Dharana at Shillim: Anita's Pre-Marathon Strengthener
The best laid plans have a way of unravelling. And often, in letting go of resistance, we open ourselves to outcomes far better than we could have anticipated.
We had meticulously planned our trip to India. Bittu and I were to meet our marketing team in Delhi before heading to Jaipur to shoot our new campaign. The team would then visit the Taj Mahal before returning home from Delhi, while Bittu and I were due to continue on to Dubai for our press launch at Bvlgari.
But the volatility in the region meant the launch was understandably cancelled, as were our flights. We had to make a quick decision and, somewhat unexpectedly, found ourselves at Dharana at Shillim.
Discovering Dharana
Looking back now, I genuinely cannot imagine a better outcome. With a half marathon looming, no training for seven weeks following a dreadful chest infection before India, and then travelling to four destinations in two weeks, by the time we reached Dharana, I was running on empty.
And then, almost immediately, something shifted.
Set deep within the Sahyadri mountains, a few hours from Mumbai, Dharana feels completely removed from the pace of everyday life. The sound of honking cars is replaced by birdsong, endless billboards give way to luscious forests, and the air itself feels different; fragranced naturally by jasmine and damp earth. Bittu commented that the views were on par with those he had seen while visiting New Zealand last year, and honestly, I understood exactly what he meant.
But Dharana is far more than simply a beautiful setting. What makes it so special is the depth of thought behind everything.
Wellbeing at Dharana Retreat
There is a real intelligence to the wellness offering here; one that marries ancient wisdom with advanced diagnostics in a way that feels deeply considered rather than performative. The consultations were exceptionally detailed and precise. The doctors took a great deal of time understanding not just symptoms, but patterns, lifestyle, stress, energy and depletion. My protocol focused first on detoxification and then gradually rebuilding strength.
And after the pace of the previous weeks, that level of personalised care felt incredibly powerful.
Fitness at Dharana
The programme at Dharana feels deeply tailored to the individual, with one standout area being the gym. Normally, when visiting a retreat, I naturally gravitate towards gentler pursuits, and given my energy levels, all I could initially manage were the stretch classes. But even these were on another level.
Through subtle posture corrections and an understanding of how the body actually functions, they completely transformed the experience. After days of travel and physical exhaustion, it stopped being about pushing harder and became about understanding what my body truly needed and how best to support it.
When I arrived, I could barely walk upstairs without feeling breathless. Yet slowly, gently, they guided me back towards strength until, on my final day, I managed to run for forty minutes. Not a huge achievement in most people’s eyes perhaps, but far longer than I had managed in quite some time. Enough to restore my confidence that the half marathon might still be possible.
The equipment itself is incredibly advanced and even impressed Bittu and that’s saying something.
Dharana Accommodation
And once the stretches and treatments were complete, all I wanted to do was retreat back to our villa. Spacious, private and beautifully designed, it had its own pool and living area, all set seamlessly within the landscape so that you feel completely immersed in nature. There’s a softness to the interiors and an ease to the spaces that immediately calms you.
Even with everything on offer, the greatest luxury here is the permission to do less.
And then there’s the infinity pool; overlooking layers of forest and hills, often softened by early morning mist. It’s the kind of place that naturally slows your breathing and gently reminds you just how disconnected many of us have become from the natural world. Not so here.
The passionate owners of Dharana have protected over 320 acres of land, preserving the surrounding ecosystem so that wildlife, nature and guests can coexist harmoniously. There’s a genuine respect for the land that runs through the entire retreat, and you feel it constantly.
I couldn’t manage the five-hour trek, but I did take part in a shorter forest and bird-watching walk. Whether it’s walking quietly through the trees, spending time outdoors, or even something as simple as pottery, you’re gently guided back towards a slower, more tactile way of being.
Final Thoughts on the Dharana Experience
After days of screens, schedules and constant movement, this felt incredibly grounding. And perhaps that’s ultimately what stayed with me most. The people, nature and a reminder that slowing down can actually build strength.
Thanks to Dharana, I returned home feeling stronger and just ten days later did run my half marathon.
I genuinely don’t think I could have done it without their care and I’m already looking forward to next year’s visit with a different goal in mind.
