Wellness
A Sneak Preview of Six Senses Laamu’s Visiting Practitioners Programme 2016

Maldives.net.mv – For many years, visiting practitioners have played an integral part in the wellness offerings at Six Senses Laamu and their talent and expertise have benefited guests and hosts alike. And as guests continue the search for that perfect antidote to their busy lives, the demand for visiting practitioners and their specialist therapies has grown in an equal measure.
In the year ahead, the resort has brought together a selection of the most popular and long-standing experts, who have worked with Six Senses for many years as well as some new superstars whose exceptional reputation and client feedback have earned them a place on the list.
Dr. Gopal Govindasamy is a visiting ayurvedic and naturopathic doctor, who believes that your face and hair is a mirror of your health. It is a map of your internal organs and how they are doing health-wise. For example, the nose represents our heart and cheeks correlate to ours lungs. The lines running down from our nose to our lips represent the colon, while our chin represents the reproductive system. Every line and spot, scar, wrinkle and blemish means something. This style of diagnosis has been used for thousands of years in the ayurvedic and Chinese traditions and Dr. Gopal uses it to recommend the most suitable treatments during your stay. His specialties include Chinese acupuncture and moxibustion, Indian head massage and naturopathy which will be available from January 1 to 20, April 20 to May 31, and October 1 to 31, 2016.
There is no doubt that stress is a part of our lives and if not managed correctly, it can have adverse effects on our health. Visiting Practitioner Toby Maguire specializes in stress management and assists guests in finding ways to manage and release it. He draws from nearly 20 years of practicing eastern medicine to enable healing of the body and mind, addressing physical pain and psychological blockages. Toby’s expertise includes acupuncture, Chinese abdominal massage, pain relief massage, reiki, hypnotherapy, qi gong and meditation which will be available from January 20 to March 15, 2016.
Khun Noom has practiced different modalities of healing for over a decade. She is a yoga instructor and meditation leader, an artist in cupping techniques and a specialist in foot reflexology, Thai massage and manual lymphatic drainage. She utilizes the healing qualities of crystals and singing bowls to help guests heal various ailments of the body, mind and spirit, and to bring them into a deep state of awareness and balance. Khun Noom will be offering crystal sound healing, chakra balancing and foot reflexology with crystals from March 15 to April 30, 2016.
Claude Simard has used a psycho-energetic approach to help guests rediscover their inner child for over 20 years. The inner child is widely recognized in psychology as a sensitive and spontaneous part of ourselves, which is usually under the control of the waking conscious mind. During his psycho-energetic massage treatment, Claude guides guests to reconnect with a deep part of themselves and thus reclaim their ability to develop more trust in their own feelings. This can help in all areas of life, from business decisions to creating a fulfilling love relationship with one’s partner. In addition, Claude specializes in deep tissue fusion massage, and shiatsu and acupressure massage. Claude’s partner Jill Banwell discovered healing arts more than 13 years ago and her journey has taken her into the fields of therapeutic tarot reading, reiki, color and crystal healing, yoga, massage and meditation. She has worked all over the world, taking pleasure in gently guiding her clients to experience a deeper, more harmonious life. Claude and Jill will be at the resort from July 1 to August 31, 2016.
Khun Sommai has visited many Six Senses spas over the years and is a passionate holistic therapist. His expertise includes Tibetan singing bowls healing, chakra balancing with crystals, as well as qi gong and yoga. He will be available from November 1, 2016 to January 6, 2017.
Set on the beach, Six Senses Spa Laamu offers four uniquely designed couple treatment nests, four secluded couple treatment champas plus one Ayurvedic treatment and one Thai massage champa, all within the island’s natural vegetation. Highly skilled Six Senses Spa therapists use natural products to provide a comprehensive range of award-winning signature treatments plus rejuvenation and wellness specialties of the region. Visiting practitioners offer our guests lifestyle consultations and specialized holistic treatments.
Meditation
Finding balance: Story of wellness at Ayada Maldives

