From Mexico to Tanzania, Thailand to India and from Japan to the Middle East, ancient and traditional wellness and curing practices are seeing a major revival thanks to the on-going upsurge in wellness tourism. As in many walks of life, old is becoming fashionable in wellbeing pursuit as well! The resurge is also often coming with modern twists to many ancient forms of wellness and curing practises, triggering an economic boom — both in rural and urban centres — in sought-after wellness travel destinations.
This global trend also reflects a broader shift towards preventive, holistic healthcare and authentic, transformative travel experiences that connect people with nature and ancient wisdom. The shift is expected to gain further momentum going forward as digital channels further amplify the trend, with online platforms and social media raising awareness and providing remote access to traditional teachings and practices.
The renewed interest in ancient practices has also set off a series of scientific studies on traditional practices like Ayurveda, traditional Chinese medicines and systems of curing, yoga and meditation. The researches, meant to validate the efficacy of these practices, are also aimed at effectively incorporating them into evidence-based modern wellness programmes and healthcare procedures.
Wellness experts and industry players said the surge in interest in traditional healing and wellness practices is mainly because of their holistic approach in promoting health and wellness through natural methods, unlike modern medical practices which focuses on treating specific symptoms. Traditional healing practices also seek to address the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit.
Herbal remedies, meditation, music, and specialized diets are among some of the common traditional practices for cure and wellness, emphasizing the importance of balancing one’s energy with the universe. Notable systems of traditional healing include Shamanism, which employs rituals and natural elements, traditional Chinese systems, which utilizes concepts like qi and acupuncture, and Ayurveda, which emphasizes balance among the body’s life forces. These practices are often communal and culturally significant, with practitioners traditionally regarded as trusted healers within their communities.
Ancient wellness practices with modern twist Photo courtesy — jcomp/freepik
Though the interest in ancient healing and wellness practices see a major resurgence of late, sector experts cautioned that wellness travellers are encouraged to approach traditional healing with informed caution, ensuring compatibility with conventional medical treatments and consulting trained practitioners.
Back to elements
The quest for advanced, innovative measures for attaining body-mind wellbeing by the new breed of wellness tourists, interestingly, is also seen as a journey back to the old ages, with wellbeing-seeking travellers are rediscovering how attention to the natural elements — fire, earth, wood metal and water — can improve their health.
This, in turn, is leading to springing up of a vast number of healing and wellness centres which tactically combine ancient, preventive practices with modern twists and comfy ambience, assuring customers to find mind-body-spirit balance through the elements. Common practices in such centres include the use of herbal remedies, meditation, music, and specialized diets, emphasizing the importance of balancing one’s energy with the universe.
The element of wood is associated with the season of spring — a time of birth and new beginnings. The spring season, according to traditional Chinese healing system, is the time for people to pay attention to body parts such as spine, limbs and joints, as well as muscles, ligaments and tendons. It also means paying attention to the liver, which works to detoxify the blood.
Fire, associated with the summer season, is about warmth, transformation and dynamic, sparkling movement. The season brings fire through the heat of the sun, long days and energized bodies. Cardiovascular exercises are said to serve a person well during summer, as fire, according to ancient wisdom, rules the heart and circulation of the blood.
Earth is unique among the five elements in that it corresponds to two unusual time periods — the warm and light-filled days in September — October, just before the cool weather sets in, and also to times of change throughout the year — the few weeks between seasons. Earth, described as a stabilizing force during these times of transition, is associated with the spleen, pancreas and stomach, the organs of digestion and nutrition, according to traditional Chinese medicine.
Water, associated with the season of winter — said to be a time of inward reflection — is associated with rest and restoration. As for human body, water, the element of pooling, tranquillity and flow, is connected with circulation of the blood, perspiration, tears, the bladder and, most significantly, the kidney. As water moves downhill, exercises and practices that enable fluid movement and find least resistance are advised to be practiced during this period. Tai chi, qigong, yoga and dance are among the practices recommended for the winter months.
Metal, associated with autumn, according to ancient wisdom, is the time to make sure everything pure and necessary is used and maximized, and that anything unnecessary or wasteful is eliminated. Metal energies are described to concern mental and spiritual activities. Besides, metal, according to ancient Chinese healing system, is connected to air through the lungs. The lungs and the large intestine, associated with metal in Chinese medicine, both deal with purification and elimination.
As ancient, element-based healing and wellness practices are seeing a resurgence, aided with new research validating their effectiveness in supporting mental and physical health, present day wellness travellers are advised the following activities during the seasons associated with the elements: Take a walk in the woods (wood — spring), feel the warmth of the rising sun on skin (fire — summer), walk barefoot (earth — late summer), Start a breathing meditation practice (metal — autumn) and take a stroll near a creek or the sea or simply lie back and watch the snow fall (water — winter).
Key regions encashing on resurgence of ancient wellness practices
Select locales in South and Southeast Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Latin America and Europe are the major beneficiaries of the resurgence in traditional and ancient wellness and curing practices, driven by wellness tourism.
Within South Asia, India is emerging as the primary hub for the resurgence of ancient practices, especially Ayurveda, yoga, and meditation. Destinations like the south Indian state of Kerala, known for its age-old Ayurveda-based healing and wellness practices, and Rishikesh in the northern Indian state of Uttara Khand, often described as the global yoga capital, are seeing high demand for authentic, personalized treatments and retreats rooted in centuries-old traditions.
In Southeast Asia, Thailand, and Bali in Indonesia are the regions witnessing significant growth, leveraging their unique cultural heritage. The regions are seeing an economic boom on the back of the growing interest in traditional Thai massage, herbal medicine, and meditation retreats, and traditional Balinese healing and Jamu herbal medicine.
In Latin America, Mexico and Costa Rica are seeing a growing embrace of indigenous wellness practices and energetic healing modalities. The temazcal (sweat lodge) and the sound healing techniques in Mexico and yoga retreats in rainforests and treatments using native plants in Costa Rica are increasingly becoming more popular among wellness travellers.
In the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Tanzania are among the areas which are encashing on the newly found interest in nature-based wellness and healing practices by developing their wellness infrastructure, incorporating local natural assets and sound healing therapies.
In Europe, Switzerland, Iceland, Finland and Turkey are seeing a resurgence in their own ancient healing traditions. Switzerland, promoting its therapeutic climate, Alpine air, and long tradition of thermal baths, Iceland, wooing with its natural geothermal hot springs for relaxation and rejuvenation, Finland promoting its traditional sauna culture as a core wellness practice and Turkey offering the ancient cleansing ritual of the traditional hammam (Turkish baths) are encashing on the ‘back-to-roots’ journey by wellness travellers in a big way.
