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Elegant Traveller

A Different Rhythm of Wellbeing: A Conversation with Six Senses Vana

schedule7 Minute Read

20-Oct-2026 Lou Fox

A Different Rhythm of Wellbeing: A Conversation with Six Senses Vana

Where ancient wisdom and modern understanding come together in highly personalised ways

Hidden among the Sal forests of northern India, Six Senses Vana has built its reputation on a simple belief: wellbeing is deeply individual. As the only dedicated wellness retreat within the Six Senses portfolio, this remarkable escape brings together Ayurvedic traditions, Tibetan medicine, and modern therapeutic practices, creating experiences shaped around the individual and guided by expert practitioners. The result is a retreat that encourages guests to engage with their wellbeing in a more thoughtful way, often uncovering small changes and new perspectives that continue long after they leave.
In this interview, we explore the philosophy at the heart of Six Senses Vana, how its practitioners help guests navigate their personal wellbeing journeys, and why curiosity remains one of the retreat's most important tools.

1. With so many incredible Six Senses escapes, what makes Six Senses Vana unique?

SSV

Six Senses Vana holds a special place in the global Six Senses portfolio as its only dedicated wellness retreat. Wellness is woven into the Six Senses experience around the world, and at Six Senses Vana, it becomes the very reason for being here. Spread across 21 acres of Sal forest near Dehradun, Six Senses Vana has followed a dedicated wellness philosophy since its beginnings in 2014. Ayurveda, Yoga, Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine), and Natural Healing Therapies each have their own spaces, guided by practitioners who understand the traditions and techniques behind them.

Every stay includes wellness consultations, daily treatments, guided nutrition, and a schedule of activities tailored to individual intentions. Guests are welcomed as Vanavasis, meaning forest dwellers, and change into Six Senses Vana's signature kurta pyjamas. It's a wonderful little equalizer. Everyone arrives with a different story, and everyone wears the same wonderfully comfortable clothes.

From the crimson blessing on arrival to the sound of birds among the Sal trees, life at Six Senses Vana invites guests to become more attentive to themselves and the world around them. The experience is personal right from the beginning, with time to explore what well-being means to each individual.

2. What philosophy guides wellness at Six Senses Vana, and how does the retreat bring it to life?

SSV

It begins with a question: what does your wellbeing need right now? At Six Senses Vana, that question matters more than any predetermined idea of how a wellness retreat should look. Every Vanavasi brings a different lifestyle and relationship with their health. We begin by listening to their concerns and understanding what they hope to explore.

Six Senses Vana brings together traditional knowledge and contemporary wellness practices. Ayurveda considers individual constitution, known as dosha, and the relationship between lifestyle and health within its traditional framework. Yoga offers opportunities to develop movement, breath awareness, and meditation. Sowa Rigpa introduces the diagnostic methods and therapeutic practices of Tibetan Medicine. Natural Healing Therapies broaden the range of experiences available.

Each discipline has its own principles, and our practitioners help guests understand which approaches may suit their needs. Wellness screenings and other assessment tools offer additional information to guide recommendations. The philosophy also finds its way into everyday moments. Meals are planned with attention to individual nutritional guidance. Time is set aside for movement and rest. The forest remains part of the experience throughout. At Six Senses Vana, we believe there's value in paying closer attention to the habits we often overlook. Even the ones that seem too ordinary to deserve a conversation.

3. How does Six Senses Vana bring together ancient healing traditions and contemporary wellness science?

SSV

Six Senses Vana is a wonderful place for different perspectives on wellbeing to meet. Ayurveda and Sowa Rigpa have developed their own bodies of knowledge over centuries, with distinctive ways of understanding the individual. Our practitioners work within these traditions while helping guests explore how their recommendations relate to everyday life.

Contemporary wellness tools offer another perspective. A non-invasive wellness screening can provide information about selected physiological indicators, while movement assessments help fitness specialists examine how a guest moves. These findings can contribute to discussions about a personalised programme.

The important part is knowing what each approach can tell us, and where its limitations lie. Traditional methods and modern scientific assessments have different evidence bases. Our team respects those differences and recommends practices according to individual suitability.