At Ayada Maldives, wellness is not an add-on to the guest experience, it is part of the island’s natural rhythm. Surrounded by the soothing sounds of the ocean and the vibrant energy of the tropics, guests are invited to rediscover balance through yoga, movement, and mindfulness, guided by the resort’s resident instructor, Satyam.
Rooted in Tradition
Satyam’s journey to Ayada began far from the turquoise waters of the Maldives, in the Himalayan foothills of Rishikesh — a town revered as the birthplace of yoga. There, he trained under some of India’s most respected teachers, completing over 500 hours of certified practice. Satyam also studied naturopathy, Ayurvedic Panchakarma, and therapeutic yoga, equipping him with a holistic understanding of the connection between body, mind, and spirit.
This depth of knowledge now shapes the wellness offering at Ayada Maldives, where each session blends authentic yogic principles with the serene energy of the island.

An Inclusive Approach to Wellbeing
From sunrise yoga on the beach to sunset meditation at the Zero Degree Pagoda, Satyam’s classes are designed to meet guests wherever they are in their journey. His teaching philosophy is simple — yoga should be accessible to everyone.
Beginners are gently guided through foundational poses, while experienced practitioners can explore more advanced techniques and breathwork. Beyond yoga, Ayada’s wellness programme also includes reformer Pilates, Tai Chi, high-intensity interval training, and even children’s yoga, ensuring that every guest — regardless of age or ability — finds their place in the island’s rhythm of movement.
Where Nature Enhances the Practice
What makes Ayada’s approach truly special is its setting. For Satyam, the island itself plays an active role in every session. The ocean breeze, the scent of tropical flora, and the gentle sound of waves create an atmosphere that naturally calms the mind and deepens the practice.
“The energy here is different,” he explains. “You can feel it the moment you start to breathe — the island encourages you to slow down, to be present, to reconnect.”
Wellness at Ayada Maldives is more than a daily ritual — it is an invitation to reconnect with oneself, to find stillness in motion, and to rediscover the joy of balance.
For more on Ayada Maldives’ wellness offerings, visit www.ayadamaldives.com.
News
JOALI BEING earns global recognition with Two MICHELIN Keys, top 10 ranking in Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025

JOALI BEING, the Maldives’ first wellbeing island, continues to strengthen its global reputation for transformative wellness experiences, having received two prestigious international honours in the same week.
The resort has been awarded Two MICHELIN Keys in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide and recognised among the Top 5 Wellness Hotels in the World as a finalist for the inaugural MICHELIN Wellness Award 2025. In addition, JOALI BEING has been ranked #10 Destination Spa Resort in the World in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards 2025.
The MICHELIN Keys 2025 were announced on 8 October during a global ceremony in Paris, marking a new milestone in the Guide’s hotel distinction programme. Introduced last year, the MICHELIN Key has quickly become the hospitality world’s equivalent of the MICHELIN Star — honouring hotels that offer truly remarkable experiences.
JOALI BEING’s Two MICHELIN Keys distinction recognises the resort’s exceptional design, service, and holistic approach to wellbeing. Guided by the Four Pillars of Mind, Skin, Microbiome, and Energy, the island blends advanced scientific expertise with time-honoured healing traditions, creating personalised wellbeing journeys for every guest.
Adding to this recognition, JOALI BEING was also named among the Top 5 Wellness Hotels in the World as a finalist for the inaugural MICHELIN Wellness Award 2025 — a new accolade celebrating destinations that place wellbeing at the core of their philosophy. The other nominees were Bürgenstock Resort (Switzerland), Canyon Ranch Tucson (USA), Lily of the Valley (France), and The Retreat at Blue Lagoon (Iceland).
These properties were celebrated for redefining wellness hospitality through innovation, authenticity, and purpose — qualities that are deeply embedded in JOALI BEING’s ethos of Well-Living.
On 7 October 2025, Condé Nast Traveler announced its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, where over 757,000 readers voted for their favourite destinations, hotels, and resorts around the world. JOALI BEING was ranked #10 Destination Spa Resort in the World, securing its position among the most outstanding wellness sanctuaries globally.
The recognition reflects JOALI BEING’s ongoing commitment to crafting experiences that inspire renewal and balance — from its biophilic architecture and sound healing spaces to its immersive wellbeing programmes and mindful cuisine. Each element of the resort has been carefully designed to nurture both body and mind, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in the new era of wellness hospitality.
Since its opening, JOALI BEING has positioned the Maldives as a global destination for wellness travel. Beyond spa treatments, the island offers integrative wellbeing experiences designed to foster transformation and growth. Every guest journey is guided by expert practitioners, nutritionists, and movement specialists, creating a personalised pathway to restore balance and vitality.
With these two international honours — from the MICHELIN Guide and Condé Nast Traveler — JOALI BEING stands among the world’s most celebrated destinations for wellness and luxury travel, reaffirming its vision to pioneer the future of Well-Living.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort marks Mental Health Day with Tai Chi for inner peace

