Wellness
JOALI BEING Announces First-Ever Sanctum Wellbeing Residence in Maldives
Renowned wellbeing island partners with innovative mindful movement to offer inaugural residence in the Maldives
JOALI BEING, the first wellbeing island of its kind in the Maldives, has announced a unique collaboration with Sanctum, the internationally acclaimed mindful movement. The inaugural Sanctum Wellbeing Residence, offering radical self-care and joyful healing immersions, is scheduled to take place in the Maldives, 28 April – 10 May 2024. Located on the pristine isle of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll, JOALI BEING blends ancient wisdom and long-honoured traditions with modern science, to take guests on a journey of self-discovery and transcendence. This nature-immersive wellbeing island resort, designed to seamlessly blend with its natural surroundings and centred around the joyful feeling of weightlessness, is committed to showcasing world-renowned wellbeing experts.
In keeping with JOALI BEING’s core methodology and enhancing its offering to guests, the Sanctum Wellbeing Residence will centre on a holistic and unmatched moving sequence, rooted in multidisciplinary forms of kundalini yoga, martial arts, animalistic flow, breathwork and primal fitness with elements of HIIT. Harnessing the power of the physical body to unlock individual potential on a holistic level, the method is curated to music to complement meditation moments and aims to alter body frequencies within a class through mindful movement. The approach has been scientifically proven to decrease anxiety levels and enhance overall self-worth.
The two-week immersive programme, crafted to empower the body and expand the mind, includes sunrise and sunset rituals, mindful beach hikes, cathartic ocean dips, high-intensity workouts, immersive sound journeys, and dramatic fire ceremonies. Guests can also gain insight and guidance from the Sanctum Founders and the island’s wellbeing consultants and enjoy the resort’s signature treatments and bespoke wellbeing journeys, which have been curated around JOALI BEING’s Four Pillars: Mind, Skin, Microbiome and Energy. Sanctum experts will work alongside JOALI BEING’s long-established network of specialists to nourish guests and guide them on a journey of self-discovery and renewal.

Graeme Freeman, General Manager at JOALI BEING, commented: “We are thrilled to partner with such an innovative movement and bring a new, transformative practice to our valued guests.
Utilising our spectacular location, and enhancing our offering, our island of wellbeing and wonder will appeal to those who are who are keen to push boundaries and unlock human potential, and who seek radical self-discovery.”
Luuk Melisse, Sanctum Founder, added: “As the first dedicated wellbeing island of its kind in the region, JOALI BEING is influenced by culture and widely recognised for its transformative wellbeing experiences, and we are therefore delighted to collaborate on our inaugural residence in the Maldives. Our ambition is to lead the next generation of retreats, bringing together the most authentic community of like-minded individuals, and the award-winning JOALI BEING is aligned with this philosophy and offers the ideal locale to restore mental, spiritual, and physical balance.”
JOALI BEING has villas from $2700 per night based on two persons sharing an Ocean Pool Villa on a B&B basis. Wellbeing Programmes start from $1,693 per person based on a five-night programme.
The Sanctum Wellbeing Residence is available 28 April – 10 May 2024
Price available upon request: info.being@joali.com
Action
Hideaway Beach Resort combines running and wellness for World Wellness Weekend
Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa successfully concluded the second edition of the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2026 on Friday September the 18th as part of World Wellness Weekend, bringing together running, wellness and the spectacular natural surroundings of the beautiful all-natural Island of Dhonakulhi.
The event welcomed 68 runners, with esteemed athletes Sunny Schippers leading the 10K race and Clara Abbona leading the 5K race, inspiring participants through three scenic island runs (including a relaxing shake out run) surrounded by the turquoise waters and lush tropical landscape of Hideaway.

