Country & Town House – Spa Trek

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It took Mike Dickson 71 years to find his inner yogi, but now he’s a convert thanks to Sen Wellness.

I don’t ‘do’ yoga. I’m a man who, let’s say, would be in a Covid concern group and downward dog has never been part of my daily ritual. That is until I went to Sen Wellness Centre in Sri Lanka at the beginning of last year. So hooked am I that I’m hotfooting it there as soon as lockdown lifts.

It was Sam Kankanamge, founder of the Sen Wellness Centre, who persuaded me to go. An osteopath who also runs a holistic healthcare clinic in London’s Wimpole Street, he’s just one of those intuitive, gentle types with a genuine interest in people. ‘You will lose weight and it will be a wonderful way to reset your mind and body for the New Year,’ he told me. He sensed that I was stressed and knackered. I sensed I was sold.

On the first morning, I met the beautifully-sari-swathedDr Waruni for an initial medical consultation. She prescribed a bespoke programme of Ayurvedic medicine and treatments – and then the revelations began. Each day started at 5.30am with a soft whisper of ‘tea’ outside my cabana, after which I wandered sleepily down to the yoga deck to watch the sunrise and wake up my limbs and lymphatic system with some yoga flow guided by a remarkably competent teacher, who knew just how far a 71-year-old’s limbs might bend.

A breakfast of fresh coconut, fruit and salad was my reward, eaten with fellow guests. Meat, fish, coffee, a cold beer or a chilled glass of Sauvignon blanc were out of the question at mealtimes, usurped by tisanes, fresh juices, gallons of water and a nutrient-rich vegetarian regime, giving the digestive system a much-needed break.

But it was the treatments that really blew my mind. With an average of four a day – an astonishing 21 in total – these mind- and body-changing therapies were carried out by some of the loveliest therapists I have ever met. All parts of the body were massaged, from head to toe, along with herbal baths, cleanses, inhalations and such a variety of manipulations that no two treatments were ever the same.

Come evening, it was time to head to the yoga shala again, this time for guided meditation, mantra chanting and a long savasana to settle us for a sweet night of dreams. The internet is only available for two one-hour sessions a day, so there’s no chance of losing hours of your time online either (this is a good thing, my friends).

I stayed in this cocooning, nourishing place for eight days, by which time I’d lost four kilos – and felt unbelievably well, clear of eye and cool of mind. After the travails of 2020, I simply cannot wait to return and give myself over to their healing hands and happy hearts. It’s more than a present to myself now – it’s an essential.

GO WITH THE FLOW

READ Any joyful or spiritual book you’ve always meant to read.

DO Talk to all your fellow guests – they will be as fascinating as you are.

SMILE Thank and make a great fuss of all the staff, they are very special.

PLANT Fifty per cent of the mangrove trees required to offset the carbon emissions of your air travel – the Sen Wellness Foundation pledges to donate the other 50 per cent.

Written by Mike Dickson for Country & Town House magazine January/February 2021 issue.

Find the article on p. 46 of the digital issue.

Davia

Davia is our Retreat Specialist and manages enquiries and bookings for those interested in visiting us at the Sanctuary. Her in-depth knowledge of the wellness programmes we offer means she will be able to answer any questions you may have, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Davia is also Clinic Manager at Sen Wellness London, ensuring the smooth running of our holistic hub in the medical district of Harley Street, where we offer osteopathy, acupuncture, yoga, meditation and community events as well as retreats in the UK and Europe.

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Excellent
Sen Wellness Sanctuary
4.6
Based on 227 reviews
I stayed at Sen Wellness Retreat for 11 days and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment you arrive, the peaceful atmosphere and stunning natural surroundings make you feel instantly at ease. The location is absolutely magical — a perfect place to disconnect and reconnect with yourself.

The staff are incredibly kind and welcoming. While many of them don’t speak much English, their warmth and genuine care shine through in everything they do. The doctors and therapists, in particular, are remarkable — true professionals who approach their work with deep humility and kindness. You can feel that they are very special souls, and their presence really enhances the healing experience.

The food was another highlight — all vegetarian, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. Their homemade peanut butter is hands down the best in the world! The yoga sessions were gentle, grounding, and deeply relaxing, perfectly complementing the holistic approach of the retreat.

All in all, my time at Sen Wellness was absolutely amazing — for some, I can imagine even life-changing. I would recommend it wholeheartedly and would absolutely return!
A magical retreat! Serene lagoon, caring staff, and rejuvenating yoga. Perfect place to relax, heal, and reconnect with yourself. Highly recommended!
Great Experience.
Amazing Location.
Unreal Food.
All round phenomenal experience.
Attentive to your every need.
Peaceful.. Tranquil.. Healing.
Five stars.
A Truly Special Place – Deep Healing and Kindness

I spent 13 days at Sen Wellness Sanctuary and had a truly beautiful stay. I took part in both the Wellness Program and the Long Covid Treatment, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I arrived feeling tired and depleted, and left with energy, clarity, and a deep sense of motivation—something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

The entire team is incredibly warm, attentive, and kind. Every single person goes above and beyond to make you feel supported. The treatments and massages were outstanding—especially Rasanga and Nisansala have magical hands! One of the best massages I’ve ever had came from Rasanga.

The food was absolutely delicious—nourishing, creative, and full of flavor.

Dr. Chamodi is caring and always available to answer questions with patience and warmth. Yasemine, who takes care of the guests’ well-being, is simply wonderful—a deeply compassionate and generous soul. Thank you for everything!

The yoga sessions with Shefali were an absolute highlight. Her morning classes are more dynamic, the evening sessions are calming and intuitive—always in tune with the group’s energy. She combines breathwork, meditation, and movement beautifully. She’s not only a great teacher but a wonderful human being. I will truly miss her.

There are also a few lovely extras and little adventures around the retreat, some offered by the Sanctuary and others available at a small cost: a short hike to a temple with breathtaking views, a quiet lagoon boat ride, watching turtles nest on the beach, or even a safari where you can see elephants (definitely visit the orphanage too!).

If I had to mention one small thing: prices for extras like a coconut, laundry or lunch on the day of departure could be reconsidered—but this didn’t take away from the overall experience.
And one thing I would have appreciated: a bit more explanation in advance about Ayurveda and how the Long Covid treatment would work.

I’m so thankful for this time of healing and rest. I will definitely be back—and do recommend Sen Wellness Sanctuary to anyone seeking deep transformation in a safe, caring, and beautiful space.
What a nice calm time to spend, the staff are very friendly the food is so good! its nice having meals with other residents, the massages were amazing, sound bath, meditation and yoga were so relaxing! And they have activities you could do like visiting the temple or the lagoon!
The pool and the beach are right outside! I drank so much water there haha but I definitely felt great!

Overall super chill time highly recommended
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