10 alternative wellness therapies you can check out in Singapore

If you've always loved horses, this might be for you. Established in 2021 as a social enterprise, Herd Singapore specialises in Equine-Assisted Intervention (EAI), encompassing programs designed to enhance human health and well-being. These interventions leverage the emotional and physical connection between individuals and horses, serving recreational, educational, and therapeutic purposes.

Numerous studies highlight the diverse benefits of EAI, spanning social, psychological, emotional, physical, and educational realms. Some key advantages include heightened trust, reduced anxiety, diminished feelings of depression and isolation, boosted self-esteem, self-acceptance, and social skills, improved impulse control, and enhanced attention span.

During a typical session at Herd, you'll engage in ground-based, non-riding activities with therapy horses. These interactive experiences may also involve horse grooming, feeding, in-hand work (such as walks, exposure to new environments, grazing), and ground games. Reflective components are integrated into the experiential process, offering a unique and powerful learning experience where you can actively engage and learn from hands-on interactions with the horses.

A popular Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation, Reiki is also a form of energy healing with roots in ancient cultures. At Spa Esprit, Lie back (fully clothed) and relax as a Reiki master work to channel universal healing energy to your energetic field.

This simple, natural and safe method of hands-on spiritual healing is said to be done in order to encourage emotional release or even physical healing. Relax, rebalance and rejuvenate with the power of Reiki.

Reiki at Spa Esprit is only available by appointment only at the Wheelock Outlet.

Disconnect from the rest of the world for 45 minutes at Pure Wellness, Singapore's first dedicated infrared sauna studio. Compared to the conventional heat that you'll find at traditional saunas, this specialised sauna studio uses full-spectrum infrared technology to penetrate the skin up to seven centimetres. This directly heats up the core of your body rather than the air around you, resulting in a far more effective sweat session.

Potential results from one session include improved sleep patterns, skin rejuvenation, muscle recovery, and weight loss.

Ayurvedic medicine was founded over 3,000 years ago in India. The aim is to improve one’s health through finding balance in every aspect of life from mental to physical wellbeing.

This clinic and spa offers a variety of treatments targeting chronic back pain, cellulite, nasal congestion and more. Some treatments such as herbal oil crown pouring help to stimulate the chakras, which help to improve the immune system and mood.

Halotherapy or salt therapy was first introduced during the medieval age where the sick were taken to salt caves until they recovered from their illnesses.

Centuries later, scientists discovered that inhaling fine salt particles draws excess moisture in the airways, which thins mucus and clears allergies. As a bonus, halotherapy makes the skin look clearer over time.

Yup, you read that right – healing by floating on water. This form of therapy involves a pod filled with water and 600 kg of dissolved epsom salt, causing anyone to float effortlessly.

All distractions are whisked away when the pod closes and without any physical strain on your body, the mind slows down and enters a meditative state. In turn, it helps to rewire the brain and reduce stress.

Ever wondered why athletes take ice baths after training? The cold water shocks the layers of skin, causing the nerve receptors to minimise pain and trigger accelerated healing.

Cryotherapy, either localised or for the entire body, uses liquid nitrogen. While it may be daunting to use this chemical, cryotherapy not only reduces inflammation, but it can also decrease the size of pores and stimulate collagen to make the skin plumper.

Can’t stand the cold, no fret – try red light therapy instead. The NovoTHOR light bed uses both red light and a less powerful form of infra-red rays to increase the speed and quality of tissue regeneration. NovoTHOR users claim that it has helped with back and neck pains, fractures and even jet lag.

Hammam is also known as a Turkish bath – a public steam bath that may also offer massages and exfoliation to relax the muscles and improve blood circulation.

Reméde Spa’s variant starts with a soft steam and scrub using black soap to cleanse and exfoliate the body. A Rassoul clay mask is then applied on the face, scalp and body to purify the skin. Last but not least, the treatment ends with a scalp and face massage using argan oil.

Don’t underestimate the power of sound. This style of therapy brings your mind to Theta Brain frequency, which triggers physical and psychological calmness. Restorative yoga is a great form of meditation but it is less intense than regular yoga – focusing on supportive positions with the help of blocks.



This article was originally published on Harper's Bazaar.