The Mizu Onsen Spa celebrates Far Eastern wellness practices — the only thing missing is the volcanoes. No matter; the Alpine scenery more than makes up for it.

The sound spreads through the body in waves, as though someone had dropped a pebble into water. Expanding in ever-widening circles, it travels across the skin and deep within. With steady, flowing movements, sound therapist and energy practitioner Petra Tannheimer uses mallets to bring the Tibetan singing bowls she has placed on the back into resonance. A warm, lingering tone fills the room — a musical Om.

“Our bodies consist of around 70 percent water, which carries the vibrations into the organs and body cells. Each bowl has its own frequency spectrum that resonates with a specific part of the body,” the expert explains. The result: inner restlessness, stress, and excess energy are released from the body, giving way to deep relaxation. The nervous system calms, and the mind becomes grounded. But that is not all. The vibrations themselves are also believed to be capable of releasing muscular tension. It is no coincidence that Nada Brahma is a popular form of meditation in Hinduism. Loosely translated, it means: The world is sound.

The “Nagomi” singing bowl massage is one of the newest treatments at the Mizu Onsen Spa. When it opened in 2017, it was Germany’s first spa inspired by Japanese bathing culture. Inspired by the hot springs that bubble up throughout the Land of the Rising Sun — the so-called onsen — fuelled by the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Owner Korbinian Kohler, whose family owns the Gmund Paper paper mill, has travelled frequently to Japan. What he brought back from his many journeys is a deep affection for the country’s culture. And so, while the Mizu Onsen Spa — whose name combines the Japanese words for “cold water” and “hot springs” — may lack the volcanoes, its rituals and architecture are a profound homage to its Far Eastern inspiration.

Treatments feature products by Dr. Barbara Sturm and TEAM DR JOSEPH. The certified natural skincare line from South Tyrol is becoming increasingly popular. “The products are entirely natural and highly effective thanks to biotechnological processes,” explains therapist Madeleine as she prepares the “Kibu Rejuvenating Facial.” The ingredients sound as though they would be equally at home on a fine dining menu: after a cleansing milk infused with horse chestnut and blueberry, a tonic and a fruit acid peel with malic acid, tartaric acid, and papaya fruit enzymes follow. “This removes dead skin cells and allows the skin to absorb the nourishing ingredients that follow more effectively,” Madeleine explains.

Using a stimulating fascia massage, she works a hydrating serum into the skin. The firm movements stimulate cellular metabolism and blood circulation. And if the face were not already glowing with a rosy radiance, the glow mask with green caviar and gold particles would certainly complete the effect.

In a world that is becoming ever more complex and where everyday life grows increasingly hectic, a visit to the Mizu Onsen Spa feels like taking a deep breath — grounding both body and mind once more. And the fact that, for a few hours, one can feel transported to Asia only makes the experience all the more special.

TINA BREMER