Your healing starts here.

A personalised, doctor-led, multi-system approach that equips you to take back ownership of your health journey.

FREE Community Drumming Circle with Music Therapist, Jenny Pott

Yes, drumming circles are good for health! Those rhythmic beats? They're like a natural stress-reliever, melting away anxiety. And your brain loves drumming too – it gets a boost, helping you focus better. Plus, your coordination and physical fitness get a nudge in the right direction. So much fun and no experience needed!

Date: Wednesday 11 October, 17h30 - 18h45
No charge. No experience necessary. Open to children from 9 years old and up.

Book now

Signature Sound & Gong Bath *NEW Moon* with BeJay Watson

One of the most ancient forms of medicine, tracking back 40,000 years, sound healing rituals and gong baths work by massaging every cell in the body, leaving you feeling completely immersed in the present moment. Gong-Master, BeJay Watson, leads the experience with a focus on breath and deep rest.

Date: Friday 13 October, 17h30 - 18h45
Cost: R220 per person

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Women's Health: An Interactive Conversation with Dr. Allison & Dr. Rav

Join Dr. Allison Blair (Integrative & Aesthetic Medicine) & Dr. Rav James (Functional Medicine) for an interactive conversation on Women's Health driven by participant’s specific questions. Rav and Alli will cover everything from hormone health to sexual health, screening, and aesthetics. Included is an oestrogen-detoxifying PINK smoothie and a coffee of your choice. Participants are invited to submit questions ahead of time.

Date: Saturday 14 October, 09h30 - 10h45
Cost: R150 per person

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Korean Cooking Evening with Ella Lee Murray

For centuries Korean culture has espoused the idea of “yak sin dong won” which means that food is the original medicine. Korean tables are about community and balance, focusing on yin and yang, and containing a little meat, plenty of vegetables, heat, and fermented food. Join us as South Korean, Ella Lee Murray, demonstrates the main principles of Korean food culture (and shares a table of “food is medicine” with us!).

Date: Wednesday 18 October, 18h00 - 21h00
Cost: R550 per person (cash bar)

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Improving Overall Health Using a Continuous Glucose Monitor with Dr. Rav James

Wearable Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) are basically an accessory in the USA these days. And for good reason: They are helping people to understand how what they eat is dramatically affecting how they feel (from chronic conditions to stubborn weight). Join Dr. Rav James as she talks through how to use these devices, and, if you’re interested, you can buy one and get it attached by Dr. Rav at the end of the talk. *For those who do opt to apply a CGM, they are R1400 each and we will have them available for immediate start.

Date: Thursday 19 October, 09h15 - 10h45
Cost: R220 per person

Book now

Sunrise Yoga ON the White River

Start your morning with gentle sunlight, the first bird chorus, and the sound of the White River flowing right next to you. Denise guides this beautiful Hatha session next to the rocks and on the river (White River Country Estate).

Date: Saturday 21 October, 07h00 - 08h00
Cost: R200 per person incl. Master Green Smoothie

Book now

Full Moon Bounce, Bubbly & Burger

This is a unique kind of Friday evening as we rebound to a full moon-inspired playlist, enjoy the first summer swim under the stars, and then sit together afterwards with a glass of bubbly and Dr. Rav’s hand-made venison burgers, complete with all the messy condiments. The price is R200 for those who are already Rebound Fitness members and R300 for drop-ins. Only 10 spots available.

Date: Friday 27 October, 18h00 - 20h00
Cost: R200 per person incl. Glass of Bubbly & Burger

Book now
Hanya Experiences
9 Experiences
from R800

Functional Medicine & Health Coaching

Meet with Functional Medicine practitioner, Dr. Rav James, to get to the root cause of your health challenge and develop a customised healing plan.

9 Experiences
from R350

Bodywork & Massage

Our therapist trained at a Conde Naste Traveler award-winning property and works together with Dr. Rav to select personalised treatments and essential oils that support healing, detoxification, and stress-relief.

