Leading the charge towards delivering Chiva-Som’s globally renowned wellness philosophy for the resort in the pivotal role of Health & Wellness Director is Sandie Johannessen, with two decades of expertise in natural wellness which aligns seamlessly with the specialties of TAIM. In her leadership capacity, Copenhagen-born Johannessen will be responsible for guiding Zulal’s health & wellness philosophy and curating the transformative wellness practices while assuring an exceptional guest experience – the type of which Chiva-Som is globally recognised. She will oversee and cultivate the wellness and sustainability culture at the resort, delivering on our pledge to place equal importance on people, planet, and profit, ensuring that it resonates throughout the guests’ experience.
Having long embraced the virtues of a healthy, naturally balanced approach, and with a keen understanding of diverse cultural therapies from her previous tenures spanning the USA, the UK, and Scandinavia, to Malaysia, Maldives, Thailand, India, and Seychelles, Johannessen’s holistic approach sees her combine her studies in yoga, meditation, dietetics, and philosophy into an experience where serenity is palpable.
Johannessen believes wellness is a way of life that embraces elements from different cultures and this has resonated through the path she has chosen. From a young age, her learning was infused with how health extends from the individual to the environment. Johannessen also had an early connection to Thailand as a child where she embraced her spirituality visiting Buddhist temples and meditate with monks. Her journey with Yoga and Ayurveda started serendipitously when an uncle introduced her to a traditional remedy for her motion sickness that set her on an exploration of holistic wellness studying in her 20s and studying the alternative knowledge systems in India over many years. Continuing her journey and harmonising the ancient sciences’ perspective to her role, Johannessen finds great privilege and joy in helping others to re-balance, heal and thrive.
