🎂 Mykonos celebrations, Pilates’ big moment & the island built on longevity

Hi friends,

Harriet here! I’m writing this on the eve of flying to Mykonos for an early 40th birthday celebration. (Mykonos has always held a special place in my heart - I  got married there and there’s just something about the island’s energy that fills my soul in a way nowhere else does).

Honestly, I debated not celebrating at all. Schools are just going back, routine is beginning again, it’s expensive, we’re all tired (and on and on…). And while I definitely can’t party like I’m 20 anymore (although lets be real, I was still tucked up in bed before 10pm at uni), I realised what I really wanted for my birthday was a weekend in my favourite place, with some of my favourite people, reminding myself of who I am when I don’t have a gazillion responsibilities.

Connection is one of my highest values - it drives everything we do at The Wellness Drop (connecting you to the best wellness places and practices in the region) and at The Connected Collective (helping you reconnect to yourself and others).

It’s ultimately what drives a lot of my decisions, and it’s continued to come up time and time again in conversations this week.

I loved this article on the “wellness recession”  a friend shared with me. It’s well worth the read in full but in a nutshell, it highlights an impending backlash against expensive, elitist, “you can’t sit with us” wellness, and a shift back to what really matters: community. Because wellness should never be about exclusivity, it’s about belonging.

That’s why we’re so excited to share that starting this September, The Wellness Drop will be hosting free community events. First up: The Wellness Drop Walking Club - a beach walk that will end with some much needed grounding by the ocean. We’ll also be popping up with some events at some of our favourite studios and wellness spots across the city, giving you the chance to meet amazing people, explore incredible spaces and try some new practices.

Our first event will be later in September - sign-up details will be in this newsletter, so as always keep your eyes peeled.

With love (a full heart, and probably a slightly sore head on Sunday),

PS: Don’t forget our Wellness Drop exclusive offer for 🌴 SOUL Festival at Soneva Fushi, Maldives (October 9–13, 2025). Five days of barefoot rituals, oceanfront Pilates, longevity wisdom, healing sound journeys, and starlit sensory dinners — all in one of the world’s dreamiest settings. We’ve secured an exclusive 20% off just for you. Reply to this email if you’re interested and we’ll connect you. ✨

Pineapple Dance Studios

The ICONIC Pineapple Dance Studios has landed in Dubai and I am PUMPED. As a long-time fan of the London studio (and someone who refuses to believe I’ve missed my chance to be a professional dancer lol), this feels like a pinch me moment.

I shan’t lie..opening day was a humbling experience. The level of dancers was off the charts, and the age difference… Well, let’s just say I could have been some (ahem most) of their mums. But worry not - Pineapple will be offering classes for all ages and abilities, and lets face it, we all need a little more joy and a chance to let loose. This is the place to do it.

Conveniently located in Mall of the Emirates, there’s a separate entrance and parking right next to the studio so no need to navigate the mall crowds. It’s also home to the newly refurbished Covent Garden Theatre and a gorgeous restaurant, making it a true hub for the performing arts that’s as inclusive as it is inspiring.

So, whether you’re living out your 80s movie fantasy, moving for the joy of it or simple wanting to be surrounded and inspired by creative energy and passion for performing arts - this place is for you. 🪩💃

As September unfolds, the calendar is starting to fill again with soulful gatherings. From a coffee party with a twist to full moon rituals and mini-retreats, this week’s line-up is about reconnecting with yourself and others while finding calm in the city’s rhythm.

🌈 Prolonged Summer of Wellness
Every Saturday from 6th September, 8:00 AM
Museum of the Future
Back by demand. This series with Blended Wellness continues through December - a sensory-rich yoga flow inside one of Dubai’s most iconic space. Movement meets innovation and sound in an elevated, immersive practice.
Book here

☕ Soul Sessions Coffee Party
Sunday 7th September, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
La Serre, City Walk
This isn’t your average coffee meet-up - it’s a conscious Sunday ritual. Movement, coffee and conversations. Energy that lingers long after the music fades.
Book here

🌕 Lunar Eclipse Cacao Ceremony & Sound Healing
Sunday 7th September, 7:30 PM
Villa Sage
Experience the deep alchemy of the Blood Moon Eclipse - combining the grounding essence of ceremonial cacao with healing vibrational sound. A powerful evening of release and renewal.
To book DM @villa.sage

🌕 Full Moon Special – Sanctum
Monday 8th September, 7:00 PM
SIRO One Za’abeel
Reset, reflect, and reconnect with Sanctum’s signature session. Move through the motions of this unmatched workout to empower the body and expand the mind - a powerful full moon reset.
Book here

💛 Half-Day Retreat
Sunday 14th September, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Soul Side Studio, JLT
A morning designed to ground your body, calm your mind, and reconnect with yourself. Expect om chanting, deep stretch, breathwork, a floating sound bath + energy cleanse, with light snacks and refreshments served.
To book call 054 263 0355

Your weekly whip-smart scroll through what’s hot (and not) in the world of wellness.

 INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS

🧬 Eternal Youth Has Bad PR
Here’s the thing: most of us don’t actually want to live forever - we just want to live well. The numbers say it all: 80% of Americans believe healthtech can extend life, but only 18% actually use it. Two-thirds even say they’d rather die younger and healthy than drag it out sick and struggling. The problem? Longevity has been branded as immortality in a test tube - stem cells, plasma swaps, peptides and price tags only the ultra-rich can touch. Instead of vitality for everyone, it’s being sold as a luxury upgrade for biohackers and billionaires. No wonder the rest of us are rolling our eyes.
Bottom Line: Stop pitching immortality like it’s the next iPhone drop. If you want people to care, sell us energy, joy, and the ability to dance at our grandkids’ weddings without creaking knees. That’s the longevity glow up we’ll actually buy.
📖 Read More

🏠 Lightwork Is Taking on a Different Housing Crisis
Home is where the heart is… and sadly oftentimes, where the toxins are. Lightwork, the home health testing company, just acquired Universe Health, a UK-based leader in residential toxin assessments. The service goes beyond air and water checks, testing for mold, EMF exposure, lighting, and pollutants while factoring in your health history and lifestyle. Using spatial mapping, it pinpoints toxic burdens and connects users with remediation services. Already operating in NYC, Austin, SF, and LA, Lightwork will now add London while deepening ties with longevity clinics. It’s all part of a bigger shift: from chemicals in tap water to noxious indoor air, our built environment is under the wellness microscope. With competitors like Goodhome, MoldCo, and Ultrahuman expanding into the space, “ambient wellness” is officially having its moment.
Our Thoughts: Your home should never make you sick - and if you live in Dubai, you’ll know mold is a major (silent) culprit. We’d love to see this land here, because your home should always be a sanctuary, not a silent stressor.
📖 Read More

🔥East London’s New Hotspot (Literally)
Shoreditch & Soul Sanctuary has landed — and honestly, I wish this existed when I was a whippersnapper running around East London. Just off Brick Lane in a converted Victorian warehouse, it feels more Tulum than E1: think co-working spaces, a 40 person sauna (yes 40!), ice baths, plant based café Palm Greens, and a high end alcohol free cocktail bar. The crown jewel is The Sensorium — a trippy communal sweat and chill zone with rainbow lights, Nordic ceremonies, and full-body immersion vibes
Outtake: Studio 54, but for people who hydrate. Count us in. Oh, and did we mention our beloved Sanctum holds classes here too? With memberships starting from £99 a month… honestly, where do we sign?
📖 Read More

🏝️Forget Palm Jumeirah, It’s All About Longevity Lane
Move over, luxury resorts - the UAE is getting its own longevity island. Opening in 2027, SHA Island will sit between Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Al Jurf, billed as the “world’s first longevity and wellness island.” Think 51 sustainable apartments, 19 garden villas, and 67 beachfront homes, all designed with advanced air purification, circadian lighting to regulate sleep cycles, and access to SHA’s signature blend of top doctors, wellness treatments, and organic cuisine.
Our Take: Wellness real estate is booming, expected to hit $1.1T by 2029 so its clear that considering Wellness in real estate is no longer a luxury, it’s the baseline. Clean air, natural light, and healthier communities are what truly define home.
📖 Read More

📉 Bye-Bye Burnout, Hello Longevity Lifts
The latest SFIA data shows we’re over redlining our bodies for the sake of sweat. Pilates is America’s fastest growing workout, up nearly 40% since 2019, with yoga (+23%) and barre (+19%) not far behind. Functional formats like kettlebells and free weights are also climbing, especially among women and longevity seekers. Meanwhile, the boutique darlings are slipping - group cycling is down 33.5% and HIIT/bootcamp classes are losing steam.
Zooming Out: While sweat and intensity still have their place, it’s refreshing to see the narrative shifting away from daily HIIT as a badge of honour.. The future of fitness isn’t about who can leave the biggest sweat puddle on the floor - it’s about routines that are sustainable, adaptable, and crucially, supportive of your nervous system. Workouts that help you last, not just last the class.
📖 Read More

RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT

🧪Collagen Under the Microscope
Researchers are throwing shade on collagen’s beauty claims. A new scientific review found results were mixed: independent studies often showed no effect on skin aging, while pharma-funded research reported big improvements. The divide raises red flags about bias, study quality, and whether collagen really delivers what the marketing promises.
Our Take: This is your reminder to stay critical. Not all supplements (or studies) are created equal, so always do your due diligence and look at the brand behind the product. We’re big fans of Health Nag — not just for their superior formulations, but for their integrity. They run regular, independent third-party tests and publish the results for everyone to see (check them out here). Bottom line? Pick the brands that show up with transparency, integrity, and a little love.
📖 Read The Study Here

TREND TO WATCH

⌚️The Rise of Invisible Health Tech
Wearables are old news friends - the next wave of wellness is going invisible. Think toilets that track hydration and prostate health (Throne), tampons that double as blood tests (Comma), toothbrushes that flag inflammation (Feno), and in-ear sensors for Long COVID and POTS (Lumia). Instead of counting steps, these tools quietly catch disease early, ease pressure on doctors, and give patients real-time power.
Why It Matters: Wellness shouldn’t mean strapping on five gadgets and obsessing over data. The real flex? Tech that works quietly in the background, giving us more time to live, less reason to stress AND reducing load on overwhelmed medical systems. If invisible diagnostics deliver on their promise, they could be the glow up that finally makes prevention feel effortless.
📖 Read More

📩 SHARE IT, SAVE IT, SEND IT

💾 Save it — for the day you’re side-eyeing your collagen tub or need ammo to skip another spin class.
📲 Share it — with the mate who swears HIIT is life (or thinks they’re too old to dance at Pineapple).
📤 Send it — to the friend who needs reminding: wellness is community, not just peptides and price tags.