Lux* Hotels and Resorts has launched a unique calendar of expert-led workshops designed to inspire creativity and boost guest health and well-being, with the first set of workshops being rolled out in Maldives and a select few other destinations.

The new LUX* expert-led workshops feature an impressive line-up of Australian talent who are teaching their arts, knowledge and skills on a global stage at LUX* Resorts in Mauritius, Reunion Island and the Maldives throughout 2017 and beyond. Courses include Tibetan sound healing and stress-busting meditation, painting, the art of bookbinding, or learn how to make the ultimate health tonics.

Designed in partnership with Sydney-based organisation Work-Shop, these workshops mirror latest research revealing everyday creative activities such as performing music, painting or drawing, writing short stories, songs and poetry can ward off stress, leading to an upward spiral of increased emotional well-being.

The Lux* South Ari Atoll resort in the Maldives has already hosted three workshops; a two-hour yoga and arts session in January, a practical session on taking better Instagram photos last month and a two-hour workshop on travel writing just this month.

As the year progresses, Lux* South Ari Atoll will host a lot more workshops on a wide range of topics, including:

• Tibetan sound healing (August):  Understand how to access your intuition and gain confidence in listening to your inner voice through balancing and grounding your energy using yogic tools. Experience the deep vibrations and soothing sounds of ancient Tibetan singing bowls during a sound meditation as well as through fun group activities.
• DIY Kombucha and health tonics (August and October): Kombucha is a fermented health drink originating from China, which is believed to be the key to improving digestion and boosting the immune system. Reconnect with the art of fermenting in this hour-and-a-half masterclass, and explore the benefits of making beet kvass, master tonic and rejuvelac.
• DIY Chinese medicine therapies (November): This ancient system of health therapies is also a philosophy of maintaining one’s own vitality. Tai chi, qigong, and diet are as much a part of Chinese medicine as acupuncture and Chinese herbs; learn the techniques of cupping and scraping to relieve aches, pains, and muscle tightness, to help recovery from colds and flu.
• DIY Japanese bookbinding (December): In this three-hour bookbinding class guests will be trained in binding techniques and make their very own books in beautiful handmade suminagashi marbled papers. Discover Japanese stitch, Japanese stab binding, Hemp stitch and tortoiseshell binding and create Japanese journals to use as photobooks and diaries.

“The expert-led workshops will continue every year and propose exciting new experiences, offering our guests a different luxury hospitality experience; celebrating life with creative entertainment; holidaying differently, creatively. Some will feature similar talent with evolving content, based on their success. In addition new workshops will be added,” Axelle Mazery, Group Press and Public Relations Manager told Australia’s Travel Weekly.

LUX* South Ari Atoll has recently undergone a major upgrade. Fresh from its relaunch, cutting-edge designer villas and world-class dining can be found only a 30-minute seaplane flight from Male making LUX* South Ari Atoll one of the most exciting resort in the Maldives. Excellent eating and drinking is always a cut above the rest at LUX* and at South Ari Atoll, there is authentic South East Asian street food in the Maldives’ only over-the-water gourmet night market and world-class Chinese cuisine at East, along with the Japanese restaurant, Umami, which offers live teppanyaki and dazzling selection of sakés.

The Mauritius-based hospitality group has recently announced the opening of its second resort in the Maldives in November. Named LUX* North Male Atoll and located on the six hectare picnic island of Olhahali which is in an unexplored Maldivian atoll, the new resort features contemporary architecture that is unique for the Indian Ocean, including private terraces, rooftop lounges, outdoor decks, private gardens and 13m private pools.