Spas Introduce Virtual Self-Care Programming to Help People Cope with Social Distancing

While social distancing has become the order of the times, we’re seeing the spa and wellness community come together and connect like never before using technology to its advantage. For an industry known for its healing touch, the COVID-19 crisis is challenging the way spas and brands connect with clients. Here we look at some of the ways the industry is responding to this challenge and finding new ways to bridge the distance.

With self-care needed more than ever, many spas are stepping up their virtual offerings to help clients get through these trying times. “Out of an abundance of caution, renowned wellness destinations Miraval Arizona and Miraval Austin had to close their doors,” says Susan Santiago, SVP, Miraval Resorts. “But in a time when people are looking for grounding and wellbeing, Miraval is creating a wellness community to live on its website and social media. Content will bring the Miraval wellness experience to guests and colleagues at home, including tips from Miraval’s specialists, live Q&As with wellness pros, healthy recipes from Miraval’s chefs, and much more.”

Civana Wellness Resort & Spa (Carefree, AZ), which is also temporarily closed, is also keeping connected with guests through Civana’s Wellness at Home blog. It features wellness recipes from executive chef Justin Macy, at-home workouts, and mindful stress-management tools that people can use to stay nourished, active, and calm. Chief wellness officer Amanda Grant is also filming guided meditations and workouts, which will be posted for everyone to access for free.

While it may not be possible to travel to The Retreat Costa Rica (Atenas), people can still benefit from programming offered by the nature-inspired, holistic, healing oasis. The spa is inviting people to be virtually transported from their homes to the Costa Rican rainforest through a series of live 30- to 50-minute Facebook videos each Wednesday at 4:30pm CST. Some of the virtual offerings include a breathwork and yoga class with Dr. Vinod Balakrishnan, a naturopath, acupuncturist, and Ayurvedic expert; a permaculture tour of the property’s garden and hiking trails with Costa Rican Enrique Herrera; cooking from the garden; and beauty and self-care tips from The Retreat’s Vida Mia Healing Center and Spa.

It’s not just spas that are coming up with self-care programming to help people deal with stress and anxiety caused by COVID-19. Zents, for example, is offering a free daily wellness class, such as fitness, meditation, or yoga, at 2pm EST on its Facebook page. Peloton has also extended the Peloton App free trial to 90 days, so people can enjoy a mix of complimentary yoga, meditation, strength, cycling, and running sessions on demand. Although CorePower Yoga studios are temporarily closed, people with monthly memberships will continue to have full unlimited access to CorePower Yoga on Demand, which features more than 250 online classes with 20-, 30-, and 60-minute versions. Non-members can also benefit with free access to a special weekly collection of these online classes. These are just a few of the wellbeing offerings available to help clients stay healthy at home until they can return to their favorite wellness studios and spas.
 



American Spa will continue to provide top of the line Coronavirus coverage as news surrounding the pandemic emerges. Click here for our full list of COVID-19 coverage and check back daily for updates. Want to share your Coronavirus updates with us? Email [email protected], or connect with us on FacebookTwitterInstagram, and YouTube.
 

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