Best Spiritual retreats Wellness retreats specialists: TOP 15 doctors

With over 20 years of experience, Guru Made is a seasoned yoga teacher who began his journey with classic Sivananda Hatha Yoga. Today, he specializes in the ancient healing practice of Balinese Yoga Markandeya, along with yoga therapy, sound healing, and aqua healing shiatsu. As the head of the Yoga Community in North Bali, Guru Made helps local people find happiness through yoga and holistic wellness.

At Santhika Retreat Center, Guru Made facilitates a variety of transformative practices, including Balinese Healing Yoga, Sacred Purification ceremonies, and private healing sessions such as Private Holistic Body Work and sacred solitude meditation. He also leads a special 7-chakra healing cleansing ceremony at our Holy Santhipala waterfall, guiding participants through deep, spiritual healing. His teachings offer a rare and powerful blend of ancient wisdom and modern healing techniques, making every session a profound experience.

Guru Gede Arimbawa, the visionary founder of Santhika Retreat Center, is a Balinese healer in the 7th generation. Deeply rooted in the island’s spiritual traditions, he has spent his life sharing ancient wisdom with those seeking healing and transformation. Guru Gede is the creative mind behind Dream Hill, a sanctuary he brought to life from his imagination, and he personally trains all of our SPA therapists in traditional Balinese healing techniques.

Learning the sacred practices of yoga, healing, and spirituality from his father, Guru Made Sudire, at the young age of 10, Guru Gede has honed his craft over decades. Today, he joyfully imparts his knowledge, guiding others on their journey to wellness. He also practices Numerology using the ancient Balinese calendar and offers deep tissue healing massages.

Every Full Moon, Guru Gede leads a special ceremony and meditation at the ancient Buddhist Temple, Candi Buddha, where participants connect deeply with the island’s spiritual energy.

Mira is a Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher, life coach, sound healer, and Leela game facilitator with a Bachelor's degree in Health Education. For more than 20 years, she has guided people on their journey to develop health at mental, emotional, and physical levels. Using a wide variety of methods, Mira facilitates both group and personal sessions designed to promote self-awareness and healing. Her group offerings include the self-awareness Leela game, ancient sound healing, and sacred cacao ceremonies, while personal sessions range from sound therapy to Osho cards reading.

Mira’s passion is to help people expand their consciousness and shift their perspectives. She is dedicated to sharing her extensive experience with those ready to transform their lives. At Santhika Retreat Center, Mira leads certified sound healing training, empowering others with the tools to facilitate healing. Additionally, she offers online education for aspiring Leela game facilitators, extending her reach to individuals across the globe.

Thanakom Sukcharoen, M.D.

Expertise

Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine & Men Health Specialist

Graduated (M.D. From)

2012 Doctor of Medicine, Thammasat University

2019 Master of Science in Dermatology, Chulabhorn International College of Medicine, Thammasat University

Certificates

2020 American Board of Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine (ABAARM), USA

2021 Certificate of Preventive Medicine Specialist, Medical Council

2021 Diploma in Clinical Sexology & Sexual Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University

Current Positions

Anti-Aging and Regenerative Medicine & Men Health Specialist at Intrarat Hospital

Ari’s journey began as an emergency nurse, but after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that severely affected her mobility, she found healing through yoga. This transformative experience inspired her to become a certified Hatha and Yin Yoga teacher. Her teachings are grounded in the principles of embodiment, helping students connect with their physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts in the present moment. At Santhika Retreat, Ari guides restorative yoga and meditation sessions, sharing her journey of resilience and healing with those seeking inner peace and mindfulness.

In addition to her yoga practice, Ari has a special ability to read energy, offering private energy and chakra healing sessions as well as past life regressions, creating a deeply holistic and transformative healing experience for her clients.

