Spa
Six Senses Spa Laamu welcomes visiting wellness practitioner Doreen Vivian Bakstad
Maldives.net.mv – Visiting wellness practitioner, Doreen Vivian Bakstad will visit Six Senses Spa Laamu, in the Maldives, for a six-week engagement from 16 January through 2 March 2014.
With more than 30 years in the wellness profession, Doreen has trained in a multitude of therapies for the body (soma) and mind (psyche); most notably Swedish massage, Jin Shin Do® Acupressure – “The Way of the Compassionate Spirit,” Hakomi Body – Centered Psychotherapy, Acutonics®, Watsu®, Tai Qi, Qigong and Laughter Yoga.
She incorporates a unique combination of therapies and is gifted at facilitating deep relaxation of both emotional and physical tensions and stress. Her training in psychotherapy and counselling allows her to help others to move out of the analytical mind into the “bodymind,” thus creating a greater self-awareness and understanding, along with renewed vitality.
With open-heartedness and delightful humour, Doreen awakens a remembering in her clients and students of the fullness of who they truly are. During her visit at Six Senses Laamu she will be focusing on Acupressure Massage/Acutonics – a unique, pressure point, oil massage, incorporating tuning forks for blissful relaxation.
Doreen is originally from Canada, but she has made the world her home since 1976, through travelling, seeking to develop her techniques and her therapy practice. Recently, she spent more than 2 years in India and Cambodia performing humanitarian service. She was then given the opportunity on multiple occasions to teach acupressure for which she has developed her own technique along with mindfulness meditation, qigong, aqua-exercise classes and yoga.

Jin Shin Do® Acupressure Classes will be held for individuals, couples and small groups. Guests can learn how to utilise acupressure points in specific combinations for releasing tensions, relaxing muscles and opening energy flows. Classes may be tailored to individual preferences. Each class includes Hara Breathing – a Taoist practice for cultivating excellent health. Options include, but are not limited to: Shoulder/Neck Release; Headache Relief; Back Tension Release; Acupressure for Women; Potent Points for General Balancing; Fundamentals of Self-Acupressure for Wellbeing.
Complimentary Guest Classes in Pal Dan Gum, The Eight Silken Movements, will also be offered as will Laughter Yoga or Laughter Exercise. It is easy to learn, easy to practice and suitable for all ages of twelve or over. What began in a Mumbai park in 1995 with five people, has become a world-wide movement, with over 8,000 laughter clubs in more than 65 countries around the world. Find out for yourself why laughter is the best medicine.
Awards
Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa receives global wellness award
Mandara Spa at Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives has been awarded the Best Traditional Healing Spa 2026 title at the Luxuri Awards, recognising its consistent approach to wellness rooted in time-honoured practices and thoughtful guest care.
Set within the tranquil surroundings of Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives, Mandara Spa has built a reputation for offering restorative experiences that draw on traditional Balinese healing techniques. The recognition reflects the team’s continued focus on creating a calm, unhurried environment where each treatment is delivered with care, precision, and attention to detail.

A secluded retreat within the island’s natural landscape in Meemu Atoll, the spa introduces a subtle touch of Bali through its open, calming design. Comprising four double treatment villas and a dedicated manicure and pedicure area, the space is designed to encourage guests to fully disconnect and unwind. The spa experience is shaped by a blend of signature Mandara Spa therapies and ELEMIS treatments, a British luxury skincare brand known for combining advanced scientific formulations with naturally derived ingredients.

This recognition at the Luxuri Awards 2026 highlights Mandara Spa’s ongoing commitment to delivering meaningful wellness experiences, while reinforcing Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts’ broader focus on thoughtful, experience-led hospitality across its Maldives portfolio.

