rating of 99.6, followed by Lake
Austin Spa Resort with a rating of 98.95.
Read on for the list of Condé Nast Traveler’s top 30 spas in the world and their reader ratings.
05 | Spa Executive News

CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S TOP 30 SPAS IN THE WORLD
1. Ananda in the Himalayas
Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand, India (99.6)
16. Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda
Gargnano, Italy (96.78)
2. Lake Austin Spa Resort
Austin, Texas, United States (98.95)
17. Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa
Tucson, Arizona, United States (96.41)
3. Vila Vita Parc
Alporchinhos, Porches, Portugal (98.95)
18. Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa
Ainsworth Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada (95.89)
4. Six Senses Zil Pasyon
Seychelles, France (98.96)
19. Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa
Koh Samui, Thailand (95.59)
5. The Ranch Malibu
Malibu, California, United States (98.74)
20. Mii Amo
Sedona, Arizona, United States (95.58)
6. Place Merano Espace Henri Chenot
Merano, Italy (97.86)
21. Brenners Park – Hotel & Spa
Baden-Baden, Germany (95.45)
7. Grand Resort Bad Ragaz
Bad Ragaz, Switzerland (97.7)
22. VIVAMAYR Altausee Spa
Altausee, Austria (95.29)
8. Schloss Elmau
Krün, Germany (97.6)
23. SHA Wellness Clinic Resort
Alicante, Spain (95.2)
9. Lanserhof Tegernsee
Waakirchen, Germany (97.52)
24. COMO Shambhala Estate
Bali, Indonesia (95.2)
10. Cal-a-Vie, Vista
California, United States (97.46)
25. Canyon Ranch in Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, United States (95.19)
11. Aro Hā Wellness Retreat
Glenorchy, South Island, New Zealand (97.45)
26. BodyHoliday
Cariblue Beach, St. Lucia (95.15)
12. Golden Door
Escondido, California, United States (97.27)
27. Euphoria Retreat
Mystras, Greece (95.15)
13. Six Senses Douro Valley
Douro Valley, Portugal (97.06)
28. Chiva-Som International Health Resort
Hua Hin, Thailand (95.03)
14. The Lodge at Woodloch
Hawley, Pennsylvania, United States (96.9)
29. Les Sources de Caudalie
Bordeaux, France (95)
15. Rancho La Puerta
Tecate, Baja California, Mexico (96.78)
30. Vana
Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India (95)
Of nearly 10,000 hotels, resorts, and destination spas rated, barely 15% made the cut.
The 2019 winners are prominently featured on Condé Nast Traveler’s website and celebrated in the November issue on newsstands
nationwide Oct. 8.
News
Spa Executive | 06

