Reiki
Reiki is a gentle Japanese energy practice. A practitioner rests their hands lightly on or just above the body, usually while you lie fully clothed,…
Guides to holistic practices
Plain-language guides to what each practice is, what a session is like, and how to choose someone you trust.
Holistic
Holistic wellness looks at the whole person (body, mind, emotions and lifestyle) rather than one symptom at a time. Holistic practitioners and…
Natural health
Natural health practitioners focus on food, herbs, lifestyle and the body's own rhythms. The field includes naturopaths, herbalists, Ayurvedic…
Sound healing
Sound healing uses sound and vibration (singing bowls, gongs, tuning forks, drums and voice) to guide the body and mind into a deeply restful state.…
Massage
Massage therapy uses hands-on pressure and movement on the muscles and soft tissue. Styles range from gentle Swedish and lymphatic drainage to deep…
Acupuncture
Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine. A licensed acupuncturist inserts very fine, sterile needles at specific points on the body. Many…
Energy healing
Energy healing is a broad name for practices that work with the body's subtle energy or 'biofield', such as chakra balancing, aura clearing, Pranic…
Polarity therapy
Polarity therapy, developed by Dr. Randolph Stone, combines gentle touch, movement, awareness and nutrition guidance to support the flow of energy in…
Craniosacral
Craniosacral therapy is a very light-touch bodywork practice. The therapist gently holds areas such as the head, spine and sacrum, aiming to help the…
Breathwork
Breathwork means using intentional breathing patterns to shift how you feel, from calming slow breathing to more active styles such as conscious…
Meditation
Meditation is training attention and awareness, for example by focusing on the breath, a phrase or the body. Styles include mindfulness,…
Yoga
Yoga combines movement, breath and attention. Studios offer many styles: flowing vinyasa, heated hot yoga, slow yin and restorative,…
Bathhouses & saunas
Bathhouses and saunas offer heat, water and cold: dry and wet saunas, steam rooms, hot pools, cold plunges and traditions such as Korean spas and…
Salt caves
Salt caves and salt rooms are spaces lined with Himalayan salt where you relax while fine salt particles are dispersed in the air…
Float therapy
Float therapy means floating in a pod or room filled with warm water and so much Epsom salt that you're effortlessly buoyant, often with light and…
Day spas
Day spas and wellness spas offer massage, facials, body treatments and often access to saunas, steam rooms and relaxation…
Wellness centers
Wellness centers and integrative clinics bring several practitioners under one roof, such as massage, acupuncture, nutrition, counseling and…
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and focused attention (a state often called a trance) to help you work with habits, thoughts and feelings. You…
Psychic mediums
Psychic mediums and intuitive readers offer readings that people use for reflection, comfort or entertainment, including mediumship, intuitive…
Astrology
Astrologers read the positions of the planets at the time of your birth (your birth chart) and current planetary movements, as a lens for reflection…
Nutrition
Nutrition professionals help you build an eating pattern that suits your body, goals and life. Registered dietitians (RD/RDN) are licensed in most…
Coaching
Life, wellness, somatic and spiritual coaches help you get clear on goals and make changes, through conversation, accountability and practical tools.…
Counseling
Counselors and psychotherapists are licensed mental-health professionals (for example LMFT, LCSW, LPC or psychologists). Holistic therapists may also…
Shamanic healing
Shamanic practitioners draw on ceremonial and journeying traditions. Sessions may include drumming, guided journeying, energy work and ritual.…
Retreats
Wellness retreats give you time away to rest and practice, from silent meditation retreats and yoga weekends to nature immersions and women's healing…