From tarot readings and shamanism to breathwork and ‘human design’, Jenny Southan discovers a fascinating array of alternative wellness experiences at the Byblos St Tropez.
I am sitting with Melodie in a quiet ante-room off the spa at the Byblos hotel, as she examines a complex chart with strange runes, “gates” and “channels” that reveal a portrait of my personality based on my date, place and time of birth. A combination of astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, the chakra system and life coaching, “human design” purports to provide individuals with insights into their personality traits, strengths, weaknesses and life purpose. I don’t have any interest in star signs so arrive sceptical but open-minded – I am curious to hear what Melodie has to say.
Firstly, she tells me I am a “generator” – I have the energy to take on hard projects for a long time. People like me “build humanity”. “It’s important for you to have knowledge and be an expert. You like to take on all the information available to solve problems. But people see you have this ability so it’s important for you to create boundaries. You have a lot of endurance. You are obsessive and you always need to always be busy,” says Melodie. I have to say that as an entrepreneur and freelance journalist, that resonates, but perhaps she could have guessed or intuited this?
Throughout the hour we spend together she goes much deeper. In terms of my emotions, she says I “feel what other people are feeling”. I agree that I am empathetic. “You are very selective about who you connect with and who you build a connection with. You want everyone to feel good so I can feel good. You exert a lot of energy on trying to solve other peoples problems instead of putting energy into want you want to build.” But Melodie warns: “Everyone is responsible for their own emotions. You need to put myself first because no one else will.” She finishes by saying I need to “optimise my energetic blueprint”.
For time-pressed guests who want to “taster”, there are 60-minute “Inner Harmony” treatments combining yoga and meditation. They can be done solo (€160) or as part of a group (€80 per person), and can be tailored to the “rhythm and energy” of the individual. For example, morning sessions combine gentle and energising movements or invigorating and dynamic exercises, while evening sessions are designed to relax the body and mind.
- Morning Boost: a dynamic yoga workshop that aims to energetically wake up the body and bring a burst of energy through ‘asana’ movements that are linked to effective breathing.
- Rise and Shine: a more gentle morning class, perfect for individuals looking for a peaceful start to the day. Classes will combine gentle stretching and movements linked to meditations techniques.
- Recharge Mode: an evening workshop aimed to let go of all muscular tension and mental pressures, and to fully enjoy an evening of festivities in St-Tropez.
- Pause and Reset: a parenthesis in the day for those looking to fully relax. In this evening workshop, the deep tissues and meridians are tapped via postures that are held between three to five minutes to help the body open up and enter into a deep introspection.
- Pranayama and Meditation: a respiratory workshop focusing on breathwork. In Sanskrit, prana means ‘vital life force’ and yama means to regain control. Through breathing, guests will learn how to free themselves from stress and experience inner peace of mind, through guided sessions.
Alternatively, guests can book a personalised one-day retreat, branded an “Epic Journey”. These include body workshops signature spa treatments and a bespoke gluten-free, vegetarian lunch, with dishes designed to complement the theme of the experience.
To get things started, a therapist will help you to identify your specific needs and will propose one of five Epic Journeys, each linked to an element (water, earth, fire, air, ether). Priced at €650 per person, each journey comprises one 60-minute Inner Harmony treatment; one 60-minute “Byblos” signature massage; one lunch and one holistic treatment, such as human design, tarot or sophrology (a practice that incorporates mental visualisation and mindfulness).
Today, the Byblos recognises that “health is the new wealth”, and is tapping into many of the more “New Age” and alternative remedies made famous by actress and wellness entrepreneur Gwyneth Paltrow. Spearheaded by Antoine Chevanne, the owner of the hotel, he was inspired to launch the wellness concept after undergoing a series of life-changing engagements with shamanic healer and personal development consultant Marion M’Santi (pictured below).
“At a certain point, when I figured out what was going on in the wellness industry, especially in my hotel and the hospitality industry, I had the feeling that wellness trends were changing. It’s now about taking care of your inner self, as well as your outer self. So I asked Marion to help. In January 2023, I employed her to be our wellness and personal development consultant.”
Having spent time with gurus at ashrams in India and shamans in South America, M’Santi has built up considerable experience and knowledge in alternative therapies. At one point she wanted to be a nun but is now curating and managing the Holistic Experiences programme at the Byblos, along with a team of staff hired locally.
Later, this was followed by an hour of meditative “breathwork” with Nana, which (I am pleased to say) was not about inducing hyper-ventilation, hallucinations or tears (“holotropic breathwork”) but achieving focus, peace and clarity (it’s better described as “conscious circular breathing” – in through the nose and out through the mouth).
In the morning, at the hotel, there is a beautifully curated breakfast buffet with chilled yoghurts in glass pots, chopped strawberries, perfect patisseries and gateaux, homemade granola, DIY vegetable and fruit juicing stations, flagons of mint water and loaves of artisan bread wrapped in thick cotton napkins.
“It’s not just about offering a yoga lesson or a wellness package to guests, but to go further in offering an experiential journey that will demonstrate results and where we will accompany guests every step of the way. Our curated workshops and retreats go beyond practice, in order to awaken inner consciousness of body and mind.”