4 Experiences
from R950

Life Coaching & Personal Development

Our Life Coaches are committed to clients as they work with life changes, past traumatic experiences, anxiety, and taking steady steps towards freedom.

2 Experiences
from R3200

Keta-Therapy

For chronic depression and anxiety, transpersonal Keta-Therapy sessions help patients to lay down new neural pathways.

3 Experiences
from R900

Vibrational Sound Healing

Our associate gong master and sound healer incorporates the gong, singing bowls, the monochord and tuning fork to help patients access their own intuitive frequency.

3 Experiences
from R900

Movement, Breathwork, & Meditation

Work with our experienced team to rebalance and retune your body, beginning with the original medicines of breath, stillness and gentle yoga.

3 Experiences
from R2250

Advanced Genetic Testing

Work with our team to accurately transition genetic results into realistic health solutions.

Understanding

The word Hanya guides all of our philosophies. It is inspired by the nearby Shangaan culture in South Africa’s north-eastern region as well as the Middle Eastern roots of Hanya’s co-founder, Dr. Rav James.

Hanya (Shangaan) alive or living
Hania (Hebrew) resting place
Hanya (Arabic) happiness
Ha-Nee-Ya (Native American Hopi) spirit warrior
Anya (Russian) grace

  • The Universal Hand is the universal hand of healing reminds us that each of us have the tools with in us to heal ourselves. It also holds the idea of guided healing using ancient arts or protection from harmful pattens, people or places.
  • The Trinity Flower symbolizes the coming together of old nature wisdom, modern medical science and an individual’s heart to form the sacred geometry that is the flower of life.
  • The Arch symbolizes inclusion and a safe space to heal.
Our Intention

“In a world where many people have lost sense of what it means to be alive in happiness, we have created a resting place; a significant moment in space and time where individuals can rediscover the intuitive healing properties of spirit and emerge anew, into a powerful meridian of meaning, grace and happiness.”

- Dr Rav James
Research
by Ryan James
October 22, 2023

Photos: An Evening of Korean Cooking with Ella Lee Murray

After having a chance to sleep on it, we’re feeling exceptionally lucky that on a random Wednesday in October, in a small town in Mpumalanga province, we could share a cultural food experience like the one you see…

by Denise Sohandev
October 19, 2023

What the Camino de Santiago Taught Me

I have to confess, I did something really stupid. You see a couple of weeks ago I set out to prove to myself that I wasn’t who I thought I was and I met up with a friend…

by Dr Allison Blair
October 19, 2023

Journey? What journey?

Ryan asked me last week if I could find space to contribute to this week’s newsletter, with “Journey” being the central theme. Initially, the above question came to mind – “what journey?” Pondering that led me into quite…

by Erin Slingerland
October 12, 2023

Secrets of the Korean Kitchen (by a non-Korean Vegan Foodie)

Food in Korea is a whole love language. Imagine seeing a friend or family member after any amount of time — you might greet them with “have you been well?”, “How are things going?” “How are you?” In South Korea…

by Dr. Rav James
October 12, 2023

“I’m-An-Adult-Who-Got-On-With-It” Induced Anxiety

It’s no secret that I have suffered from some serious periods of extended anxiety in my adult life. I sometimes think about that time I was a 5th year med student on a 36-hour shift in Khayelitsha (you…

by Ryan James
August 13, 2023

Celebrating One Year of F.I.T.T. Form Strength & Core Training for Women with Bettina Klesse

