THE BEST WORLD WELLNESS PRACTICES

The world offers a wellspring of healthy, wise traditions—with every culture offering something exquisite and lovely. While it would take more space than we have to list them all, we’ve selected some of our favorites from an assortment of countries, regions, and continents that you can easily weave into your own life to maximize your health and well being.

RUSSIA
   While many cultures have steam bathing traditions, from Native American sweat lodges to lakeside steam huts in Scandinavia, nothing captures the very essence of a steam bath like the Russian banya ritual. Banya involves exposing the body alternately to extremes of heat and cold, with brisk massage and applications of herbs and honey to condition muscles, stimulate the organs, and rid the body of accumulated toxins. While you may not be able to jet off to Russia, you can enjoy some of banya’s detoxification benefits at home by following a hot bath with a cool shower, then moisturizing with a honey-based cream such as Clover Honey Whipped Body Butter from Vickerey (www.vickerey.com). Resting afterwards to allow the body’s temperature to normalize is essential—as is replenishing fluids. A traditional banya session would be followed by a cup of herbal tea and chilled, sliced fruit. To try an authentic experience without crossing an ocean, visit Denver’s Izba Spa (www.izbaspa.com), Banya 5 in Seattle (www.banya5.com) or Gaia Day Spa in La Jolla, California (www.gaiadayspa.com).

AUSTRALIA
   If you think we’re going to recommend wrestling crocodiles as some kitschy workout routine, don’t worry—Australia has better things to share. Among the Aboriginal peoples of this vast country, dreams are believed to be portals connecting the physical, human world and the sacred world of spirit. Do you wonder about the meaning of your own dreams? Keeping a dream journal in which you record them may help you tap into your own subconscious wisdom. Some psychologists (remember Karl Jung?) have even suggested that examining your dreams may offer important insight into challenges you face, unresolved emotions, and even goals for the future. A number of books on the subject can help you interpret symbols and recognize patterns, or you can attend a dream workshop like the ones offered at Rancho La Puerta Spa in Tecate, Mexico (www.rancholapuerta.com).

CANADA
   Sorry—we just aren’t going to tell you to cuddle a moose. Instead, we suggest you do as the Canadians do, and go outside. Regardless of the fact that the country’s northern climate lends itself to long bouts of icy weather, the hardy Canadians enjoy being outdoors year round, embracing the frozen months enthusiastically with skiing, skating, hockey, snowshoeing, sledding, ice fishing, and all things snowy. Perhaps this intimate awareness of the natural environment and the interplay of all life is one of the reasons that Canadians are such a peaceful population.

FRANCE
   The French are renowned for their thin, healthy appearance, and it’s well-known that they consume their fair share of wine.Grapes contain powerful compounds known as polyphenols, which have a positive effect on the health of the body’s vascular system. These nutrients are retained when grapes are transformed into wine. Red wine in particular contains potent antioxidants including veratrole and catechin that have been shown to reduce blood clotting and the risk of heart attack. Drink wine in moderation, and choose wines produced organically (certified organic wines bottled in France are available at www.ecowine.com). If you’d rather have yourpolyphenols delivered topically, many spas now offer vinotherapy treatments that utilize the antioxidant and free radical protectioncontained in grape seeds. Try a Wine Barrel Bath or Crushed Cabernet Scrub at the Kenwood Inn & Spa in California’s wine country (www.kenwoodinn.com).

GERMANY
   The work surrounding energetic and vibrational medicine conducted by German surgeon, bacteriologist, and pathologist Edward Bach eventually led to the development of a system of medicine involving the subtle healing power of botanicals. His remedies, Bach Flower Essences, are widely available, and may be used topically or taken orally to treat a variety of emotional imbalances ranging from grief and sadness to fear and anger. To explore the healing power of plants, visit www.bachflower.com.

GREECE AND CRETE
   Back in the 1960s, researchers became intrigued by the good health and longevity of people living on the island of Crete. When analysis revealed that this population was living longer, healthier lives than even the Japanese, studies began in earnest. It eventually became clear that while regular exercise was significant, diet was a vital factor. Lower incidences of heart disease extended to populations living in countries surrounding the Mediterranean, who were all consuming diets comprised of locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables, olive oil (see Italy), low or moderate consumption of dairy products, wine in moderation, and more fish than poultry or red meat. Today, the aptly named Mediterranean Diet is built around these staples. Treat yourself to one of the many excellent cookbooks featuring Mediterranean dishes, and see just how easy it is to channel your own moment in the sun.

INDIA
   Perhaps the very best thing to ever become a worldwide obsession is the ancient Indian practice of yoga. While a strong spiritual component is an important part of many yoga traditions, you can reap a multitude of rewards by simply learning to breathe properly and by correctly (and regularly) practicing specific asanas. While a class can go a long way to teaching proper form, there are a number of excellent training videos and DVDs available from reputable teachers such as Rodney Yee and Patricia Walden. Check www.gaiam.com for a selection of titles suitable for every level of experience.

ITALY
   Italian food wouldn’t be the same without olive oil, revered and featured in nearly every native dish from delicate dips and sauces to fresh-baked bread and pastas. Numerous studies support the health benefits of olive oil. When consumed as part of a healthy diet, olive oil may lower levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in the blood—thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Some research has also suggested that olive oil may affect the distribution of body fat, leading to decreased stores of fat around the stomach. When choosing olive oil, opt for those designated as Extra Virgin, which results from the very first pressing of the fruit. Next best is Virgin, followed by Pure. Avoid olive oil designated as "extra light," which has been subjected to considerable processing. Olive oil may also be applied topically as a moisturizer after bathing, while skin is still damp.

