More than 500 years ago, village healers in Latina America, known as curanderos, discovered the secret to healing illness spiritually and physically. Curanderos practice a holistic form of healing that combines prayer, herbal remedy, ritual, spiritualism, and massage. These days, the magic of the curanderos has been passed down from generation to generation and the practices remain nearly the same.

At the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas, Lantana Spa holds admiration for the healing powers of the curanderos that have graced San Antonio and the Hill Country. Lantana Spa pays homage to these curanderos with services that honor their holistic practices in the services and rituals offered.

Spa Profile: Lantana Spa at The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

One ritual practiced by curanderos is the Seven Knots Ritual to release worries and stress. Lantana Spa holds this ritual at the spa for guests, empowering them to release their worries and stress before their services and leave their worries behind.

In 2021, Lantana Spa will have a 21 Knots Ritual in honor of releasing the stress from 2020 and bringing good intention into the new year. The ritual historically involves tying seven knots into a red ribbon, one for each worry, the seventh knot completing a circle. Tying the knot releases that specific concern, enabling the person to leave it behind. Before the guest enters the spa they will be given their ribbon at check-in to complete the ritual on their own and embark on their spiritual journey.

If guests don’t feel comfortable travelling they can create their own healing ritual at home. This simple yet beneficial practice can be done easily and Lantana Spa has provided instructions for recreating the ritual:

Materials: 

• Red ribbon, string or cord (9-12 inches long)

  • The red ribbon is required as it symbolizes strength, health, vigor, energy, passion, courage, element of fire, career goals, fast action, vibrancy, driving force, and survival

• A quiet place to concentrate

• A moment to slow down and release stress

How-To:

• Tie the first knot at one end while you focus on your first concern. Take a moment.

• Tie the second through the 21st knots—each one focusing on a different worry. 

• Tie the seventh knot to create a circle of ribbon. 

• When tying each knot, concentrate on one specific concern, visualize a best outcome and let go of the concern. 

When the ceremony is complete, all worries can be left behind and a fresh journey can begin. Whether completing the ceremony at home or joining the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa for a service, the resort hopes we all can start fresh in 2021.

For more information and to book a stay, visit the website and follow on Instagram: @jwmarriottsanantonio

[Images courtesy of JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk