Featured
Fairmont Maldives: Sun, sand, salutations on Intl Yoga Day
Set in the remote Shiviyani Atoll, Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is one of the world’s best destinations to practice yoga.
Guests can perfect their sun salutations against a stunning Indian Ocean backdrop with resident expert, Lamy, a former gymnast, swimmer and professional in the healing discipline of yoga.
In honour of International Day of Yoga, June 21, we spoke with Lamy to learn the secrets of this fascinating, healing practice.
When did you first start practicing yoga, and why?
I started practicing yoga, almost by chance, when I was at university. Back then my daily routine was quite intense, keeping up with classes, two jobs and sports; this busy lifestyle caused me to burn out and I was diagnosed with gastritis and a rare skin condition, called Fox-Fordyce disease. I used to lift weights, run and swim. It was after one of my swimming sessions that a friend of mine introduced me to yoga, as we were stretching after the training. Being a gymnast for almost a decade, stretching wasn’t new to me and my body was capable to perform the basic yoga postures. But it was when I first combined it with meditation that my perspective changed: I was completely amazed by the power of this discipline that it quickly became a habit.
The more I practiced the more I felt the benefits: within five months my gastritis attacks became sporadic and my skin condition healed. I wanted to share the powers of yoga with others, so this is why I decided to become a yoga instructor, actually the first registered Yoga Teacher of my region, Manaus (Amazons) in Brazil.
What are the key benefits of yoga that might surprise people?
Yoga is the perfect discipline to align and balance mind and body. The practice can help with an array of stress-induced conditions that manifest as diseases or disorders – like the Fox-Fordyce disease, as it happened with me. It’s effective against migraine, gastritis, depression and anxiety.
How much yoga should we incorporate into our lives to feel the benefits?
We’re in desperate need of self-connection and holistic integration after over a year spent in lockdown. If there is a silver lining is that we’re now more aware than ever of the importance of wellness to keep us strong, healthy and centred when navigating uncertainty. I think everyone should dedicate some time every day to self-care and wellness. I do this in the form of yoga and I would recommend practicing daily, this is the quickest way to see consistent results and improve vitality and energy levels. Of course, beginners can start with a 15-min daily practice, so it’ll be easier for them to genuinely integrate yoga in their routine.
After months of working from home, people are suffering from poor posture – what are the best yoga poses to combat this?
Before I even get into how you can improve your posture with yoga, I’d recommend people to get active again and don’t let this new sedentary routine became a normality as it’s damaging for physical and mental health alike. If you happened to lose mobility and you’re struggling with posture as a result of the indoor life, I would recommend you try yoga’s restorative and grounding postures, such as spinal twist or pranayama, aka breath awareness.
What advice would you give to someone who is looking to start practicing yoga?
Practicing Yoga is an act of self-love. It might feel intimidating to start, especially when you join a class with people that have been practicing for a while, but I’ve been there before, and I can assure you that once you start practicing you’ll stop thinking about what others do and just get in the groove.
Look for online classes (there are so many these days), get inspired with themed books, blogs or podcasts and of course, try to find a local studio where you can attend in person lessons and meet likeminded people
Remember that yoga is a journey, a mind-body practice that is never the same. Like with fitness, listen to your body and understand when it’s appropriate to stop and rest or when you can push your limits
Don’t get disheartened if you don’t see results immediately, it doesn’t mean the practice isn’t working. It takes time to see results and part of the challenge of yoga is that it forces you to cultivate patience, listen to your body and be compassionate towards yourself
What appeals to you about the Maldives as a destination? Does it inspire mindfulness?
Settling in Maldives to teach yoga is a dream come true for me. Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi is the most tranquil destination for those seeking a complete energetic reset, while taking care of their wellbeing and improving a healthy lifestyle. In the Maldives you can disconnect from the intense and stressful routine and connect with all the elements of nature: sun, sea, wind, sand.
Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa has introduced its Family Fun Summer offer, a family-focused package designed to encourage guests to spend time together through dining, leisure and recreational activities in a private island setting.
Located 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the resort is offering the package as a year-round experience, despite its summer branding. The programme is intended for families seeking a stay that combines accommodation, meals and activities in a single offering.
The experience includes daily breakfast at Feast, where guests can access buffet selections for adults and children. Lunch is served as a three-course beachside meal, while evenings include buffet dinners, à la carte options and access to the resort’s speciality restaurants.
As part of the package, adult guests receive a USD 45 dining credit per night, which can be used at selected outlets including Baan Thai and Sea Salt. The offer is designed to expand dining options within the resort’s full board arrangement.
