The history and heart of the yoga discipline just got a little closer to practitioners on the island of Langkawi, with the arrival of Ekraj Gajurel as Yoga Master for V Integrated Wellness at The Andaman.
Former high-profile pupils of Nepali-born Gajurel include musical icon Sting, the Prince of Jodhpur and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen.
Introduced to yoga from a young age, Gajurel perfected his technique under yogis in the Prakash Yog-sewa Ashram in Rishikesh, India — widely regarded as the "yoga capital of the world."
Before coming to Malaysia, Gajurel taught yoga to guests at the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces and led sessions in studios across India and the Middle East.
Aside from his yoga mat, Gajurel brings a background in Ayurvedic traditional medicine, Naturopathy and Herbal Medicine to his new position at VIW, which takes a whole-person approach to wellbeing.
"It's not often you find someone with so much experience in all areas of health and wellness," said Christina Low, head of VIW. "Getting Ekraj to come work with us and our guests is a major coup."
Just as renowned public figures have glommed onto Gajurel and his techniques, so has the press. In recent years, a clutch of major media outlets — including the Times of India newspaper, Escale TV (France), and Conde Nast Traveller (UK) and Spurluxe (Japan) magazines — have profiled the charismatic specialist.
At VIW, Gajurel's primary goal is to help guests achieve a state of conscious living through programs customized to meet each individuals needs.
Multi-day plans start with the client filling out a holistic lifestyle assessment, which Gajurel uses to determine what activities, treatments and foods that person ought to experience.
VIW debuted at The Andaman in April with a slew of features that capitalize on the Luxury Collection Resort's singular setting.
In addition to a hillside spa that blends seamlessly into an ancient rainforest and presents birds-eye views of tranquil Datai Bay, the center offers a:
- Leading-edge fitness facility with windows onto the jungle;
- Seaside yoga platform;
- Collection of treatment cabanas on the beach; and
- Salon with a menu of services that incorporate organic products from Intelligent Nutrients, a U.S.-based brand developed by acclaimed environmentalist and Aveda founder Horst Rechelbacher.
VIW's detox/yoga, anti-ageing, vitality, deep relaxation and couples programs — its five core offerings — also help to set it apart. Most require a stay of at least four nights to complete; all include accommodation at The Andaman and meals off the V Healthy Cuisine menu, exemplified by dishes rich in macrobiotic ingredients.
To find out more visit www.vintegratedwellness.com.