{"id":2707,"date":"2017-11-28T15:58:04","date_gmt":"2017-11-28T04:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.com.au\/blog\/?p=2707"},"modified":"2019-01-02T13:41:28","modified_gmt":"2019-01-02T02:41:28","slug":"true-meaning-wellness-tourism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wendywutours.co.nz\/blog\/true-meaning-wellness-tourism\/","title":{"rendered":"The True Meaning of Wellness Tourism"},"content":{"rendered":"

I don\u2019t do yoga! The mention of the \u2018downward dog\u2019 leaves me in a rhapsody of laughter. I\u2019ve even tried goat yoga but broke away from the \u2018peace circle\u2019 to play with the therapy animals. Meditation \u2026 an excuse to compile the weekly grocery list.<\/p>\n

My pursuit of wellness is through travel. While Wellness Tourism – think yoga and meditation retreats – is worth $563b globally. At a growth rate of more than twice as fast as overall tourism expenditure (Global Wellness Institute), I find total relaxation through \u2018off-the-beaten-track\u2019 adventures. You\u2019ll find me immersed in a Lama blessing in Nepal<\/a>, over the confinement of a white room in the latest activewear any day!<\/p>\n

When I travel internationally, I avoid tourist queues and follow trails that are safe, but culturally intriguing. Why invest in experiences I can do literally in my own backyard?<\/p>\n

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Here are a few \u2018wellness\u2019 highlights from my Asian explorations:<\/h2>\n

To remove the mind clutter there\u2019s no better place than a night at a Buddhist monastery on Mt Koya in Japan<\/a>. Koyasan is the home of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect, for over 1,200 years. Kongobu-Ji Temple, the head monastery of Shingon Buddhism is home to Japan’s largest rock garden.<\/p>\n

As well as the Garan temple complex. Okunoin is Japan’s largest cemetery and holds the mausoleum of the founder of Shingon Buddhism, Kobo Daishi. The 2km walk to the mausoleum takes you past 200,000 tombstones. Belonging to feudal lords, prominent monks and well-known Japanese companies.<\/p>\n