Meditation
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives partners with Jody Shield for an exclusive ten day residency
Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, in the Maldives, has partnered with Jody Shield, London’s most sought after motivational speaker, meditation guide, author and intuitive therapist from 12 to 22 April 2017 to create an exclusive wellness journey encouraging guests to process the past, be more present and create a life they love within this paradisiacal backdrop.
With its untouched natural environment encouraging a deep connection with the elements, the island of Villingili is the perfect place for a spiritual retreat, and in turn, a reconnection to the self. Located in the Maldives’ southernmost atoll, with only the gentle crashing of the waves of the Indian Ocean to be heard, Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa is the quintessential island retreat for guests to rejuvenate and escape the stresses of modern day life. Combining the resort’s complete seclusion and world-class service with Jody’s expertise will ensure the resort is unparalleled in its ability to de-stress and de-toxify its guests from their modern woes.
Surrounded by uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean and pristine beaches, guests are able to embark on a personalised journey guided by Jody’s renowned holistic healing, pioneering techniques and life-changing coaching to release symptoms of stress, fear and anxiety. Open to novices or practised meditators alike, the journey includes four meditations to quiet the mind and to reach a deeper level of awareness and inner calm. These dynamic workshops will nurture and encourage skills that guests can take away and implement in their everyday life from finding peace among the stresses of corporate life to conquering one’s anxieties and worries.

Guests also have the opportunity to attend two motivational talks as well as an exclusive reading from Jody’s new book ‘LifeTonic – a modern toolbox to heal your life and soothe your soul’. Jody’s schedule is tailored to inspire guests to overcome the pains of the past and achieve positive transformations in their mindset, motivations and actions. During Jody’s residence, those who wish to explore a deeper level of inner healing may also benefit from one on one sessions with Jody as well as experiencing Ayurveda treatments at CHI, the spa, yoga sessions, and a healthy eating plan with a personalised menu created by the resort’s chef. Herbs and vegetables are grown on island in the Chef’s Garden, along with traditional Ayurvedic root waters and light suppers of locally sourced fish.
CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, draws inspiration from the origins of the Shangri-La legend, a place of personal peace, enchantment and wellbeing. It is a secluded sanctuary located in its own spa village within the resort, with spacious individual treatment villas with private gardens and steam rooms offering a ‘spa-within-a-spa’ environment.
Other activities available at Shangri-La Villingili Resort & Spa include tennis, golf, diving and snorkelling, exploring the neighbouring islands and the local village communities by bike.
Featured
Yoko Kawaguchi to lead holistic wellness residency at Vakkaru Maldives
Vakkaru Maldives has announced the residency of acclaimed holistic practitioner Yoko Kawaguchi at Merana Spa, taking place from 17 March to 30 April 2026. The residency forms part of the resort’s ongoing focus on wellness, restoration and mindful living.
Grounded in Japanese healing traditions, Kawaguchi’s therapeutic philosophy centres on personalised care designed to calm the nervous system, release emotional tension and support the body’s natural restorative functions. Her integrative approach combines auriculotherapy (ear reflexology), aromatherapy, Reiki energy healing and targeted massage techniques to create treatments tailored to individual needs.
Guests may select from a range of core therapies offered during the residency. Highlights include the Tranquil Mind Ritual, which blends scalp massage, ear reflexology and energy work to ease tension and encourage emotional clarity. The Aroma Reiki Healing Touch treatment combines aromatherapy back massage with carefully selected essential oils and Usui Reiki to address both physical and emotional blockages. Auriculotherapy sessions focus on stimulating reflex points in the ears to support hormonal balance, immunity, nervous system regulation and overall wellbeing, with optional ear seeds available to extend the benefits beyond the treatment.
Alongside individual sessions, Kawaguchi will offer complimentary consultations and a programme of group wellness experiences. These include guided Reiki self-healing meditation and ear stretching massage sessions designed to promote relaxation and mental clarity, providing guests with simple techniques to support their wellbeing during and after their stay.
Hosted within the serene surroundings of Merana Spa, the residency offers guests an opportunity to pause, reset and engage in a deeper wellness journey, aligned with Vakkaru Maldives’ philosophy of understated luxury and holistic balance.
Featured
Francesc Miralles and Numthip Puntha to lead wellness residencies at Amilla Maldives
Amilla Maldives is hosting two visiting wellness practitioners during February and March, offering guests access to tailored therapies focused on balance, vitality and overall wellbeing.
Currently in residence, Francesc Miralles is at the resort from 30 January to 20 February 2026. An internationally recognised wellness consultant from Catalonia, he brings more than three decades of experience across Classical Chinese Medicine, physiotherapy and luxury hospitality. His approach integrates therapeutic movement, seasonal wellbeing and food as medicine, supporting guests in building resilience, restoring energy and achieving a sense of calm. During his residency, guests can book personalised sessions including physiotherapy, postural alignment, acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and facial acupuncture, alongside Harmonia classes focused on posture, mindfulness and longevity nutrition.

From 20 February to 25 March 2026, Francesc will be followed by Numthip Puntha, also known as Amp. A highly qualified physiotherapist from Thailand, she specialises in integrative therapies that combine Lifestyle Medicine, Sound Healing and Chi Nei Tsang. Her treatments are designed to support emotional release, detoxification and the restoration of the body’s natural energy flow. Guests will have the opportunity to experience healing massage, lymphatic drainage, Tibetan sound therapy, cranial release, Reiki and Chi Nei Tsang, as well as group sound bath sessions.
These visiting practitioner programmes form part of Amilla Maldives’ ongoing focus on personalised wellness, delivered within the resort’s tranquil island environment. Further information about the resort and its wellness offerings is available via the Amilla Maldives website.
Meditation
Dr Shakkeel AM to offer visiting practitioner sessions at Ifuru Island Maldives
Ifuru Island Maldives is welcoming Dr Shakkeel AM as a Visiting Wellness Practitioner, marking a step in the resort’s plans to develop a curated Visiting Practitioner programme.
Dr Shakkeel, a CIDESCO-certified naturopath and acupuncturist, will be in residence at the resort from 28 January to 30 March. The residency forms part of Ifuru Island Maldives’ strategy to introduce rotating international wellness specialists and expand its holistic wellbeing offering.
With more than ten years of experience in luxury wellness hospitality across the Maldives, India and Bahrain, Dr Shakkeel brings a personalised and integrative approach to wellbeing. His practice is influenced by classical Ayurveda and modern therapeutic methods, drawing inspiration from his grandfather, an Ayurvedic healer.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences and advanced acupuncture training from the Jing Well Academy. Each guest programme begins with a comprehensive consultation, including Tridosha assessment, tongue diagnosis and pulse analysis, to tailor treatments to individual needs.
During his residency, guests will have access to a range of therapies, including therapeutic and cosmetic acupuncture, Kalari Marma therapy, sleep-enhancing treatments, detoxification programmes, posture alignment therapy, immersive Ayurvedic rituals, restorative bodywork and guided meditation sessions.
Ifuru Island Maldives said the residency supports its long-term plan to establish a rotating Visiting Practitioner programme, aimed at offering guests access to internationally experienced wellness experts and structured, results-driven wellness journeys.
Guests will be able to begin their experience with a complimentary Ayurveda or wellness consultation during the residency period.
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