Henkin feels ‘curiosity’ and lifelong learning are missing from the wellness conversation / photo: Leslie Swan
Lauren Henkin spent nearly 20 years as a creative director and VP of strategy for WTS International, the spa and leisure contract management firm founded by her father, Gary Henkin. But as a practising artist since childhood, she always felt something was missing from the wellness conversation – curiosity.
“The times in my life when I’ve felt the most nourished, the most well, were when I was involved in a deeply personal, passionate pursuit of lifelong learning or curiosity,” she says. “When I left WTS, I delved into the research behind lifelong learning and was blown away by the mental and physical benefits of curiosity – one study even tied it directly to longevity.”
Rekindling adult curiosity This discovery prompted Henkin to launch The Humane Space – an app to help people live more curiously for greater wellbeing, much in the same way as they might become more adept at meditating or pursuing physical health.
Content is curated by 15 in-house creatives, from writers and designers to a cognitive psychologist, voice-over artists and sound composers. It includes Mind Journeys, which guide listeners through specific locations in their mind, such as the Grand Canyon, a relaxing trip to the moon or visualising Paris in the 1920s. A new destination is introduced every week.
App users are also invited to explore a thought-provoking topic each week, like our relationship with the sky, for example, which touches on astrology, drone technology and the psychology behind the colour blue. “It’s all about getting you to reconnect with your sense of curiosity,” she says.
Another aspect includes Awe Walks, 10-minute sessions to listen to while getting in your steps. These narratives focus on mindful engagement with nature, like learning about the types of clouds, the history of the word tree or how to look more closely at the world around them. “We initially created these for cancer patients to encourage people to stay mobile during treatment,” says Henkin. “But it’s also a way for employees to take healthier work breaks, rather than looking at social media.”
Intended use The Humane Space app launched to US consumers last year and is now available in the UK, with Canada and Australia potentially next. It’s had more than 20,000 downloads and 5,000 active users pay US$15.99 (€15.21, £12.69) a quarter or US$29.99 (€28.53, £23.80) a year.
While subscribers are intended as the main revenue generators, Henkin sees partnerships forming with organisations, too. Mind Journey sessions are already helping oncology patients get through chemotherapy in hospitals in Ireland and California and research is being conducted on how they can help students deal with burnout and stress.
There are obvious applications for hospitality and wellness businesses as well. “We’re talking to luxury hotels about creating web-based libraries with exclusive content, as well as health clubs and senior living communities,” says Henkin, revealing that they’ve just forged a partnership with Volo Solutions for guestroom tablets.
She feels spas might be interested in guided visualisations before, during or after treatments, or even in receptions or relaxation areas. One wellness property, she says, is particularly interested in having the team create sleep-focused experiences, while another surrounded by hiking trails feels the Awe Walk sessions would be a good fit.
She concludes: “It’s really about looking at each property and seeing where we can fit in, in a unique and positive way – to ultimately benefit the health and wellness of people.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2024 issue 4
Editor's letter: Pleasure time
It’s time to make ‘pleasure health’ the new ‘play’ to realise the true value of the wellness sector, says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Luuk Melisse
Sanctum's co-founder Luuk Melisse on going global with the unique, spiritual workout that originated in Amsterdam
Interview: Dean Kowarski
Virgin Active is transforming its gym business with 230 sites and 1.2 million members into a social wellness brand. The CEO reveals more details to Liz Terry
First person: Steamy situation
Cassandra Cavanah is moved to tears (and also a little nervous) as she joins hundreds of near-naked heat enthusiasts at this year's Aufguss World Championships
Promotion: TechnoAlpin: In touch
Sara Brenninger talks
to wellness expert
Alina Hernandez
about the power of
real snow to create
immersive touchless
wellness experiences
Interview: Fabian Dolman
How can operators make a successful business out of aufguss programmes? Thermen Resort's CEO gives some tips
Sponsored: Best of both
Alina Hernandez, Gharieni Group advisory board member, explains how Metawell – its portfolio of tech-forward mind/body technologies – is right on time for the next era of wellness
Sponsored: Elevate your business with EGYM
Transform your business with fully connected, personalised and data-powered solutions that drive results
for members, trainers and businesses
Sponsored: Outstanding in its field
RKF Luxury Linen has had a stellar year in 2024, hitting new standards of excellence with a raft of certifications
Promotion: Rest and repeat
Starpool is drawing on science, innovation and equilibrium to offer the industry’s leading recovery solutions
Sponsored: Iyashi Dôme's Oteire
Modern consumers demand solutions that blend cutting-edge technology with proven results, and Iyashi Dôme is rising to the challenge by redefining industry standards
First person: Sparkling Water
Mary Bemis is one of the first to visit the stunning new Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
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Henkin feels ‘curiosity’ and lifelong learning are missing from the wellness conversation / photo: Leslie Swan
Lauren Henkin spent nearly 20 years as a creative director and VP of strategy for WTS International, the spa and leisure contract management firm founded by her father, Gary Henkin. But as a practising artist since childhood, she always felt something was missing from the wellness conversation – curiosity.
“The times in my life when I’ve felt the most nourished, the most well, were when I was involved in a deeply personal, passionate pursuit of lifelong learning or curiosity,” she says. “When I left WTS, I delved into the research behind lifelong learning and was blown away by the mental and physical benefits of curiosity – one study even tied it directly to longevity.”
Rekindling adult curiosity This discovery prompted Henkin to launch The Humane Space – an app to help people live more curiously for greater wellbeing, much in the same way as they might become more adept at meditating or pursuing physical health.
