East meets West workout, Sanctum, is launching in London in January 2024
Partnerships with Six Senses and Auberge are also in place to take the concept to the US, Italy and Switzerland
Sanctum delivers fitness as a spiritual and transformational experience
Founder Luuk Melisse talks to editor Liz Terry about plans in issue 1 2024 of HCM
Transformative workout and wellbeing practice, Sanctum, is launching in London in January as part of its global rollout.
Classes will be held three times a week.
Founded during the pandemic in Amsterdam by Luuk Melisse and Gabriel Olszewski, Sanctum combines elements of HIIT with kundalini yoga, martial arts, animalistic flow, breathwork and primal fitness, while also marrying Eastern wellbeing practices with Western fitness methods to bring a sense of purpose and reconnection to working out.
A holistic movement sequence, Sanctum is designed to expand the mind and alter body frequencies. The method is curated to music inspired by Amsterdam’s electronic scene, enhanced by spoken word and elevated with orchestral pieces to complement mindful and meditation movements.
Classes take place in candle-lit, iconic locations, such as churches, Roman ruins and art galleries and accommodate large groups of people who listen to the class live via bespoke headphones.
Instructors control the audio while leading the class, via proprietary systems.
The headphones create a more immersive experience. Olszewski says people are more likely to vocally release when they know other people can’t hear them. Also research shows people feel more connected and have a more emotional response while wearing headphones as opposed to music over loudspeakers.
Churches in Hyde Park and Grand Junction will be the first London venues to host Sanctum classes, which are priced at €45 (US$49, £39).
As well as launching in London, the duo are also taking the concept to the US, thanks to a partnership with
Auberge Resorts Collection which will host retreats at four of its resorts in California, Texas, Washington and Colorado in 2024.
Further European retreats are planned in Rome and Crans Montana, Switzerland, in collaboration with Six Senses.
The retreats allow for a deep experience: encouraging people to go within to face their inner demons and then rebuild themselves and develop self-acceptance.
Sanctum co-founder, Luuk Melisse, talks to
HCM editor, Liz Terry, in an interview to be published in the upcoming January 2024 edition of the magazine.
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