PSYCHOBIOTICS
The wellness trend you need to know about
You’ve heard of probiotics and prebiotics,
and may already be taking them. Have
you heard of psychobiotics? These
bacteria that may have a mental health
benefit when ingested should be of
interest for those in the spas and wellness
sector with any focus on mental health
and wellness.
“No area of psychiatry is as hot today…”
The idea that the trillions of bacteria in our
guts (a.k.a. our gut microbiota) could have
a drastic affect on our mental health is not
a new one, but until recently it was still
considered somewhat fringe. Now it’s
gaining in popularity and credibility with a
growing body of research, though more is
still required for the scientific community
to come to any kind of consensus.
Canada’s National Post recently stated
“No area of psychiatry is as hot, or
controversial today as the idea of
manipulating the gut to alter the mind.”
The Post article also states that
gastro-intestinal problems are common in
people with anxiety and depression. And
it has been demonstrated that certain
probiotics are associated with improved
mood. This is where psychobiotics come
in.
Gut problems can lead to anguish,
psychosis and anxiety
One proponent of the gut-brain
connection and psychobiotics is Scott
Anderson, co author of the The
Psychobiotic Revolution: Mood, Food, and
the New Science of the Gut-Brain
Connection, with Ted Dinan and Jon
Cryan of the APC Microbiome Institute at
University College Cork. While allowing
that not every mental health issue is gut
related, Anderson stated in a recent
Psychology Today article that many of our
mental issues start in the gut and that
“we’ve known for centuries that gut
problems can lead to mental anguish,
psychosis, and anxiety.”
Anderson calls these microbes “the royal
guards of immunity,” stating that they
fight and destroy pathogens before those
pathogens can make it to the immune
system. However, he writes, “if you don’t
feed your guardian microbes properly,
they won’t be able to mount an effective
counterattack. If pathogens are able to
gain a foothold, they can disturb the lining
of your gut. That lining is one cell thick, a
ridiculously thin barrier against
troublemakers. Pathogens can burrow
and dig into this lining, allowing toxins or
bacteria to leak into your bloodstream.
Your heart obligingly pumps those
potential poisons to every organ in your
body, including your brain.”
Areas of interest include fermented foods
and fecal transplants
This area of study has led to heightened
interest in pro and pre biotics, fermented
foods, and fecal pills and transplants. The
transplants, which involve transplanting
feces from one body into another, have a
near 100% success rate in curing
antibiotic-resistant superbug Clostridium
difficile and are currently being tested in
people with depression and bipolar
disorder by researchers at the University
of Calgary. The hope, according to the
National Post, is that enhancing good gut
microbes may be a viable treatment for
drugs resistant depression. This research,
Valerie Taylor, chief of psychiatry at the
University of Calgary, told the Post, may
change our entire concept of mental
illness. “We now think mental illness is
essentially a brain illness, and it may be
that it isn’t,” Taylor said.
The mechanism behind the connection
isn’t clear, but Taylor told the Post that it’s
possibly due to stress causing
inflammation, which is connected to gut
dysbiosis, which has been linked with
altered brain function.
07 | Spa Executive Trends

Psychobiotic food pyramid
In a more practical, day to day application, Scott Anderson has also
developed a “psychobiotic food pyramid,” a new version of the famous
diagrams published around the world as healthy eating guidelines, with
foods one should be eating most on the bottom and least at the top.
Anderson’s pyramid prioritizes high fiber vegetables, whole grains, and
nuts and olive oil. Fish and seafood and fermented foods should be
consumed often, he says, followed by poultry, eggs and dairy. Sugar and
red meat should be limited to once a week or less.
World’s first psychobiotic food supplement
Meanwhile, the “world’s first psychobiotic food supplement” recently
went on the market in the UK.
While the scientific community appears to be cautiously excited about
these new developments, we’ll likely be seeing an increase in attention to
this area in spa and wellness.
Trends
Spa Executive | 08

QUESTIONS TO ASK IN A CUSTOMER
SATISFACTION SURVEY
customer satisfaction survey is a key element of spa business success. Some people balk at
the idea of soliciting feedback – I once heard a manager refer to the idea of sending a survey as
10The
“crazy” – but you should do it.
The only way to know if your customers are happy is to ask them
If you want to know if your customers are happy, you have to ask. A vast majority of people will not
complain after a negative experience with a brand; they just won’t go back. (Think about it. Do you
complain every time you’re dissatisfied with a product or service? Or do you just write off the
business and look elsewhere?) And an experience doesn’t necessarily have to be negative in order
for a customer to not return. In many cases it just has to be “not great,” which is pretty much
interchangeable with “not bad.” Of course, you don’t want a “not bad” rating. You want a rating of
“excellent” or its equivalent. And the only way to know if you’re hitting that target is to ask. A
customer satisfaction survey is the way to do this.
Surveys are opportunities for retention and acquisition
Surveys are also an opportunity to work on customer retention and acquisition – if a spa guest is
dissatisfied with their experience, you have the chance to make amends and try to keep them as a
customer. If a guest is thrilled with their experience, you can ask for a referral or review. Customer
satisfaction surveys also tell you where you need to improve.
These surveys can be sent through your spa management software.
09 | Spa Executive Marketing

