© Jermaine Binns; Anima Frequency
Jasmine Hemsley, renowned wellness expert and bestselling author
June 25, 2025
Moira Hammes
The international Wellbeing Festival Alma Frequency took place for the first time this year in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, and featured pioneers and renowned experts from the fields of health, longevity research, and holistic healing arts.
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In early June, the Six Senses Crans-Montana in the Swiss Alps became the venue for this year's Alma Frequency Festival. Four days were centered around the themes of health, movement, nutrition, and especially the holistic regeneration of body and mind. The detailed program offered participants a welcome break from everyday life and invited them to deeply relax and find new inspiration.
After being picked up at Geneva Airport, the well over two-hour drive in a Range Rover led through the picturesque Swiss mountain landscape directly to the 5-star Six Senses hotel. It was clear upon arrival that something special awaited here. A short tunnel led into the hotel, where at the entrance, called "The Cave" by the architect, the staff warmly welcomed guests.
Each of the nearly 30 Six Senses hotels around the world has its own special welcoming ritual. In Crans-Montana, guests could select one of six cowbells, each symbolizing one of the six senses to be explored in the following days.
The Alma Festival began with an individual health assessment in collaboration with Technogym. In addition to tests for mobility, strength, and endurance, mental exercises were also on the program. In the end, each participant received their personal health age, which was to be improved upon.
After the assessment, a yoga class was on the agenda, followed by a community dinner on the hotel's rooftop terrace. With a breathtaking view of the Swiss Alps and relaxed gathering around the fire bowls, we finished the evening.
The next day started with a balanced breakfast: In addition to a rich buffet, Six Senses Crans Montana offered a wide selection of freshly squeezed juices, smoothies, and customizable egg dishes. Strengthened, we started the "The Class" movement unit. The concept, developed by Taryn Toomey in 2011, combines sweat-inducing sequences of movements with breathwork and carefully curated music. After one and a half hours, I felt not only physical exhaustion but also a deep mental balance.
In the afternoon, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, gynecologist, TV expert, and managing director, welcomed us to a Hot & Cold Therapy Class at the Six Senses Spa. Shepherd's medical focus is on the health and longevity of women in perimenopause, menopause, and beyond.
In the session, we learned how infrared saunas, cold and steam baths regulate cortisol levels, support metabolism, and promote hormonal balance, processes that are particularly important for women in midlife.
The first keynote of the weekend was delivered by Jasmine Hemsley, renowned wellness expert and bestselling author of 'East by West'. She conveyed the fundamentals of Ayurveda, which focuses on the individual balance of body, mind, and soul. Hemsley explained how a diet tailored to personal constitution can enhance well-being. Practical application examples, such as morning tongue cleaning, rounded off the lecture.
Following this, Adrian Ionescu, a certified teacher of Transcendental Meditation (TM) and board member of the David Lynch Foundation Switzerland, introduced the practice of TM. The goal is to achieve a state of deep relaxation and inner peace. Background: Since 2005, the David Lynch Foundation has been promoting this technique worldwide to people with post-traumatic stress or experiences of violence - a scientifically-based approach to improving public health.
The conclusion of the day was a lecture by Dr. Jessica Shepard on the fundamental importance of hormones for cognitive functions, emotional well-being, and long-term health. The longevity expert presented evidence-based strategies to support hormonal balance and increase vitality.
After another morning yoga class on Saturday, we awaited a meditative Sound Bathing session with Jasmine Hemsley. Surrounded by nature and with a view of the mountains, it was easy to switch off; I almost fell asleep.
Following this, a movement session with Sanctum was on the schedule. Here, Kundalini yoga, martial arts, dance, and breathwork were combined in one training session. The exercises were completed to music transmitted via headphones: An intense cardio and strength training that challenged the body and mind alike.
My highlight in the afternoon was the keynote by James Nestor, New York Times bestselling author of “Breath.” Based on current research findings, he explained how functional breathing can sustainably improve our health, vitality, and mental clarity. He then conducted a breathwork session where we could directly apply what we had learned. Despite the initial effort, I felt my body gradually becoming more relaxed.
The crowning finale was an exclusive Range Rover drive followed by a hike with breathtaking views. Upon reaching the summit, Sanctum founder Luuk Melisse guided us through a meditative movement sequence, accompanied by music via headphones and with a view of the impressive mountain landscape.