A guest may explore an Ayurvedic or Tibetan consultation one day and work with a fitness specialist on movement patterns the next. Each offers a chance to ask better questions and learn something useful.
For Six Senses Vana, curiosity is an essential part of wellbeing. There's always more to understand about the person behind the programme.

4. What brings guests to Six Senses Vana, and how are their wellness journeys personalised?

SSV

Some guests arrive with a clear intention. They want to examine their sleep habits, develop a regular yoga practice, or dedicate time to Ayurveda. Others are looking for a chance to explore their wellbeing with guidance from experienced practitioners.

At Six Senses Vana, the first step is understanding the person behind that intention. Wellness consultations and screenings allow our team to discuss lifestyle habits, existing concerns, and personal preferences before recommending a programme.

A guest interested in sleep might explore the Sleep programme, which includes guidance on sleep habits and relevant monitoring tools. Someone curious about Ayurveda may choose a longer retreat, allowing more time for consultations and traditional treatments. A first-time yoga practitioner can begin with individual instruction suited to their experience. There is no need to arrive with an impressive wellness vocabulary. Our practitioners are quite happy to explain what a dosha means, or why a particular breathing technique is practiced.

Personalisation also extends to the daily schedule. Some Vanavasis enjoy exploring different activities, while others prefer more time between sessions. We encourage guests to discuss their needs as their stay progresses. After all, getting to know yourself is an ongoing conversation. Six Senses Vana simply makes a little more room for it.

5. Which wellness programmes and experiences best capture the spirit of Six Senses Vana?

SSV

Ayurveda and Sowa Rigpa are two of the most distinctive aspects of Six Senses Vana, each with a dedicated space and experienced practitioners.

Our Ayurveda programmes begin with a consultation to understand the guest's constitution and current condition according to Ayurvedic principles. Treatments and lifestyle recommendations are then selected according to individual needs. For those interested in a longer exploration, Six Senses Vana offers Ayurveda programmes of 14 or 17 nights. Ayurveda Panchakarma follows a minimum 21-night protocol and is recommended only after careful assessment by our Ayurvedic doctors. Sowa Rigpa, meaning the science of healing, brings the tradition of Tibetan Medicine to Six Senses Vana. It is one of the few retreats in the world to offer this system in such a comprehensive setting, with practitioners trained in its specific methods. Consultations may be followed by traditional Tibetan treatments and meditation practices, depending on the programme recommended.

But there's more to discover beyond these disciplines. Our Yoga programme gives beginners and experienced practitioners an opportunity to explore breathwork and guided meditation through private sessions, while Natural Healing Therapies include practices such as acupuncture and Raag therapy, which draws on Indian classical music. For guests who enjoy getting their hands involved, the Alchemy and Apothecary Bar offers a different kind of experience. Here, guests can explore ingredients and create their own blends with guidance from our team.

6. How do you help guests maintain a sense of balance and wellbeing during their stay, both physically and mentally?

SSV

We believe the rhythm of the day deserves as much thought as the treatments within it.

At Six Senses Vana, mornings may begin with Yoga or meditation, followed by a scheduled treatment recommended during the wellness consultation. Our daily activities also offer opportunities to explore movement, and meals follow the nutritional guidance suited to each guest's retreat.

Between sessions, there is time to enjoy the surroundings. Walk along the forest paths and you'll hear the leaves moving overhead, often accompanied by birdsong. The odd monkey may make an appearance too, but we make no promises about its interest in wellness.

Rest is equally important in shaping the schedule. A retreat can introduce unfamiliar practices, and we consider each guest's comfort and response to their programme. Six Senses Vana also encourages a more considered relationship with digital devices, allowing shared spaces to retain their quieter rhythm.

7. Have you noticed any emerging wellness trends among travellers over the past few years? If so, how is Six Senses Vana responding?

SSV

One of the most interesting developments in wellness travel is the growing curiosity around personal health information. Guests have more access to sleep tracking and fitness data, along with an increasing amount of advice about how to use it. But the challenge is understanding what that information actually means.

At Six Senses Vana, our approach begins with the individual. Wellness screenings and movement assessments can offer useful observations, while our practitioners provide context through consultations. We want guests to understand the purpose of a recommendation and how it might fit into their lifestyle.

