Six Senses Vana Marks the Launch of the Brand's First Dedicated Wellness RetreatStarting the New Year with a journey of self-discovery, health, and healing in the Himalayan foothills of India

INDIA – January 2023 – From today, Six Senses has brought the much-loved and well-established Vana into its portfolio. The ethos is to immerse guests into a personalized wellness journey where ancient wisdom meets innovation.

Named after the sal forest it takes refuge in and spread over 21 acres, Six Senses Vana aims to protect and nurture, providing space to discover and flourish. Ayurveda, Yoga, Tibetan Medicine, and Natural Healing Therapies combine with a rich daily activity schedule and personalized support. Nourishing food, including an Ayurvedic specialty restaurant; therapies, including acupuncture, reflexology, and natural alignment; and a kind-hearted team complete the retreat. Unlike anywhere else, the magic lies in the way these elements are fused together to best benefit guests, based on their current state of mind and body, and personal goals for the stay.

“From the moment you arrive, when your forehead is dotted with crimson, and you don your loose-fitting kurta pajamas, to the moment you leave, and your wrist is tied with a red-string blessing, this soothing space serves as a leveler, where you can come as you are and connect to each other and nature without hindrance,” says General Manager Jaspreet Singh. “Even if you are a regular retreat-goer, everyone is unique; therefore, Six Senses Vana approaches your health and wellness in a way that’s unique to you.”

The Foundation

There is no one common objective, and retreats will vary depending on the length of stay, how deep guests wish to go, and the level of independence or support they feel they need. Every stay includes full-board accommodation and personalized nutrition, daily retreat activities, wellness consultation and screening, and attire to wear.

Elevating the Experience

Guests can boost the impact with optional extras such as Subtle Energies treatments, acupuncture, reflexology, realignment, or a pampering mani-pedi.

Adding Intention

There’s also the option to tailor the itinerary by choosing a program based on a specific wellness intention, with diagnostics and targeted guidance from the experts:

• Sleep: Tracking sleep patterns and helping guests to reset through treatments and therapies that will include yoga Nidra, holistic massages, night-time soporific drinks, and more.

• Detox: With a curated meal plan, Ayurvedic treatments, therapies to slow the fight/flight response,

and digital detox, energy levels will reset, bringing newfound clarity.

• Weight management: A mindset reset helping guests achieve gradual weight loss, or gain, through fitness activities, stimulating body treatments, meditation, biohacking, and a personalized meal plan.

• Yoga: For beginners and improvers in the motherland of mantras, delivered by a unique team of instructors, with private sessions, guided meditation, and breathwork with signature massages and energy treatments.

• Ayurveda: Treatments are delivered by doctors and therapists to heal imbalances in the body’s doshas.

• Tibetan Medicine: Six Senses Vana is one of the few places in the world where Sowa Rigpa is formally offered in its complete avatar

By introducing high tech to the high touch retreat journey at Six Senses Vana, guests will relieve common issues like back pain and inflammation and enjoy a kick start to their healing process. Compression therapy, heated back belts, and massage percussion devices will be available on arrival to take the edge off the long journey. The wellness screening measures 40 biomarkers and, when coupled with the doctor’s consultation, adds science to ancient wisdom. Guests can also enjoy multi-sensory treatments as they float in the warmth of the Watsu pool or meditate to Raag therapy, where the tranquil, hypnotic sounds of the flute bring out positive emotions.

Six Senses Signature Experiences

Close to Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, and north of Dehradun on the approach to the Himalayas, loyal guests have enjoyed Vana as a sanctuary for rebalancing, healing, and learning since it first opened in January 2014. The original intention, along with the existing team, remains mostly unchanged under the Six Senses brand. The ownership of Six Senses also remains with Veer Singh Ji. His deep interest in and respect for sustainable farming, traditional wisdom, and nature will continue to be nurtured.

What changes is the brand’s vision to deepen and strengthen the current offering, complement it with signature experiences it has successfully tried and tested around the world, and bring it to a broader global audience. In addition to the above programs, guests can get creative at the Alchemy Bar to make their own spa products in accordance with their dosha type. For the first time, there will also be activities aimed at children aged six and above to learn and thrive with Grow With Six Senses. Introduced later in 2023, this program will present learning opportunities that help children navigate and derive meaning from their natural surroundings through art, music, movement, storytelling, and newly built interactive spaces.

As a social and gathering space, the bar will serve healthy drinks, shrubs, and tonics. Along with a lifestyle concept store for sustainable fashion and spa products, there will also be a Cinema Paradiso and courts for various ball games. Arts, music, exhibitions, and performances will also add to the rich cultural programming.

A Happy New Year

As the New Year begins, Six Senses Vana looks forward to welcoming guests with hope, excitement, and the same warmth and affection that they have always enjoyed. Whether guests come alone or with friends or loved ones, the communal dining theme in Salana, and several daily group activities, including hikes and excursions, facilitate meaningful connections with a whole new family.

About Six Senses Vana

Six Senses Vana is named after the sal forest it takes refuge in. As the first Six Senses dedicated wellness retreat, it offers health and healing in the Himalayan foothills of India, just outside Dehradun. Ayurveda, Yoga, Tibetan Medicine, and Natural Healing Therapies combine with a rich daily activity schedule, deep commitment, and personalized support.

The magic lies in the way these elements are fused together to best benefit guests, based on their current state of mind and body, and personal goals for the stay. Nourishing food, experiences for all the senses, and a kind-hearted team complete the retreat.

About Six Senses
Six Senses operates 20 hotels and resorts in 17 countries and has signed a further 34 properties into the development pipeline. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, Six Senses serves as a changemaker and maintains a leadership commitment to community, sustainability, emotional hospitality, wellness, and crafted experiences, infused with a touch of quirkiness. Whether an exquisite island resort, mountain retreat, or urban hotel, the vision remains the same: to reawaken people’s senses, so they feel the purpose behind their travels and ultimately reconnect with themselves, others, and the world around them.

Six Senses Residences offers all the unique amenities of a resort life community while retaining the privacy and personal touches of a beautifully appointed private villa or apartment. Each is an appreciating long-term investment to be cherished for generations to come with immediate benefits and exclusive status at other resorts worldwide.

Six Senses Spas guides guests on their personal path to well-being in all resorts as well as a handful of standalone spas. The high-tech and high-touch approach goes beyond ordinary beauty treatments to offer holistic wellness, integrative medicine, and longevity.

Figures as at September 30, 2022