Here are a few tips for sending a survey that
people will complete:
1. Provide an incentive. Offer a gift or discount
for taking the survey. Why should anyone invest
their time otherwise?
2. Keep it short. People are busy and they do
not want to spend more than a few minutes on
your survey.
3. Stick to the point. If it’s a customer
satisfaction survey, stick to that. It can be
tempting to add extra questions in an attempt to
get more information and expand your scope,
like “What other products would you like to see
in our retail store?” or “How many spas did you
contact before making an appointment with
us?” but those questions are for another time.
Keep it short or you risk respondents
abandoning the survey.
Don’t leave loose ends
Do include the comment box. There may be
something the guest would like to discuss
with you that they didn’t want to complain
about at the time. They might think “Well,
OK. I’ll tell you. Since you asked…”
I’ve have done this, myself; not complained
at the time of an unpleasant customer
service incident but later said something
when asked in a survey.
If there is a complaint, do follow up and
make amends. This is your chance to win
back a customer you would otherwise have
lost. The incident I just mentioned was with
a hotel. They followed up with an apology, a
$50 gift card, and a pair of socks for my
daughter. This was a nice surprise and I
have since spent far more than the value of
the gift card and socks with this company.
Everyone won.
Questions to ask in a customer satisfaction survey
Now, here’s a list of questions to ask in customer experience survey that can
help you get the information you’re looking for.
When booking your appointment was the experience simple and intuitive?
Yes
No
How did you book your appointment?
Online Mobile Phone In person
Other
On a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 being excellent and 1 being terrible, how
would you rate your experience with our front desk staff?
Did your appointment start on time?
Yes
No
Who was/were your service provider(s)?
What services did you have?
Did you feel that your service provider(s) was/were knowledgeable
and professional?
Yes
No
On a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 being excellent and 1 being terrible, how
satisfied are you with your experience in our spa?
On a scale of 1 – 5, with 5 being very likely and 1 being not at all
likely, how likely are you to recommend us to friends and family?
What else would you like us to know?
Don’t leave loose ends and your bottom line
will reflect that. Ask and you shall receive
the information you need.
Business
Spa Executive | 10

Four Seasons Lanai
at Koele
All new, all-inclusive wellness retreat
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has partnered with wellbeing
company Sensei to create Four Seasons Hotel Lanai at Koele, A Sensei
Retreat, which opens November 1, 2019.
The all-inclusive hotel will focus exclusively on wellness retreats, and
offer a comprehensive and fully customizable program tailored to the
needs of individual guests. The concept is unique to the Hawaiian
market and a Four Seasons first.
“Four Seasons partnership with Sensei signals our deep understanding
of what today’s luxury traveller wants: an exclusive and differentiated
wellness travel experience, perfectly pairing Sensei’s evidence-based
approach to healthy living with Four Seasons renowned and legendary
service,” says Christian Clerc, President, Global Operations, Four
Seasons Hotels and Resorts, in a media release. “Set against the
backdrop of the uniquely breathtaking Lanai landscape, this new
offering combines unmatched hospitality, nutritious upscale dining and
reputable experts to offer a luxury wellness experience found nowhere
else in the world.”
11 | Spa Executive Growth

Growth
Spa Executive | 12

The retreat sits on 90,000 acres of land in a picturesque
setting with a backdrop of towering Cook pines and banyan
trees on the island of Lanai, which is also home to the
beachfront Four Seasons Resort Lanai. The Hotel includes a
Great Room, Sensei by Nobu restaurant, spa and wellness
facilities including 10 private spa hale (“houses” or
“buildings”), and 96 guest rooms and suites.
Four seasons and Sensei have enlisted a handpicked team
of wellness experts, nutritionists, chefs, fitness experts, spa
therapists and hospitality professionals to bring the wellness
concept into being. Upon booking a retreat, each guest is
matched with their own Sensei Guide to help customize their
itinerary in advance. During each stay, the Sensei Guide
adjusts the guest’s program according to that person’s
needs.
“Whether that’s targeting a specific
health goal or simply unwinding from
the stresses of everyday life, each
itinerary is designed to be fluid and
adaptable throughout their
wellness-oriented vacation.”
Sensei was co-founded by Larry Ellison, co-founder and
CTO of Oracle Corporation, and Dr. David Agus. Agus is a
professor of medicine and engineering at the University of
Southern California Keck School of Medicine and Viterbi
School of Engineering and the founding director of USC’s
Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine. He
is the author of best-selling books on data-driven
approaches to a longer life.
Agus said in a statement, “Our goal is to create experiences,
products and services that help people address the gap
between their wellness intentions and daily practices. Our
retreat provides a great environment to work towards
balance, health and well-being with the support of a
dedicated, data-driven wellness team.”
Activities on offer include one-on-one training sessions and
group classes, lectures, philanthropic activities, immersive
spa treatments, island excursions, horseback riding, sports,
and more.
13 | Spa Executive Growth

