Four Seasons Costa Rica Launches 2025 Visiting Wellness Practitioners Program

Four Seasons Costa Rica Launches 2025 Visiting Wellness Practitioners Program

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 5, 2025

The Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica has announced the much-awaited return of its Visiting Wellness Practitioners Residency Program for 2025. Known for redefining the boundaries of luxury wellness, the program provides guests with transformative experiences through diverse healing modalities guided by globally celebrated experts.

A Signature Wellness Experience

The program takes place in the resort’s Wellness Shala, a serene sanctuary inspired by the Guanacaste winds and designed by Mexican architects Luis Alejandro Cuesta and Javier Creuheras of Arquitectura Mixta. This unique space combines natural aesthetics with innovative design, offering an ideal environment for self-discovery and holistic healing.

“The Visiting Wellness Practitioners Residency Program is a testament to our commitment to exceptional, life-enriching experiences,” said Ian Robert Caparra, General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica.

A Lineup of Renowned Practitioners

The year-long program features a diverse roster of wellness experts from around the globe, each leading month-long residencies that include sound healing, yoga therapy, energy practices, and more.

  • January: Koya Webb
    An internationally renowned yoga instructor and holistic health coach, Koya Webb integrates yoga, energy work, and plant-based nutrition to inspire balance and purpose.

  • February: Kristyna Paulus
    A master of yoga philosophy and Ayurveda, Kristyna offers personalized yoga therapy sessions combining Hatha Yoga, Yoga Nidra, and Yoga Sculpt.

  • March: Daniel Byrne
    Specializing in sound healing and breathwork, Daniel's transformative sessions create meditative states for renewal and introspection.

  • April: Rashia Bell
    Rashia’s expertise in crystal healing and energetic design merges spiritual connectivity with holistic well-being through Chakra Energy Yoga and lunar rituals.

  • June: Alejandra Ulate
    Known for her dynamic practices in acroyoga and mantra singing, Alejandra offers sessions that combine movement and spirituality.

Other practitioners include Sarah Garden, specializing in therapeutic yoga for physical restoration, and Marianna Jacobs, a shamanic energy healer delivering ancient techniques to clear blockages.

Holistic Healing Meets Innovation

The program highlights the intersection of ancient traditions and modern techniques, offering practices like acupuncture, sound journeys, and acoustic soundscapes. Each residency promises a tailored approach, fostering physical vitality, emotional clarity, and spiritual growth amidst Costa Rica’s lush coastal landscapes.

Arnaud Dieutegard, Senior Director of Spa, remarked, “This year, we are proud to bring renowned experts from four continents to create a safe space where guests can explore diverse modalities and find balance in their lives.”

Conclusion

The 2025 Visiting Wellness Practitioners Residency Program at Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo is more than a retreat; it is a journey into transformative self-discovery and wellness. Set against the backdrop of Costa Rica’s stunning beauty, it offers guests an unparalleled opportunity to rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit.


Ayushakti welcomes the Indian government's announcement to declare 23rd September as the fixed date for Ayurveda Day.

Ayushakti welcomes the Indian government's announcement to declare 23rd September as the fixed date for Ayurveda Day.

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 16, 2025

In a landmark decision to enhance global visibility and streamline observance, the Government of India has officially declared 23rd September as Ayurveda Day, starting from 2025. The change was formally notified through a Gazette Notification dated 23rd March 2025, replacing the earlier practice of celebrating Ayurveda Day on Dhanteras—a date based on the Hindu lunar calendar that varies each year.

Ayurveda Day is observed to promote Ayurveda as a holistic, scientific, and preventive healthcare system. Until now, it coincided with Dhanteras in the month of Kartik, typically falling between October and November. However, due to the fluctuating nature of the lunar calendar, organizing consistent national and international observances became increasingly challenging.

To address these concerns, the Ministry of Ayush constituted a dedicated committee to explore alternative fixed dates. After evaluating four possible options, 23rd September was selected based on both practical and symbolic merit.

The date aligns with the autumnal equinox, a day when day and night are nearly equal—a natural balance that perfectly reflects the core Ayurvedic philosophy of harmony between mind, body, and spirit. The equinox also symbolizes equilibrium in the universe, reinforcing Ayurveda's emphasis on living in sync with nature.

The Ministry encourages health professionals, institutions, and international bodies to actively observe Ayurveda Day on 23rd September each year, creating a unified global movement around India’s ancient wellness system.

Dr. Smita Naram, Co-Founder of Ayushakti, welcomed the move, stating, “It’ll make Ayurveda treatment a more familiar one and enhance people’s will towards Ayurveda.” She added, “Me and Ayushakti extend our gratitude for upholding the 2500-year-old lineage of the Siddha Veda Tradition of Ayurveda that is healing millions.”