My conclusion: The Alma Frequency Festival at Six Senses Crans-Montana was a celebration for the body, mind, and soul, an inspiring weekend full of new impulses, encounters, and relaxation amidst the Swiss Alps
After the program concluded, there was still time to explore the hotel. In addition to a modern fitness room and yoga studio, Six Senses offers four different saunas, an ice bath, two pools (indoor and outdoor), a steam bath, and a cold plunge pool. The entire spa area is decorated in soothing natural tones and immediately conveys a sense of calm and relaxation. Between sauna sessions, you can rest in the relaxation area or recharge at the juice bar with fresh fruits, nuts, and refreshments.
Premium Medical Circle spoke with Talana Bestall about the inspiration, vision, and future of the Alma Frequency Festival:
Alma founder Talana Bestall
What inspired you to create the Alma Frequency Festival, and how has your vision evolved since its inception?
Alma arose from a deep desire to bring people together in meaningful ways by combining wellness, longevity, community, and purpose. I've had the privilege of working with some of the most inspiring leaders and pioneers in this field and wanted to make this knowledge and experience accessible to a broader audience.
These powerful methods have not only changed my view of life - inspired by these experiences, I felt compelled to curate what I see as authentic and meaningful well-being in a world full of misinformation.
At its core, Alma is about helping people reconnect with themselves, step out of their comfort zones, and embrace new ideas and practices they may never have encountered otherwise. It is a space where ancient wisdom meets modern science – where holistic healing, movement, spirituality, and celebration coexist.
The greatest joy comes from seeing our community grow and participants leave with renewed energy, balance, and fresh inspiration. Alma is not just about personal growth – it's about creating genuine connections.
When I launched the first edition, there was no clear roadmap. But the energy and transformation I witnessed made it clear that something special was developing here – something that deserved to grow beyond a three-day experience.
Since then, we have hosted three editions at Six Senses Ibiza and this year brought Alma to the Swiss Alps as well as launched the editorial platform Anima Frequency. It's incredible to see how the energy and impact can reach and connect people far beyond the original location.
What key themes or moments of this year's festival do you believe had the most impact on the participants?
One of the most powerful moments was definitely the Sanctum Sessions and the hike in the mountains. There was something special about these sessions: a shared experience where cathartic movement and gently pushing personal boundaries came together in a way that was elevating and empowering. That was a meaningful moment that we all felt connected to.
James Nestor's session was also a real highlight for me. He conveyed the importance of breathwork in a very clear way. What made it particularly impactful was that we had the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the practice. Talking about breathwork is one thing, practicing it and feeling its effect is quite another.
Looking to the future: What are your hopes for Alma Frequency and the community it creates?
Looking ahead, we want to further develop Alma as a space that not only curates trustworthy knowledge on wellness and longevity but also creates meaningful, transformative experiences that support people's growth throughout the year. It's about honoring the journey – providing tools, inspiration, and connections that help people reconnect with their true selves and live with more balance and purpose.
Ultimately, we plan to bring this vision to life through a curated selection of wellness essentials – products that emerge from the collective wisdom and experiences of our community.
© Moira Hammes
With the Range Rover through the picturesque Swiss mountain landscape
© Jermaine Binns; Anima Frequency
Yoga Session in CransMontana
© Moira Hammes
Dr. Jessica Shepherd, gynecologist, TV expert
© Moira Hammes
With the Range Rover through the picturesque Swiss mountain landscape
© Jermaine Binns; Anima Frequency
Yoga Session in CransMontana
© Moira Hammes
Dr. Jessica Shepherd, gynecologist, TV expert
© Jermaine Binns; Anima Frequency
Luuk Melisse, founder of Sanctum, a pioneering mindful-movement community
© Jermaine Binns; Anima Frequency
Dinner with a dreamlike view
© Six Senses
The indoor pool of Six Senses Crans Montana
© Jermaine Binns; Anima Frequency
Luuk Melisse, founder of Sanctum, a pioneering mindful-movement community
© Jermaine Binns; Anima Frequency
Dinner with a dreamlike view
© Six Senses
The indoor pool of Six Senses Crans Montana
