Vision Spa Retreat is a virtual think-tank aimed at inspiring cultural shape-shifters, nature-based visionaries, and free-thinking entrepreneurs who are interested in creating community-oriented spa retreat venues and providing locally sourced services in line with an authentic soulful ethic. Sara Firman
As Vision Spa Retreat approaches its third year online, I've been reviewing my original intent which was to develop a spa-retreat consultancy service. First, I wanted to observe what was happening in the spa world and how this reflected (or not) shifts in business towards environmentally responsible practices and in health towards more holistic views of what this means to individuals.
The findings shared have often been personal reflections on the schism taking place as the spa industry in general dissolved its connection with water and began favoring hard science and technological sophistication over intangibles like spirit and soul. I linked spa with retreat to emphasize the value of slowing down and taking time out to contemplate the pleasure and purpose of our lives.
When we are in peaceful surrounds that include water, fresh air and fresh food, doing simple activities that engage us with nature - and are sufficiently unplugged from the 'outside world' - our innate capacity for self-healing is stimulated, along with a sense of being nurtured by the planet upon which we depend. An impulse to take care of our communities and our environment may naturally re-emerge.
Vision Spa Retreat supports values and practices that put planet and people first, before profit. As a communal and cultural concept, spa-retreat has the potential to effect positive change in personal and planetary health. It is possible, necessary, and effective to integrate spa-retreat specialties like self-care, self-development, and self-expression with environmental concerns.
These concepts will continue to infuse my writing on Vision Spa Retreat as we enter the next phase of a global economic and environmental crisis that requires all of us to be entrepreneurial. Meanwhile, the seeds of more venues that subscribe to these ideas will hopefully begin to germinate, grow and flourish. This week Green Spa Network held their 4th annual congress entitled 'Taking root: making a difference for your planet and the bottom line'.
Their focus is on finding actionable solutions to the issues faced by spas seeking to take full responsibility for the impact of their business on the environment. Just as GSN's meeting ended, Slow Money convened for their National Gathering. Their message is that 'The soil teaches us that we must put back as much as we take out to ensure long term health and a strong, secure, restorative economy'.
In the vision of Slow Money, investors are the water. The imagery is continued with the idea that when water (investment money) percolates slowly into the system through the soil at the level of local organic food growers, there is less erosion of the natural economy. Then, they suggest, money will nurture rather than erode. That word nurture reminds me of spa's association with comfort and caring.
Slow Money Principle III:
The 20th Century was the era of Buy Low/ Sell High and Wealth Now/ Philanthropy Later—what one venture capitalist called “the largest legal accumulation of wealth in history.” The 21st Century will be the era of nurture capital, built around principles of carrying capacity, care of the commons, sense of place and nonviolence.
Also this month, Sonu Shivdasani - Chairman and CEO of Six Senses Resorts and Spas - hosted a SLOW LIFE Symposium where influential leaders and planetary stewards including Richard Branson and Jonathan Porritt discussed ways of progressing sustainability in the tourism industry. Sonu defines SLOW LIFE as Sustainable-Local-Organic-Wholesome Learning-Inspiring-Fun-Experiences.
How all this will work in practice requires new vision and inspired action. I'd like to end this post by giving special mention to the work of Natural Logic under the directorship of Gil Friend who believes that 'the well being of the living systems that ultimately sustain the human economy, and the well being of economic and ecological systems, of both humans and other living things' are compatible goals.
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See Also:
Spa and sufficiency: rethinking our economy
When is a spa like an umbrella, Part 1
Vision Spa Retreat sees the ideal spa as a place that encourages health and relaxation in an inspirational natural setting in which water plays a key role. Such spas promote safe healing practices, environmental responsibility and community involvement. Read more
