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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
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...]
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
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, a destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy,
will reveal a new spa in February 2027, which has been designed by wellness expert and
consultant Patrizia Bortolin.
Private hotel owner and developer HVL Hotels will open a new luxury resort and tourism
destination called Laval Hunter Valley in the second half of 2027 in Pokolbin, Australia.
The annual wellness festival dedicated to wellbeing, culture, longevity and human connection,
called Alma, will be hosted by Rocco Forte hotel, Verdura Resort in Sicily, Italy.
Capella Hotel Group has appointed Feisal Jaffer as chief development officer as the company
ramps up its global expansion of both its Capella and Patina brands.
People taking GLP-1 weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound
may be losing weight, but they’re also becoming less physically active, according to new
research presented at the ENDO 2026 annual meeting of the Endocrine Society
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Global retreat trade show, Synergy The Retreat Show, has launched a resource called The
Source, which hosts an open-access online Transformation Series programme.
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...]
