Etherington (right) is partnering with Spa Business’ Jane Kitchen (left)
Concert tour organiser and chorister El Etherington is teaming up with her cousin Jane Kitchen, contributing editor at Spa Business, to launch a retreat company which will deliver the therapeutic benefits of singing – both mental and physical – to spas.
“The documented benefits of singing – and in particular, singing in a group – are profound,” says Etherington, co-founder of Wellness-Sing. She explains that participants can reduce stress, boost their immune system, improve mental alertness and focus, improve posture and build social connections all through the simple act of singing.
Wellness-Sing, which launched in January, will partner with luxury wellness destinations to host the three- to seven-day retreats which will vary in price depending on location. The workshops will include up to four hours of singing a day and introduce a variety of choral techniques, alongside complementary modalities.
“Many of our guests at our pilot retreat who had never had singing instruction before were surprised by how physical it is, and how breathing and muscle control are involved,” says Etherington. “It’s a perfect activity for practising mindfulness… Combining spa time and yoga classes with singing is a natural fit – everyone came out of the weekend feeling refreshed and grounded.”
Wellness-Sing also plans to offer informal lectures and unique, ‘one-off’ experiences based on location – think Scandinavian joiku singing at the top of a hill after a sunrise hike.
Etherington studied vocal arts and community music to masters level, has been a member of choirs all her life and also has experience as a music session leader in a therapeutic environment. For the past 12 years, she has run concert tours across Europe for leading tour consultancy ACFEA.
The genesis for Wellness-Sing came about on a weekend in Riga, Latvia, where Kitchen was writing about pirts, a local sauna tradition, and Etherington was on tour with the UK’s Reading Bach Choir. A weekend spent experiencing both singing and wellness led them to talk about bringing their two worlds together, and Wellness-Sing was born.
Etherington says: “My hope is that these retreats attract not just seasoned singers, but also those who have yet to experience the joy that singing in a group can bring.”
Kitchen adds: “With loneliness on the rise – and new evidence of just how harmful it is to our mental health – a retreat like this has the added benefit of bringing people together to feel like they’re part of a unit. So much of the feedback that we got from our pilot weekend focused on that aspect – the connections made, the new friendships started. That, to me, is the magic.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Event saunas, sunlight therapy
and health and happiness retreats
feature in our programming series
Interview: Marc Cohen
Dr Marc Cohen is launching an extreme
bathing retreat and writing children’s
books. He talks to Jane Kitchen
Promotional feature: Vital Tech
Infrared technology is growing in popularity, Vital Tech’s Alexandra Gavsevitch
and Serge Parienti explain how it works
Focus on: Equine therapy
What is equine therapy and how
can spas tap into horsepower?
Kathleen Whyman finds out
Wellness: Chill out
Is going sub-zero the next big thing?
Kath Hudson takes a closer look
at the benefits of cryotherapy
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Noha Khalil of The Wellness discusses how
gym and spa elements are increasingly
coming together through design to
deliver outstanding fitness concepts
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Saskia Spa
Founded in 2014, Saskia Spa continues to evolve as a professional luxury skincare brand. It forms pa [more...]
Blu Spas, Inc.
Blu is a full-service firm offering project feasibility, planning and design as well as operational [more...]
Etherington (right) is partnering with Spa Business’ Jane Kitchen (left)
Concert tour organiser and chorister El Etherington is teaming up with her cousin Jane Kitchen, contributing editor at Spa Business, to launch a retreat company which will deliver the therapeutic benefits of singing – both mental and physical – to spas.
“The documented benefits of singing – and in particular, singing in a group – are profound,” says Etherington, co-founder of Wellness-Sing. She explains that participants can reduce stress, boost their immune system, improve mental alertness and focus, improve posture and build social connections all through the simple act of singing.
Wellness-Sing, which launched in January, will partner with luxury wellness destinations to host the three- to seven-day retreats which will vary in price depending on location. The workshops will include up to four hours of singing a day and introduce a variety of choral techniques, alongside complementary modalities.
“Many of our guests at our pilot retreat who had never had singing instruction before were surprised by how physical it is, and how breathing and muscle control are involved,” says Etherington. “It’s a perfect activity for practising mindfulness… Combining spa time and yoga classes with singing is a natural fit – everyone came out of the weekend feeling refreshed and grounded.”
Wellness-Sing also plans to offer informal lectures and unique, ‘one-off’ experiences based on location – think Scandinavian joiku singing at the top of a hill after a sunrise hike.
Etherington studied vocal arts and community music to masters level, has been a member of choirs all her life and also has experience as a music session leader in a therapeutic environment. For the past 12 years, she has run concert tours across Europe for leading tour consultancy ACFEA.
The genesis for Wellness-Sing came about on a weekend in Riga, Latvia, where Kitchen was writing about pirts, a local sauna tradition, and Etherington was on tour with the UK’s Reading Bach Choir. A weekend spent experiencing both singing and wellness led them to talk about bringing their two worlds together, and Wellness-Sing was born.
Etherington says: “My hope is that these retreats attract not just seasoned singers, but also those who have yet to experience the joy that singing in a group can bring.”
Kitchen adds: “With loneliness on the rise – and new evidence of just how harmful it is to our mental health – a retreat like this has the added benefit of bringing people together to feel like they’re part of a unit. So much of the feedback that we got from our pilot weekend focused on that aspect – the connections made, the new friendships started. That, to me, is the magic.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
Spa Programmes: On the menu
Event saunas, sunlight therapy
and health and happiness retreats
feature in our programming series
Interview: Marc Cohen
Dr Marc Cohen is launching an extreme
bathing retreat and writing children’s
books. He talks to Jane Kitchen
Promotional feature: Vital Tech
Infrared technology is growing in popularity, Vital Tech’s Alexandra Gavsevitch
and Serge Parienti explain how it works
Focus on: Equine therapy
What is equine therapy and how
can spas tap into horsepower?
Kathleen Whyman finds out
Wellness: Chill out
Is going sub-zero the next big thing?
Kath Hudson takes a closer look
at the benefits of cryotherapy
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Noha Khalil of The Wellness discusses how
gym and spa elements are increasingly
coming together through design to
deliver outstanding fitness concepts
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
Mexican operator, Solmar Hotels and Resorts, is hosting a series of events in celebration of
Global Wellness Day, including a Temazcal ceremony at its Playa Grande Resort and Spa in Los
Cabos.
Mandarin Oriental has announced a standalone residence brand, Mansions, which will debut at
Emirates Palace, Mandarin Oriental Mansions, Abu Dhabi, in 2029.
Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An, Vietnam, has put together a Global Wellness Day
(GWD) agenda with activations rooted in nature and shaped by four pillars of Joy – in
alignment with the day’s theme #JoyMagenta.
Le Atelier by C.O.D.E. doesn't offer a standard bespoke service, it provides a highly
customised approach to designing massage beds and loungers in high-end wellness
environments. [more...]
In the fast-paced world of fitness and wellness, where high-intensity workouts push us to
our limits and the sweat pours, the importance of efficient recovery cannot be overstated. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Saskia Spa Founded in 2014, Saskia Spa continues to evolve as a professional luxury skincare brand. It forms pa [more...]
