Luxury Maldivian eco-resort, Gili Lankanfushi, is debuting a revolutionary new wellness programme for 2018 where world-leading international wellness practitioners, working in areas as diverse as transformational breath work, sound therapy and hypnotherapy, will be leading island residencies throughout the year, offering revolutionary treatments and workshops for guests, and passing on their skills to the team at the islands Meera Spa.

The international wellness residency programme kicked off in March with bestselling author, Ayurveda enthusiast, cook and wellbeing entrepreneur Jasmine Hemsley who stayed at  Gili Lankanfushi from 12 19 March 2018. Jasmine led immersive and soothing sound bath sessions, helping guests to switch off their minds, open their hearts and nurture their spirits with waves of therapeutic crystal tones to balance the chakras.

10-18 April 2018 will see the arrival of international author, breath coach and founder of Breathing Tree, Rebecca Dennis.Rebecca studied cutting edge breath technique transformational Breath with founder Judith Kravitz in Mexico and Miami, and today specialises in treating issues such as stress, anxiety, addiction, depression, trauma, sleeping and focus issues, lack of energy and physical problems through transformational breath work. 

She continues to study with inspirational teachers from all over the world, and fervently believes that conscious breath work is the key to our wellbeing and inner peace. Rebeccas book, And Breathe, teaches readers how to harness the power of conscious breathing. Its a practical guide to letting go of the unwanted patterns of emotions, blockages and tension which hols us back, and includes simple to follow exercises, tips and case studies. Rebecca has been featured in Tatler, The Times, The Telegraph, Grazia, Psychologies, and Elle, as well as speaking on the benefits of breathwork on BBC Radio.

Rebecca will be offering in-depth conscious breathing workshops for island guests to help them to find clarity and deal with any issues they left back home. Whilst on the island, Rebecca will be offering private breath work sessions for a deeper immersion, and guests will be able to continue their individual breath work journey in their villas with the help of guided conscious breath work tips on achieving better sleep and starting the day well.

Gili Lankanfushis international wellness residencies in 2018 will complement the islands existing programme of unique and holistic visiting practitioners, working in specialisms including crystal healing, neuro-linguistic programming, kundalini therapy bodywork and chi gung healing. Permanent Master in residence Esther Bitongan Balaodan practices kundalini therapy bodywork, harnessing kundalini energy and working through the chakras to promote self-awareness, reduce stress and facilitate physical and mental healing. 

Devendra Prasad Pokhriyal, the islands resident yoga and Ayurveda master, specialises in pain relief therapy, using palm reflexology and ancient salt therapy to release deeply held tension from within the neck, back and shoulders, to optimise emotional health and promote mental wellbeing.

In addition to an exciting programme of wellbeing journeys and practitioners, Meera Spa — meaning Ocean in Sanskrit — offers an extensive range of signature therapeutic treatments. Inspired by nature, spa treatments use local flower petals, organic herbs and earth clays to heal and nurture the skin, complemented with organic products by Voya and Sodashi, and Meera products created on the island from the finest oceanic and botanical extracts. 

Open air walkways link the steam room, sauna and six treatment rooms, where glass floors allow guests to watch fish flitting amongst the coral during treatments. Following treatments, guests are encouraged to relax in the vast relaxation areas, which boast panoramic ocean views, and enjoy spicy pots of freshly brewed Maldivian ginger tea. Gili Lankanfushi offers complimentary daily sunrise yoga classes at the beachside Yoga Champa, as well as one-on-one yoga, meditation and visualisation practices with the spa team.

Located in the North Malé Atoll, Gili Lankanfushi opened in 2000 as the original over-water resort, Soneva Gili. In 2012, the island was acquired by HPL (Hotel Properties Limited), a Singapore-based company investing in hotels, lifestyle and properties around the world. Voted number one hotel in the world by TripAdvisor in 2015, Gili Lankanfushi is an easy 20-minute speedboat transfer from Velana International Airport.

Set in the middle of its own lagoon, guests enjoy a barefoot existence with 360-degree views of the Indian Ocean. Gili Lankanfushis 45 overwater villas, including the vast and secluded Private Reserve, offer unrivalled privacy.