Olelo and Flow at Sensei Lāna‘i, A Four Seasons Resort

Yoga lovers who also seek a sense of place from their Hawaiian getaway can discover aloha spirt in their practice at Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort.  The wellness resort debuts a new class, Olelo and Flow, which pairs yoga with live Hawaiian music.

The class offers a rich, multisensory experience on the mat. A Love Lānaʻi cultural practitioner opens with olelo or native language of the islands. As guests move through a gentle yoga flow, live Hawaiian music accompanies movements, in immersive harmony.

“To experience yoga, while at Sensei Lāna‘i, through the language and culture of Hawai‘i is a unique experience found nowhere else in the world. Furthermore, when you consider the incorporation of the music of Hawai‘i, offered by Samson Kaleialohi, this experience transcends what I can articulate with words,” says Travis Kā'eo Cundiff, Sensei Yoga Practioner.

Born and raised in the village of Kailua, Hawaii, he learned the value and importance of community at an early age. Travis turned to yoga for healing following sports-related injury, but discovered a modality of complete well-being that transcended mere physical health, and today he seeks to infuse into his practice  cherished values of giving back and collective betterment.

Travis is joined by Samson Kaleialohi, a Kanaka ‘Ōiwi whose story is rooted on Lāna‘i.  He continues the traditions of his ancestors, in ceremony, healing and leadership in his community.  In his role with Four Seasons, he shares that the challenge for modern times is identifying ways to carry kuleana (responsibility, stewardship) in spaces that weren’t necessarily built for it, and to allow a wider audience to learn and appreciate the meaning behind the experiences the Love Lanai team makes available to guests of the resort. Samson brings in sound to the yoga class through a selection of instruments including nose flute and pū puhi (conch shell trumpet).

In Hawaiian thought, sound heals, and each instrument has its own kuleana. The nose flute is made from ʻohe (bamboo) representing clarity, pathways and the forest, honouring the interconnectedness of life. The pū, or conch shell trumpet, holds a special and sacred place in Hawaiian culture.  When used in yoga, meditation, or mindful movement, the pū can become a powerful way to gently start or transition a class. Samson cues participants by saying “As the sound of the pū begins, allow your eyes to close. Let the vibration enter your awareness and move through your body clearing, awakening, and helping you arrive fully in this moment.” Used respectfully, he shares that the pū becomes more than a sound; it becomes an invitation into presence, connection, and deeper alignment with oneself and the world around us.

At the adults-only Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort, guests can choose from a collection of wellness experiences to more structured programs to best align actions to intentions on their well-being journey. In collaboration with pre-arrival specialists and Sensei Guides, customized itineraries are crafted to meet each guest’s personal goals and preferences in an inspiring and supportive environment.

The retreat features a number of daily wellness and fitness classes including Morning Meditation and Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga Basics and Sensei Yoga Flow along with Deep Relaxation, Open Sky Meditation and more. The weekly activity calendar is available online. or in the Four Seasons Mobile App. Guests can also expand their knowledge of yoga postures, breathwork and alignment in a private session designed to uncover insights to deepen one’s flow while safely considering and working around any limitations. The sessions can be tailored for solo travellers or partners, along with pre-natal options. Outdoor facilities, set in nature to provide a beautiful picture frame around each experience, include a 24-hour fitness facility, two movement studios, a yoga pavilion and outdoor yoga spaces nestled in lush gardens featuring tropical trees and flowers sharing space with sculptures and art.