Spiritual Wellbeing and the Beauty Therapist

By Mary Cox

Many beauty clinics are looking for different ways to stand out from the crowd. Some now offer exercise and nutrition programmes, others go down the day spa route, and still others are looking within and offering more spiritually-oriented treatments.

The term spiritual wellbeing means different things to different people. What we do know, however, is that spiritual wellbeing encompasses the higher or true self which believes everything in the universe is made up of energy and everything in the universe is connected. For many people spiritual wellbeing simply allows them to let go of their worries and fears and trust in life.

Some people believe that technological advances in the medical world have changed the focus of medicine from a caring, service oriented model to a technological, cure-oriented model. Physicians recognise that whilst these technological advances have indeed given them the ability to prolong life, the spiritual or compassionate care for treating the whole person (body, mind, spirit and emotion) has been somewhat sacrificed.

Over the years there have been many changes to mainstream beauty therapy. In some instances we have seen enormous technological advances, space age machines that can do all sort of wonderful things at the push of a button, advanced skincare and cosmetics that plump, minimise and indeed temporarily paralyze. But the one thing that never changes is the beauty therapist’s hands and the loving intent with which a treatment is delivered.

The word “holistic” has been around for many years and it, too, has come to mean many things. But, believe it or not it, means to nurture the entire person (physical, emotional, mental and spirit) and so we could say that the holistic beauty therapist looks at the “whole” person including from a spiritual wellbeing point of view.

Many therapists practice a holistic approach to beauty and client spiritual wellbeing, through reiki, reflexology, aromatherapy massage and many other touch-for-health treatments. Some have even progressed their careers and studied meditation, counselling and other forms of energy therapies.

Beauty and spa menus now offer crystal healing, Indian head massage, sound and vibration medicine, chakra massages, guided imagery, colour therapy and quantum touch, all of which appear to have a profound effect on the client’s spiritual wellbeing.

Reiki in particular is a form of hands-on energy healing used to channel healing energy to the client and promote spiritual clarity; it also helps to balance energy within the body. Stones and crystals can be placed around the body to stimulate vibrational patterns and release energy blockages. Reiki provides a means for most people (therapist, client, family and friends) to nourish themselves spiritually, so to speak.

Sound and vibration therapy encompasses sound, movement and vibration. clients experience the uplifting, energetic or soothing, relaxing effects of sound through music.

Sound and vibration therapy has been around for many years and is based on ancient traditions. Many believe that quartz crystal singing bowls, for example, go way back to the Atlantian age. Tibetan bowls and bells, tuning forks, and quartz crystal singing bowls are used to improve energy flow around the body and clear emotional, physical and spiritual blockages. The bowls are molded or shaped to resonate different tones. Sound and vibration therapy helps reduce stress, aid relaxation and allows the client to experience profound peace, increased energy levels, spiritual wellbeing, balance and harmony.

Quantum touch is a fascinating energy healing modality that integrates beautifully into beauty, massage and spa therapy. It relies on two very important laws of nature: resonance and entrainment. Resonance is a synchronised relationship between two systems transferring energy from one to the other. Entrainment takes place when the two systems align their movement and energy. Research shows that when two human biofields interact, they will eventually entrain to one another and produce a form of energetic homeostasis. A quantum touch practitioner amplifies life-force energy (Chi). When that energy is placed around an affected area of a client’s body, the client matches the vibration of the practitioner, allowing the client’s own biological network to trigger healing in the affected area.

Spiritual wellbeing is an integral part of mental, emotional and physical health and is vital for self-esteem and purpose in life, for therapist and client alike. There are many benefits.

It improves the ability to cope with everyday challenges and increases self-esteem and confidence. It helps the person become totally centered and focused. It can provide absolute fulfillment and inner peace. In addition, job satisfaction, healthy relationships, and a balanced lifestyle are spin-offs of spiritual wellbeing.

There is no doubt that the role of the beauty therapist has changed from basic face and body therapy to encompass beneficial spiritual wellbeing treatments. Beauty therapy is a wonderful profession and it is indeed a privilege to be able to assist clients to relax the mind and body, look after their skin and strengthen their spiritual wellbeing.


This article was published in BeautyNZ magazine, May 2009