Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru has introduced Yoga Therapy Courses, becoming the first resort in the world to offer the personalised condition-targeting programmes.

Are sedentary desk jobs yet fast-paced lifestyles keeping physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing out of balance? Are the world’s marvellous technological advances actually hindering health? Are excess and addiction becoming coping strategies?

Your solution can be found in the Yoga Therapy Courses that take place at The Spa & Ayurvedic Retreat at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru — the first to introduce AntiGravity yoga, a Yoga Energy Trail, and Panchakarma to the Maldives. Conducted under the leadership of Ayurvedic guru Dr Shylesh Subramanya, these programmes have been devised in conjunction with S-VYASA, the world’s first “university for yoga” and pioneer of yoga therapy through scientific research.

“If guided by a medical doctor, most people wouldn’t hesitate to take prescription medicine for a personal condition,” Dr Shylesh was quoted in a statement, as saying. “That’s exactly how we invite our guests to view the new scientifically-backed courses: personally prescribed movements and breathing to be ’taken’ daily for long-lasting improvements.”

From its new Yoga Therapy Centre – in the pulsing jungle heart of Landaa’s Spa & Ayurvedic Retreat – each Yoga Therapy Course is open to all ages and conditions.

Each three or five day programme begins and ends with consultations – including comprehensive questionnaires – to help align each course to individual needs and lifestyle. Daily 60-minute sessions then teach bespoke breathing techniques and postures designed for each ailment, aim, injury or intention.

“Yoga isn’t restrictive – it is a healing tool to help you subtly adjust the way you do things to better serve you,” Dr Shylesh said. “Healthy changes aren’t going to stick if they don’t integrate with your lifestyle or serve a real purpose. And that’s our goal – to make sure individuals leave equipped with all the knowledge they need to be the masters of their own wellbeing.”

Starting modules target specific common ailments and lifestyle diseases – Stress Management, Diabetes Care, Spinal Care, Thyroid Health, Men’s Health, Women’s Health and Addiction Management – across Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced levels.

Guests are invited to consult with the resort’s yogis to tailor a programme to suit other symptoms too, as well as any combination of the above. Follow-up care and support come in the form of personal video conference sessions, as well as on-site access to complementary Spa & Ayurvedic Retreat treatments, classes and cuisines.

“Yoga can be life-changing,” Dr Shylesh said. “Our goal with these programs is to share this life-changing gift with others.”

Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre, 103-villa wonderland in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — a 30-minute seaplane flight from the main Velana International Airport.

Its sister property, Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa lies to the south: an enchanting garden island complete with Island Spa sea sanctuary and Tropicsurf coaches and guides. It features 96 thatched beach and water accommodations constructed by local craftsmen using indigenous materials and techniques to reflect a true sense of the Maldives.

The luxury catamaran Four Seasons Explorer connects the two properties via three, four and seven-night cruises, plus private leisure, surf and manta ray charters.

The latest addition to the Maldives collection, Four Seasons Private Island Maldives at Voavah, Baa Atoll opened in 2016 as the group’s first exclusive-use private island: off limits to everyone else, limitless to the guests.

To be one of the first to experience the new Yoga Therapy Program at Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, contact the Reservations department via email: reservations.mal@fourseasons.com or tel: +960 66 00 888.