Content is curated by 15 in-house creatives, from writers and designers to a cognitive psychologist, voice-over artists and sound composers. It includes Mind Journeys, which guide listeners through specific locations in their mind, such as the Grand Canyon, a relaxing trip to the moon or visualising Paris in the 1920s. A new destination is introduced every week.
App users are also invited to explore a thought-provoking topic each week, like our relationship with the sky, for example, which touches on astrology, drone technology and the psychology behind the colour blue. “It’s all about getting you to reconnect with your sense of curiosity,” she says.
Another aspect includes Awe Walks, 10-minute sessions to listen to while getting in your steps. These narratives focus on mindful engagement with nature, like learning about the types of clouds, the history of the word tree or how to look more closely at the world around them. “We initially created these for cancer patients to encourage people to stay mobile during treatment,” says Henkin. “But it’s also a way for employees to take healthier work breaks, rather than looking at social media.”
Intended use The Humane Space app launched to US consumers last year and is now available in the UK, with Canada and Australia potentially next. It’s had more than 20,000 downloads and 5,000 active users pay US$15.99 (€15.21, £12.69) a quarter or US$29.99 (€28.53, £23.80) a year.
While subscribers are intended as the main revenue generators, Henkin sees partnerships forming with organisations, too. Mind Journey sessions are already helping oncology patients get through chemotherapy in hospitals in Ireland and California and research is being conducted on how they can help students deal with burnout and stress.
There are obvious applications for hospitality and wellness businesses as well. “We’re talking to luxury hotels about creating web-based libraries with exclusive content, as well as health clubs and senior living communities,” says Henkin, revealing that they’ve just forged a partnership with Volo Solutions for guestroom tablets.
She feels spas might be interested in guided visualisations before, during or after treatments, or even in receptions or relaxation areas. One wellness property, she says, is particularly interested in having the team create sleep-focused experiences, while another surrounded by hiking trails feels the Awe Walk sessions would be a good fit.
She concludes: “It’s really about looking at each property and seeing where we can fit in, in a unique and positive way – to ultimately benefit the health and wellness of people.”
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2024 issue 4
Editor's letter: Pleasure time
It’s time to make ‘pleasure health’ the new ‘play’ to realise the true value of the wellness sector, says Katie Barnes
Spa people: Luuk Melisse
Sanctum's co-founder Luuk Melisse on going global with the unique, spiritual workout that originated in Amsterdam
Interview: Dean Kowarski
Virgin Active is transforming its gym business with 230 sites and 1.2 million members into a social wellness brand. The CEO reveals more details to Liz Terry
First person: Steamy situation
Cassandra Cavanah is moved to tears (and also a little nervous) as she joins hundreds of near-naked heat enthusiasts at this year's Aufguss World Championships
Promotion: TechnoAlpin: In touch
Sara Brenninger talks
to wellness expert
Alina Hernandez
about the power of
real snow to create
immersive touchless
wellness experiences
Interview: Fabian Dolman
How can operators make a successful business out of aufguss programmes? Thermen Resort's CEO gives some tips
Sponsored: Best of both
Alina Hernandez, Gharieni Group advisory board member, explains how Metawell – its portfolio of tech-forward mind/body technologies – is right on time for the next era of wellness
Sponsored: Elevate your business with EGYM
Transform your business with fully connected, personalised and data-powered solutions that drive results
for members, trainers and businesses
Sponsored: Outstanding in its field
RKF Luxury Linen has had a stellar year in 2024, hitting new standards of excellence with a raft of certifications
Promotion: Rest and repeat
Starpool is drawing on science, innovation and equilibrium to offer the industry’s leading recovery solutions
Sponsored: Iyashi Dôme's Oteire
Modern consumers demand solutions that blend cutting-edge technology with proven results, and Iyashi Dôme is rising to the challenge by redefining industry standards
First person: Sparkling Water
Mary Bemis is one of the first to visit the stunning new Sacred River Spa at Four Seasons Bali at Sayan
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.
The Global Wellness Summit (GWS) will celebrate its 20th anniversary at the 2026 event in
Phuket, Thailand, later this year with the theme: The Science, Art and Soul of Wellness.
Auko, an all-inclusive development, is opening in Phong Nha in Vietnam in Q3 2026, with a
series of 30 tented eco-lodges and wellness hospitality operations by Lumina Wellbeing.
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions
that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once
complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK.
Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, has opened a 2,800sq m spa called The Sanctuary,
with the design and concept inspired by the Native American people that populated Florida’s
Southwest coast – the Calusa.
Swire Hotels’ luxury hospitality brand Upper House has revealed it will roll out its two-day
House of Healing retreats at its three hotels in Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai.
LVMH-owned beauty house Guerlain will launch up to five spas with partners a year as part of
its plan to expand globally, according to the brand’s international spa and wellness director,
Diane Davody.
A new global study by Kevin Kelly and Peter Yesawich, called WELLSurvey 2.0, has revealed
more than half of consumers in the UK, US and Germany would not choose numerous high-
profile wellness resort brands for a future trip.
Luxury hospitality and wellness pioneer Jeremy McCarthy has launched Leisure Alchemy, a
digital platform that will provide professionals with strategic guidance on how to build
transformational leisure experiences that drive profit.
The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
Golf Resort, bringing together spa managers, directors and owners for two days of focused
education, meaningful connection and commercial insight. [more...]
In a world where imbalance often accumulates quietly, Wildsmith unveils its newest
wellbeing innovation: Silent Loads, an approach designed to meet the needs of modern spa
guests with precision and depth. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
Omnisens Rooted in nature and guided by a holistic philosophy, Omnisens' treatments and products are crafted [more...]
