Dr. Marian Alonzo, MD, is the Medical Chief, The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines with a specialism in Anthroposophic Medicine from the Goetheanum in Switzerland. This field of medicine investigates the nature of humans as spiritual beings in physical form and the factors that bring optimal health.
She is also deeply focussed on Integrative Medicine: which, as the name suggests, integrates conventional and natural medicine to identify the governing healing principles that connect different streams of ancient healing.
Q1. What trends do you see emerging in the spa/ wellness industry within the next 2-3 years?
Marian: I see several trends emerging ...
- Microbiome-centred services: mood enhancing cuisine, skin microbiome spa services.
- Chrono medicine and biography work (medical science of rhythm, time and timing and why certain experiences happen at significant ages in a person’s life)
- Acceptance of spiritual science including experience field immersion activities facilitated by experience field scientists; experience-based installations/ water-features…
- Activities on the healing wisdom of fairytales and healing principles behind world mythology (painting, crafting)
- Highlighting Elements (earth, air, water fire, ether). Clay modelling (to experience the earth element for example), hikes to waterfalls to experience water element, basic science experiments like creating a mini volcano to experience fire element.
- Activities that feature the richness of different cultures.
- Not as a direct income-generating service, but as people’s faculties for sensing subtle energies become more enhanced, spa/ wellness destination owners/ managers will be open to doing space clearing of their villas/ treatments rooms to allow better flow which will then translate to higher revenue.
Q2. In my opinion, the future of the spa/ wellness industry lies in…
Marian:
- acknowledging human beings as spiritual beings in a physical body incarnating on Earth with a mission and activities that bring the person back into his/her life mission.
- Accessing healing from within through the Higher Self (connecting to that part of the human being uncorrupted by illness and unfazed by life’s drama)
- the wisdom of ancient healing and going back to the role of being in communion with nature and elements (earth, air water fire).
- science technologies that measure shifts in the subtle energy bodies and activities that foster profound connection with nature and Higher Self.
- group travels among people with similar needs (retreat for menopausal women, retreats for spouses whose partners cheated on them, youth advocacy: meaningful activities for teenagers longing for deeper connection and greater sense of purpose like immersion in a pristine area and building physical homes for orphanages. (Note: One is currently in the pipeline for 2025: European and Asia Pacific teenagers travelling to Visayas, Philippines paying for that kind of experience, Koberwitz in Palawan has been accepting youths whose parents pay for immersion on biodynamic gardening just to get their children off screen addiction).
Q3. What challenges do you see ahead?
Marian: The industry faces many challenges including ..
- scarcity of natural resources like water (as presented clearly in the recent GWS).
- Separating science and spirituality: materialistic thinking and non-acknowledgement of the presence of elemental beings which help in nature balance and healing (the concept of body elemental as the carrier of the healthy blueprint for the human being)
- Lack of support from government and media
Q4. My favourite personal wellness routines include …
Marian:
- Alignment activities before even rising from bed (prayer, Jin Shin Jyutsu Main Central exercise)
- Sun Salutation, Nature Walk, Gardening, Meditation
- Pilates 2x/week
- Trip to the beach 2x/month during non-monsoon season
- Soul-enriching bonding with family and friends
- Quarterly making time to visit abandoned sick people, elderly.
Q5. The best advice I can offer the next generation of wellness professionals is …
Marian:
Professionally: A quote from Rumi which I live by: "Let the beauty of what you love, be what you do."
Personally: Respect others’ freedom. Do not impose your ways or personal expectations on others, learn to come from a space of looking at the difference.
