Six Senses Spas, Yoga

AMENITIES

We all know of the benefits yoga can provide, so it’s no wonder that Six Senses Spas is expanding its range of stress-relieving programmes
The benefits of yoga are well known: for thousands of years it has been practiced as a meditative exercise, but it is also recognized as a health helper, for not only does it increase strength and flexibility of the body, it also helps destress the mind. Recent reports show that it can help boost the immune system and help with both depression and insomnia.
It is not, and never has been — despite some of its starrier practitioners’ claims — an aerobic exercise, although it can burn calories and help with weight loss in the rebalancing of the body. Now Six Senses Spas, long a believer in the holistic approach to health, has recently introduced two new yoga programmes across its resorts and is also offering them at some of its partner spas.

WHAT
The programmes are Discover Yoga and Yogic Detox. The former is good for beginners but also an ideal refresher course for those who practise only occasionally. Six Senses resorts have always prided themselves on the standard of their yoga and meditation teachers, so much attention is paid to the correct method of attaining a pose or posture. A few days of regular practice will show not only in improved flexibility but also better sleep and more relaxed breathing.
Alongside classes, individual tuition is also offered, as are signature massages and energy treatments. The Yogic Detox programme is for more experienced yoga practitioners who are looking for a cleanse, but a less punishing version. Each programme, whether it is for five days or fourteen, is personalised based on the original consultation with the therapist, teacher or Ayurvedic specialist. It draws on different hatha yoga cleansing techniques, pranayama and meditation as well as sat kriya, a movement and breath exercise. Add to this a number of specialist detox body treatments and massages and a balanced diet. The yoga programmes have been devised with the help of yogic guru Dorelal Singh, a graduate in yoga and yoga philosophy from the Bihar School in India.

WHERE
Programmes are available at Six Senses resorts at Zighy Bay, Oman; Ninh Van Bay and Con Dao, Vietnam; Yao Noi and Samui, Thailand; and Laamu, Maldives; as well as at partner spas in the Maldives (Soneva Fushi), Thailand (Soneva Kiri and Pacific City Club), Crete (Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort), Kazakhstan (Esentai Tower in Almaty), the Dominican Republic (Puntacana Resort & Club), India (Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort), Qatar (Sharq Village Resort & Spa), Kuwait (Symphony Style Hotel) and Switzerland (The Alpina Gstaad).

WHEN
The programmes run throughout the year and will be joined in 2015 by a sleep programme, Yogic Sleep.

BEST
For beginners, a four-day programme would make a gentle introduction to the practice, giving enough time and thought to whether the guest wishes to continue it further at home. For yoga practitioners it is always worth taking the time to have a refresher course to ensure that no bad habits or incorrect postures have crept in. Best of all, you can incorporate your refresher with a detox programme, and while fourteen days may be excessive, they are also on offer for seven and ten.