It gives me great pleasure to announce Edward Taub, MD, as the new Wellness Medical Advisor for Insider’s Guide to Spas. I first met Dr. Taub about 10 years ago, on a trip to the spa at Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point, California.
Back in 2005, “wellness” was not a spa word. But here he was in a special partnership with this forward-thinking spa, offering his “Voyage to Wellness” aboard the historic schooner, Curlew. I was impressed with Dr. Taub’s knowledge, expertise, and his unique take on teaching wellness—his positive and gentle nature was a plus.
Maureen Harris-Vipperman, director of spa operations and development at Ocean Properties, Ltd., was the spa director at Laguna Cliffs Marriott at the time, and was responsible for bringing Dr. Taub and his unique program to the spa. She did this, she shares, because she believed in his views on wellness—which was not mainstream at the time. “We had the same philosophy on the future of wellness, and we had an excellent platform to introduce it,” she says.
Dr. Taub describes Wellness as a sense of vitality and aliveness that’s a reflection of our physical, mental, and spiritual energy being in balance . . .
Today, as a “pediatrician for all ages,” Dr. Taub is currently reinvigorating the science of Wellness by directing “Voyages To Wellness for Kids” on board the Curlew. As he explains it, he’s administering a painless Wellness Vaccination (with only positive side-effects) to disadvantaged children who are especially vulnerable to stress. “Sailing amongst pods of whales and dolphins helps to foster feelings of radical amazement in kids of all ages as they become aware of the immensity of life,” he says.
A True Wellness Pioneer
Dr. Taub has been a pediatrician, family doctor, and Wellness pioneer for over half a century. He is the author of eight books, including Balance Your Body, Balance Your Life, which was adapted for a PBS television special, and The Wellness Solution, co-authored with a Nobel Laureate and published by the World Almanac.
In 1989, Dr. Taub helped establish the field of Integrative Medicine by presenting his research to the Institute of Medicine in a lecture entitled, “Integrative Medicine: A Biosocial and Psychospiritual Approach to Health and Wellness.” He established the first hospital Wellness Department, created the only smoking cessation program endorsed by the American Medical Association, and served as QVC’s on-air Wellness Medical Doctor with his own live shows for 13 years. He also appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, The O’Reilly Factor, and CNN.
Wellness & Our Whole Being
Dr. Taub describes Wellness as a sense of vitality and aliveness that’s a reflection of our physical, mental, and spiritual energy being in balance so that the power of our own natural Healing Force is flowing freely to nourish and nurture our whole being. He believes health is determined primarily by personal responsibility, self-value, and reverence for life—his goal is helping people become aware they can help determine their own health destiny far beyond what they have been taught to believe is possible.
He teaches patients that stress is the major “virus” of our times, and he also teaches medical students that promoting Wellness begins with human connections and reminds them to treat patients with kindness, respect, and compassion. He wants to help change the health dimension by motivating people to take the necessary steps to live happier, healthier lives. However, he knows that merely dispensing the facts about good health will not cause most individuals to behave more healthfully! Therefore, as a seasoned Wellness Medical Travel Writer, Dr. Taub describes how spa culture and spa treatments help inspire and empower healthful changes and wonderful benefits. In a nutshell, Dr. Taub equates Spa with Wellness.
Mary Bemis
A pioneering voice in spa and wellness journalism, Mary Bemis has spent four decades chronicling, championing, and helping shape the modern spa industry. As Founder and Editorial Director of Insider’s Guide to Spas, she brings a distinctive editorial perspective informed by a career that has helped define the language and landscape of spa media. Mary launched American Spa magazine in 1997, co-founded Organic Spa, and helped launch Luxury SpaFinder and NewBeauty. Her industry leadership extends to board service with ISPA, NYSPA, and WSPA, the latter two organizations she helped establish. She has also served as Special Advisor to the Balneology Association of North America. Today, she serves as Special Advisor to Global Wellness Day and sits on the board of the International Sauna Aid Foundation. Recognized among Medika Life’s Top 30 Influential Voices Transforming Wellness, Mary is also a recipient of the prestigious ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award, an inaugural Folio Top Women in Media honoree, and an American Spa Wonder Woman of Wellness. Her mission remains as steadfast as ever: to keep spa culture alive and relevant, honor its roots, challenge its shortcomings, and inspire an industry to live up to its promise.
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