Personal Trainer at Hanya House, Bettina (Tina) Klesse recently marked one year of her F.I.T.T. Form Strength and Core classes for women. In celebration of this milestone, we asked Tina 12 questions: When did you give your first…

by Ryan James
July 30, 2023

Food is Medicine Season 3 | Episode 3: Tahini

Functional Medicine doctor at Hanya House, Dr. Rav James, is back in The Remedy Bar, this week discussing Tahini or sesame paste - an ingredient that packs huge medicinal value, but is not often used outside of the…

by Dr. Rav James
July 15, 2023

Food is Medicine Season 3 | Episode 2: Cabbage & Herbs

Functional Medicine doctor at Hanya House, Dr. Rav James, is back in The Remedy Bar talking about the huge medicinal benefits of the humble cabbage. PLUS, she shares her way of preparing a fresh cabbage salad without store-bought…

by Ryan James
June 30, 2023

Food is Medicine Season 3 | Episode 1: Mushrooms

Functional Medicine doctor at Hanya House, Dr. Rav James, is back in The Remedy Bar talking about the huge medicinal potential of mushrooms, specifically immune system modulation and the compounds that help us to resist or adapt to…

by Ryan James
June 1, 2023

Winter Skincare: Why Micro-Needling is a Good Option NOW, and My Winter Skincare Routine

By Cindy Brooks - My clients often ask me what the best time of the year is for skin treatments and I would have to say that winter is great because of the reduced UV levels. You’re also…

by Ryan James
June 1, 2023

Community Voices: BeJay Watson on Gratitude, Vibration, Becoming the Witness, and Renaming the Book in her Seventh Decade

BeJay Watson. One minute she’s having a coffee at Yoons in White River, then you’ll see her “pretzeled up for Christmas” (in her words) at her Iyengar class in Nelspruit, five minutes later she’s hosting the most exquisite…

by Ryan James
May 15, 2023

VACANCY: Marketing Internship at Leading Wellness Sanctuary

Hanya House, a leading Functional Medicine & Integrative Wellness Sanctuary located on a secure country estate in White River (Mpumalanga), is looking for a Marketing Intern to join our team on a one-year full-time contract.    Who will…

by Ryan James
May 13, 2023

Food is Medicine with Dr. Rav James & The Plantsman Eatery

Kristen Hearne (Founder of The Plantsman Eatery) and Dr. Rav James (Founder and Medical Director of Hanya House Integrative Wellness Centre) both believe that food is the original medicine, capable of fundamentally shaping the quality of our lives.…

by Ryan James
December 9, 2022

Say HELLO to the 2023 Line-Up of Hanya House Healers

As we open 2023, we are privileged to do so with a team that embodies the spirit of safe and peaceful healing. From January, HANYA will have 15 healers working independently under the Hanya House roof (meet them…

by Dr. Rav James
October 14, 2022

Reset Your Metabolic Health

What is it? A 4-week online doctor-led and community-centric journey to manage your weight, reverse disease processes, optimise energy levels, sleep better, and live with more vitality simply by understanding your body’s glucose responses. Next Start Dates: 5…

by Dr. Rav James
June 17, 2022

Food is Medicine Soups

I'm so excited to bring you this compilation of Food is Medicine soups that I cook in our house almost every month. Just a quick (and important) note before we start: I don't use stock in all my…

by Denise Sohandev
June 9, 2022

Where Do I Start When I Keep Letting Myself Down?

It’s Monday and I’m definitely not having chocolate again. This time I mean it. No chocolate, ever, I’m done, for good this time. Half an hour later you’re in your car heading to the nearest filling station to…

by Ryan James
June 6, 2022

Q&A With a Patient: Depression & Ketamine Assisted Therapy

Stacy (not her real name) is a Hanya House patient who - in 2020 - sought out Keta-Therapy as a complementary treatment as she weaned off of her anti-depressants. Stacy had been prescribed anti-depressants by a psychotherapist (and…

by Ryan James
June 6, 2022

Ketamine Assisted Therapy for Depression, Anxiety, PTSD & Alcohol Use Disorder

Recently we've been receiving questions about Ketamine Assisted Therapy and its use for treatment resistant mood disorders, especially depression, debilitating anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and alcohol use disorder (AUD). We have used Ketamine Assisted Therapy at Hanya House…

by Ryan James
May 18, 2022

Simpler IV Therapy Options For Your Wellness Journey

As part of her Functional Medicine approach, Hanya House Medical Director, Dr. Rav James, incorporates intravenous (IV) vitamin therapies into the health plans of many patients. IV Therapy & Health Coaching in One Consultation Dr. Rav sees these…

by Denise Sohandev
April 29, 2022

Why All The Talk About The Inner Child And How Can I Talk To Mine?

