Where To Live Your Best Wellness Life In NYC

New York is a place that breeds ambition, and its residents are no strangers to the concept of self-improvement—an essential component of which is wellness. Put these venues on your NYC hit list to bio-hack your way to greatness, or add a calming balance to overly manic life phases.

cityWell

Spa

If you know where to look, you’ll find a modern bathhouse in south Brooklyn. CityWell’s focus is on hydrotherapy—alternating between hot and cold, to boost blood circulation and endorphin levels. The spa boasts a steam room, dry sauna, soaking tub and rain showers situated in a leafy back yard. Access for two hours is just $40, and if you fancy a massage, you can enjoy one under the private pergola from $115.

Chillhouse

Beauty Salon, Spa

When she co-founded Chillhouse with her husband, Cyndi Ramirez’s goal was to create what she calls a “three-part hybrid”—a female-friendly venue that combined Instagramable nail art, affordable massages ($45–$115) and a healthy hang-out space. Pull up a seat, order a matcha latte and a turmeric energy ball, and tackle that project you’ve been putting off. Then reward yourself with a treatment afterwards.

Modrn Sanctuary

Building

In NoMad, on the 9th floor of a tall building, you’ll find a luxury wellness oasis with a completely holistic service menu. Book sessions that span foundational health services (nutrition and physical therapy) as well as more esoteric treatments, such as crystal light beds and alt room therapy. Filled with bricks and granules of mineral-rich Himalayan pink salt—plus a halo generator, which blows tiny particulates of salt into the air—a 30 minute chill session is said to be great for the respiratory system.

Maha Rose

School, Yoga Studio, Spa

Tucked away on a residential street in Greenpoint, north Brooklyn, Maha Rose is a like a home away from home for the wellness community. The space plays host to a rotation of workshops, from breathwork and sound baths to a curious thing called “fairy school”, as well as private sessions in therapies including energy healing and hypnosis. After your session, stock up on crystals and sage in the retail area to bring the good vibes home with you.

Britta Beauty

A facial with Britta Plug is a transformative experience for your self-esteem, not just your complexion. Her signature treatment, Facial Attunement, targets the anatomy of the face as well as the skin with a combination of natural beauty products (some of them pure enough to eat, should you feel so inclined) and facial massage techniques rooted in the ancient traditions of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. You’ll leave feeling cared for and confident enough to forgo your usual armory of makeup.

Britta Beauty, 73 Spring Street, Suite 501, SoHo, NY, USA, 10012

HigherDOSE

Spa

HigherDOSE is an absolutely dreamy place to be during the frigid New York winter. Infrared light penetrates your cells and warms up the body directly, unlike traditional saunas which heat the air around your skin. HigherDOSE uses near, far, and mid rays for a wide spectrum of health benefits, including detoxification, increased circulation, and skin rejuvenation. The owners also claim it gives you a “passive cardiovascular workout”, aiding weight loss without so much as a single burpee.

Japanese Head Spa

In New York, manicures and expensively highlighted hair are ubiquitous, but only in-the-know beauty junkies have experienced a head spa. Expect a thorough massage for your shoulders, neck and head, cooling gels to soothe any irritation on your scalp, a lather-y shampoo and incredibly gentle blow dry to finish. This facial for your scalp hails from Japan, but you can try it at Tomoko Shima’s salons in the West Village and Upper West Side.

Tomoko Shima, 171 East 92nd Street, NY, USA, +1 (212) 722 8828

About the author

Esme Benjamin

Wellness Editor

Born and raised in Bristol, England, Esme has been geeking out over syntax her entire life. She studied English Lit by the Brighton seaside before moving to London to pursue her writing career in 2009, going on to work for Grazia Daily, The Telegraph and SheerLuxe. In 2013 she swapped The Big Smoke for The Big Apple, where she trained as a yoga teacher and contributed to Refinery29, Self, Fitness Magazine and Greatist. When she's not glued to her laptop or iPhone you'll find her drinking Kale Margaritas at an East Village happy hour, planning her next adventure, or hand-standing (with more vigor than skill) at the yoga studio.