Spa Executive
FOR LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS OF WELLNESS
ADVERTISE WITH US
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
info@spaexecutive.com | www.spaexecutive.com

15 | Spa Executive Spotlight

NOEL ASMAR
The Importance of Good Uniform Design & the Need for
More Sustainability in the Spa Industry
Noel Asmar is the CEO and founder of Noel
Asmar Group Inc., the lifestyle brand behind
Noel Asmar Uniforms, Pedicure Bowls and
Asmar Equestrian.
The Canadian designer is renowned for
reinventing the spa uniform nearly 20 years
ago and setting the standard for next
generation uniform concepts in the spa and
hotel industries. The company’s history goes
back to 2002, when Ms. Asmar created the
first designer spa uniform. The goal was to
create an alternative to the “utilitarian and
unflattering” uniforms to which the industry
had grown accustomed, and to elevate the
look and feel for a growing industry.
Companies readily embraced Asmar’s design
concepts, and a brand was born.
Ms. Asmar has sat on the ISPA Board of
Directors and is the recent recipient of the
2019 ISPA Innovation of the Year Award for
her sustainable uniforms made from recycled
plastic. She has also been recognized as one
of Canada’s Top 20 Female Entrepreneurs.
More recently, Noel Asmar Group launched
Hospitality Lifecycle, an initiative to provide
hotels and spas access to practical,
cost-effective solutions to safely and securely
dispose of used textiles.
Spa Executive spoke with Noel Asmar about
the importance of good uniform design, the
Hospitality Lifecycle Initiative, and the need
for more sustainability in the industry.
Can you tell us a bit about your career
path and how you came to be where you
are today?
With a love for animals and an equally strong
passion for other cultures, languages and
cuisine, I chose hotel management school
over being a Veterinarian. I worked overseas
in hotel management and then as Business
Development Director for a marketing firm,
where I spent time in Asia. There I was lured
into the fabric markets to discover that I really
enjoyed the process of fabric sourcing,
sketching, and creating designs. I used my
evenings and off time to design pieces for
friends and family and created a small
collection that would lay the foundation for
my first start-up.
While on a trip home to Vancouver to visit my
mom (a nurse) and sister (an aesthetician), I
realized their uniform options were boxy and
unflattering, and that this applied to spa
uniforms in general. I started sourcing fabrics
and made my first proto-type – the Zen Tunic.
I bought my first URL www.SpaUniforms.com
and built the first Spa Uniform Ecommerce
site, shipping anywhere in the world, in Dec
2002. Fast forward 17 years, we specialize in
Spa & Hospitality, and rebranded to Noel
Asmar Uniforms to expand our offerings into
other areas within spas and hotels. Our first
big hotel opening was City Center Las Vegas
– Aria & Vdara.
Why is uniform design important? Why
did you feel the need to change the
aesthetic?
The uniform is the single most personal way
to touch an employee – literally. Uniforms are
important for team moral and for the
customer experience. Being properly dressed
empowers the team to perform at their best,
and to feel like part of a team. The impact is
significant: really good when the uniform
selection is a success, and really bad when it
is not. Uniforms also say a lot about a
business and brand. Sloppy, ill-fitting
uniforms are taken very seriously by
organizations such as Forbes Rating and a
property can lose their 5 star rating if the
uniforms are poorly executed.
I felt I had an opportunity to make a
difference and when the first design started
to ship out, we could barely keep up with
production. I knew SpaUniforms.com was
solving a problem.
Spotlight
Spa Executive | 16