Sleep also continues to be an important area of exploration. Our Sleep programme allows guests to look more closely at their routines and consider adjustments that may support better rest. And healthy aging is another conversation we're interested in. It raises practical questions about mobility and the habits that help people remain active as they grow older.

Six Senses Vana also continues to make space for traditional wellness knowledge. Ayurveda places importance on daily routines, while Yoga offers a structured way to explore movement and breath. These practices have their own histories, and we approach their potential benefits with care and appropriate evidence.

We believe the ideas with the greatest staying power will be those people can make sense of and continue at home. A new piece of technology can be fascinating. So can discovering that your evening routine could use a little attention.

8. What does a rewarding wellness journey look like at Six Senses Vana?

SSV

Every Vanavasi brings their own understanding of progress. For some, a rewarding stay involves becoming familiar with a new practice. A guest exploring Yoga may discover a particular sequence they enjoy and feel comfortable practicing independently. Someone attending an Ayurvedic consultation may become more interested in the relationship between mealtimes and their daily routine.

Our practitioners encourage these conversations throughout the stay. Guests can ask questions about their treatments and discuss how recommendations might translate into everyday life.

We also recognise that wellness is rarely a straight line. Personal habits take time to develop, and experiences vary according to each guest's health and circumstances. The purpose of a retreat at Six Senses Vana is to give guests the opportunity to explore their wellbeing with dedicated guidance and enough time to become familiar with their programme.

One of the most encouraging outcomes is when a guest finds something that makes sense for them and wants to learn more. It might be a breathing practice they can do before bed or a movement routine they genuinely look forward to. There's a certain satisfaction in discovering that taking care of yourself can be enjoyable, too.

9. For somebody considering their first wellness-focused escape, what advice would you give?

SSV

Come curious. We'll take care of the kurta pyjamas.

Your first wellness retreat can bring plenty of questions, especially when you're exploring practices you've never encountered before. At Six Senses Vana, you can begin with a simple intention. Perhaps you'd like to understand your sleep habits or explore Ayurveda. You might just be interested in discovering which forms of movement you enjoy. Our practitioners guide you through the available approaches, beginning with consultations and wellness screenings. We encourage guests to share their expectations and relevant health information openly, as this helps the team recommend an appropriate programme.

Choosing the right length of stay also matters. Six Senses Vana offers focused programs such as Yoga and Sleep from five nights, while more involved Ayurvedic programmes require longer stays. The duration depends on the purpose of the retreat and the guidance of our practitioners.

Once you're here, allow yourself to enjoy the experience. Ask questions during treatments. Try a group activity that interests you. Leave space for a walk through the Sal forest. And there's no need to turn the retreat into another ambitious to-do list. Nobody is counting how many yoga poses you've mastered.

Give yourself permission to be a beginner. There's a surprising amount to enjoy when you approach something with fresh eyes.

10. Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of wellness travel?

SSV

We're excited by how much there is still to learn about wellbeing, particularly as scientific research continues to explore sleep and healthy aging.

These developments offer opportunities to better understand individual needs. At Six Senses Vana, we see value in combining appropriate contemporary assessments with the experience of our practitioners, while continuing to respect the individual traditions that have shaped the retreat since its beginnings.

Our approach will remain personal. We want Vanavasis to understand the practices they experience and feel comfortable discussing which elements may be useful in everyday life.

As the only dedicated wellness retreat in the global Six Senses portfolio, Six Senses Vana has an opportunity to give these conversations greater depth. Longer retreat programmes allow guests to spend dedicated time learning about their habits, guided by practitioners who bring different areas of expertise. We're also interested in how people carry their experiences beyond the forest. Perhaps a guest discovers a new way to approach mealtimes or develops an interest in meditation. The next chapter belongs to them.

For Six Senses Vana, the future of wellness is full of possibilities and questions worth exploring. And we hope people keep asking those questions long after they've changed out of their kurta pyjamas.

Are you looking for more travel inspiration? Filled with first-hand travel tales, expert destination guides and more, our luxury online travel blog can help.
Lou Fox

Lou Fox

Marketing Executive

Ready with a guidebook and my camera, I've been lucky enough to travel all over the world. From learning to dive in Egypt to traversing the theatres and museums in NYC, I'm passionate about exploring the planet and writing about what the world has to offer.

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