Held in line with World Wellness Weekend, the programme extended beyond running to embrace a more holistic approach to wellbeing. Participants enjoyed a series of wellness experiences, including sound healing with Naga Healing, Yoga with in-house instructor Shubham, alongside fitness sessions led by Shaffa – Fitness Expert from TfG, and Ask a PT and Physio sessions with Yoosuf as the Personal Trainer Consultant.
The second edition celebrated movement in all its forms, combining physical activity with recovery, mindfulness, and connection with nature. From the energy of the starting line to restorative wellness experiences, the event brought guests and participants together through a shared appreciation for healthier living.

Following another successful edition, the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run continues to build its identity as a unique resort island running and wellness experience, bringing together sport, community and the beauty of the Maldives at Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.
The initiative is endorsed by Visit Maldives and delivered in partnership with TFG as race partner, with race consultation, registration, timing, and bib services powered by TFG Races. Maldivian joins as transport partner, Coral Glass as content partner, and Sporting Vacanze as agent partner. This partnership reflects continued collaboration between tourism, aviation, media, sports, and lifestyle stakeholders in supporting wellness tourism in the Maldives.
Participants received a race timing bib powered by TfG Races, a partner goodie bag compiled of little treats by the partners, and the official Flora & Fauna Greenery Run T-shirt. Trophies were awarded to the top three male and female finishers in both the 5K and 10K categories. And the esteemed 1st place winners all received a scaled Maldivian Flight model kit by Maldivian Airways.

“Following the success of the historic inaugural edition in 2025, we are delighted to run the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run in 2026,” said Mohamed Muzaffar Ahmed, Business Development Manager of Lily Hotels. “With the continued endorsement of Visit Maldives and the support of our partners, this event reflects the growing opportunity to position the Maldives as a destination for luxury wellness, sports, and active travel. Our ambition is to develop the Maldives Hideaway Resort Run into one of the country’s and inevitably the world’s leading luxury destination running events, offering participants an experience that is truly unique to the Maldives. I am proud of the fact that we are the first luxury running event focused on the sporting tourism niche which has trophies, timing, and medals making Lily Hotels yet another pioneer in experiences in the tourism sector.”

Maldives Hideaway Resort Run – The 2nd Edition might be over, but its revelry carries on with celebrating the runners on social media. In addition to that the resort is looking to clear the remaining stock of the runner’s kit which consists of a goodie bag, t-shirt, and medal via any resort guest running at least a 5k in the official mhrr2026 route at the resort during this year. More details will be available on their social media.

As an intended annual event after celebrating sunrise in the original run in 2025 and flora and fauna in this year, the resort aims to launch its theme for Maldives Hideaway Resort Run 2027 – Visit Maldives Year Edition in February next year so stay tuned for any teasers about what they have got in store for the next edition of this spectacular destination running event with amazing views to be experienced by being there and experiencing running in a destination like no other.
Meditation
Villa Nautica expands wellbeing programme with holistic practitioner Adrianna Lawera
Villa Resorts is expanding its approach to wellbeing with a new series of experiences at Villa Nautica, led by holistic wellness practitioner Adrianna Lawera. Centred on breath, sound, somatic movement and intentional rest, the programme invites guests to step away from the pace of everyday life and reconnect with a slower, more considered rhythm.
Adrianna is a wellbeing lifestyle coach and integrated holistic practitioner specialising in skeletal restoration, fascia release, vibrational sound healing and breath-based movement. Through her signature approach, Wellness for Busy Minds, she makes rest and mindfulness feel more relevant to modern life, helping people build sustainable wellness habits that can exist alongside demanding routines.
Based in the Maldives, Adrianna draws much of her inspiration from nature and the restorative power of slowing down. She serves as a World Digital Detox Day Ambassador and a Global Wellness Day Official Key Supporter for the Maldives, with a wider mission to encourage more intentional relationships with technology, attention and rest.
At Villa Nautica, her programme brings together shared experiences and personalised therapeutic practices designed to address mental, physical and emotional fatigue. Rather than treating wellness as another activity to schedule into the day, the sessions create space for guests to release physical tension, quiet the mind and become more present in their own lives.
The island itself becomes part of that experience. Open skies, ocean air and the natural pace of life in the Maldives create an environment where slowing down feels instinctive rather than prescribed.
The programme reflects Villa Resorts’ wider approach to wellbeing, with experiences shaped by nature, place and meaningful restoration. By welcoming practitioners such as Adrianna, Villa Resorts continues to explore more thoughtful ways for guests to reconnect with themselves and with the environments around them.
News
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa celebrates World Wellness Weekend with three-day wellness programme
Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa marked the 10th edition of World Wellness Weekend with a three-day programme led by Singapore-based wellness practitioner Dawn Sim. From 18 to 20 September 2026, guests were invited to embrace a more mindful approach to wellbeing through a curated series of experiences centred on movement, relaxation and nutrition.
With more than 25 years of experience in fitness and wellness, Dawn Sim has dedicated her practice to encouraging healthier, more balanced lifestyles. A yoga and Pilates instructor, certified sound bowl therapist and health coach, she brings together movement, breathwork, sound and holistic practices through an approachable philosophy centred on physical and mental wellbeing.

