Judith Wendell on spa feng shui
I have a spiritual approach to life, but I don’t like to think of myself as New Age. When I lived in San Francisco, there was a very liberal culture, with influences from China and Japan, and I went to a en monastery on Sunday to meditate and listen to talks. In NYC, I joined the School of Practical Philosophy, which has the distinct Hindu orientation. I also went to Bali with a Buddhist priest, visiting temples and learning more about myself and the faith. If I lost everything tomorrow, I hope these spiritual practices would guide met in a new direction.
Feng shui was first practiced by Chinese shamans 5,000 years ago in the belief that a harmonious flow of energy or ‘chi’ through an environment promotes health, happiness and prosperity. I’m a skeptical person, but when you experience results, skepticism falls away. My clients have gotten married when they wanted or gained more business. I can’t take credit for it all, but perhaps I helped to set thins up.
I’v consulted on the Mandaran Oriental i New York, which has a beautiful pre- and post-treatment area overlooking the Hudson River. however, it’s at the end of a hallway so the energy moves too quickly through it,thus is not relaxing. Once suggestion I’ve made is to hang a large crystal to circulate the energy and relate a more intimate atmosphere. I’ve also made some back-office adjustments,which have made a big difference to employees, and I’m working on enhancing aspects of its retail area.
The Dhara Dhevi Mandarin Oriental in Chiang Mai is a magnificent property: you are spa-ing the moment you enter. I love all massages, but for me it’s about the energy the therapist pus in to it. It’s obvious if they’re really dedicated to it.
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Advancing the Global Spa Economy. Summit 2008, May 18, 2008