Ananda in the Himalayas, at the Himalayan foothills of North India, is one of the world’s leading holistic retreats. Here, Executive Director Aashica Khanna talks to Karryon about leading the way in an ever-changing wellness industry.
Khanna has worked for Ananda in the Himalayas since 2008, but considering that her great-grandfather was the famed Bahadur Mohan Singh Oberoi, founder and chairman of Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, hospitality is clearly in her genes.
“As a fourth-generation hotelier, I was naturally inclined toward hospitality, but I always kept my options open,” she says.
“To ensure I was making the right decision, I took a gap year after school and gained firsthand experience by working in a hotel for a year.
“Having travelled with my parents from a young age, I was fortunate enough to be consistently exposed to beauty, quality, craftsmanship and the world’s finest hospitality establishments. This experience sharpened my eye for detail and aesthetics while deepening my understanding of luxury and hospitality.”
She’s now continuing to build on the original concept of the spa that her father, Ashok Khanna, established in 2000, with big plans to expand awareness of Ananda’s holistic wellness programs worldwide.
“My father foresaw a global shift towards holistic wellness 28 years ago when we first began conceptualising Ananda and understood that India’s rich traditions of Ayurveda, yoga and meditation had immense value beyond its borders.
“The idea was to create a destination that would not only preserve and promote these ancient practices but also seamlessly integrate them with modern luxury hospitality.
“By offering an authentic yet world-class wellness experience, Ananda set a benchmark in the industry, making traditional Indian wellness accessible and appealing to a discerning international audience.”
Beyond borders
Khanna is passionate about making Ananda’s expertise in traditional wellness more accessible to a wider audience and to achieve this, she is creating international wellness residencies and digital initiatives.
“To bring Ananda’s philosophy beyond its home in the Himalayas, we have introduced exclusive international wellness residencies in destinations such as Portugal, Switzerland and the Maldives.
“This allows guests to experience Ananda’s signature therapies and approach to well-being while enjoying the unique environment of each location.
“Unlike a fully immersive wellness program, these residencies offer a more flexible introduction to Indian wellness traditions. Guests can experience transformative treatments, guided wellness experiences and, in some cases, consultations with our senior experts and Ayurvedic doctors.
“Some residencies focus on relaxation and rejuvenation, others incorporate elements of detoxification, stress management or personalised wellness guidance. These experiences are designed to give guests a glimpse into Ananda’s holistic healing practices, inspiring them to deepen their wellness journey.”
Going digital
Recognising that wellness is an ongoing journey, Aashica has been spearheading Ananda’s digital wellness initiatives to ensure that guests have continued support when they leave the retreat.
“The Ananda Wellbeing app acts as a personalised wellness companion,” she says. “It is an important tool for data gathering and diagnostics support, and starts preparing each guest for their wellness journey well before their arrival and after they leave.
“It is natural for individuals to revert to old habits once they return to their usual routines and environments, and to ensure that the benefits of their wellness journey at Ananda extend beyond their stay, we have developed a structured follow-up system.
“Through the Ananda Wellbeing app, guests can stay connected with our experts, accessing personalised wellness content, guided practices, and resources tailored to their specific health goals. Our doctors maintain regular follow-ups with guests through virtual consultations, plus we provide customised post-stay meal plans, recipes and lifestyle recommendations to reinforce their progress.”
Maintaining work-life balance
Khanna’s work and personal life involve a lot of travel, so she tries to maintain a healthy balance with regular exercise and a balanced diet when her everyday routines are disrupted.
“When I’m not travelling, my day starts at 6.30am with an hour of reading current affairs, followed by a one-hour gym workout. I leave for work by 9am, aim to have my last meal by 7:30pm and wind down for the night by 10pm.
“These small but impactful habits create a strong foundation for maintaining equilibrium between work and personal life, no matter how dynamic my days may be.”
When asked what some of the highlights of her role are, Aashica is quick to say that working in the wellness space, especially at Ananda, is “incredibly fulfilling”.
“One of the greatest privileges is being in a position to champion India’s powerful health sciences on a global scale and demonstrate their ability to transform lives from the inside out. Ayurveda, yoga and the philosophies of Vedanta have a deep-rooted wisdom that, when applied effectively, enable true healing – not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well.
“Another highlight is inspiring a holistic and sustainable way of living – not just for our guests, but for the entire ecosystem surrounding Ananda. We have the opportunity to guide people toward mindful living, proving that traditional wellness can offer viable, long-term alternatives to conventional medicine for lifestyle-related concerns.
“The wellness space is constantly evolving, and there is always pressure to introduce new interventions to address modern lifestyle concerns. However, at Ananda, we stay true to our roots – we do not get swayed by trendy wellness fads or an over-reliance on technology.
“Instead, we invest significant time and R&D into going deeper into our traditional sciences to find genuine, holistic solutions for today’s health challenges. Fortunately, through data and diagnostics, we continue to prove the effectiveness of these interventions, reinforcing their relevance in today’s world.”
For more information, visit anandaspa.com