Why is sustainability important? Do we
do enough in the spa and wellness
industry to support sustainability?
Sustainability can take on many meanings. At
Noel Asmar Group, we are the opposite of
fast fashion. Our garments last minimum 3-5
years and this in itself is a very sustainable
approach to apparel. We stock most of our
uniforms – so that properties can purchase
on a need be basis for infills, rather than over
ordering, and we cross utilize fabrics across
collections to minimize textile waste. In 2018
we launched our first sustainable uniform
collections and have committed to sourcing
sustainable yarns.
We don’t do enough, but there are groups
such as Green Spa Network that are creating
awareness and providing helpful tips for the
industry to take action.
Please tell us about the Hospitality
Lifecycle Initiative
Noel Asmar Group recognizes our
responsibility to find sustainable and creative
ways to manage our own textile waste, like
damaged apparel and fabric bolt ends. This
lead me to start asking questions of the rest
of the industry: what are hotels and spas
doing with their uniforms, robes, towels,
blankets etc. once they are no longer fit for
use? It became clear that this is an issue
nobody is talking about and that companies
don’t have established policies for end-of-life
textiles. The industry needs practical
recycling solutions for textile waste.
We have partnered with Debrand, which
provides B2B solutions for end of life product
management to create Hospitality Lifecycle in
the USA and Canada. Their eagerness to
collaborate with an “out-of-the-box” mindset
made them a fitting partner.
You recently won an ISPA Innovate
Award. What does that mean to you?
Our team was very proud and honored to
receive the award at a time when we are
making the shift to be more sustainable and
try to help others to do so. The award felt like
an affirmation that we are taking the right
path and it’s fueled our team and our
company culture to do better.
Does it take a special skillset to be a
successful female entrepreneur? If so,
what are the special skills?
It’s an honor to be mom to three beautiful
children, a wife and CEO, but it comes with
incredible pressure and responsibility that
can at times be overwhelming. Every
decision I make is measured against a set of
values, and I took an unconventional
approach to building the businesses to
ensure I could be the mom and CEO I want
to be.
17 | Spa Executive Spotlight

Women need to believe in themselves. Speak up
and tell people what you dream to accomplish, set
goals and make them known. Know what you know
and hire for the skillsets you’re lacking. Delegate and
elevate your team.
Personally, I believe that, as a woman, you need to
have grit, know your purpose and build your
community. No matter where your career takes you,
stay close to your gut-instinct, check in with
yourself, and don’t get caught up in the game. It’s
healthy to re-assess and stop doing what doesn’t
make you happy – that’s success, not failure.
What is the hardest part of what you do?
As an entrepreneur, the hardest part is not knowing
what I don’t know! Hiring roles outside of my own
expertise is always challenging. I would say the
hardest part of my role is putting the right people in
the right seat
Can you talk about any trends in spa and
wellness that you’re excited about?
As a functional designer I’m excited that technology
is leading innovation in fabrics and production. We
have started making uniforms from recycled water
bottles that are crushed and turned into yarns, and
our next uniform project is to further develop our
fitness collection to outfit fitness professionals. We
will also continue to learn and advise our clients on
sustainable uniform sourcing. We have become very
passionate about this.
Spotlight
Spa Executive | 18

PROBIOTIC CLOTHING MAY REDUCE BODY
ODOR & IMPROVE SKIN HEALTH
A new fabric made with probiotic technology is said to reduce body odor, encourage cell renewal, and improve the skin’s immune
system.
SKIN II was created by Rosie Broadhead, an apparel designer specializing in biomaterials, in collaboration with Microbiologist Chris
Callewaert. The fabric, which has been made into body suits, has embedded probiotic bacteria into its fibres which, according to media
materials, are activated when they come into contact with the moisture on skin, allowing them to dominate other, less beneficial bacteria.
“Skin conditions depend on the probiotic microbes that live on our bodies.
Our skin’s biome is shaped by our natural environment, and what we put on
and next to our skin has a direct impact on our bodies. Cosmetic products
and fabric finishes on clothing can contain toxic chemicals which disrupt the
diversity of bacteria living on our skin…”
19 | Spa Executive Technology

“The encapsulated bacteria are associated with reduced body odour,
encouraging cell renewal, and improving the skin’s immune system. SKIN II aims
to use what is natural on our bodies to advance the functionality of clothing.”
Researchers and developers continue to explore the smart clothing market. Smart clothing acts as activity trackers and sleep trackers,
while new fabrics are being created that also claim to speed recovery and increase wellbeing.
Probiotic clothing is a natural extension of the current widespread interest in probiotics and the microbiome.
Technology
Spa Executive | 20

