The best spiritual spas

WHAT TO EXPECT: Taking time out to realign the body’s energy systems is the premise behind this seven-night Rest & Replenish program, the brainchild of Denise Leicester, founder of the holistic Ila skincare line. A trained yoga teacher and sound healer, Leicester is deeply connected to the spiritual and healing elements. Daily treatments are the main focus here: two hours of bespoke, carefully curated indulgence, either in the spa or in the comfort of your own villa.

THE MUST-TRY: Book in for the powerful chakra healing session. First, I have a consultation with Leicester to determine where energy might be blocked, then a customized oil is used for the massage, reflexology and reiki – she clears my manipura (sacral) and muladhara (root) chakra, which are linked with anxiety, security and stress.

THE RESULTS: In just a few days I feel lighter in spirit and much more relaxed. Leicester’s positive attitude can’t help but uplift. Back home, although the tan might be wearing off and the muscles re-tensing, a couple of drops of Ila’s SOS Pearl Drops in a glass of water and a Magnesium salt bath recreates that magic Maldivian calm. Farah Shafiq; book through destinology.co.uk

WHAT TO EXPECT: The three-day Holistic Mountain Healing experience has become Caldera House’s most-requested spa program and is designed to nurture the body and soul through an itinerary of therapeutic activities, including mountaintop yoga, forest bathing, a private soul reading session, plus nutrition counseling and cooking classes.

THE MUST-TRY: My soul reading session with Carol Mann, a locally-based clairvoyant, was an illuminating experience. Over the course of our hour, Mann recounted some of my past lives, all reflective of my soul’s unvarying blueprint. The intention, Mann explained, is to enable me to understand myself better, and also recognize possible obstructive patterns.

THE RESULTS: I left Caldera House feeling both physically and mentally restored and letting go of the feeling that I had to try so hard to achieve. I was especially excited to get back home and try some of the new vegetarian recipes I’d learned during the cooking class. Laura Neilson

WHAT TO EXPECT: The Rebalance Programme can either be taken as three nights or seven nights. On arrival, you have a wellness consultation with the Seven Pines team who, based on the questionnaire I filled out before my trip, identify that stress coupled with a vigorous regime of HIIT has caused my muscles to be compacted, my posture hunched and my cortisol at an all-time high. The Rebalance protocol follows a leisurely pace: days are filled with guided yoga, meditation and an array of Ayurvedic treatments at the eco-conscious Pure Seven Spa.

THE MUST-TRY: For those looking to soothe a frenetic mind, walking meditation with resident yogi Sara is a must, either in the pine forest or on one of the island’s last remaining secret coves overlooking Es Vedra.

THE RESULTS: I’m pleasantly surprised that despite doing the shorter three-night retreat, I noticed a difference. The combination of Pilates and yoga has helped with my posture, and the meditation sessions in the caves looking out to the magical Es Vedra were unexpectedly moving and emotional. This is a top-to toe tune up – I arrived feeling worn out, tired and anxious, and left far more serene. Danielle Fox; book through thehealthyholidaycompany.co.uk

WHAT TO EXPECT: This program is based on the spiritual and physical effects of sound healing, which has gained traction over the last couple of years; at Svatma it’s no passing trend but the mainstay of the practice, laying claim to the first sound healing chamber in India. Along with this deeply restorative treatment, hatha yoga and meditation is on tap as well as chanting practices with a Vedanta priest, astrology readings, an excellent naturopathic doctor on hand to soothe all ailments, a great healthy (only vegetarian) weight-loss menu and plenty of holistic treatments.

THE MUST TRY: While you can spend your free time relaxing by the pool, the most transformative part of my healing happened by visiting the Navagraha astrological temples in Tamilnadu (a set of nine Hindu temples, each dedicated to one of the nine planetary deities).

THE RESULTS: It was truly an incredible experience: although I have been to many spas, this retreat made me re-evaluate everything from my exercise regime to my emotional wellbeing and nutritional habits. I lost weight, too (just over six pounds), but the greatest lesson I learnt was the importance of being far kinder to myself. Delilah Khomo

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