If the terms ‘peak performance’ and ‘breathwork’ are not yet part of one’s vocabulary, they are likely to be after five days at SOUL Festival 2025. Set to take place from 9th to 13th October at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives, this year’s edition marks the highly anticipated return of Jamie Wheal and Julie Webster, co-founders of the Flow Genome Project and two of the most prominent figures in the world of transformational wellness.

Following their captivating sessions at last year’s festival, the pair return with a newly curated programme of immersive experiences designed to enhance movement, mindset and emotional wellbeing. Mornings begin barefoot, awakening the body; days are enriched with science-based insights into the brain’s most powerful states; and evenings are grounded in restorative practices that leave participants centred, clear, and recharged. The Flow Genome Project’s methods, which are followed by elite athletes, creatives, CEOs and even special forces operatives, will once again be brought to life amidst the serene meeting point of jungle, ocean and refined luxury.

Throughout the festival, guests can expect movement practices that reconnect them with their bodies, workshops aimed at fostering greater ease in relationships, and breathwork sessions that promote nervous system recovery and a deep sense of calm. The experience is a journey in learning how to attune, release, and rediscover one’s natural rhythm.

Joining Jamie and Julie this year are Sanctum founders Luuk Melisse and Gabriel Olszewski, Nathalie Schyllert of Bodyism, Peigín Crowley of Ground Wellbeing, and a host of leading names in holistic health and performance, including Tim Gray, Dr Timm Golueke, Roses Gabor, Frida Redknapp, Kirsten King, Adrienne Adhami, Dong Juan, Anika Lefebvre, and Nils Behrens.

SOUL Festival is Soneva’s annual celebration of visionaries, seekers, and innovators from across the globe. This year’s programme is ambitious, the setting is extraordinary, and places are limited. Guests booking before 31st August 2025 will enjoy a 10% saving with the SOUL Festival early bird offer.

Returning home unchanged may not be an option.

The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, embraced by the tranquil waters of the Indian Ocean, has enhanced its acclaimed Blue Prescription wellness journey, first introduced in 2024. This elevated offering expands the resort’s commitment to promoting wellbeing through the healing power of water, with experiences designed to help guests reconnect with themselves and the world around them. Drawing on the calming effects of the ocean and inspired by the science of the ‘blue mind’ state, the reimagined Blue Prescription package brings together expert-led encounters, restorative landscapes and daily rituals, all under a new ‘Blue Rate’ that highlights the mental and emotional benefits of aquatic environments.

Mounting scientific evidence continues to underscore the importance of water-based landscapes, or ‘blue spaces’, in supporting mental health. Time spent near or in water has been shown to lower stress levels, ease anxiety, and promote feelings of calm, joy and connection. The rhythmic presence of water encourages a shift away from the overstimulated ‘red mind’ state into a more relaxed, creative and focused frame of mind. This connection between human wellbeing and the natural world is central to the philosophy behind the Blue Prescription.

For those seeking a reprieve from stress or looking to embed long-term wellness practices into their daily lives, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, offers the ideal setting. Surrounded by panoramic ocean views and carefully designed to reflect the flow of the sea, the resort’s iconic Ocean Pool Villas serve as calming sanctuaries. With uninterrupted views, private sun decks, plunge pools, and Bamford’s organic amenities, these villas provide a space to soothe the nervous system and encourage restorative sleep.

Guests are invited to immerse themselves in the ocean’s influence from morning to evening. Each stay begins with a welcome from the resort’s naturalists, offering an introduction to the island’s reef and marine life. Guided meditation takes place on the villa’s private deck, followed by a floating breakfast ceremony. Throughout the day, guests may explore floating sound baths, barefoot myofascial massage with Sarga Bodywork beside the sea, and guided snorkelling sessions that offer transformative encounters with vibrant marine ecosystems, including eagle rays and hawksbill turtles.

At the heart of the wellness experience is the B Balanced treatment at the resort’s spa, set above the shimmering lagoon. This 90-minute Bamford ritual uses breathwork, bamboo tapping and gua sha massage to recalibrate hormonal and energy imbalances. Surrounded by the gentle rhythm of the ocean, the treatment is designed to restore both body and mind.

A luxury yacht cruise invites guests to witness the natural joy of dolphins in the open sea, while the resort’s signature Defining Moment marks the day’s end with a sunset ritual featuring traditional Boduberu drumming and the blowing of the Sangu shell. These moments of natural ceremony are intended to honour the cycles of nature and reinforce a sense of presence.

As part of the Deep Blue Boost, guests may take part in the Masters of Crafts and Visiting Heroes programme, featuring leaders in wellness, conservation and adventure. From 19th to 22nd September, National Geographic Explorer and Kenyan shark scientist Gibbs Kuguru will visit the resort in collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, offering guided snorkelling, conservation workshops and reflective sessions. Bamford’s wellness expert CJ Jones-Leake and breathwork coach Anthony Mullally will lead sessions on mindful movement, stress relief and holistic recovery, with a focus on improving vitality and mental clarity.

