Before the chill of winter settled over New York, I packed my bags and headed somewhere entirely different: the Maldives. On the surface, it might sound like the perfect excuse to top up on some vitamin D before diving into another season of coats and scarves. But this trip wasn’t about lounging in the sun. I was invited to join the Vaara Wellness Retreat, curated by Tatiana Korsakova—a woman whose vision, resources, and determination transformed an ordinary press event into something unforgettable.
I say this with respect: calling Tatiana a billionaire’s wife isn’t meant as a judgment, but rather as context. Her life has afforded her the means to dream on a scale most of us can’t, and with Vaara, she’s using that privilege to create something meaningful. This retreat wasn’t your standard “press lunch” or product launch. It was a full immersion into her philosophy of wellness, flown halfway across the world to one of her favorite resorts. UK journalists, wellness experts, and international creatives all gathered in the Indian Ocean to share something rare: days filled with yoga, nourishing vegan food, and evenings under the stars.
And honestly? It was every bit as magical as it sounds.
The journey itself was an adventure. From New York, I endured the longest—yet surprisingly comfortable—24 hours of travel: New York to Dubai, then on to Malé, before finally summoning the courage to board a tiny seaplane bound for our last stop: the Constance Halaveli Resort. I’m not sure what I expected, but nothing quite prepares you for the moment you land on a stretch of turquoise water, step onto the dock, and realize you’ve arrived in paradise.
Days here settled into a rhythm that felt both soothing and energizing. Mornings began with yoga on the beach, our mats lined up against the backdrop of white sand and a horizon that seemed endless. I wasn’t much of a “yoga person” before this trip—I’d done maybe a couple of classes here and there, never really committing. But after four consecutive sessions, something shifted. My body responded quickly: my posture felt stronger, the stiffness I usually carried in the mornings began to ease, and with each class I noticed a little more fluidity, a little less resistance.
It turns out Cat, our instructor, had been right all along. She told us from the beginning that we’d notice changes almost immediately, but it was one of those things you had to experience to believe. For me, it was eye-opening. Yoga wasn’t just slow stretching—it was a way to reset both body and mind, and I left each session feeling calmer, taller, more aligned.
After yoga came meals that were as beautiful as they were nourishing. A chef from South Africa, part of Tatiana’s team, prepared vegan dishes that managed to be both indulgent and deeply wholesome. Afternoons were my own to spend however I wished—usually wandering the boardwalks back to my sea cabin, lounging above the water, or stealing moments of quiet reflection before the group reconvened for dinner under the stars. Imagine a long table set on the sand, candlelight flickering, waves lapping in the background—it was like stepping into a dream.
And then there was the fashion side of it all. Upon arriving in my cabin, I found a selection of Vaara outfits waiting for me—three different looks designed not just for yoga, but for life around the island. My favorite turned out to be the surf suit, though I’ll admit I wasn’t brave enough to test it in the water after spotting more than a few “harmless” reef sharks gliding below the surface. Still, I loved the way the suit looked against the rustic surf shack, and for someone who doesn’t surf, I’m surprisingly fond of surf style.
What struck me most about the Vaara pieces, though, was their fit. They felt like clothes designed by a woman who truly understands the female body—supportive in all the right places, flattering without being restrictive. In my early thirties, post-babies, my body has shifted. I embrace it fully, but I also know when a garment is too tight or simply not designed with real women in mind. Vaara wasn’t like that. Everything felt intentional, practical, and chic. My only complaint? After a delicate wash cycle, some of the fabrics came out stiffer than before. Maybe I was supposed to hand wash them (though, to be honest, even my Valentino tees don’t get that treatment). A little care advice from the Vaara team wouldn’t go amiss!
Looking back, what stays with me isn’t just the yoga or the food or even the stunning setting—it’s the feeling of discovery. I arrived skeptical about whether yoga was “for me,” and left with a new appreciation for what it could do for my body and mind. I came with a passing familiarity with Vaara as a brand, and left impressed by the thoughtfulness woven into every piece. And above all, I left with memories: conversations with inspiring women, laughter over dinner, and quiet moments where the only sounds were waves against the shore.
This trip was more than a getaway—it was a gentle reset, a reminder of the value of slowing down and trying something new. One of my resolutions for the new year was to practice yoga once a week. I haven’t exactly succeeded yet (a lingering neck pain put that plan on hold), but the spark is there now. I know what it feels like to step onto the mat and feel stronger afterward. And I know that, one way or another, yoga and I aren’t done with each other.
The Maldives gave me sunshine, yes, but it also gave me something far more lasting: a glimpse of balance, beauty, and the simple power of movement.
