Be at One

Could State-of-One help transform UAE spas into true wellness destinations?

Fiona Vlemmiks meets Laura Kohlhase and Wissam Malaeb to find out

Unequivocally, wellness is the future of spa — yet many businesses are struggling to provide a genuine wellness offering. As debated in the last edition of the Global Wellness Summit, wellness can only be integrated into spas if it comes from an authentic source – as opposed to a public relations add-on. But how do spas find that source? Wissam Malaeb and Laura Kohlhase may have the answer in State-of-One.

I meet Wissam and Laura in Dubai, where they have chosen to launch State-of-One with the support of visionary entrepreneur Mr Ghassan Aridi, chairman of Grand Aurum Marketing (GAA) and Paramount Hotels and Resorts and founder and chief executive officer of Alpha Tours. Mr Aridi saw great promise in Wissam and Laura and their vision, so, through GAA, has been helping the couple spread awareness of their new venture.

“I felt a calling to India that was really strong and came out of nowhere”, says German-born Laura. “I was studying drama therapy, creative therapy at HAN University in the Netherlands and I felt that my heart was calling me to India.” Wissam, meanwhile, was working for the Italian NGO, CISP, in his native Lebanon. “I come from a background of studying psychology and behaviour and in my job I was asked to analyse people and label them,” he explains, “but a switch flicked in my brain at a certain point, and I started to think there was something beyond that. And then I thought the place to be if you have that kind of awakening is India. So I quit my job and went to India.” Laura embarked on a one-year internship at the Amrita Institute of Medical Science in Cochin (Kerala), Southern India, and the couple met each other and their Guru Mata Amritanandamayi Devi in the Amritapuri Ashram, also in Kerala.

Mata Amritanandamayi is widely regarded as one of India’s foremost spiritual leaders and is known throughout the world as Amma, or Mother, for her selfless love and compassion toward all beings. It was Amma that set them on the journey that led to State-Of-One.

“She blessed us with knowledge and all the major shifts that have happened in our lives,” said Wissam. “We believe in oneness. That everything you see is one in life. Things have different forms but the essence of those forms is the same energy and this is what we are trying to convey – what yoga is trying to convey.

“We have been fortunate to be blessed by living gurus who opened the books for us, and directed us, and we therefore know the true essence of yoga. Towards the
end of our journey our guru instructed us to go and spread this knowledge to the world and with her guidance, instructions and personal contributions Stateof- One was born, which is why we are in Dubai!” Laura smiles, “We did not expect this lifetime project to happen but when you surrender to what is happening around you and you trust in the universe, it will give you its fruits.”

Wholeness in spas

“The core of State-of-One is very simple, unique and modern,” says Wissam. “It’s based on a three-in-one concept, covering body, mind and energy. Compounded, we want to give participants the same experience that staying four or five months in an Ashram would provide.

“I say humbly, that these are techniques that you will not find anywhere else. With our guru’s grace we crafted them mixing selective, creative exercises with the ancient yogic practices. The aim is not just to relax a person, the aim is to reflect to a person how infinite he or she is planting a seed of oneness in the person and equipping them with ways of watering that seed.”

“State-of-One can only succeed in a proper environment so we are looking to partner with spas and bring the service to their guests” explains Wissam. “We aim to create a ‘win, win’ situation for spas, where we add more value to them.”

State-of-One was met with much enthusiasm at the Professional Spa and Wellness Convention Dubai in February and at the 10th World Health and Tourism Congress in Dubai last year, where State-of-One was launched. Many hoteliers and spa directors pledged support and indicated that they believed a concept such as State-of-One to be the “future of wellness”.

“We were so surprised and pleased by the level of interest and support of our project, said Laura. “We learned from sessions at the PSWC that from the number of people booked in a hotel, only a small percentage visited the spa. We aim to bring the two together,” says Laura.

“We want this message and energy to reach the entire property, agrees Wissam. “When State-of-One is incorporated into a facility it will reach beyond those walls and create a true, whole, wellness experience, touching every aspect of the property.” A true state of one.

What to expect from State-of-One: • A blend of creative and yogic exercises encompassing breathing, relaxation and meditation • Laura and Wissam will analyse your spa’s menu and customise their sessions to suit the spa’s facilities, location and clientele • Sessions can range from two hours, up to a seven-day retreat • Both group and individual sessions can be offered

Contacts

To learn more about State-of-One visit www.stateof-one.com or call +971 5 5852 83 77