Vfitness of Veligandu Maldives Resort
Meet The Team

LIVING WELL, ISLAND STYLE

A Personal Note from Donny Fernandez, Recreation Team Leader at Veligandu Maldives

When I think about my journey in wellness, it is really a story about passion. A passion for helping people feel stronger, healthier, and more connected to themselves.

It all began years ago at a Fitness Centre in India, where I worked as a fitness instructor. I loved creating routines, watching people reach their goals, and seeing their confidence grow. But over time, I realised that fitness was only half of the story. That is when I turned to yoga, and it opened a new world for me. As a yoga instructor, I learned how powerful mindfulness, breath, and inner calm can be.

After gaining experience in wellness resorts in the Maldives and Qatar, I found my perfect home here at Veligandu Maldives. A place where nature meets genuine well-being. Every day is an opportunity to help guests move, breathe, and reconnect with themselves.

Blending Fitness and Mindfulness

As the Recreation Team Leader, I oversee the island’s VFitness centre, Padel and Pickleball courts, the Games Room, and all wellness activities. My approach is simple: “Wellness should feel fun, not forced.”

Each week, guests can look forward to a variety of activities: HIIT workouts, fitness challenges, yoga, and fun padel and pickleball challenges. For beginners, our 9-Pose Yoga session offers a gentle, grounding experience focused on posture, balance, and breath. What makes it special and unique is its focus on foundational alignment and breathwork rather than complex flows or advanced inversions. We move slowly through the nine essential postures, ensuring participants understand the correct technique and posture to prevent injury. This methodical approach allows beginners to build a solid base of strength and flexibility, and most importantly, it teaches them to connect their breath to their movement. It transforms what could be a confusing experience into an achievable, mindful practice.

My goal is to make wellness accessible to everyone. Some guests arrive ready for intense workouts, while others simply want to move gently and reconnect with themselves. Either way, I design sessions that meet them where they are. One of the most memorable transformations I have seen was from a guest who joined my functional training class feeling unsure. After a week of personalized guidance, they were lifting weights confidently and with a big smile. They told me, “I discovered a strength I didn’t know I had.” Moments like that remind me why I love what I do.

Veligandu Maldives Fitness Center

Wellness Inspired by Nature

At Veligandu, wellness feels effortless because the island itself inspires balance. The sound of the waves, the soft sand under your feet, and the golden sunrise all become part of the experience. Our Sunrise Yoga on the 360-degree Ocean Platform sessions are a favorite for guests seeking calm and energy first thing in the morning. The Sundown Yoga on the 360-degree Ocean Platform offers a unique experience. A time to release the day and reconnect with yourself. Guests often describe it as a moment of pure tranquillity.

Even our active programs, like the Padel and Pickleball challenges or Fitness Challenge, carry the same spirit of connection. Guests cheer each other, share laughs, and often leave as friends.

The feedback has been truly heart-warming.

Helen once wrote, “Donny in the gym is a real asset to the resort. Patient and welcoming.” Another guest, Hermann, shared, “After 10 sessions, I could walk better than when I arrived. I continue the exercises Donny suggested at home.”

These stories show that wellness is not just about physical strength. It is about confidence, joy, and self-belief

Donny at Veligandu Maldives

Simple Habits for Living Well

Wellness isn’t just about exercise. It is about everyday habits that make you feel good. Here’s some tips that you could follow:

  • Start with hydration. A big glass of water in the morning is one of the simplest ways to boost energy, digestion, and focus. Especially, here in the Maldives where humidity is very high.
  • Follow the 80/20 rule. Don’t aim for perfection; aim for balance. Fill your plate with nourishing foods most of the time, and allow yourself a treat now and then. Healthy living should feel joyful, not restrictive.
  • Eat mindfully. Slow down, put your fork down between bites, enjoy the view and truly savor each flavor. This helps your body know when it’s full and improves digestion and it makes every meal more enjoyable.

Small steps like these can transform how you feel; not just during your stay, but long after you leave the island.

Fitness Center Veligandu Maldives

Turning Routines into Rituals

If there is one thing I want every guest to take home, it’s this: wellness doesn’t have to be complicated.

“You don’t need a strict routine. Just small, joyful rituals you look forward to.”

Move your body, breathe deeply, eat mindfully, and find moments that make you feel alive. Let these habits become part of your daily life.

Here at Veligandu, I invite every guest to experience that joy – whether it’s your first yoga session, a friendly Padel match, or a fitness challenge under the Maldivian sun. Every moment here is designed to help you feel your best, both physically and mentally.

Wellness in Festive Season | The Veligandu Way

Move . Breathe . Reconnect

As we move into the festive season, we have curated an exciting special program that blend celebration with self-care. Guests can look forward to join our Sundown Yoga with Champagne on December 30, 2025 — a truly unique experience in the middle of the ocean. It is a time to unwind, reflect, and toast to the year ahead in true Veligandu style.

There will also be Water Polo, Sunset Fun Run followed by salt bath, group fitness challenges, Amazing Race, and friendly Padel tournaments to keep the energy high during the holidays. These experiences are more than just activities. They are moments of connection. Connection to the island, to each other, and to yourself.

Join me this festive season at Veligandu Maldives and discover a unique wellness journey that only offers at your favorite charming island.

From sunrise yoga to ocean-view workouts, every activity is designed to awaken your body, calm your mind, and lift your spirit.

View the Exclusive Wellness Offers and festive activities now on the Veligandu Mobile App or website. Your island sanctuary of balance awaits.

Related Topics

Explore the recreational activities at Veligandu

Planning your stay at Veligandu? Browse through our special offers