From acupuncture to Ayurveda, Asian wellness is showing up in spas and wellness practices all around the world. Many of these traditional and time-honored healing practices now celebrated around the globe originally hail from Asia. Travelers are increasingly looking to vacations as healing journeys, and what better place to dive deep into wellness than Asia? With a bevy of resorts and spas all over the continent, travelers can partake in soothing massages, morning yoga rituals, or customized wellness plans and return home rejuvenated after a blissful break. Since these healing traditions are deeply rooted in their respective local cultures, they help ground visitors in the history and present of each place.
A wonderful way to connect with your destination is to turn your vacation into a healing holiday. Here we take a look at some distinctive wellness experiences across Asia and the best Marriott Bonvoy participating properties to support this healing journey. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Forest Bathing
Across the world, medical practitioners have begun prescribing spending time in nature as a panacea for all sorts of ailments. This could mean anything from a rigorous hike in the mountains to a leisurely stroll in the shadow of towering trees. In Japan, this kind of therapeutic practice is nothing new. Shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” has been around for centuries.
With mindfulness at its core, shinrin yoku involves walking slowly through the woods (or other nature) and being fully present with your surroundings. It offers the opportunity for a digital detox (please leave your smartphone behind), as well as a reprieve from other routine tasks that take up valuable mental space. The mere inhaling of fresh air and phytoncides, the natural compounds released by trees, has been proven to lower cortisol levels, reduce blood pressure, and boost the immune system.
At The Ritz Carlton, Nikko in Japan you can surrender to the views of Nikko National Park and Lake Chuzenji and partake in soothing forest bathing and water-based wellness experiences. Karuizawa Marriott Hotel in Nagano also lets you recharge in nature, with an ideal location amid scenic mountains and floor-to-ceiling windows in guest rooms that let you gaze at changing seasonal foliage. Plus, the AN SPA Karuizawa has a range of therapies using premium Japanese products, along with healing hot spring baths.
Yoga and Ayurveda
Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years, and researchers are still uncovering more about the myriad benefits it offers both mind and body. Apart from the physical movement and exercise that it has come to be known for (asana), traditional yoga also places emphasis on mental discipline and mindfulness through techniques like dhyana (deep meditation) and pranayama (controlled breathing). And serious practitioners, or yogis, tend to focus on all these aspects.
The Westin Resort & Spa, Himalayas is located very close to the spiritual seat of Rishikesh, a town on the banks of the Ganges that has dozens of ashrams and academies for yogic and spiritual practices. The resort offers curated wellness experiences ranging from sunrise yoga sessions to handpan sound healing.
Another timeless gift from India to the world is Ayurveda, which literally translates to “science of life.” One of the oldest and most celebrated traditional medicine practices in the world, Ayurveda has found mention in sacred texts in India and is still practiced as mainstream therapy across the country, particularly in the southern state of Kerala where it originated. Ayurveda deals with correcting the flow of three vital “elements” or “life forces” within the body (called kapha, pitta, and vata) since an imbalance is considered the root cause of many physical problems. Traditional Ayurveda makes use of oils and herbs through massage therapies, as well as other detox treatments.
While there are several kinds of Ayurvedic centers across India catering to locals and different kinds of travelers, the Ksema spa at Mulberry Shades Bengaluru Nandi Hills, A Tribute Portfolio Resort is a great place to unwind in bucolic calm and enjoy traditional Ayurveda therapies.
Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine
Somewhat like Ayurveda in India, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is deeply integrated into mainstream healthcare in Asia. Apart from herbal medicines and traditional remedies, one of the main forms of TCM is acupuncture, which revolves around the restoration of the body’s holistic balance by regulating the flow of qi, or vital energy. Acupuncture works by inserting thin needles skillfully into specific parts of the body (as decided by the physician) to stimulate the nervous system and release natural painkillers within the body. There are also other therapies, like cupping (using suction cups to ease pain and stiffness) and moxibustion (placing heated cones made of dried mugwort, or Artemesia moxa, on the body, usually the same points as the acupuncture). Intensive TCM is meant to be administered only by experienced practitioners.
A gentle introduction to this ancient practice would be the Qi Fusion massage at Quan Spa at Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel, which also has ocean-inspired skincare, foot reflexology, and Western massage techniques on the menu. TCM is practiced far beyond the borders of China. At the sprawling beachfront Perhentian Marriott Resort & Spa on an island in Malaysia just off the country’s east coast, skilled practitioners draw on traditional therapies that include qi balancing techniques at the Qi Forest Spa and Wellness.
Balinese Healing
Originally created by rice farmers to ease aching muscles after long days in the field, boreh, an herbal paste and body scrub made using warming spices, herbs, and roots, has ubiquitous use in Balinese spa therapy. Popularly referred to as the “herb of paradise,” boreh is believed to improve circulation, relieve joint pain, and induce deep relaxation.
Head to Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort for immersive wellness experiences where guests learn from local experts about the cultural significance of boreh and how to make it (and then, of course, use it).
Hot Springs in Japan and China
It is impossible to talk about Japanese wellness without mentioning traditional hot springs, or onsen. Soaking in hot springs is a social or communal activity in many parts of Asia, especially in and around Japan. This simple practice is said to impart several benefits, such as relieving mental stress, improving energy, reducing pain, and healing mild skin conditions like eczema. And this is thanks to the copious amounts of natural minerals like sulfur and calcium often found in naturally occurring thermal springs.
The Westin Miyako Kyoto is a peaceful haven featuring a restorative onsen spa, with the Kyoto Keage Onsen flowing straight from the ground beneath it. HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa has not only a natural hot spring, but also private onsen facilities and an expansive spa menu.
Hot springs are also popular in China, where subterranean geothermal activity has led to the creation of several such scenic spots. Locals like to relax and socialize with friends and family (particularly in the colder months) at hot springs and communal bathhouses to enjoy the healing properties of these mineral-rich waters. Stylish properties like Sheraton Maoming Hot Spring Resort and Beijing Marriott Hotel Changping showcase geothermal springs laden with mineral-rich waters — perfect for not just individual wellness seekers, but also families and groups of friends.
Note that it’s important to abide by certain rules and social codes at onsen, particularly in Japan. Most onsen are still strictly divided by gender, and bathing suits are prohibited
Hot Stone Baths in Bhutan
In Bhutan, the datsho, or hot stone bath, tradition dates back nearly 1,300 years. It involves heating smooth river stones and dropping them into a wooden tub. This releases minerals from the stones, with additional medicinal benefits from herbs like artemisia (wormwood) added to the water to deeply relax muscles and soothe joints. Stay at Le Méridien Thimphu or Le Méridien Paro, Riverfront while you enjoy this experience at a traditional wellness center.
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