Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2026

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Communication and Digital Studies

Department Chair or Program Director

Whalen, Zach

First Advisor

Crosby, Emily

Major or Concentration

Communication and Digital Studies

Abstract

As popularity rises for global and domestic wellness retreats as tourist destinations, their predominantly Western audience invites an American offshoot of Orientalism that commodifies Asian names and practices into “mindfulness.” This paper examines the guest guide of the Miraval Berkshires wellness facility and its treatment of Eastern practices. Findings revealed 55.6% of the specialists at the Miraval Berkshires employ Eastern techniques, and 74.14% of those offerings are restricted to paid and private sessions to create exclusivity. The word “ancient” is disproportionately leveled against Eastern practices in the guest guide to further cement them as relics of the past. Alongside minimalist design elements, the Miraval Berkshires uses Eastern names to develop an image of luxury to its audience. This research confirms the role the wellness industry has in representing Eastern practices, illustrating the importance of critically examining rhetoric of the wellness industry and the audiences it includes and excludes.

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