Water is medicine. We are more liquid than solid and it’s even possible that one of the reasons we evolved onto two legs was to make it easier to find water sources,” says Lizzi Larbalestier who’s built her business around the therapeutic benefits of water.
Larbalestier specialises in Blue Health Coaching, offering business and lifestyle coaching by the sea and based on the idea that a connection with water promotes mental, physical, spiritual, psychological and social health.
“Lots of people suffer from fatigue and information overload. When you bring people to the sea you can see their shoulders drop and they breathe more deeply,” she says. “The space lends itself to deep conversations and a big horizon allows their eyes to relax, bringing in peripheral vision and a soft fascination which expands thought.”
Although there’s now abundant scientific research to show how effective bodies of water are for mental wellness, Larbalestier argues the medicinal effects of water are still underutilised and undervalued – even in resort and destination spas which have their origins in salus per aquum (health through water).
She advocates stripping out chlorine and using salt water for pools, as well as looking at the whole system of water use and designing in ways to capture and recycle grey water.
“Water should be part of the décor: it’s restorative and the light reflects well off it,” she says. “But also look for other ways to bring in water content – artwork, music and even the language used. I like to use words like flow, ripple effect and buoyancy in my work.”
In addition, they could simply offer more experiences and packages by bodies of water, employ blue health coaches or put therapists through the coaching course she’s just about to launch.
“Although I wouldn’t always advocate initiating a conversation, it would be great to train therapists to be able to respond appropriately if people do volunteer information,” she says. “Massage is all about moving liquid – lymphatic fluid – around the body and putting people into flow state, so language tools could support the process of letting go.”
Overall, Larbalestier argues that spa operators need to be mindful of water ecosystems too and the impact of not just microbeads and plastics but fats and oils which go down the drain.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 1
Editor's letter: Time to shine
As spas reach peak revenues, now’s the time for our industry to act as a catalyst in working out how we measure the impact of an experience and the ‘return on wellness’ says Spa Business' editor Katie Barnes
Promotional feature: TechnoAlpin
If you want to deliver a hot and cold experience as part of your wellness programme, adding a snowroom will introduce a delightful and more gentle form of cold therapy, as Sara Brenninger explains
Trends: Spa Foresight™
Climate emergency, gen alpha and brain optimisation are among Spa Business’ latest trend predictions
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Investing in children’s facilities gives a spa and wellness offering a competitive edge, as well as helping the next generation achieve their potential, explains Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of industry design and consultancy practice, The Wellness
Promotional feature: RKF Luxury Linen
As a symbol of luxury, innovation and quality in the world of spa and hospitality, much of RKF Luxury Linen’s success comes from its highly client-centric design process, says CEO Riadh Bouaziz
Design: Heat of the moment
From giant golden eggs and converted ski lifts to rustic, hand-crafted huts, we showcase the latest in heat experience design and innovations
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
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We Work Well Inc
In 2019 Monica Helmstetter and Lucy Hugo founded the American hosted buyer event company We Work Wel [more...]
Comfort Zone
Comfort Zone’s comprehensive face and body professional and retail range allows clients
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Water is medicine. We are more liquid than solid and it’s even possible that one of the reasons we evolved onto two legs was to make it easier to find water sources,” says Lizzi Larbalestier who’s built her business around the therapeutic benefits of water.
Larbalestier specialises in Blue Health Coaching, offering business and lifestyle coaching by the sea and based on the idea that a connection with water promotes mental, physical, spiritual, psychological and social health.
“Lots of people suffer from fatigue and information overload. When you bring people to the sea you can see their shoulders drop and they breathe more deeply,” she says. “The space lends itself to deep conversations and a big horizon allows their eyes to relax, bringing in peripheral vision and a soft fascination which expands thought.”
Although there’s now abundant scientific research to show how effective bodies of water are for mental wellness, Larbalestier argues the medicinal effects of water are still underutilised and undervalued – even in resort and destination spas which have their origins in salus per aquum (health through water).
She advocates stripping out chlorine and using salt water for pools, as well as looking at the whole system of water use and designing in ways to capture and recycle grey water.
“Water should be part of the décor: it’s restorative and the light reflects well off it,” she says. “But also look for other ways to bring in water content – artwork, music and even the language used. I like to use words like flow, ripple effect and buoyancy in my work.”
In addition, they could simply offer more experiences and packages by bodies of water, employ blue health coaches or put therapists through the coaching course she’s just about to launch.
“Although I wouldn’t always advocate initiating a conversation, it would be great to train therapists to be able to respond appropriately if people do volunteer information,” she says. “Massage is all about moving liquid – lymphatic fluid – around the body and putting people into flow state, so language tools could support the process of letting go.”
Overall, Larbalestier argues that spa operators need to be mindful of water ecosystems too and the impact of not just microbeads and plastics but fats and oils which go down the drain.
Read more from this issue of Spa Business magazine
View contents of Spa Business 2020 issue 1
Editor's letter: Time to shine
As spas reach peak revenues, now’s the time for our industry to act as a catalyst in working out how we measure the impact of an experience and the ‘return on wellness’ says Spa Business' editor Katie Barnes
Promotional feature: TechnoAlpin
If you want to deliver a hot and cold experience as part of your wellness programme, adding a snowroom will introduce a delightful and more gentle form of cold therapy, as Sara Brenninger explains
Trends: Spa Foresight™
Climate emergency, gen alpha and brain optimisation are among Spa Business’ latest trend predictions
Promotional feature: The Wellness
Investing in children’s facilities gives a spa and wellness offering a competitive edge, as well as helping the next generation achieve their potential, explains Mohammed Ibrahim, CEO of industry design and consultancy practice, The Wellness
Promotional feature: RKF Luxury Linen
As a symbol of luxury, innovation and quality in the world of spa and hospitality, much of RKF Luxury Linen’s success comes from its highly client-centric design process, says CEO Riadh Bouaziz
Design: Heat of the moment
From giant golden eggs and converted ski lifts to rustic, hand-crafted huts, we showcase the latest in heat experience design and innovations
Manipulating the gut microbiome could become a powerful tool for preserving brain health and
resilience as people age, according to research led by Professor Paola Tognini, a neuroscientist
at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa, Italy.
Jessica Sloyan, a wellness operations and training expert, has established an independent
private training academy to provide professional qualifications for practitioners looking to offer
immersive wellness experiences.
The International Spa Association (ISPA) has published its full 2026 US Spa Industry Study,
providing further insights into the region’s total US$1 billion (€855 million, £780 million)
industry revenue increase from 2024 to 2025.
Ameyalli, the 78-acre wellbeing resort and residential community in Midway in Utah, US, has
broken ground on phase two of the hot spring development – the Ameyalli Resort and Spa –
which is due to open in 2028.
TLee Spas and Wellness has revealed the design concept for a high-tech spa with body
mapping scanners to improve public health, for AI company Midjourney.
Gran Hotel Taoro in northern Tenerife, Spain, has completed the final phase of its three-year
renovation with the debut of its Sandára Wellness Centre.
Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa, the spa business with more than 650 locations across
the US and Canada, has appointed franchise expert Carrie Walsh as CEO as the company plans
to expand.
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research
initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry
perspectives.
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry
framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences.
Contrast therapy, based on the alternation of hot and cold rituals, has become one of the
most valued practices in the fields of wellness and recovery. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
We Work Well Inc In 2019 Monica Helmstetter and Lucy Hugo founded the American hosted buyer event company We Work Wel [more...]