With this strategic shift, the Ministry aims to embed Ayurveda more deeply into global healthcare dialogues, strengthening India's presence in preventive and sustainable medicine on the world stage.


Ayushakti Expands Footprint with New Franchise in Punawale

Ayushakti Expands Footprint with New Franchise in Punawale

By Nishang Narayan

Published on May 15, 2025

Ayushakti, a global leader in Ayurvedic healthcare, has launched its latest franchise outlet in Punawale, a growing suburb of Pimpri-Chinchwad. This marks Ayushakti’s 7th franchise in Maharashtra and the 29th outlet overall, reinforcing its mission to make ancient healing accessible across the region.

The new centre, located at Longitude Building, Gaikwad Nagar, Koyate Vasti Road, is equipped with two therapy rooms, two consultation areas, and a trained team of Ayurvedic experts. All practitioners have been trained under the guidance of Co-founder Dr. Smita Pankaj Naram and CEO Dr. Krushna Pankaj Naram, ensuring consistency in the quality and authenticity of treatments.

Patients visiting the Punawale franchise will benefit from a variety of Ayurvedic services, including deep pulse reading (Nadi Pariksha), Panchkarma detox therapies, massages, steam treatments, herbal remedies, marma techniques, and customised diet plans.

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Dr. Smita Naram, Co-Founder of Ayushakti, shared her enthusiasm during the launch event, saying, “I am very glad to launch yet another outlet in a short span, in Maharashtra. We wholeheartedly look forward to serve our customers here and help them heal. Our expansion comes with the thought of touching as many individuals on planet Earth and helping them live a healthy life.”

She further added, “The response we have received over the past year has been phenomenal, which makes us excited about adding new outlets across India.”

Founded in 1987 by Master healer Late Dr. Pankaj Naram and Dr. Smita Naram, Ayushakti has been on a mission to transform community health through the power of ancient Ayurvedic practices. The company currently operates in nine countries and has helped over a million people worldwide.


Niraamaya Retreats Samroha: A Cooling Wellness Sanctuary by Athirappilly Falls

Niraamaya Retreats Samroha: A Cooling Wellness Sanctuary by Athirappilly Falls

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on April 24, 2025

Located amidst lush greenery and just steps from Kerala’s iconic waterfalls, Niraamaya Retreats Samroha, Athirappilly is a rainforest wellness hideaway that naturally embodies the essence of cooling rejuvenation. The constant mist of the nearby Athirappilly waterfalls, shaded forest canopies, and elevated riverside air create a cool microclimate that enhances every wellness experience.

Signature Cooling Therapies at Samroha Include:

  • Takradhara by the Falls - A tranquil Ayurvedic treatment using a continuous stream of cool medicated buttermilk over the forehead, performed to the soothing soundtrack of cascading water, ideal for heat-induced stress and anxiety.

  • Aloe & Cucumber Body Wraps - Deeply hydrating and anti-inflammatory, these wraps soothe sun-exposed skin and leave guests feeling refreshed and rebalanced.

  • Herbal Oil Couple Massages - Featuring cooling oils with ingredients like vetiver and mint, this therapy calms muscular tension while offering a shared moment of deep relaxation.

  • Hydrotherapy Rituals & Forest Meditation - Morning walks through shaded rainforest paths lead to riverside meditation spots, offering grounding and natural detoxification through movement and breath.

  • Open-Air Yoga & Cooling Pranayama  - Held in pavilions that overlook the misty valley, these sessions incorporate gentle asanas and breathing techniques to lower body temperature and calm the Pitta dosha.

Across Niraamaya Retreats: A Summer-Focused Wellness Ethos

All Niraamaya locations are embracing the season with thoughtful cooling practices:

  • Floral hydrotherapy baths using rose, jasmine, and sandalwood

  • Herbal teas and infused waters with vetiver, fennel, and tulsi

  • Gourmet wellness dining rich in seasonal, cooling ingredients

  • Tailored summer wellness programs including Ayurveda, yoga, and nutrition

Crafting the Ultimate Summer Refresh

What makes a wellness retreat truly memorable in the summer is its ability to merge natural surroundings, healing traditions, and personalized care. At Niraamaya Retreats Samroha, Athirappilly, this philosophy comes alive in every detail, from the therapies to the setting itself.

As guests seek new ways to thrive in the heat, cooling therapies offer more than relief, they offer renewal. Resorts that embrace this philosophy are not only in tune with the seasons but are leading the way in modern, sustainable wellness.

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