Before Dharana at Shillim became a sanctuary for holistic wellness, it was simply a valley in the Sahyadri ranges—rich in biodiversity but battling deforestation and degradation. Touched by its beauty and the environmental damage unfolding before their eyes, brothers William and Denzil de Souza set out on a mission to preserve this untouched corner of the Western Ghats.

What followed was a remarkable act of guardianship: the acquisition of 2,500 acres of land—not for development, but for protection. Over the next 15 years, the family committed themselves to restoring Shillim’s natural ecosystem. Through afforestation, water conservation, and careful land stewardship, the valley was allowed to heal. Today, it is home to over one million trees and a thriving native habitat.

In 2013, this journey evolved into something even more profound with the launch of Dharana at Shillim by Gavin de Souza, second son of the late William de Souza. Spread across 320 acres within the protected 2,500-acre valley, Dharana is more than just a retreat—it’s a living, breathing model of mindful luxury that blends wellness, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

Not a single tree was felled in its construction. Instead, Dharana’s architecture was shaped by the contours of the land, using earthen and bamboo materials. Rooted in Ayurveda and functional medicine, the retreat’s wellness approach honours both ancient traditions and modern science.

At the heart of Dharana are six key sustainability pillars:

• Nature-Integrated Design: Built to exist in harmony with the landscape, every structure deepens the connection between guest and nature.

• Earth-to-Table Nutrition: Food is sourced from on-site organic farms using regenerative agriculture.

• Zero-Waste Living: From composting to plastic-free packaging, Dharana leads by example in waste reduction.

• Forest Conservation: Thousands of native species have been planted to rebuild biodiversity, with a goal to reforest 10% of scrubland by 2030.

• Clean Energy: Solar panels meet 20% of Dharana’s energy needs, reducing diesel consumption by 90,000 litres annually.

• Community Empowerment: Training local women in sustainable practices, Dharana aims to support over 5,000 families by 2030.

This Earth Day, Dharana at Shillim stands as a reminder that true luxury lies in living with purpose, in harmony with the earth. Here, every guest is invited not just to unwind—but to reconnect, rejuvenate, and play a part in a greater story of healing and hope.

The Anam Mui Ne, a luxurious Indochine-era inspired resort nestled in Vietnam’s beach town of Mui Ne, has added Himalayan singing bowl therapy to its growing wellness menu, offering guests a chance to rejuvenate through ancient healing sounds.

Renowned for their meditative and therapeutic properties, Himalayan singing bowls are used in treatments that involve gently circling a mallet around the rim of the bowl to create deep, resonant sounds. These vibrations are said to travel through the body, promoting both physical and emotional healing.

The spa’s new offerings include five specialized treatments—“Relaxing”, “Balancing”, “Detoxifying”, “Healing Power”, and “Healing Sound Bath”—ranging from 45 to 60 minutes. Each treatment is curated to target different health concerns, from stress relief and better sleep to energy balancing and detoxification.

“Relaxing” therapy uses seven singing bowls to ease tension and calm the nervous system. “Balancing” focuses on harmonizing the body’s chakras and brain hemispheres. “Detoxifying” targets key organs like the liver and kidneys, while “Healing Power” uses warm water and bowl vibrations to stimulate blood circulation and refresh the skin. “Healing Sound Bath” aims to relieve headaches and muscle tension, while creating a peaceful mental state.

Guests can also take part in complimentary hour-long group sound therapy sessions for up to five people.

The Anam Spa features five treatment rooms—three of which are VIP couple’s rooms with soaking tubs—two single rooms, steam rooms, saunas, Jacuzzis, and a full-service beauty salon, offering a comprehensive wellness experience.

For more information or bookings, visit www.theanam.com, email info.mn@theanam.com, or call +(84) 252 628 4868.

In a bold move to inspire India towards a healthier tomorrow, wellness platform Habuild has launched the #KarkeTohDekho initiative on World Health Day. The campaign is a national call to action designed to break the biggest barrier to health—overthinking. Aligned with the World Health Organization's 2025 theme, "My health, my right," Habuild urges individuals to claim their health rights by simply starting.

Contrary to common challenges like lack of time or motivation, the real obstacle is hesitation. The endless planning, the “kal se shuru karenge” mindset often holds people back. This World Health Day, Habuild’s message is clear: override the mental block and take that first small step. No pressure. No perfection. Just action.

As a highlight of the initiative, Habuild will host a special 10-minute live yoga session on April 7th at 8 PM IST, open to everyone. This session underscores the belief that even a few minutes of movement can lay the foundation for lifelong wellness. With no gear or preparation needed, the live session exemplifies the initiative’s goal: action leads to motivation.

“People don't struggle with exercise. They struggle with starting,” says Saurabh Bothra, Founder & CEO of Habuild. “ #KarkeTohDekho is our way of nudging India into action. One stretch. One breath. One small beginning—that's all it takes.”

Habuild, which has positively impacted over 95 lakh lives globally, operates on the principle of prioritizing action over perfection. Its daily live yoga sessions, accessible through WhatsApp and YouTube, have helped countless users develop a habit of incorporating even 5 to 10 minutes of wellness into their daily routines. More than just a hashtag, #KarkeTohDekho represents a mindset shift aimed at turning hesitation into a habit and inspiring a national movement towards gentle, consistent wellness.

This World Health Day, join Habuild in embracing health without the weight of perfection. Because the journey to better health doesn’t require perfect timing—it simply begins with taking that first step.

About Habuild:

Habuild is a habit-building wellness platform that empowers individuals to develop healthy living practices through Yoga, Meditation, and more. Focused on facilitating lasting lifestyle changes, Habuild enables users to enhance their overall well-being and quality of life.

About Saurabh Bothra:

Saurabh Bothra, CEO of Habuild, is a certified yoga instructor, entrepreneur, TEDx speaker, and YouTube creator. Notably, he set a world record for performing Yoga with 5,99,162 people on International Yoga Day and achieved a Guinness World Record by connecting 2.4 million people to Yoga for 21 days. Saurabh also hosts podcasts and shares valuable wellness insights across his social channels.