Even indirect exposure to water — such as listening to waves or visualising aquatic scenes — has been shown to activate calming neural pathways. To encourage this practice beyond the resort, each guest will receive a piece of artwork by resident Maldivian artist Shimha Shakeeb, alongside a wearable blue bangle made from ghost nets recovered through the resort’s Eye in the Sky conservation programme.

For those seeking a shorter or more simplified immersion, the Blue Rate Blue Rituals daily rate includes accommodation in an Ocean Pool Villa, a welcome session with resort naturalists, a floating breakfast ceremony and daily in-villa meditation.

The 2025 Blue Prescription includes a minimum four-night stay in an Ocean Pool Villa, a welcome by the resort’s naturalist team, one floating breakfast, daily poolside meditation, a 90-minute Bamford B Balanced treatment, a private coral regeneration session, guided snorkelling or diving with a naturalist, a Sarga Bodywork session on the villa’s deck, a luxury sunset yacht cruise, and mindful departure gifts including a painting by Shimha Shakeeb and a bracelet made from ghost nets. Prices start at USD 24,000 per person based on two adults sharing, and USD 20,500 for single occupancy, inclusive of all taxes and subject to availability.

Participation in Deep Blue Boost activities with visiting experts is subject to schedule and individually priced. The Blue Rate Blue Rituals daily rate is priced at USD 6,000 per person per night for double occupancy and USD 5,500 for single occupancy, including all taxes and subject to availability.

This season at Vakkaru Maldives, transformation begins from within. Set against the ever-changing light, tides, and natural rhythms of the island, the resort is launching a series of immersive programmes and curated stays throughout August. These initiatives are designed to guide guests towards reconnection—with themselves, with each other, and with the sea.

The island’s atmosphere is one of intention and exploration, shaped by three visiting specialists whose presence brings depth and meaning to the resort’s wellness offerings. Among them is Executive Coach and Psychologist Dr Jonathan Marshall, who will be in residence from 6 to 16 August. His arrival signals a unique opportunity for guests to explore authenticity, purpose, and mindful awareness.

A psychologist trained at Stanford with post-doctoral studies at Harvard, Dr Marshall’s methodology draws on the work of leading thinkers such as Irvin Yalom, Daniel Goleman, Ron Heifetz, and Otto Scharmer. His coaching style is far from formulaic, offering instead a measured and reflective process that weaves psychological insight, narrative reframing, and presence-led practices to support meaningful inner shifts.

During his time at the resort, Dr Marshall will host one-on-one coaching and small group sessions that touch on leadership, resilience, and mindfulness. His experience—spanning elite athletes, Silicon Valley innovators, and academic institutions—finds a more intimate expression at Vakkaru, where the tranquillity of the island amplifies personal reflection.

Rather than encouraging guests to simply disconnect, Dr Marshall views the setting as an invitation to tune in. His residency will include three complimentary group sessions: Knowing Your Mind, which delves into emotional wellbeing and psychological safety; Purpose, Passion, and Direction, which guides participants through values-based realignment; and Hypnosis: Myth, Magic, or Medicine?, a practical exploration of how hypnosis can support performance, manage anxiety, and shift habits. Guests may also opt for a guided experience of hypnosis if they wish.

Private coaching sessions, available for individuals or couples, can be tailored to specific personal or relational goals, with some incorporating guided hypnosis upon request. Rates begin at US$575++ per hour or US$850++ for 90-minute sessions, inclusive of a personalised consultation.

Complementing Dr Marshall’s inward-facing work is the return of Daria Gudkova, a therapist trained in Himalayan traditions, whose approach combines intuitive touch, breath, and energy for a deeply grounding experience. Her residency continues until 24 August.

Joining the wellness team is Dr Thilini Madushani Kularathna, an Ayurvedic doctor from Sri Lanka who blends classical methods with contemporary insights. Her treatments and consultations are designed to support guests in rediscovering their body’s natural rhythms, often overlooked in the pace of modern life.

For guests seeking more structured pathways to reconnection, the resort has introduced two curated experiences. Wellness Your Way is a three-night minimum stay that includes a Signature Spa Treatment at Merana Spa, a personalised Ayurvedic consultation and follow-up treatment with Dr Thilini, a private yoga session, and a floating breakfast served in the privacy of one’s pool. It is crafted for those who wish to restore their wellbeing on their own terms.

Ocean Journeys, spanning five nights, is ideal for those who find renewal in water and wilderness. Guests begin with a guided snorkel or dive at the Blue Hole alongside the resort’s marine biologist, followed by a new off-island experience that includes traditional line fishing with a local crew and dining on their freshly grilled catch beneath the stars. The journey continues with a full day on a remote sandbank, where snorkelling, picnicking, and immersion in the raw beauty of the Baa Atoll offer a sense of freedom and simplicity.

For those arriving during these radiant weeks, Vakkaru Maldives offers not just a luxury escape, but an invitation: to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with self, with loved ones, and with the natural world.