Amy Chan, spa guru at Langham Hospitality Group’s Chuan Spa, gives her insights into why modern men should be booking a spa treatment today.
Has the COVID-19 epidemic made you rethink your own wellness regime? Has the lockdown led to worse than usual habits? Could you do with a little holistic healing or perhaps just need some time away from the corporate coalface? Perhaps you need to join the growing numbers of men visiting contemporary spas.
What proportion of your guests at the Chuan Spa are men and are you seeing more male visitors?
On average, 40% of our guests are men and we believe the numbers will go higher as, like the ladies, men are increasingly taking care of themselves and rating wellness higher on their radars.
What are the main concerns male guests are looking for help with?
The main areas of concern for our male guests are neck, shoulders, and back tension and the most popular treatment is the full body massage.
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Chuan Spa specializes in treatments based on Traditional Chinese Medicine; what are some of the best TCM treatments for men?
Some of our most popular treatments are the Chuan Harmony massage and the Chuan Balancing massage. Our signature massage techniques are focused on the body’s meridian system and acupressure points.
Ear Auricular is complementary after each Chuan service. This ear therapy enhances the benefits of the spa treatment and overall experience. Ear beads are applied to the assigned acupoints for stimulation, activating the production of neurotransmitters in the brain, increasing circulation, and nurturing, healing, and restoring the body.
Auricular therapy is one of the most important components of traditional Chinese acupuncture. It is based on the theory that the ear is an upside-down fetus in the womb. The auricle (outer portion of the ear) has over 200 points corresponding to different parts of the body. It is a microcosm in that the ear presents the entire body, and the auricle can be used to stimulate various organs and meridians in the body. This is an ideal treatment for men who do not like to have marks on their bodies since their main concern areas are the neck and back, and these areas are hard to hide with a shirt or t-shirt. Ear articular treatment is less noticeable and more discrete.
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Cupping (Ho Guan), available at selected Chuan spas, including those at Cordis Hong Kong, Langham hotels in Chicago, Melbourne, Shenzhen, and Hefei, and at Langham Place Guangzhou, relaxes muscles and enhances detoxification. Cupping is an ancient Chinese practice in which a heated cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup has therapeutic effects on the skin and the superficial muscle layer beneath. Cupping is applied to certain acupressure points, as well as to regions of the body that are affected by pain. Benefits of the suction include the stimulation of blood circulation and the lymphatic system, and the relaxation of tense muscles.
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The treatment is suitable for men if they don’t have much time for a massage, don’t like oil on their bodies, and are looking for a treatment that’s more focused on penetrating deeper into the skin than a massage.
You’ve been in wellness for over two decades; how are perceptions of a “spa day” changing within the ranks of modern men?
Men used to think the spa is for women and if men go to the spa, they are perceived as being vain or girl-ish. However, modern men today understand and appreciate the benefits of having a spa treatment that’s not all about beauty but that enhances the wellbeing and brings positive physiological and psychological effects. When you have a spa treatment, the professional spa therapist can help reach the area of the body that you cannot reach, such as the back, and the treatment will release tension, which relaxes the body and mind.
What are the most important wellness aspects that guys need to be aware of?
I don’t see men being any different to women when it comes to the importance of wellness. Important wellness aspects would be body health, fitness routine, a balanced diet, and mindfulness. Remove yourself from technology for a short duration one to three times a day, particularly before bedtime; make sure you drink enough water so your body is well hydrated; balance work and personal time, and spend enough time with family and friends. An important point is to pamper your hands and feet. Men tend to forget about these areas, but they are part of your overall presentation.
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What does the Chuan Spa offer modern lads looking to relax and rejuvenate?
The Chuan Tao of Detox and The Chuan Ritual are both full spa packages designed to take care of men from head to toe. The Chuan Tao of Detox is a two-hour 30-minute treatment that includes a full-body exfoliation to stimulate blood and lymph circulation; a warm muddy elements wrap infused with aromatherapy oils, which intensifies the detox process; and an acupressure massage that releases energy blockages. It finishes with a relaxing facial therapy that restores dehydrated skin, leaving it deeply nourished.
Alternatively, the Chuan Ritual is a two-hour 30-minute treatment that incorporates a Chuan Signature Massage, a results-driven facial, and a Chuan Extra Retreat – guests can choose from a Chuan Herbal Salt Scrub, an Intensive Hair Repair Scalp Massage, a Mini Muddy Element, or a Chuan Mini Feet Retreat. However, if you don’t have much time, then our Chuan Man’s World treatment covers the back and face and will be a quick fix for busy guys.
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What are some of the products you’re using in Chuan Spa’s treatments at the moment?
We use Chuan Signature 5 Element Oils that are based on the TCM concept of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water). We have recently revamped our oils and created bespoke scents with French perfumer Christophe Laudamiel. These were developed around the concept – mastered in TCM and proven scientifically several times – that natural scents interact significantly with the body and with the different dimensions of our mental states. The Chuan essential oils and massage oils re-balance the five elements around the three pillars found in each of us; our life force (Jing), our vital energy (Qi), and our mind and spirit (Shen).
What are the ways modern men can deal with stress before they need to book a treatment with you?
Breathe – go to a quiet place where you can be alone, take a moment to slowly breathe in through the nose and breathe out through the mouth 5 to 10 times. This will help to clear the mind.
Aroma – burn a scented candle or use an aroma diffuser. Choose a relaxing aroma for the evening and a citrus fragrance during the day to keep your mind refreshed.
Music – listen to Zen, calm, or instrumental sounds. Ensure there is no singing.
Meditation – for mindfulness
Soak – Take a warm bath to relax the body muscles or soak your feet in a bowl of warm water.
Fitness – Exercise, but do not overdo it. Swimming is great as it works on the whole body without straining it.
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