PSYCHEDELICS, PSYCHOBIOTICS AND SMART CLOTHES
SIX SPA & WELLNESS
TRENDS FOR 2020
As we near the end of 2019, it’s time to look ahead and make our predictions for the spa and wellness trends we’ll be seeing everywhere
in the coming year.
In 2019 we saw, as predicted last year, the rise of weed-infused edibles (in areas where it’s legal, and even where it’s not), an increasing
backlash against weight loss culture, and a growing acceptance of bodies of all shapes and sizes.
What’s going to be big over the next 12 months? Read on for six of the buzziest spa and wellness trends for 2020.
01 PSYCHEDELIC
ASSISTED THERAPY
People have always called cannabis a “gateway drug,” and in the case of wellness it
looks like they’re right. In the past few years, the plant’s use has gone through various
states of decriminalization around the world and the cannabis compound cannabidiol
(CBD) took over spa, wellness, skincare, and more. Now we’re seeing an uptick in
attention around hallucinogenic substances like psilocybin, the psychedelic
compound found in more than 200 species of mushrooms, and DMT
(N,N-Dimethyltryptamine) the chemical substance known as the “spirit molecule,”
often used in ayahuasca, a South American entheogenic plant brew made with the
Banisteriopsis caapi vine, which is commonly found in the Amazon Basin. There’s
evidence that both have been used as spiritual medicines for thousands of years, and
both have recently been the subject of increased interest from the public, and from
researchers looking into their potential applications as treatments for mental health
conditions, including depression, schizophrenia, and dementia. Johns Hopkins
University recently announced the launch of the Center for Psychedelic and
Consciousness Research, established with $17 million in private donations. The
Center will be the first of its kind in the United States, while the Centre for Psychedelic
Research at Imperial College London, which opened earlier this year, is said to be the
first in the world. Expect to hear more about psychedelic compounds and psychedelic
assisted therapy in the coming months and years.
21 | Spa Executive Feature

02 ENERGY
HEALING
Sound baths, reiki, crystal healing, shamanic sessions; we’re seeing an
increase in spas and wellness retreats, and even hair salons, offering
services like these. Sound baths, which were marked as a top wellness
trend to watch in the coming year by Harper’s Bazaar, are believed by
devotees to “create the space and conditions for healing to occur on
many levels.” This includes stimulating circulation and the immune
system, cleansing energy meridians, helping to release negative
emotions, and promoting deep relaxation. Meanwhile, Six Senses has
teamed up with Dr. Alberto Villoldo, a doctor and Shaman, to provide
Energy Medicine programs, such as “Grow a New Body,” at selected
resorts, and Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs also mentioned “energy
medicine” to Spa Executive recently when asked what trends he is
excited about in wellness. Shamanism is also gathering celebrity
attention, thanks in part to the raised profile of Shaman Durek and his
connection to Gwyneth Paltrow and romantic relationship with the
Princess of Norway. Shamans are also connected to psychedelic ritual
healing. Expect to see more focus on energy healing and growth in its
popularity as curiosity grows.
03 PSYCHOBIOTICS
Psychobiotics are bacteria that may have a mental health benefit when
ingested. The idea that the trillions of bacteria in our guts (a.k.a. our gut
microbiota) could have a drastic affect on our mental health is not a new
one, but it’s been gaining in popularity and credibility, with a growing
body of research, in recent years. An article in Canada’s Post Media
recently stated “No area of psychiatry is as hot, or controversial today as
the idea of manipulating the gut to alter the mind.” Gastro-intestinal
problems are common in people with anxiety and depression, and
believed by many to lead to an array of mental health issues, including
psychosis, while certain probiotics have been associated with improved
mood. This means a growing interest in fecal pills and transplants, as well
as in fermented foods and psychobiotic nutrition. Sean C Anderson,
author of The Psychobiotic Revolution, has even created a psychobiotic
food pyramid, heavy on plants, whole grains, fermented foods, fish,
seafood, and eggs. These bacteria will, predictably, come to be regarded
not just as a treatment for existing conditions, but as a preventative
measure, and are being integrated into the diets of early adopters as we
write this.
Feature
Spa Executive | 22

