Wellness on Demand – The James Hotels Debuts New Standards in Self-Care

· Updated on March 23, 2023

The James Hotels, a boutique collection of hotels in NYC, Chicago, and soon Washington D.C., has announced the launch of Four Bodies Wellness, an in-room wellness programming, curated exclusively for guests of The James Hotels. In partnership with consultant Ruby Warrington of The Numinous, the in-room guest programming has been designed to help balance all four bodies; Physical, Mental, Spiritual, and Emotional, in pursuit of total well-being.

Being the health and wellness wannabe expert that I proclaim to be, I jetted off to New York to experience the different aspects of the program at the newly opened NoMad property during an exclusive preview, where I was able to not only try the four distinct programs in my hotel room, but where I was also able to meet the experts behind them as well, giving me a more in-depth look.

Traveling can be stressful and tiring, both on your mind and body. As someone who has a mailbox at LAX, and who practically lives on an airplane, I can attest to this. Sometimes when traveling, I make the time to hit the gym or go for a leisurely walk, both in attempts to clear my mind or relieve some stress. I’ve even forced myself to a yoga class here and there, but the reality is, the majority of the time, it’s easier to just lay in my hotel bed and watch television. So when I heard of the new Four Bodies Wellness program, which is centered on not leaving your hotel room (and watching TV for two of the programs), I needed to check it out. What I found is something I hope becomes more of an industry standard because the convenience of it all was actually encouraging and helped push me to want to spend more time on myself. Below are descriptions of the four distinct programs that make up Four Bodies Wellness.

Physical – In-room TV workout session led by Aerospace Co-Founder Michael Olajide Jr.

“I like to call the workouts that we do at Aerospace HPC, ‘aggressive meditation.’ The James Hotels guests can experience a workout with inherent physical and mental benefits, while moving with purpose and engaging the mind through focus and concentration.” – Michael Olajide

At 18 years of age, Michael “Silk” Olajide Jr., began his career as a prizefighter, becoming a highly respected championship boxer. In 1991, Michael retired from the ring and has since worked as a choreographer and personal trainer on major film and theater projects, working with some of today’s top directors, actors, producers, and world-renowned Victoria’s Secret supermodels. With 12 years also leading group fitness classes, with Aerospace NYC Olajide has created New York’s first “machine-free,” sports-emulation high-performance fitness center, leaving the machines behind to focus on the power you have inside.

Guests can utilize resistance bands, available on-demand, as well as their own body strength for an intense experience. For those in NYC, priority access to the Aerospace studio in Manhattan is also an option. After my workout, using the bands, my body basically wanted to shut down and go to sleep, forever. That being said, I pushed myself hard after taking a month off for the holiday season. The workout was easy to follow and I was happy to be in the privacy of my hotel room because some of the boxing moves are like choreography, and never having done it before, my moves were most likely shameful. But since I was my own audience, I was the best one in the room!

Mental – Complimentary one-month membership to the INSCAPE app., founded by Khajak Keledjian

We have partnered with The James Hotels to empower guests to enhance their stay and overall wellbeing. In as little as three minutes, guests can find balance and clarity, while offsetting the daily stressors of life and travel.” – Khajak Keledjian

INTERMIX Founder and former CEO Khajak Keledjian launched INSCAPE in 2016 as a result of his impactful and formative decade-long meditation journey. Khajak’s entrepreneurial focus is a reflection of his lifestyle: a balance of wellness and modern luxury. When he’s not meditating, Khajak balances mindful and thrill-seeking experiences ranging from Kundalini yoga to kitesurfing.

Merging tradition with technology to curate meditation and relaxation experiences, as well as of-the-moment technology, guests will also have priority access to the Manhattan studio. The download was simple, and all that was needed was a pair of headphones for the guided meditation. A comfortable squatting pillow is available upon request or the hotel bed works as well. Meditation isn’t easy, but having a soft-spoken voice assisting and re-centering you each time your mind wanders (which happens constantly, for everyone), is helpful. I used this app extensively throughout the stay, as it was easy to set aside a few moments in the morning and evening. I even used it on the flight home

Spiritual – In-room TV Kundalini Yoga sessions designed to cure jet lag and clear stress

“It’s no longer a luxury to have something that helps you focus the mind and give you the breath and energy to maneuver through the pressures of traveling. The James Hotels is doing just that by integrating Kundalini Yoga into the Four Bodies Wellness program, which allows guests to quickly create a home inside themselves.” – Guru Jagat

Guru Jagat is the founder of RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic Science and Technology, a Kundalini yoga school with locations in Venice, California; Mallorca, Spain; and New York City, and the author of the bestselling book Invincible Living: The Power of Yoga, The Energy of Breath, and Other Tools for a Radiant Life. Guru Jagat first met Yogi Bhajan in 2002 and that encounter crystallized her prior spiritual explorations and launched her on the path of a Kundalini yoga teacher. Guru Jagat is also the founder and CEO of RA MA TV; RA MA Records; and the RA MA Foundation.

I had personally never tried Kundalini yoga before but do consider myself to be an expert beginner in common yoga practices, so I was excited to try something new. What I found is that this was unlike any other yoga practice I had ever experienced and could easily be done, anywhere. It’s less physical than other forms, but still provides an intense experience, one that has an immediate effect on the body, inside and out. Guests will also have priority access to RA MA Institute for Applied Yogic Science and Technology in Manhattan.

Emotional – curated by The Numinous founder, Ruby Warrington, a ‘Readers on Room Service’ menu will be available for guests to book one-to-one sessions with various intuitive counselors, including: Astrology Birth Chart Readings, Transformational Coaching, Tarot Reading, Hypnosis, Reiki Healing, and Sound Healing.

“I’m thrilled to work with The James Hotels on this bespoke program which highlights the importance of nourishing all different aspects of ourselves through a unique wellness regime.” – Ruby Warrington.

Ruby Warrington is a British journalist, consultant, and author currently living in Brooklyn, NY. Former Features Editor of the UK Sunday Times Style magazine, in 2013 she launched The Numinous, a conscious lifestyle platform that bridges the gap between the mystical and the mainstream. Ruby works regularly with brands on a consultancy basis, while her writing is featured in publications on both sides of the Atlantic. Her first book, Material Girl Mystical World, was released in May 2017 with Harper Collins. Other projects include the “sober curious” event series at Club SÖDA NYC, and Moon Club, a monthly spiritual mentoring program.

What Ruby has created for The James Hotels is something extraordinary. She is the key element, the mastermind really, behind Four Bodies Wellness. Her expertise is highly sought after and her influence within the wellness world is unparalleled. The ‘Readers on Room Service’ menu was my favorite part of the entire program, but I’m also someone who frequently enjoys speaking to mediums and experimenting with crystals. During my stay, I was able to experience an astrology birth chart reading, something that was new for me. It was a lot of information but a beautiful experience overall. With any type of reading, I always suggest taking vigorous notes, as things will make more sense after a few days of reflecting and re-reading what you jotted down.

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