As the seasons change, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort invites guests to slow down and reconnect with themselves through a tranquil wellness retreat. In observance of World Mental Health Day on 10 October, the resort will host an exclusive ‘Tai Chi for Internal Peace’ session led by visiting practitioner Thana Jindashotinun, followed by complimentary one-on-one consultations. Guests can also opt for the AVI Wellness Journey, a holistic programme featuring breathwork, meditation, yoga, and spa rituals inspired by the island’s serene natural surroundings.
Located on the southernmost tip of Raa Atoll, on the edge of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, the InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort provides an ideal setting to reset both mind and body. As the first and only all-Club InterContinental property in the Maldives, the resort combines five-star island luxury with exclusive Club InterContinental benefits. Guests can customise their stay across 81 villas and residences, seven restaurants and bars, and The Retreat, an adults-only enclave dedicated to relaxation. The resort’s AVI Spa offers an overwater sanctuary specialising in signature treatments and therapies.
Harmony healer Thana Jindashotinun will guide guests on their wellness journey from October to 30 November. Having begun practising Tai Chi at the age of eight to manage asthma, Thana has dedicated his life to mastering the art. Combining a background in psychology, anatomy, and Oriental medicine, his sessions integrate a range of disciplines, including Qi Gong, Meridian breathwork, yoga, postural assessment, and acupressure.
Guests will have the opportunity to join Thana’s signature class, ‘Tai Chi for Internal Peace’, on 10 October at 18:00 hrs at Lighthouse Beach. The class focuses on calming the nervous system through gentle movement and mindful breathing, aiming to ease anxiety, improve sleep, and restore inner balance. Following the session, participants will receive a complimentary 15-minute consultation to explore personalised wellness guidance.
Throughout his residency, Thana will also offer a variety of therapeutic experiences such as Yin Yang Bodywork, the EnerQi Massage for restoring inner harmony, and energy-focused treatments designed to promote deep relaxation and improved circulation. His Energy Detox Treatment is particularly aimed at revitalising the body’s natural rhythms and promoting a sense of renewal.
Complementing Thana’s offerings, guests can join regular wellness sessions with resident experts Zhazira Kurmangalina and Mett, including guided yoga, aerial yoga, meditation, and mat Pilates. For those seeking more active pursuits, the resort offers high-energy bootcamps, circuit training, and private personal training sessions.
The resort’s wellness philosophy extends to guests of all ages, with dedicated activities for teenagers such as Peace of Mind meditation and posture yoga at the Yoga Pavilion. Younger guests can take part in Muay Thai boxing, creative crafts, and Boduberu drumming workshops, while the Young Spa Ritual offers facials, massages, and body scrubs tailored for teens.
Visitors are encouraged to celebrate wellness throughout the season by participating in the resort’s holistic programmes and exclusive sessions with Thana Jindashotinun. From complimentary Tai Chi and meditation classes to bespoke therapies at AVI Spa, the resort presents an ideal opportunity to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit.
For a complete restorative experience, the AVI Wellness Journey offers guests a curated itinerary based on individual goals, including private yoga, meditation, and fitness sessions, spa treatments, and thermal suite access. The package also includes complimentary breakfast and dinner, use of non-motorised water sports, and Club InterContinental benefits such as afternoon tea and evening aperitifs. Extended stays come with added privileges—30% savings on seaplane transfers and meal plans for stays of four nights or more, and USD 50 daily resort credit for stays of seven nights or longer.
This October, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort reaffirms its commitment to wellbeing, inviting guests to embrace stillness, mindfulness, and renewal in one of the Maldives’ most serene settings.
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