JAPAN
   In Japan, the tea ceremony is an honored ritual, involving choreographed sequences, special accessories, and a very specific environment—all of which help to create an ideal setting for contemplation. Invest in a selection of green, white, and black teas, a special teapot and cup, and a beautiful tray, bearing in mind that traditional ceremonies include elements of varying colors, textures, and designs. Then, create a surrounding that includes gentle music, an organic candle, and a comfortable place to sit. As the water boils and the tea leaves steep, take time out for yourself to be still, or to offer thankfulness for the simple beauties and pleasures to be found in your own life.

MEXICO
   Here in the workaholic culture of the U.S., taking a break more often than not elicits feelings of guilt—or an unfavorable reaction from bosses and coworkers. In Mexico and many other parts of the world, however, taking a siesta in the afternoon to regroup and reenergize is seen as a worthwhile tradition. While you may not be able to convince your boss to give you the go-ahead for an afternoon nap, taking even a short, 10 to 15 minute walk outdoors can clear your mind, refresh you, and help you to stay focused and productive once you return to your desk.

RUSSIA
   While many cultures have steam bathing traditions, from Native American sweat lodges to lakeside steam huts in Scandinavia, nothing captures the very essence of a steam bath like the Russian banya ritual. Banya involves exposing the body alternately to extremes of heat and cold, with brisk massage and applications of herbs and honey to condition muscles, stimulate the organs, and rid the body of accumulated toxins. While you may not be able to jet off to Russia, you can enjoy some of banya’s detoxification benefits at home by following a hot bath with a cool shower, then moisturizing with a honey-based cream such as Clover Honey Whipped Body Butter from Vickerey (www.vickerey.com). Resting afterwards to allow the body’s temperature to normalize is essential—as is replenishing fluids. A traditional banya session would be followed by a cup of herbal tea and chilled, sliced fruit. To try an authentic experience without crossing an ocean, visit Denver’s Izba Spa (www.izbaspa.com), Banya 5 in Seattle (www.banya5.com) or Gaia Day Spa in La Jolla, California (www.gaiadayspa.com).

CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA
   No, our choice from this region is not the Brazilian bikini wax, if that’s what you’re worried about. In most parts of Central and South America, drumming has long been part of shamanistic healing rituals. Today, science is exploring the role of music in treating such conditions as depression and anxiety as well as the management of chronic pain. Studies have shown conclusively that sound vibrations affect the human body on a cellular level, and that different frequencies can raise or lower blood pressure and stress levels. So go ahead—bang a gong, and explore the freedom and release of drumming. Check out one of the world-wide rhythmic workshops, drum circles, and retreats offered by drumming facilitator Arthur Hull (www.drumcircle.com).

SOUTH PACIFIC
   When you visit an island nation in the South Pacific, it’s easy to become intoxicated by the vibrant, brightly colored clothing and surroundings—even birds and flowers seem to be brighter and more vivid here. Legitimate research into how our moods and energy levels are affected by various colors has given rise to a whole school of color therapy. Spas across the country have embraced color’s healing powers by offering treatments that include colored baths, color therapy consultations, and color-infused facials and massages. Try a treatment, or embark on your own color therapy adventure by filling your living and workspaces with colors that please you, or that invoke specific moods. Blue, for instance, is considered calming; green is balancing, while reds and yellows are cheerful and energizing.

SPAIN
   The countryside of sunny, fragrant Spain is dotted with orange trees, and the Spanish love to sip cool, freshly squeezed juice. Nutritionally speaking, making a glass of organic orange juice part of your wake-up ritual is a smart idea—an 8 ounce glass contains approximately 110 calories, O fat and sodium, 2 grams of protein, 450 mg of potassium, and 120% of the daily requirement of vitamin C.

SWITZERLAND
   Watches and ski resorts are great, but Swiss chocolate is better. Chocolate even has health benefits. Recent studies reveal that chocolate contains trace minerals and flavonoids, the same natural antioxidants found in fruits in vegetables that are believed to lower the risk of heart disease. Dark chocolate contains the highest levels of flavonoids, while milk chocolate has about half and white chocolate contains none. Choose organic chocolate, such as Dagoba and Whole Foods’ 365 Organic Swiss Chocolate. And remember that moderation is key—calorically speaking, a little bit of this sweet treat goes a long way.

THE HIMALAYAS
   Yes, the hauntingly beautiful music of the Himalayas is perfect for yoga and meditation. But the region offers a lot more—including body care products and soaps handcrafted with the milk from yaks and mares. The rich, emollient properties of these milks are blended with honey and botanicals indigenous to the Himalayan region, where they have provided the complexions’ of locals with protection against the harsh, high-altitude environment. No need to get out your mountain-climbing gear—you can order your own supply from Wild Earth (www.wildearthnepal.com).

UNITED KINGDOM
   The U.S. is a nation of drivers; we often start the car up to travel ridiculously short distances to mail a letter or pick up a half-gallon of milk. Throughout the UK, a large part of the population regularly walks to work, to shop, and to perform daily errands, regardless of the weather. Outfitted with an umbrella and a pair of comfortable walking shoes, you too can reap the benefits of making a regular walk part of your schedule—whether that means getting off the bus a few stops early, leaving your car at home altogether, or simply parking a few extra blocks away from your destination. Not only is regular exercise good for your body, it’s also great for lowering stress levels.