Wellness tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in global travel,[1] marking an increased focus in pilgrimages that are rooted in ways to live better for longer. This movement is inspiring a return to ancient Ayurvedic practices in India, where Six Senses invites guests to enjoy out-of-the-ordinary new ways to rebalance the body, mind, and spirit.
Six Senses Vana and Six Senses Fort Barwara, two of the brand’s 26 properties around the world, sit in this wellspring of authentic Ayurveda.[2] While individual in their experience, both properties share a range high-tech and high-touch methods that harness the healing potential of changes to one’s environment, inside and out. Techniques and treatments build on India’s Ayurvedic legacy, which dates back 5,000 years, unlocking well-being shortcuts to holistic health while meeting today’s desire for sumptuous comfort, cuisine, and hospitality with a nurturing touch, to not just heal but enjoy it.
Dr. Jayachandran, Head Ayurveda Clinician at Six Senses Vana, explains: “Every element of your retreat is curated to allow you to enact a positive transformation on your health and well-being using ancient, natural, tried-and-tested practices while going where the new science is going to navigate lifestyle and life-stage issues such as hormones, fertility, and menopause. Under these soothing conditions, you can come as you are, connect to each other, and manifest lasting change.”
In-house practitioners at every Six Senses curate programs that blend holistic wisdom with the latest science and biotechnology. Everything aligns with the change of seasons, including the transition from the monsoon months to Sharad Rutu (autumn), which may otherwise have a significant impact on physical and mental well-being. This makes the approach more natural to slip into without compromising on results.
SIX SENSES VANA, a wellness retreat
Six Senses Vana presents a modern-day wellness retreat within ethereal Sal forest. An assembly of Ayurvedic wellness experts, Yoga teachers, Tibetan healers, fitness experts, acupuncturists, reflexologist and therapists guide guests towards balance and rejuvenation.
At Six Senses Vana, Ayurveda, Tibetan Medicine, Yoga and Natural Healing Therapies combine with a diverse daily activity schedule, personalized support, modern biotechnology, and cocoon within nature. Each guest’s stay begins with a Wellness Screening and consultation with an Ayurveda or Tibetan Sowa Rigpa practitioner. These are non-invasive ways to get “under the hood” and identify imbalances in the doshas while building an individual protocol to improve sleep, stress, and nutrition, and foster meaningful connections between the physical, mental and natural realms. Particularly advised during this monsoon season, Panchakarma – the 21-night duration retreat – reflects Six Senses Vana’s commitment to thoroughness and fruitfulness, allowing ample time to undergo the healing journey fully and bring home healthier habits and knowledge about their long-term well-being.
Reconnect
Spiritual cultivation is central to Six Senses Vana. Guests are welcomed with sacred rituals like aarti and vermillion, and a sandalwood charm bracelet that serves as a physical reminder of the intentions imbued within the token. Puja offerings and reconnection rituals punctuate the stay, along with a local variation on sound healing, Raag therapy, which brings out positive emotions through listening to the hypnotic sounds of the flute. Six Senses Vana is just 90 minutes from Rishikesh, the revered birthplace of yoga, and excursions to immerse in the town’s cultural heritage and spiritual essence include Ganga Aarti, a holy fire ritual on the banks of the Ganges.
Restore
Complementing these offerings is an Ayurvedic specialty restaurant, Anayu, where nourishment for both body and soul is served through cuisine designed to balance the doshas while aligning with the Eat With Six Senses ethos of embracing natural ingredients and locally and sustainably sourced produce. The menu follows the principles of seasonal, local, organic, and wholesome, harvesting the best results from the five seasons: summer, monsoon, autumn, winter, and spring. The on-site apothecary, guided by Ayurveda, Sowa Rigpa and naturopathy, is also guided by the seasons, offering remedies crafted from indigenous ingredients grown on site, bridging traditional medicine and cuisine.
SIX SENSES FORT BARWARA
Six Senses Fort Barwara, a carefully restored 14th-century fort with 48 luxurious suites in the heart of Rajasthan, calls guests to step back in time to the Golden Age of Indian heritage hospitality with a relic, fresco, or artifact at every turn. However, they are gently drawn back to the present with state-of-the-art amenities, biohacking, innovative cuisine concepts, and pioneering wellness.
As a royal retreat of well-being, Six Senses Fort Barwara is the ultimate location to enjoy Ayurveda in its true form while relaxing in spacious suites that reinterpret the gracious and regal ambiance of Rajasthan’s bygone era. The crowning jewel is the 30,000 square-foot Zenana Mahal spa, located within the original queen’s palace. Here, guests will find an extensive Ayurvedic “whole body” healing system, meditation, and personalized wellness programs that blend preventative Eastern principles with results-driven Western influences. Signature treatments incorporate local essential oils, muds, and vegetable oils. Skilled therapists and Visiting Practitioners guide guests towards optimum well-being through transcendent sound journeys and powerful crystal treatments such as the Tiger’s Eye full-body massage. Central to each experience is a dedicated focus on restoring inner harmony and balance.
Realign
As guests wander the corridors of Six Senses Fort Barwara, they happen upon a treasure trove of Indian heritage and culture, with each corner unfolding a chapter of the fort’s story and associated rituals. Not only does the fort face Chauth Mata, one of the oldest temples in Rajasthan, but it also features an ancient temple within the fort walls. A special aarti blessing is performed every evening in the temple. The priest chants bhajan before conducting a tika ceremony involving an auspicious thread and Ganges (holy) water. This deeply spiritual experience allows guests to be transported back to a realm of inner peace and tranquility.
Replenish
At Six Senses Fort Barwara, the culinary experience hints at authentic Rajasthani cuisine while infusing regional pan-Indian and international inspirations. The fort’s organic gardens provide seasonal farm-to-table dishes while neighboring villages share the secrets of their heritage and community, from hot masala chai to bajra and jowar rotis. Communal dining spaces encourage conversation with fellow guests, forging connections and memories enveloped by the fort’s timeless beauty.
