Monsoon wellness
May 20, 2025 - The sacred monsoon season at Six Senses Vana is one of return: to oneself. Afterwards, carry its calm, clarity, and wisdom home with you, long after the rains have passed.
Summer at Six Senses Vana carries its own cadence. Days stretch gently, unhurried and sun-warmed, making space for what so often gets left behind in daily life: deeper rest, honest reflection, and heartfelt connection.
As monsoon clouds gather and the rain arrives in quiet celebration, the retreat becomes even more introspective. According to Ayurveda, this is one of the most potent times for cleansing and restoration. The climate encourages the body to soften and absorb, calming the nervous system and making specific protocols such as the Panchakarma comfortable, effective, and deeply felt.
In the Buddhist tradition, this is the season of Vassa, a time to pause, to ground, to dwell in stillness. Six Senses Vana mirrors this natural rhythm of life with meditative practices, rituals, and therapies that meet you exactly where you are.
Respectful of tradition yet responsive to modern life
You may arrive with an intention, whether to detox your mind, your body, or a combination. You may find yourself seeking answers to questions you have yet to form, in which case the doctors will guide you through an initial consultation, dosha assessment, and physical and lifestyle assessment. Everything from your treatments to your cuisine and the beautiful healing spaces within the emerald-hued Sal forest is tailored to correspond to your unique elemental, physical, mental, and emotional characteristics.
Abhyanga massages involve deep tissue strokes and heavy pressure (lumpy thighs begone). Ayurveda therapists focus on getting as much oil onto your body and into your pores as possible. Luckily, you wear the prescribed kurta rather than your best designer outfits. Nutrition is light (and when the culinary team say “no”, they mean it), but you’ll never feel hungry. Personalized fitness training puts you through your paces. Yoga deepens your understanding of the chakras. Time and again, TCM and Acupuncture Specialist Dimple Raghuvanshi works her magic, drawing a legion of global fans. Sound healing, Watsu aqua therapy, and meditating to the hypnotic notes of the flute during Raag therapy bring about their own forms of weightlessness as you float on waves of positive emotions.
Head Ayurveda Clinician, Dr. Jayachandran, explains, “During the monsoon, the weather conditions are not extreme and hence beneficial for intentional therapies. Ayurveda recognizes three primary Doshas: Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water), and Kapha (earth and water). As monsoon is characterized by its cool and moist nature, it falls under the domain of Vata, where imbalances manifest as bloating, joint aches, fatigue or anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. That’s why this season is particularly suited to intentional detoxification therapies.”
You only have to read the guest book to understand that this is more than a retreat. “I’m looking forward to coming back,” is the ubiquitous comment written by guests from all over the world. Perhaps the desire to return stems from the fact that the dedicated practitioners guide you to return to yourself, believing that when wellness is purposeful, it becomes transformative. This mantra quickly catches on.
“Simple materiality, consummate craftsmanship, and a complete passion for details are evident everywhere. Everyone is a master of their craft which instilled a sense of trust that I was going to be well looked after, and I certainly was,” says Puri. “While Panchakarma has been around for centuries, I feel this experience is totally authentic. There are infinite paths towards health and well-being, but this one has really suited me.”
“If you’re going to take time out, you want to tackle everything, holistically. I feel the monsoon program not only sorted out some short-term concerns; it might also become a new way of life. What I didn’t anticipate was meeting so many people and making meaningful connections too,” says Sara.
The industry agrees with the guests, recently bestowing a clutch of gongs, including “Asia’s A-Team” at the Condé Nast Traveller Wellness & Spa Awards 2025 and Best Holistic Wellness Retreat at the Global Spa Awards 2025.
Life after Six Senses Vana: integrating the retreat into daily life
It’s a familiar feeling. You return home from a retreat or wellness journey with a heart full of inspiration and a head brimming with ideas. You vow to live differently: more present, more intentional, more alive. And then, within a day, you’re back in the slipstream of school runs, inbox alerts, errands, and the sinking feeling that all the good work is slipping away.
At Six Senses Vana, the real invitation is to carry the healing home, supporting the delicate reintegration phase with gentle yet firm, practical, and enduring guidance. Everyone’s notes are different – suited to their Dosha reality and plan they have followed – but follow some broad themes.
Mindful transitions:
- Slow down. Avoid jumping straight into an overloaded schedule. Give yourself permission to do less, move gently, and rest when needed.
- Recreate rituals. Whether morning sun salutations, mindful breathing before sleep, or a quiet cup of herbal tea at sunset, bring small, sacred rituals from Vana into your daily routine.
- Eat with awareness. Stay connected to the nourishing meal patterns you followed at the retreat. Choose fresh, seasonal ingredients, keep dinners light and early, and eat slowly, savoring each bite to acknowledge your body’s response.
- Move intentionally. Even simple practices like mindful walking, stretching after long periods of sitting, or self-Abhyanga with aromatic oils can ground you in your body and bring a sense of calm.
- Breathe and listen. Stay present to your breath and make room for moments of stillness. Notice the sounds of nature or sit in silence with yourself.
- Journal. Writing about your experiences and emotions can help integrate insights and anchor your growth.
- Be kind to others. Share your experiences thoughtfully, without expectation that your friends and family will be interested or understand. Manifest any transformation through presence rather than proclamation!
Recognize that there will be days when old patterns resurface. This doesn’t mean you’ve lost your progress. It is simply an invitation to return to yourself again.
Find out more about why Six Senses Vana is best for what you need.