Across the three-day programme, Dawn led sunrise and sunset yoga, Pilates, meditation and sound bath sessions, with private classes also available for guests seeking a more personalised experience. Moving beyond physical practice, she hosted a diet and nutrition conversation focused on mindful eating and practical ways to support everyday wellbeing.
“I am delighted to return to Le Méridien Maldives, this time for World Wellness Weekend. The Maldives offers a beautiful environment to slow down, reconnect and spend time in nature, and I hope guests leave feeling restored and inspired to carry some of these practices into their everyday lives,” said Dawn Sim.

Set on the natural island of Thilamaafushi in Lhaviyani Atoll, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa brings wellbeing into the island experience through an active lifestyle, restorative treatments, nourishing cuisine and time spent outdoors. At Waves Lifestyle Hub, guests can take part in a daily programme including yoga, Pilates, Zumba, aqua aerobics, workout sessions and more, complemented by a 24-hour fitness centre and personal training. Outdoors, the resort offers a padel court alongside complimentary non-motorised water activities including kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and snorkelling, while the surrounding lagoon and nearby housereef invite guests to explore below the surface.
For moments of relaxation, the overwater Explore Spa features treatment rooms with glass-panel floors offering views of the ocean beneath. Drawing inspiration from Ayurvedic principles, its collection of massages, body treatments and facials is designed to restore balance and enhance overall wellbeing. Expanding its wellness offering, the resort has recently introduced dynamic air-compression boots, designed to support circulation and ease tired legs after workouts, watersports or active days around the island.

Mindful dining forms another part of the resort’s approach to wellbeing. Waves Café presents an all-day menu of fresh, nourishing dishes featuring produce harvested from the resort’s hydroponic Greenhouse, one of the largest in the Maldives.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Dawn back to Le Méridien Maldives and bring World Wellness Weekend to life through a programme that complements the experiences we offer throughout the year,” said Thomas Schult, General Manager of Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa. “Our approach to wellbeing is about creating opportunities for guests to move, recharge and enjoy the island at their own pace, whether starting the day with sunrise yoga, staying active on the padel court, enjoying nourishing food or simply taking time to unwind. Dawn’s approach was a natural fit for this philosophy.”
Surrounded by a 360-degree lagoon and the Indian Ocean, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa features 134 beach and overwater villas inspired by mid-century modern design and the brand’s European heritage. From private pool villas to spacious two- and three-bedroom options for families and groups of friends, the resort invites guests to savour the good life through an unhurried approach to island living.

From 13 to 23 December 2026, Le Méridien Maldives will welcome former World No. 1 padel player Juani Mieres for a dedicated padel retreat, inviting guests to take their game further through daily clinics led by one of the sport’s most accomplished players.
For more information or to book, please visit lemeridien-maldives.com or contact reservations.maldives@lemeridien.com.
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