On the heels of wellness evidence spotlighting research showing that yoga breathing and relaxation lower blood pressure as much as aerobic exercise, the nonprofit Global Wellness Institute (GWI) is introducing its newly formed Yoga Therapy Initiative.
The Initiative’s mission is to spread awareness about the wealth of evidence-based research, innovations, publications, programs and leadership in the global field of yoga therapy.
Bija Bennett, an author, speaker and business leader whose teachings are derived from ancient yoga traditions, chairs the Yoga Therapy Initiative.
Bennett is a wellness consultant and, under her holistic wellness brand YogaAway, she provides programs, products and consulting services to major hospitality brands worldwide.
“As one of the world’s earliest systems of holistic health and self-care, yoga therapy is a low-tech, easily accessible, evidence-based system of healthcare that can be applied to a full spectrum of conditions, from chronic disease and mental health to ageing and personal growth,” said Bennett.
The Initiative’s vice chair is Matthew J. Taylor, PhD and director of SmartSafeYoga, a leader in integrative rehabilitation. Taylor regularly consults with health professionals and recently authored Yoga Therapy as a Creative Response to Pain and serves on two US task forces for non-pharmacological pain management.
The GWI supports 25 industry Initiatives that focus on developing projects, research and trend forecasts that impact wellness in a particular market segment or region of the world — all available free of charge to the global wellness community.
Bija Bennett, an author, speaker and business leader whose teachings are derived from ancient yoga traditions, chairs the Yoga Therapy Initiative
Turkey came first at this year’s World Championship in Massage between 3-5 July in Copenhagen, Denmark. Organised by the International Massage Association (IMA), the ninth edition of this tournament saw the highest number of participants ...More
Synergy – The Retreat Show, the global trade show for retreats, has launched a global research initiative that will provide insights into the retreat sector from both consumer and industry perspectives. The resulting report, which ...More
The Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) has published a non-regulatory global industry framework designed to ensure the retreat market offers responsible experiences. The Six Principles for Responsible Retreats have been created to provide a shared reference ...More
A new survey of international spa practitioners shows that stress, burnout and wellbeing concerns have caused one in three respondents to consider leaving the industry. The Therapist Wellbeing Report is based on responses from 159 ...More
Wellness hotels generating less than US$1 million (€932,700, £785,200) – or 10 per cent of total revenue from wellness and leisure – recorded the strongest RevPAR and TRevPAR growth in 2025 across categories when compared ...More
Robert Thurman, an expert on Tibetan Buddhism and the spiritual director of Menla Retreat and Dewa Spa in Woodstock, has died, aged 84. Thurman – also known for being father to actress Uma Thurman – ...More
Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, has opened today (10 July) near Knutsford in the north-west of England with a 1,715sq m Fairmont Spa that has been designed using a ‘Wellness without Walls’ concept. The Select Group, ...More
Marriott International has partnered with Fitwel, a healthy building certification system that aims to optimise occupant health. Marriott has become Fitwel’s first Enterprise Partner and the new healthy building solutions will be implemented across the ...More
Becky Pelkonen, the sauna advocate and researcher, has unveiled the draft of a global public sauna-bathing charter. The ten guiding principles form the foundation for people building, running and championing public sauna-bathing. The draft, which ...More
Lefay Resorts, the portfolio of two luxury wellness properties in Italy, has added emotional dance classes and group cold plunge sessions in response to market demand for social connection. The brand says it is encouraging ...More
Preidlhof Luxury DolceVita Resort, the destination resort and spa in Naturno, South Tyrol in Italy, will reveal a new spa in February 2027, designed by wellness expert and consultant Patrizia Bortolin. Bortolin has been the ...More
Anna Bjurstam – who left her role as Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels and Resorts at the end of June – has launched a new wellness, longevity and 'consciousness consultancy' called Wahayla. Bjurstam is ...More
