A MINDFUL JOURNEY

Created to inspire individuals to be more conscious of how their daily actions, thoughts, emotions, and overall lifestyle choices interact with their physical self, BANYAN TREE VEYA is breaking new ground in the realm of wellbeing. FRANÇOIS OOSTHUIZEN attends the launch of the first facility in Phuket

- FRANÇOIS OOSTHUIZEN

When trailblazing Banyan Tree Group announced the launch of a new wellbeing brand within its multi-brand ecosystem, the hospitality and wellness industries simultaneously raised a curious eyebrow. Banyan Tree Veya Phuket would be the global debut of this wellbeing-centered resort, pledging to offer bespoke programmes with an emphasis on what the brand calls "embodiment therapies", built on Banyan Tree's proprietary eight pillars of wellbeing. Created in direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Banyan Tree Veya aims to address a world with an urgent need for reconnecting mind and body on a daily basis. So, it's off to Phuket to find out what this new Veya philosophy to achieve a healthier lifestyle is all about.

Actually, that's not entirely true, because I was first sent a questionnaire with 64 lifestyle questions to assess my state of wellbeing, to identify potential areas of improvement, and to create a highly personalised itinerary. As it turns out, completing the questionnaire proved to be very insightful in itself, as it made me rethink several of my own lifestyle choices - some of which are no doubt detrimental to my overall wellbeing. Yes, I am not always conscious of my dietary choices, and no, I don't nearly spend enough time connected to nature. Nor do I get enough exercise - as in cardio. It's as if I knew already what my assessment was going to reveal, but it was good to be reminded of my weaknesses again - even if I knew the answers already.