The package also includes activities aimed at different age groups. Children have access to the Sheraton Adventure Club, while families can take part in pool activities, water sports, sunset dolphin cruises and guided snorkelling excursions.
For guests seeking wellness experiences, Shine Spa for Sheraton offers a range of treatments, with the package including 15 per cent savings on selected services. The resort has also introduced a spa experience designed for parent and child. Additional recreational options include sunrise beach yoga, as well as access to tennis and football facilities.
Other inclusions within the offer include a complimentary family photoshoot and dining benefits for children when eating with their parents.
Family Fun Summer is available for booking until 15 June 2026, for stays through to 20 December 2026. Through the package, Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa is presenting a family-oriented resort experience centred on dining, recreation and shared time together.
Featured
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau to mark Mother’s Day with wellness and dining offerings
InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort has announced a Mother’s Day programme centred on wellness, dining and family experiences, offering guests a range of activities designed to mark the occasion in Raa Atoll.
Set within the resort’s island setting, the programme will feature a series of experiences aimed at encouraging families to spend time together through relaxation, dining and shared activities.
At AVI Spa, the Mother’s Day offering will include signature treatments focused on rest and balance. Guests will also have access to holistic sessions led by visiting practitioner Dr Afsana Aradhana Ghyas, whose work focuses on integrative wellbeing and emotional balance.
Dining experiences will form a central part of the programme. These will include floating breakfasts served in private villas, interactive cooking sessions with the resort’s chefs, and private dining experiences ranging from sunset beach dinners to sandbank dining under the stars.
The resort will also offer family-focused activities for the occasion. These will include craft sessions for children, ocean-inspired guided art activities and a family photoshoot intended to capture the day’s experiences.
Through the Mother’s Day programme, InterContinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort is presenting a combination of wellness, dining and family activities shaped around personal and shared experiences in a resort setting.
W Maldives has launched The Wavemaker Edit, a new ongoing series of curated collaborations with international talent, aimed at introducing a range of guest experiences across mixology, wellness, cuisine and music.
The series is designed as a rotating programme, with each edition bringing a different creative perspective to the resort. According to W Maldives, the initiative is intended to create a continuing calendar of experiences that combine social, cultural and wellness-led elements.
The first edition of The Wavemaker Edit will run from 3 to 14 June 2026 and will feature two themed chapters, titled Island Alchemy and The Restore Ritual.
Island Alchemy will focus on mixology. On 3 June, Kwok will lead a guest shift at SIP, presenting three cocktails that explore contrast and balance, including a bespoke creation inspired by the Maldives. The collaboration will continue on 6 June at WET Deck, where a poolside day party will feature a curated cocktail menu.
The second chapter, The Restore Ritual, will centre on wellness and movement in recognition of Global Wellness Day. Led by Mumbai-based yoga and movement educator Samiksha Shetty, the programme will include sessions focused on breathwork, mindfulness and alignment-based practice.
The wellness programme will include Sunset Yoga sessions at FIRE Beach on 12 and 14 June, as well as a morning meditation session at AWAY Spa on 13 June. The main event within this chapter will take place on 13 June, when guests will be able to join a Sunset Yoga session aboard the Horizon Yacht. This bookable experience will also include healthy refreshments and a 60-minute massage at AWAY Spa.
W Maldives said future editions of The Wavemaker Edit will expand into culinary, music and art-led experiences under a number of themed series, including Flavors Unscripted, Sound Wave and Make A Scene.
Commenting on the launch, General Manager Amila Handunwala said the initiative reflects the resort’s approach to continuously evolving the guest experience through collaborations with international talent.
W Maldives is positioning the series as part of its broader effort to offer more structured and experience-led programming for guests. In addition, the resort is promoting its Original Wavemaker package, which includes seaplane transfers and a half-board meal plan for two adults with a minimum stay of four nights.
-
Awards1 week agoAnantara Kihavah Maldives Villas named to 2026 T+L 500 list
-
News1 week agoAngsana Velavaru introduces curated day visit packages
-
News1 week agoGrand Park Kodhipparu introduces Maldives’ first resort membership concept
-
Action1 week agoDhawa Ihuru to celebrate marine heritage with Rannamaari Dive Fest this May
-
Lifestyle1 week agoNiva Kuramathi Maldives welcomes artist Sarah Smart for island residency
-
News1 week agoMeyyafushi Maldives opens with focus on premium all-inclusive travel
-
News1 week agoThe Standard, Maldives secures dual recognition from Condé Nast Traveller
-
News7 days agoMilaidhoo Maldives marks Mental Health Awareness Month with wellness series