Professional Summary

Dr. Murat Balanlı is an experienced internal medicine specialist with over 35 years in the field of modern medicine. Since completing his medical education, Dr. Balanlı has continuously expanded his expertise, ultimately embracing a holistic approach to healthcare. Rather than seeing holistic medicine as an alternative, he regards it as an essential extension of conventional treatment that focuses on restoring the unity of mind, body, and spirit. His philosophy, rooted in the idea that medicine is a branch of philosophy, aims to treat not only physical symptoms but also the underlying disruptions to an individual’s overall sense of well-being.

Dr. Balanlı's commitment to lifelong learning, his respect for the arts, and his passion for exploring new perspectives on health have enriched his practice and deepened his connection with patients. His experience includes positions in hospital administration, health institution management, and public health, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare system and patient care at various levels.

*Educational Background

Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, 1988

Specialist Training in Internal Medicine
Tepecik Training and Research Hospital, 1994

Master’s Degree in Health Institutions Management
Başkent University, Faculty of Social Sciences, 2012

*Professional Experience

Healthy Living Clinic, Turkey

Founder and Head Practitioner
2014 - Present
Founded and oversees the Healthy Living Clinic, which offers personalized holistic treatment plans to patients. Here, Dr. Balanlı integrates modern medicine with holistic practices, aiming to support patients in achieving both physical health and emotional well-being.

SB Behçet Uz Children's Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital

Hospital Administrator
2015 - 2018
Managed administrative and operational functions at one of Turkey's leading children's hospitals, ensuring high standards of healthcare delivery.

Social Security Institution (SGK), Izmir

Regional Director of Health Affairs
2004 - 2009
Oversaw healthcare services and managed regional health affairs for SGK, contributing to policy-making and service delivery improvements across the region.

Board Member
2009 - 2012
Served on the SGK Board of Directors, actively involved in shaping healthcare policies and advocating for quality, affordable healthcare.

Kayseri Ibn-i Sina Medical Centers

Chief Physician
2003 - 2008
Directed medical services, focusing on the integration of patient-centered care with evidence-based medical practices.

Tokat Niksar State Hospital

Chief Physician
1996
Completed mandatory service as a physician, gaining foundational experience in diverse clinical settings.

*Certifications and Advanced Training

• Neuroanatomy, Neuroelectrophysiology, and Biofeedback
  Completed in Romania
• Biorezonance Medicine and Applications
  Completed in Russia
  Specialized training in biorezonance therapy to support holistic approaches in addressing various chronic and stress-related conditions.

*Key Skills and Expertise

• Internal Medicine
• Holistic Medicine Approaches
• Holistic Wellness Approaches
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• Patient-Centered Care
• Biorezonance Therapy
• Health Systems Management
• Hospital and Healthcare Administration

Publications and Contributions

Dr. Balanlı has shared his insights on holistic medicine through articles, presentations, and community health talks, with a focus on bridging modern and holistic approaches. His dedication to sharing knowledge has made him a respected figure in both traditional and holistic medical communities.

Languages

• Turkish (Native)
• English (Fluent)
• Russian (Native)
• Azerbaijani (Fluent)

DR.SHANIKA ARSECULARATNE

Dr. Shanika Arsecularatne represents an exciting hybrid in cosmetology and aesthetic medicine – a pairing of old-world techniques with new-world technology and the diverse and inclusive sensibilities of the modern woman.

Her mother is legendary Professor Ramani Arsecularatne, a pioneer in South Asian beauty culture for over 30 years. Inspired by her mother’s iconic career, Shanika became the youngest Sri Lankan to qualify as a medical cosmetologist at the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine.

Shanika established Christell Luxury Wellness in 2014 to popularize non-invasive, sustainable & holistic solutions that combine Western innovation and Eastern sensibilities to address the underlying cause and not just the symptoms.

The Island’s Resident Beauty Doctor encourages people to explore their own body’s unique potential – because beauty in any given era is what we celebrate – and you can celebrate yourself always.

Dr. Shanika’s passion is molding a culture in which everyone lives in their happiest bodies – strong, healthy, and glowing with purpose and peace.