Forest Om

If you’e looking to shake that bad karma and drop a few pounds at the same time, there’s an idyllic place to do so. Vana, Malsi Estate opened last month in Dehradun, India, in the Himalayan foothills. This top spa and wellness retreat is situated on 21-acres of ancient forest in one of the most spiritually rich regions in the world. Dotted with mango and lychee orchards, herb and vegetable gardens and various species of indigenous trees and bamboos, Vana- which means forest- was designed by Estera i Estera Arquitectura, a boutique design studio from the Balearic Islands in Spain. Nearly five years in the making, the 90 rooms and suites feature earth tones and views of the forest and orchard, and are the perfect harmony between contemporary design and rustic simplicity.

Guests consult with holistic specialists before their stay and choose a goal- whether it be weight loss or mind-body balance- and intensity. Relaxation, good food, music, art, and outdoor fitness all intertwine within Vana’s separate areas for each of its disciplines that include meditation, Tibetan medicine, beauty and panchakarma- a 14 day ayurvedic program that promises to restore equilibrium. Seven elements in the Vana tree- Dove, Bee, Leaf, Lotus, Mango, Bud and Butterfly- represent the seven threads that will weave through the grounds encompassing contemporary luxury, design, wellness, service, nature, and who we are. Treatment rooms, heated outdoor and indoor pools, a state-of-the-art gym, yoga studios and a private watsu pool will definitely help with your physical journey, while mediation in the Bodhi Tree Room is sure to be even more enlightening with a beautiful scrap-metal tree by artist Siraj Saxena. If I could just be a Vana Dove…Right Now. www.vanaretreats.com