Spa Executive May 2024
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THE HAPPINESS ISSUE<br />
Six Senses’ Anna Bjurstam on wellness<br />
& happiness<br />
Anna Bjurstam is the “Wellness Pioneer”<br />
at Six Senses. We talked about her role, Six<br />
Senses’ wellness philosophy, and people’s<br />
happiness factor.<br />
Six Senses stands out among luxury brands<br />
specializing in five-star hotels, resorts,<br />
and wellness spas offering immersive<br />
experiences blending local culture, nature,<br />
and wellness. Six Senses properties are<br />
located in some of the most picturesque<br />
and culturally rich environments across<br />
the globe, including Portugal, Fiji, Vietnam,<br />
Thailand, and the Maldives.<br />
Six Senses <strong>Spa</strong>s offer a wide range of<br />
holistic wellness, rejuvenation, and beauty<br />
treatments administered under the<br />
guidance of expert therapists. A key element<br />
of all Six Senses properties, Six Senses <strong>Spa</strong>s<br />
are also hosted by prestigious hotels and<br />
resorts in many other locations.<br />
Anna Bjurstam is the Wellness Pioneer<br />
for Six Senses. An industry veteran of<br />
25 years, Ms. Bjurstam also acts in the<br />
same capacity for Raison d’Etre, a brand<br />
she co-founded, and as an independent<br />
consultant and Global Wellness Summit<br />
board member. Her expertise extends<br />
beyond traditional wellness, incorporating<br />
elements like shamanism, energy medicine,<br />
and BioGeometry. And her approach<br />
to wellness is holistic, emphasizing<br />
sustainability and community. Ms. Bjurstam<br />
has been instrumental in driving forward the<br />
concept of wellness in hospitality, promoting<br />
practices that foster connection to others<br />
and the environment.<br />
In 1997, Mrs. Rosamond Freeman Attwood<br />
founded Raison d’Etre <strong>Spa</strong>s, which Ms.<br />
Bjurstam was a part of and joined full time<br />
in 2000. Raison d’Etre became a leader<br />
in the spa industry and was sold in 2013<br />
. Ms. Bjurstam’s educational background<br />
includes a master’s degree in finance, and<br />
she has a deep interest in quantum physics<br />
and science, which she integrates into her<br />
wellness philosophy.<br />
We spoke with Anna Bjurstam about her<br />
role, Six Senses’ wellness philosophy, and<br />
people’s happiness factor.<br />
Can you please talk about your role<br />
there and what it entails?<br />
When I started with Six Senses, I was in<br />
charge of spas and wellness. After about<br />
six years, operations were doing very well,<br />
so I kind of handed it over, and today I have<br />
made up my own title, which is Wellness<br />
Pioneer. I love that title as you’re kind of<br />
pioneering and you can make mistakes,<br />
and that’s okay, because it is a pioneering<br />
industry. So, I’m in charge of our wellness<br />
strategy, the future, where we’re heading,<br />
and of the club concept that we’re going<br />
to launch next year, Six Senses Place. The<br />
first is in London, and then we’re launching<br />
in Bangkok, Dubai, Tel Aviv, New York, and<br />
Lisbon. I also work with a lot of start-ups on<br />
the side.<br />
18 | <strong>Spa</strong> <strong>Executive</strong>