America's first luxury nature cure destination YO1 opens in the Catskill Mountains

Pic Courtesy: YO1 website

In what can be called a unique gift on International Yoga Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated USA's first and biggest Nature Cure facility YO1 via video conference on Thursday.

YO1 Luxury Nature Cure, a 1,310-acre new luxury wellness destination located in Monticello, New York, celebrates its Grand Opening on June 21, 2018. Guests will be welcomed to the beauty of the Catskill Mountains with individualized wellness programs designed to detox, revitalize and educate guests on holistic health and wellbeing through the ancient Indian therapies of Naturopathy, Ayurveda and Yoga. YO1 is derived from Yovan in Sanskrit, which means youth.

The brainchild of visionary mogul and Chairman of India-based Essel Group, Shri. Subhash Chandra, who is also known as “The Father of Indian Television,” YO1 Luxury Nature Cure stands as a comprehensive 68,000 square-foot wellness retreat on the site of the former Kutsher's Resort in Sullivan County. Home to cutting-edge and immersive facilities inspired by the elements of earth, air, fire and water—central to ancient Indian health practices and the programs on offer at YO1 Luxury Nature Cure—the relaxing and scenic sanctuary is devoted to health, renewal and replenishment with luxury accommodations, a world-class treatment retreat, comfortable and inviting social areas, and dining spaces that simultaneously soothe and inspire.

In an effort to acknowledge this unique effort, the New York State Assembly honoured Shri. Subhash Chandra on Wednesday evening, a day before 4th International Yoga Day.

Inspired and Thoughtful Design

The contemporary design imagined by local architecture firm Liscum McCormack VanVoorhis draws inspiration from nature and the fundamental philosophies rooted in the 5000-year old practice of Ayurveda. Upon entering the resort guests are greeted with intersecting timber trusses evoking Padmasana or “lotus pose,” a cross-legged meditative sitting posture that is used to begin a Yoga practice.

The lotus is a recurring element throughout the wellness destination as its shadow, cast from an oversized window, glides across the Grand Yoga Hall during the day, and a lotus-shaped skylight presides over the pool to connect guests to the infinite sky above. The flower stands as a symbol of purity, rebirth, enlightenment and beauty, all of which YO1 aims to impart on its visitors. A circular rain curtain feature, Chroma Therapy fireplace, and living wall also celebrate nature's elements and Ayurveda's doshas (emotional and physical constitution of one's being.)

A Sanctuary with Purpose

YO1 Luxury Nature Cure offers six Pathways to Wellness that range from 3-10 days and address lifestyle concerns such as diabetes, migraines, hypertension, infertility, impotence, insomnia, anti-aging, cardiovascular issues and auto-immune disorders.

An assembly of knowledgeable experts including Ayurvedic Doctors, Yoga teachers, healers and fitness counselors guide guests on a tailored journey to wellness combining a host of therapies and treatment options to address individual health concerns and goals with access to 36 multi-use therapy rooms, six acupuncture rooms, six mud therapy rooms, more than 40 hydrotherapy rooms evenly divided for use by women and men, steam and sauna facilities, a physiotherapy room, eight yoga rooms including a Grand Yoga Hall, and a 5,000 sq. ft. indoor pool with reflexology walkways and a hot tub. Guests also have access to a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a network of scenic nature trails. 131 rooms and suites afford guests the opportunity to greet the morning sun and enjoy unobstructed views of Bailey Lake as they begin their daily prescriptive path to wellness. Accommodation styles include king and double king rooms as well as one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations complete with private massage room, steam shower and balcony.

Eating as a Way to Wellness

An integral and pivotal part of the holistic wellness program is healthy nutrition and conscious dietetic choices. As such, YO1 Luxury Nature Cure's Showcase Kitchen hosts cooking classes to teach guests healthy cooking and clean eating habits, while the restaurant, helmed by award-winning Executive Chef Gaurav Navin, offers balanced cuisine to support customized nutrition programs. Organic and sustainably sourced, Ayurvedic meals feature Indian influences and are mainly composed of wholesome grains, healthy oils, raw fruits and vegetables, and anti-inflammatory herbs and spices. Chef Navin's culinary offerings aim to aid guests with detoxification, digestion and other health issues. A healthful Tea Café welcomes guests to the world of natural, herbal remedies and an energizing Juice Bar to the detoxifying and cleansing properties of nutrient-packed juices.

Educational Programs
YO1 Luxury Nature Cure is also a platform for holistic health education, featuring an outdoor amphitheatre and 200-seat indoor theater, which are to host speaking events with leading wellness and healing practitioners and nutritionists, and an interactive museum that aims to enrich the guest experience with a glimpse into the history of Naturopathy and Ayurveda.

Special Grand Opening Rate
YO1 Luxury Nature Cure is offering a special Grand Opening rate of $900 per person, per night all-inclusive. This includes overnight accommodation in a Lakeview King Room, all meals and therapies.

For more information or reservations at YO1 Luxury Nature Cure, please visit http://www.yo1.com/
You can watch the inauguration ceremony held on June 21, 2018 here: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blQ2vGq5Zp0