BTV Episode Three - Ibiza Wellness

Ibiza breathwork practitioner and Louise Maxwell Collective member Sapphire Leena joins Louise on this episode’s podcast to explore health, happiness and the many facets of wellbeing in modern life.

Flow state: Shot in Ibiza’s clear waters, this episode’s film by Petalita and photography by Tracey Taylor evoke the peace, playfulness and revitalising power of connecting with nature’s rhythms. Dive into a creative reflection on pure, elemental Ibiza wellbeing. 

WHAT IS IBIZA WELLNESS TODAY?

In today’s world, what does Ibiza wellness look — and feel — like? Modern life is complex, chaotic and often highly charged. Stresses and strains come at us from every angle. From daily demands to deeper feelings of disconnection, finding equilibrium amidst it all isn’t easy.

The question itself is also multilayered. How do we define wellness? Is it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, or an interplay of all of these? Is it health, or something more? Is it individual or collective? Is wellness something associated only with people, or also with systems and environments?

Our answers depend on our cultures, values and individual perspectives. For many, wellness is becoming a priority. Since the Covid pandemic placed health in the global spotlight, we’ve become increasingly aware of our wellbeing — and are investing in it more than ever before. The global wellness industry is now worth an estimated $7.3 trillion, projected to reach $9 trillion by 2028. Dedicated apps and digital platforms offer instant access to a wealth of resources, from fitness and nutrition to diagnostics, treatments and therapies.

This can be hugely empowering — and also overwhelming. In a saturated market, it’s often hard to choose among the shifting trends and contradictory advice, and to find what truly works for us. Social media also brings its own pressures. Our screens are filled with idealised images of wellness: yoga at sunrise, green juices and perfectly toned bodies. Much of it feels highly externalised and like a lot to live up to — especially when so much content is driven by powerful commercial incentives, blurring the line between genuine care and clever marketing.

Yet wellness doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Rather than doing more, it’s often about doing less. Learning to strip away the excess and coming back to softness, slowness and simplicity. The rhythm of our breath. The feel of sunlight on skin. The embrace of someone we love. A quiet walk amidst the trees. A nurturing, home-cooked meal.

In many ancient traditions, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda, wellness is a state of equilibrium between body, mind and spirit. This holistic approach recognises that emotional and physical health are inextricably intertwined.

There is deep wisdom in this. Wellness isn’t just an absence of disease. It’s about what makes us feel joyful, vital and alive. What opens our hearts, brings us peace, and supports us to experience the fullness of life, in all its gloriously messy beauty.

These ancient traditions also recognise that we are part of a greater whole. Harmony is found not only within ourselves, but also through nurturing relationships with our families, friends and communities — and with the natural world. Immersing in nature — feeling ourselves as part of it, not separate from it — we can better attune to our own natural rhythms and regulate our nervous systems.

This relationship is richly symbiotic. Just as nature supports our wellbeing, we too have a role to play in healing our environment. Caring for the Earth, we invite a wider vision of wellness — one founded on the knowledge that all of life is deeply interconnected. Our wellbeing depends on the wellbeing of the planet — on preserving clean air and water, protecting biodiversity, and respecting natural ecosystems.

These ancient and ecological perspectives offer tools for navigating modern life with greater presence and resilience. In a world that’s constantly shifting and facing fresh challenges, these simple yet profound insights can help us return to balance.

What wellness looks and feels like is different for everyone. There’s no prescription, no single ‘right’ way. Just an invitation: to define it for ourselves, to discover what truly nurtures body, mind and soul — and to live it, fully and freely.

Words: Nicola Corfield

Hair & Make-Up: Louise Maxwell

Photography: Tracey Taylor

Videography: Sohar Villegas

Model: Aya Netto

Wardrobe: Thanks to Trish Whelan

Production: Petalita