For those looking to experience this award-winning wellness offering, Cinnamon Hakuraa Huraa Maldives is currently extending a seasonal offer with added travel benefits. Guests can enjoy complimentary round-trip domestic flight transfers on stays of seven nights or more, and complimentary one-way transfers for shorter stays. The offer is available for bookings made until 31 October 2026, with stay dates valid from 1 April 2026 to 31 October 2027.
Meditation
SO/ Maldives marks Earth Hour with 120-day wellness challenge
In a vibrant celebration of wellness, sustainability, and mindful living, SO/ Maldives unveils an inspiring new initiative “Ignite Your Power: 120 Days Fitness Challenge” launched in harmony with the global movement of Earth Hour.
Blending high-energy fitness with conscious living, the resort invites both guests and team members to embark on a transformative 120-day journey where personal strength meets planetary care. Under the empowering theme “Stronger Earth. Stronger You.”, this initiative reflects SO/ Maldives’ commitment to holistic wellbeing and environmental responsibility.
The launch day, set for Saturday, 28 March 2026, unfolds as a vibrant, full-day wellness immersion. Guests will awaken with invigorating sunrise workouts at the Yoga Deck, including HIIT sessions, Primal Strength Flow yoga, and the dynamic WakeFit 45. The energy continues throughout the day with Aqua Gym sessions and personalised Health & Wellness Assessments, designed to inspire long-term lifestyle changes.
Complementing the fitness journey, SO/ Maldives introduces a thoughtfully curated healthy menu, designed to nourish and energise the body. Each dish is carefully crafted with balanced nutrition in mind and features Klimato calorie-counted options, allowing guests to make informed choices while enjoying vibrant, flavourful cuisine that supports their wellness goals without compromise.
As the sun sets, the heaven changes into a moment of reflection and connection. The resort will dim its lights in tribute to Earth Hour, inviting guests to gather at Lazuli Beach for a magical, candlelit celebration under the Maldivian sky, honouring the planet through unity, mindfulness, and intention.
Further elevating the wellness experience, SO/ Maldives proudly introduces a new line of spa products through an exclusive collaboration with Comfort Zone, a science-led Italian wellness brand, and Dhiyoadhee, a Maldivian brand by Cosmerc. Rooted in innovation and sustainability, these thoughtfully curated products enhance the resort’s spa offerings, delivering transformative treatments that nurture both body and mind while celebrating both global expertise and local heritage.
This multi-dimensional initiative is more than a program, it is a movement. By integrating fitness, sustainability, and luxury lifestyle experiences, SO/ Maldives continues to redefine modern island living, inspiring a community that is stronger, more conscious, and deeply connected to the world around them.
With this launch, SO/ Maldives invites guests to not only transform their bodies, but to be part of a larger purpose, where every movement contributes to a stronger self and a healthier planet.
For more information or to book your perfect getaway, please visit so-maldives.com or contact so.maldives.reservations@so-hotels.com or call +960 664-9100.
Meditation
Constance Moofushi introduces sound healing and aerial yoga to wellness offering
Constance Moofushi, a gem in the heart of the South Ari Atoll, has unveiled an enhanced wellness programme, designed to elevate the guest experience through holistic wellbeing and restorative island serenity. Surrounded by vibrant lagoons and rich coral gardens, the resort blends luxury and simplicity to create an idyllic sanctuary for divers, wanderers, and wellness seekers alike.
At the heart of this renewed offering is Constance Spa, an elegant sanctuary set on a wooden jetty above the turquoise waters. With panoramic ocean views, a shaded relaxation area, 8 treatment rooms, a serene yoga pavilion and a fully equipped fitness room, the spa offers a peaceful setting dedicated to relaxation, renewal and holistic care.

As part of this wellness journey, Constance Spa Moofushi introduces two new experiences: Sound Healing Therapy and Aerial Yoga.
Sound Healing Therapy offers a deeply immersive vibrational experience designed to support the body’s natural self-regulation. Using seven chakra aligned singing bowls, Tingsha Bell, crystal resonant bowl, therapeutic tuning forks, and gentle gong frequencies, the session introduces precisely layered sound waves that interact with the autonomic nervous system. These low-frequency vibrations help the body shift from a sympathetic “stress response”to a parasympathetic state -encouraging slower breathing, reduced muscle tension, and improved emotional balance.
Aerial Yoga brings a playful yet restorative dimension to the wellness programme. Using suspended silk hammocks to support and deepen traditional yoga postures, he practice helps improve flexibility, strengthen the core, release tension and encourage a sense of lightness and renewal. Suitable for all levels, it offers guests a unique way to reconnect body and mind.

To complement these new experiences and enrich the guest experience, Constance Spa Moofushi also offers a diverse array of fitness and wellness sessions, including Mobility & Flexibility, Punch Fit, Balance & Power, and Pilates Mat. Morning Yoga, evening Sunset Serenity, and weekly Wellness Wednesday chakra meditation add further depth to the resort’s holistic approach while personalised coaching and tailored fitness programmes are available for guests seeking more individual support.
With this expanded wellness offering, Constance Moofushi Maldives continues to reaffirm its commitment to creating meaningful experiences that nurture both body and mind in one of the Indian Ocean’s most serene settings.
-
Culture1 week agoSun Siyam Iru Fushi marks Eid with cultural celebrations and community spirit
-
News5 days agoTIME recognises Six Senses Laamu among World’s Greatest Places for 2026
-
Action5 days agoBanyan Tree Vabbinfaru marks first Hawksbill turtle hatchling event since 2015
-
Family1 week agoW Maldives launches Easter celebration with kayak races and beach feast
-
Family1 week agoMadifushi Private Island opens Kokko Learning Studio for young guests
-
Culture6 days agoFushifaru Maldives showcases Maldivian culture through Eid celebrations
-
Culture6 days agoSun Siyam Olhuveli celebrates Eid with beach fiesta and cultural performances
-
News5 days agoA new approach to family travel at JW Marriott Maldives Resort & Spa