“This article isn’t for me, my inner child is just fine, I had a great childhood, no need to go scratching in the hornets nest, thank you very much.” The inner child can sound like a lot of…

by Ryan James
April 14, 2022

Why Naming Your Lizard (And Its Tunes) Could Change Your Life

So far this year, what has been your loudest and most troubling lizard tune or tunes? If the answer came to you straight away, that’s great – you might already be using self-awareness tools regularly. If your answer…

by Ryan James
April 6, 2022

A Parenting Expert & Functional Medicine Doctor Team Up to Share Small Steps For a Healthier Family

Hand-in-Hand Parenting Expert, Kelly van Rooyen, and Functional Medicine Specialist, Dr. Rav James, recently teamed up in a series of four short videos to discuss the vital importance of nutrition, and food culture for healthy families. They discussed…

by Dr. Rav James
March 30, 2022

Dr. Rav James Inc. – Notification of Price Change Effective 1 May, 2023

I would like to thank all of my patients for the continued support of my root causes, Functional Medicine approach to health and healing. My vision has always been to run a high-touch practice, one that allows me…

microbiome
by Dr. Rav James
March 14, 2022

Not Sure About Pooping in a Tube? Here’s How It Could Change The Way You Live

Question: Why poop in a tube? Answer: Because while chia seeds, cherries, and chickpeas might be one person’s superfood, they’ll be another’s poison. And sometimes, that poison can more dangerous than you might think, affecting not only how…

by Denise Sohandev
March 7, 2022

Is Yoga Therapy Part of Your Long-Term Healing Roadmap? Here’s Why it Should Be

You're probably getting used to hearing the phase "connection to body", especially from our team at Hanya House. From leading Functional Medicine experts like Dr. Mark Hyman, to spirit philosophers like Eckhardt Tolle, Gabor Mate, and Martha Beck,…

Candice
by Candice Buys
March 1, 2022

3 Essential Oils I (Almost) Always Choose for Clients Experiencing Stress & Burnout

Why do most people come to me for bodywork treatments? I would love it if the answer was "maintenance", in other words alleviating muscle tension, detoxifying, facilitating blood flow, clearing lactate, and finding stillness. The reality is that…

by Dr. Rav James
February 16, 2022

4 Life Changing Things I Learnt by Attaching a Glucose Monitor to My Arm

A while ago I attached a glucose monitor to my arm for 14 days. You’ll all know that a glucose monitor is a useful tool for diabetics, but can it be life-changing for non-diabetics too? With more and…

by Dr. Rav James
February 16, 2022

Dr. Rav’s 3-Month Medical Weight Management Program

What is it? A comprehensive 3-month doctor-designed program focused on fundamentally changing the way that you approach sustainable weight management and metabolic health, starting with hormones, not calories. Next Start Dates: Online: 18 September, 2023 *This is not…

by Denise Sohandev
February 2, 2022

*This* Yoga Pose Pushed Me To My Emotional Limit

When I first started teaching yoga I invited a close relative to practice with me. She never came back. Years later when I asked her why, she told me: “It made me think too much." I interpreted that…

by Dr. Rav James
January 31, 2022

8 Blood Panels You Should Be Testing For Optimised Health & Early Detection

Vitamin D. Most doctors don’t test for this very important hormone (not actually a vitamin) even though we know it plays a really important role in immune health and bone health, to name just two. But let’s name…

by Denise Sohandev
January 23, 2022

I Rejected Kundalini Yoga in 2020. But We’ve Met Again and It’s Even Better Than Before

