Although few here would ever say that Hong Kong is lacking in holistic care, if one's looking more than yoga or a TCM treatment, offerings are a bit slim. Enter The Sanctuary, a holistic healing centre with programs to address Hong Konger's mental and physical health.
What it is: Founded by Phil Davies and Vivienne Tang, The Sanctuary offers a range of treatments geared towards personal development, with options including hypnotherapy, energy healing, homeopathy, aromatherapy, emotional freedom techniques (EFT) and yoga.
PR speak: “We have a great variety of practitioners who all specialize in different techniques and modalities,” says Vivienne Tang, co-founder of The Sanctuary.
“This enables us to suggest the most appropriate treatment for our customers’ needs," she continues. "People who suffer from high levels of stress will benefit from regular meditation, while others might deal with it best through hypnotherapy. If they have a physical or emotional issue, perhaps vibrational attunement or emotional freedom techniques (EFT) – a modality that works with the meridians – can do wonders for them.”
The atmosphere: This 1,400-square-foot centre with five treatment rooms and a workshop space keeps design elements to a minimum ensuring that guests see the emphasis on the individual and treatment, not the latest interior design trend.
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The treatment: Although the hot stone massage along with meditation and yoga classes are some of the most popular offerings at The Sanctuary, one of the more unique options there is emotional freedom techniques (EFT). We met with founder Phil Davies to discussed the treatment, which is often referred to as “a needle-free version of acupuncture”. (For this needle-phobes among us, this is an alternative to TCM.)
A long-held practice, EFT addresses the link between mental, emotional and physical health. By tapping specific energy meridians on the body (like acupuncture does with needles), Davies works with clients to unblock those pathways, releasing the body’s natural healing potential. The treatment is particularly well known for helping people overcome phobias, and working through pain management.
Although we expected a similar experience to acupuncture (think: lie on a bed and get poked and prodded), Davies explained the EFT required more interaction from clients. Each session -- which can range from 15 to 60 minutes depending on the seriousness of the ailment -- starts with a consultation with Davies and then proceeds into a series of affirmations and "tapping".
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The energy points that EFT focuses on are mainly on the face, neck and hands, and although important to work with a seasoned practitioner, Davies points out that patients can continue this treatment on their own between sessions, making it much for accessible than traditional acupuncture treatments.
EFT is just one of the unique offering at The Sanctuary, but it also highlights the venue's strength: offering holistic care in an environment that put the focus on you. If you're looking for bells, whistles, candles and plush design, you'll be disappointed, but for those seeking personal development and a bit more Zen in their lives, The Sanctuary will be a welcome refuge.
The Sanctuary, 29/F, Unit 2905, Universal Trade Centre, 3-5A Arbuthnot Road, Central, +852 2537 1373, www.thesanctuary.com.hk
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