04
NEXT GENERATION
AROMATHERAPY
Aromatherapy is hardly new. The practice of turning to scents and essential oils for
their purported healing properties is probably thousands of years old, and though
there is little solid scientific evidence as to its efficacy, aromatherapy’s popularity
continues to grow. The Global Wellness Institute recently named “Aromatherapy 2.0:
Scent as Medicine” as a trend to watch, citing many examples of how aromatherapy is
moving into a new era, thanks to technological advancement and neuroscience
studies. Among the examples cited was Aeroscena, a company based in the
Cleveland Clinic’s Innovations Lab that has created a line of plant-based
aromatherapeutics formulated to specifically treat symptoms like pain, nausea, and
anxiety with the guidance of a medical advisory board. Another company, eScent, has
combined aromatherapy with AI to create a system that diffuses a localized bubble of
scent when ‘smart sensors’ detect incipient increases in stress and other physical
parameters in the user. These indicators include changes in voice and body odor. At
the same time, researchers continue to study aromatherapy’s affect on pain, anxiety,
sleep, memory, cognition, and more. Aromatherapy will continue to interest
researchers and entrepreneurs looking for viable natural alternatives to
pharmaceutical interventions.
05
ELEVATED ETHICAL
STANDARDS
More and more people are waking up (getting woke) to the global impact
of their every decision, and it shows. Riding the wave of the Great Plastic
Straw Ban trend of 2018, more municipalities, states, and countries are
saying “enough” to plastic pollution and implementing bans. Meanwhile,
consumers of all economic strata are being forced to acknowledge the
environmental and human impact of their purchasing decisions. This is
leading to people avoiding plastic and seeking packaging alternatives in
food, skincare, and health products, and even reducing their buying as a
whole. Fashion is another area where consumers are being confronted
with the reality of their choices as images of the impact of fast fashion on
both the environment and its inhabitants are becoming unavoidable –
leading to movements and waves of consumers avoiding buying new
clothes altogether and looking for more environmentally friendly options,
like buying second-hand clothing. And while the “death of fast fashion”
that was widely hailed with the news of Forever 21’s bankruptcy might be
just a tad overstated, it is true that savvy, sophisticated buyers are
choosing to make more ethical statements with their purchasing. These
23 | Spa Executive Feature

choices apply to everything -- no product or service is immune. “Healing crystals” have come under scrutiny lately for mining practices
that exploit child labour and impoverished populations in developing countries. And essential oil companies will also presumably be
expected to account for their farming and disposal practices, as will the companies that use them. Spas will be increasingly called upon
to deliver ethical product and service options, eschew plastics, and to be transparent about the source and manufacturing of their
products and packaging.
06
SMART CLOTHES
When it comes to wearables, consumer adoption hasn’t quite lived up to
the media hype. Fitbit and Apple Watch are really the only wearables to
have been somewhat widely adopted by the public, though applications
of the technology for B2B users and in the medical and healthcare
sectors are more promising. However, the early failure of many first gen
consumer wearables hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of researchers
and developers searching for new ideas, particularly in the areas of
health and wellness. One example is smart jewelry that can act as an
activity tracker and sleep monitor, and even measure one’s emotional
wellbeing. Another is smart fashion, clothing made from smart materials
that may speed healing, improve sleep and wellbeing, clean itself, reduce
body odor, moisturize skin, and more. According to the Global Wellness
Institute, this “dizzying array of new technologies” that ranges from
“Internet-of-Things hardware/software to body-mapping technologies”
may have numerous wellness benefits. Examples include Under Armour’s
Athlete Recovery Sleepwear, which is said to capture heat and reflect it
back onto the body as far infrared rays to improve circulation and muscle
regeneration. Others are Nadi X Yoga Pants, which come with built-in
haptic vibrations that encourage the wearer to move and/or hold
positions, and the Supra Powered Sports Bra, which uses a heart rate
sensor and AI to create a smart bra that keeps track of workouts and UV
levels. And Rosie Broadhead’s Skin II is a fabric with encapsulated
probiotic bacteria intended to reduce body odour, encourage cell
renewal, and improve the skin’s immune system. It remains to be seen
whether the public will eventually embrace futuristic fashion, but expect
to see lots of media buzz around its development.
Feature
Spa Executive | 24