CNN's Destination India explores health and wellness retreats across the country

Theme week debuts on September 17,with a 30-minute program airing on September 22

HONG KONG,Sept. 18,2018 -- India is known to be a destination with roots steeped in the traditions of wellness and spirituality. It has flourished through centuries making it the ideal destination for a perfect mental and physical detox. The country is home to some of the world's oldest,wellness traditions and unprecedented powerful healing techniques. This season of CNN's 'Destination India' focuses on the most unique wellness locations across India known for their unique traditions and natural experiences.

CNN’s Destination India explores health and wellness retreats across the country

Highlights of the 30-minute special include:

Wellness for Everyone

The Anahata Healing Centre - India's finest yoga retreat is Bangalore's one stop destination for natural healing experiences. Founder Kiran Ravandar brings his expertise of a decade under one roof,providing a philosophy for health and wellness. Coming from a small village outside of Bengaluru,where he opened the Anahata Healing Arts Center in 2014,the center welcomes individuals where they can reconnect with themselves and with nature through a "simplistic lifestyle." The center also offers a unique cultural exchange through yoga and the ancient art of Ayurveda,both extremely popular with the local community and with visitors. The doors of the center are always open making it a natural healing place for everyone.

Healing powers of Nature

While modern medicine is truly a marvel in India,Dr. Issac Mathai takes a more natural approach to healing focusing on the five elements of nature (earth,water,air,fire and ether). Dr. Mathai runs the Soukya International Holistic Health Center in Bangalore which provides an excellent service from hydro-baths to mud body wraps. His goal is to eliminate toxins in the body which he says are the root cause of diseases. The center is known for its traditional holistic healing that compliments medical treatment focusing on a complete approach to health.

Silence! How long could you go without saying a word?

Vipassana meditation is a non-sectarian technique to purify the mind. This ancient meditation practice has been in India for centuries which brings the body a real sense of peace and nirvana to lead a happy,purposeful life. CNN travels to one of India's leading Vipassana retreat,Dhamma Giri Vipassana International Academy to find out more about the 10-day practice that requires one to train their brain to stop reacting to the vicissitudes of life - in complete silence.

Breathing your way to a better self

Thousands of people travel to India every year to master the art of yoga. A soulful sojourn in the verdant lap of the Himalayas houses the beautiful Ananda Spa,sitting atop the spiritual town of Rishikesh. The spa offers the magic of pranayama,a form of yoga that focuses solely on breathing. Considering the extreme commercialization of Yoga around the world,Ananda takes you back to its purest,most traditional form.

Spa Cuisine-- Atmantan Wellness Centre

Spa cuisine,as a concept,has always been misunderstood as tasteless,capturing mini portions of ultra-healthy,weight-loss friendly food. However,Atmantan Wellness Centre re-defines the cuisine philosophy,amalgamating the food synergy where flavors and nutrients are skillfully combined to serve the body in the best and most delicious way. The culinary sophistication which the center offers,paints every plate like an artwork and is mindfully prepared with organic,locally sourced food. The culinary team at Atmantan sees food as one of life's pleasures and goes above and beyond to ensure that their guest's palates are pleased.

'Destination India' is produced by CNN Vision,the global creative production powerhouse of CNN International,which brings the world's breath-taking diversity into cinematic focus,telling stories that inspire audiences around the world.

Watch the promo here: https://cnn.it/2xgjxUm

'Destination India' images: https://bit.ly/2M3OfEK

Website:www.cnnvision.com

Instagram: @cnnvision

The 30-minute special 'Destination India' airs at the following times:

Airtimes for 30-minute special:

Saturday,22nd September at 2330 HKT

Sunday,23rd September at 0300 HKT

Wednesday,26th September at 1630 HKT

Thursday,4th October at 1630 HKT

About CNN International

CNN's portfolio of news and information services is available in seven different languages across all major TV,digital and mobile platforms reaching more than 475 million households around the globe. CNN International is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe,the Middle East and Africa,the Asia Pacific region and Latin America and has a US presence which includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for online news,mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint,with a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships,commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours. Over the years CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around 1,000 hours of long-form series,documentaries and specials are produced every year by CNNI's non-news programming division,CNN Vision. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than 1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is part of Turner,a WarnerMedia company.

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