Healing Through History

Traditional Asian healing practices have fuelled the growth of the global wellness industry as a whole. Tatler Asia traces the evolution of ancient therapies to modern-day remedies —and reveals top destinations in the region to experience the best treatments

- Kissa Castañeda And Coco Marett

Long before the term “wellness” was coined or the concept of a luxury spa as we know it existed, the idea of nurturing oneself was an integral part of many Asian cultures. The quest to achieve a sound mind, body and soul is an essential aspect of Asian life—whether derived from bathing in mineral-filled onsens in Japan or slathering the skin with Ayurvedic oils customised to your dosha (energy) in India—and traditional practices are reaching an even wider audience today.

“Asia is definitely the centre of wellness. It is the birthplace of healing modalities that focus on prevention such as Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicine and meditation. I see a very fast adoption of integrated wellness retreats from our clients in Asia,” says Dervla Louli, founder of wellness travel company Compare Retreats.

In the next few years, the wellness tourism industry is set to grow at an unprecedented pace—“it is currently valued at US$639b and is on track to be worth US$919b in 2022”, says Louli—an upward trajectory that reflects the general trend of millennials’ increased spending on experiences.

The draw is immense: investing in improving your well-being is literally investing in your own health and happiness. In a world where there are so many things competing for your time, money and attention, putting the focus on yourself is a luxury worth paying for.

Here, we delve into various Asian modalities and share our picks of the best places in the region for your next retreat.

INDIA

The Mother of All Healing