Mind, Body, Soul and Sound: Wellness Insights from Sonia Coutinho

Welcome to a fascinating conversation with Sonia Coutinho as we explore the magic of mind, body, soul and sound. This festive season, holistic wellness practitioner, yoga teacher, and sound healer Sonia Coutinho will be joining Villa Nautica, offering her unique blend of yoga therapy and sound healing through private and group sessions. Read my inspiring conversation with Sonia as she shares her journey, approach to wellness, and the powerful benefits her sessions offer, especially for travellers seeking deep rejuvenation.

Even if you’re new to wellness practices, Sonia’s insights will leave you feeling uplifted and ready to make mindful practice a part of your holiday routine.

Adrianna: “Welcome to Villa Nautica, Sonia! Can you tell us a little about your journey and how you became a yoga teacher and sound healer?”

Sonia: “Thank you so much for the warm welcome! My journey into yoga and sound healing started 12 years ago when I was searching for balance and inner peace in my own life. It was during my pregnancy and the beautiful journey of motherhood that I found a new path. As I experienced the ups and downs of this chapter, I realized how important it was to take better care of myself. Yoga became my sanctuary, a place where I could truly connect with my body and mind. Over time, I felt a strong calling to share this beautiful practice with others, helping them find their own paths to wellness.”

Sound healing came into my life later as an extension of my yoga practice. I discovered how powerful sound vibrations are for the body and mind, and it resonated deeply with me. By combining yoga and sound healing, I can offer an integrated approach to healing and well-being. I’m so grateful to share this joyful journey with others!”

Adrianna: “Sonia, you have a beautiful approach to holistic practice that emphasizes joy and individual comfort over perfection. Can you share with us your methodology and why you believe this approach is so important for everyone’s well-being?”

Sonia: “Absolutely! I’m so thrilled to share my philosophy with you all. I truly believe that yoga is for everyone—it’s a beautiful journey of self-discovery, not a race towards perfection. In my sessions, I emphasize that it should be a happy and joyful time, free from stress. Each person is unique, and I encourage them to listen to their own bodies and feel their own energy.

Yoga isn’t about forcing movements that don’t feel right. Instead, it’s about finding what feels comfortable and good. When we practice, it’s all about progress and being in tune with our body and mind. During my classes, I aim to create a nurturing environment where everyone can flourish. It makes me so happy to see people leave my sessions feeling more cantered, relaxed, and joyful. Remember, it’s not about perfection or compering ourselves to others—it’s about the beautiful journey and the progress we make along the way!”

Adrianna: “Blending yoga therapy with sound healing is a unique aspect of your practice. What are some of the benefits guests might feel after participating in your healing sessions?”

Sonia: “Guests often share an immediate feeling a deep sense of relaxation, they feel calmer and more connected. But let’s get specific! Yoga, sound healing, and the combination of both offer many benefits, especially for travellers.

I believe that gentle yoga therapy is a great remedy to reduce travel fatigue and help release jet lag symptoms such as physical tension and mental clutter that comes with long flights. Sound healing promotes inner peace and reduces stress, improving sleep and even digestive slow down. By combining yoga and sound healing, I hope that our guests can l experience a holistic reset. Feel more present, appreciate the beauty of Maldives and enjoy their holiday on a deeper level. It’s truly rewarding to see the positive impact of various sessions on people’s lives, even after just one experience!”

Adrianna: “What are your top three tips for our guests to maintain their wellness routines while on holidays?”

Sonia: “Oh, I love this question! Here are my top three wellness tips to keep you feeling fabulous while enjoying your holidays:

• Savor a Balanced Meal: Try your best to eat at least one balanced meal each day. That way you can keep your energy levels high and fully enjoy all the wonderful activities ahead.
• Power Nap: Take a quick, mid-day power nap to recharge your batteries. It’s like hitting a mini reset button for your body and mind!
• Connect with Nature: Spend as much time as you can soaking in the beauty of nature. It’s a fantastic way to stay grounded and rejuvenated.

Most importantly, give yourself permission to relax and truly enjoy the present moment. You deserve it!

Adrianna: “Finally, what do you hope guests will take away from their time with you at Villa Nautica?”

Sonia: My greatest wish is to inspire our guests to learn how to make themselves feel good. Happiness is truly an inside job! It’s all about finding beauty and joy within and becoming a better version of yourself each day. I encourage everyone to look for joy in the little things each day. When you find something good in every day, it helps you discover more joy in life.

Imagine the simple pleasure of a morning sunrise, the sound of the ocean waves, or even the taste of a delicious meal. These little moments add up to create a big impact on our happiness. I want our guests to embrace these moments and carry that sense of joy and mindfulness with them, even after they leave Villa Nautica.”

About the Author
Adrianna Lawera  is a dynamic wellness leader, advocate of holistic living and sustainable luxury, blending over 15 years of global spa experience with her interest for natural healing practices. Currently, leading Corporate Learning & Development for Araamu Spa Group at Villa Resorts, Adrianna specializes in integrating transformative wellness experiences into hotel operation. Her mission is to elevate wellness journeys through combining the art of traditional healing with the science of wellbeing and a touch of distinctive global luxury brands. Passionate about employee wellbeing, Adrianna finds her life purpose in helping busy professionals combat burnout, build agile teams, stress less and find better work – life synergy through coaching, active meditation, yoga training and mindfulness workshops.