Sean Tarry Writes.

Leveraging the aspects of ancient practice to elevate your business

By Sean Tarry

When it comes to helping guests escape from the stresses and frustrations of their day-to-day lives, providing them with experiences of tranquility, peace and relaxation, ensuring the right surrounding and environment is critical. And, although there are a number of different ways to go about developing and constructing the décor and layout of a spa, depending, of course, on the desired aesthetic and vision of the establishment, an ancient practice – one that dates back thousands of years – could hold the key to unlocking the potential of today’s spas. In fact, according to Mark Ainley, Contemporary Feng Shui Consultant and expert on space and flow, it’s a practice that aligns extremely well with the objectives of any spa location.

“The very basis of Feng Shui, the idea behind its practice, is to help in the arrangement of pieces found within living spaces in order to achieve a balance with the natural world,” he explains. “By harnessing energy forces and establishing harmony within an environment, individuals can significantly improve their mental, spiritual and mental health. And, when considering the atmosphere that spa owners are attempting to create for their guests, it would seem as though the principles of Feng Shui could serve as a fantastic guide for their efforts.”

Environment of escape

Feng Shui, developed sometime around 4,000 BC, is today practiced all over the world and is leverage by many professionals within architecture, interior design, and landscaping, among a number of other disciplines. And, although it’s considered to be a pseudoscience, falling short of receiving actual scientific accreditation to back its claims, there is nothing pseudo about the effectiveness of its applications on an environment or individual, or the endurance of its use. And, Ainley suggests that spa establishments can take advantage of its teachings to enhance the element of escape that they offer their guests.

“For those living in urban environments, every day surroundings can at times be very imposing,” he says. “The architecture found in most North American cities is really large in scale and has been made using hard materials. As a result, it can give off an imposing, intimidating atmosphere. The colours that are used in the construction of the buildings are usually very plain, too, resulting in a distinct lack of vibrancy. And our cities have tended to be built on linear grids using straight lines. These linear forms can bring about a speedier and thereby more aggressive quality to these spaces and the movement by people through them, which can foster impatience and aggression. Spas have the opportunity to offer an environment that contains beautiful colour and creative expression, natural elements that appeal to each of the senses, and movement and flow that encourages relaxation and peace, providing much-needed relief rom the agitations of the outside world and a haven to rest and recover from them.”

Ainley goes on to explain that whether indoor or outdoor, the same principles of Feng Shui apply to the development of the space and arrangement of the pieces within it. And, allowing the universal elements of fire, wood, water, earth and metal which, when balanced, bring comfort, equilibrium and enjoyment, to guide the creation of a space can result in dramatic effects and help create the perfect spa offering.

Whether indoor or outdoor, spa owners can consider implementing the following techniques in order to properly harness the power, or qi, of a space and provide the peaceful, relaxing experience that their guests are looking for.

Fire

Firepits and fireplaces are a great way to connect guests with the elements, helping to establish a calm environment, soothing the senses and serving as a communal gathering point.

Wood

Ensure that the space is adorned with a variety of different plants, flowers and other forms of vegetation, arranging them in meandering patterns in order to elevate the senses, providing the backdrop for areas of reflection.

Water

This might seem like a no-brainer element to include within a spa. And it is. However, establishments have the opportunity to become creative with their use of water, presenting it in pools, ponds, showers, tubs, waterfalls, streams, and more.

Earth

Another critical element to include, and one that spa owners will also want to become creative with, particularly for establishments that have the luxury of working with an outdoor space. Smart use of contrasting textures, including rocks, grass, clay and sand can help create a more appealing and engaging surrounding.

Metal

Represented in firepits and other structures, metal often serves to juxtapose the softness of an environment. However, when incorporated as wind chimes, it can have the most exquisite effect on the mood of visitors.

Finding a balance

In achieving Yin and Yang, striking a balance within an area, and creating an environment of positive energy, Ainley believes that spa owners have the opportunity to elevate their businesses by optimizing the use of their spaces. It involves with a basic understanding of the fundamental principles of Feng Shui and the ways in which its teachings can be leveraged to positive effect. However, Ainley suggests that business owners first develop a comprehensive understanding of their locations and the objective they’re trying to achieve.

“By studying and assessing the space that’s available within an establishment, spa owners will be able to see more clearly the ways in which they can best utilize that space, improving the flow and energy and, in the end, the overall experience for their visitors. They need to understand how they want their guests to flow through their environment, how they want them to interact with their services, and the mood that they want to create throughout. Undergoing this exercise, by walking their customers’ journey with them step-by-step, will inform their use of Feng Shui and the creation of a more balanced and enjoyable environment.”