Live Well with Four Seasons Resorts of Asia Healing and Mindfulness Practitioners
A collection of diverse resorts across five destinations, Four Seasons Resorts of Asia is also home to the region’s leading wellness practitioners, hailing from various fields and backgrounds with one common goal: to boost your sense of wellbeing.
Energy rebalancing, nature bathing, personal training, mindfulness and clean eating: these are just of the immersive experiences awaiting at Four Seasons Resorts of Asia, where guests can choose to make wellness part of a broader itinerary, or embark on a fully-tailored retreat program.
“We have exceptional spas at our resorts in Asia, where our resident practitioners make all the difference. Drawing on their depth of knowledge, commitment and innate wisdom, our on-site experts facilitate opportunities for guests to ‘Live Well’ through increased awareness and wellbeing experiences, both during their stay and after returning home,” shares Luisa Anderson, Regional Director of Spa for Four Seasons Asia-Pacific.
Oanh Ngo, Resident Singing Bowl Artist
Oanh has always been interested in health and wellness, identifying a natural connection with the Earth, which she wanted to continue to develop later in life. Fittingly, Oanh decided to pursue her interest in natural healing and subsequently trained in the artistry of crystal singing bowls. Oanh took her newfound skills back to Vietnam, where she joined the team at the Heart of the Earth Spa at Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai, Hoi An, the only resort in Vietnam to have a complete 8-octave set of crystal singing bowls. “When I play them I am happier; I feel at peace and it helps me to deeply connect with myself as well as to our Mother Earth,” she smiles.
Behanan Vadaken Kunjappan, Resident Yogi
Born in Kerala, India, Behanan was first inspired to take up yoga by his grandfather, whose own health was optimized by a strong yoga practice. Long drawn to natural approached to living well, Behanan is also a qualified Ayurvedic therapist and holistic Reiki practitioner. Behanan describes yoga as a powerful tool to help people achieve their goals in life, including improved physical stability and mobility, mental clarity and emotional balance. His yoga sessions draw on his deep understanding of ancient wisdom and mastery of a wide range of therapeutic skills resulting in a palpable sense of power and purpose that has made him a favourite among Resort guests.
Dr. Arun K. Tomson, Wellness Coach and Naturopathic Physician
Dr. Arun is a skilled diagnostician who specialises in TCM pulse methods, acupuncture and yoga therapy. Employing a hands-on approach to healing through naturopathic and yogic principles at Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, Dr. Arun believes, “the body heals itself but it is essential to create an environment to support and enhance those healing powers.” His passion is to help people experience a superior level of wellbeing by integrating naturopathic principles into their lifestyle to enhance their own innate healing power.
Anuphong Deesamer, Muay Thai Instructor
Fondly known as Kru (master in Thai) Aan, Anuphong brings his dedication to the "Art of 8 Limbs" along with a wry sense of humour and distinctive Liverpool accent to every Muay Thai session at Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui. Having been up against the ropes at an early age, Aan channeled his inner fighter (against racism and bullies) to achieve a zen-like mindset. “Any form of martial art is a great teacher. You learn patience, endurance, respect for your opponent, and strangely enough, it calms you down,” he smiles, flashing a gold tooth – testament to his years as a ranked champion. At the Resort, Aan curates Muay Thai programs for all levels, making them fun for beginners and an intense workout for those seeking active wellness while on vacation.
Liam Nealon, Executive Chef
“My food philosophy is ‘less is more.’ I love simple, clean flavours,” states Liam, who is at the forefront of creating balanced plant-based menus at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. His mantra is simple: let the ingredients shine. It is with this focus that Liam combines seasonal ingredients with his keen interest in Asian and modern Australian cuisine in every plate at the Resort. Bringing guests closer to the experience of "living a life in balance" in Thailand’s countryside, Liam’s menus reflect the essence of the tropical bounty of the region, while honing in on his expertise in clean eating.
Heny Ferawati, Wellness Mentor
A former Buddhist nun, Ibu Fera is Resident Wellness Mentor at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan. She leads daily meditation classes and singing bowl therapy; Life Talks on topics such as learning to forgive and managing stress; and rocks guests to sleep amid the rice fields during the exclusive Sacred Nap experience. She has released two albums of meditation music and mantras inspired by the Sacred Nap, and curated the “Guided By Gratitude” retreat. This three-day program is available year-round for guests to embark on a deeply immersive journey with Fera, combining her experiential wisdom with chakra rebalancing treatments at The Sacred River Spa, nature treks and Sattvic-inspired cuisine. “It’s our heartfelt intention that guests experience the silence within; release fear and tension; and open their heart – enabling them to return home with a renewed sense of being alive, filled with gratitude for the many blessings in life and fully open to new possibilities,” says Fera.
Chewan Ali, Geo Spa Manager
Born and raised in Malaysia, Chewan’s appointment as Spa Manager at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi marks an inspiring return after more than a decade. Chewan was part of the Resort’s opening team before moving across the world to broaden his experience including at Four Seasons Resort Oahu in Hawaii, where he managed one of the company’s largest, most successful spas. He has returned home with a wealth of new knowledge to share as he leads the exceptional team at the Geo Spa at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi. Chewan views the spa not just as a space for indulgence but also self-transformation. He believes that the more you look after yourself, the more you embrace gratitude for yourself and others. “Spending time with nature is a gift for our body, mind and soul,” Chewan affirms.
Ajik Ngurah, Resort Priest
As Resort Priest at Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Ajik Ngurah looks after the spiritual and cultural connections of both staff and guests. He is mostly found at the oceanfront temple making daily offerings to the gods, conducting ceremonies on holy days, and energy cleansing rituals to maintain the Resort's calm vibe. He also leads temple tours and meditation practices for guests, and a traditional water purification ritual (melukat) to cleanse away negative energies from the body and soul, which is the climax to the signature Blessings of Bali spa experience. "In Bali, we are guided by the philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, which means the 'three causes of happiness.' We believe our relationship with Man (each other), God, and Nature must all be in balance to achieve harmony. I am proud to share our culture and spiritual practices with guests, and be part of their wellbeing journey.”
Singapore, 247729