Denise Sohandev is a Life Coach, Breathwork Specialist and Yoga instructor at Hanya House. In 2020 her deep love of Kundalini yoga was shaken when the Kundalini community was hit by a major scandal. Here she explains how,…

by Denise Sohandev
January 21, 2022

Transformational Breathing Experience Coming Up – 28 July 2022

Why Join a Transformational Breathing Experience? Guided by Life Coaches, Denise Sohandev and Ryan James, our Transformational Breathing Experience explores a self development theme (see below) before moving into a conscious-connected breathing session. During this session we will…

by Dr. Rav James
January 13, 2022

As a Functional Medicine Doctor, I’m Focusing on These 10 Healthspan Categories in 2022

In 2022 we know more about how to extend healthspan (defined as the number of years we live free of chronic disease) than ever before. Not only does the latest medical research on anti-aging and longevity continue to…

by Ryan James
December 31, 2021

In 2022, Hit the Healthspan Trail, Beginning with the Pursuit of Meaning

If you were to ask us what one of the most powerful anti-aging activities is, our answer would be: The pursuit of meaning. Why?  Because the closer we get to the reality of how precious and mysterious our…

by Dr. Rav James
December 15, 2021

Bush Braaiing Done Right

A braai (barbecue) can be extremely bad for your health. Or it can be medicine. You choose. December in South Africa is certainly NOT a picture of health: High quantities of meat, including boerewors, which is a processed…

by Dr. Rav James
December 2, 2021

25 Food Medicine Photos… To Get You Inspired

This last month has been one of my best. Teaching and sharing about the healing power of food always gets me revved up. And as I have come together with people around food – in my Consultation Room,…

by Dr. Rav James
November 17, 2021

For You, Is Food a Chore or is Food Medicine?

How do we value food? Functional Medicine specialist at Hanya House, Dr. Rav James, often hears people saying:  “But to eat healthy is expensive.”  Alcohol is also expensive. Fashion is expensive. Ready made meals and fast-food. Cosmetics. Fancy…

by Denise Sohandev
November 16, 2021

3 Exercises to Tackle Anxiety Now

Beat anxiety - in the moment. Multiple recent studies have shown that – in the last two years globally – the number of people suffering from anxiety disorders has increased significantly. No surprises there. Anxiety is complex, and…

by Dr. Rav James
August 10, 2021

Food is Medicine with Dr. Rav: 4 Quick & Easy Breakfast Ideas

For people looking to track a “food is medicine” approach to their life, one of the hardest meals to change is breakfast. I don’t ask all my patients to cut out sugar, gluten, dairy, and eggs forever, but…

by Ryan James
July 19, 2021

Hanya Q&A: With Life-Coach, Ryan James

Ryan James is a Life Coach and Ketamine Assisted Therapist who trained under the team of world-renowned Life Coach, Martha Beck. He currently leads our development at Hanya House overseeing our experiences, operations, and new product design and…

by Dr. Rav James
July 14, 2021

Improving Recovery Post-COVID: A Functional Medicine Approach

How can you best support your body as it recovers form COVID-19? In today’s article Hanya House Medical Director, Dr. Rav James, discusses "conscious recovery", supplementation, and IV vitamin therapy drawing on experience treating post-COVID patients who have…

by Dr. Rav James
June 29, 2021

6 Reminders for Covid-19 Waves

There are specific protocols for prevention and treatment that I am here to help with: I am continually researching what combinations of treatments are showing the best results. These need to be discussed on a case-by-case basis and…

by Ryan James
June 23, 2021

Q&A with Dr. Rav: What Should I Expect if I Sign Up for Health Coaching?

Recently the New York Times published an article titled We Could All Use a Health Coach. Given the amount of information, misinformation, opinions, and clickbait on food and health that bombards us on a daily basis, it’s not…

by Ryan James
May 25, 2021

A Multi-Dimensional Approach to Anxiety

Anxiety has been a common feeling for many of the patients I have worked with in 2021. My approach is multi-dimensional, but I start by looking at how a person’s biochemical processes might be making the anxiety worse…

by Ryan James
May 25, 2021

Can Stress Break Down Brain Tissue?

Cortisol is released when we experience stress. Most people have heard this part before. But. Did you know that cortisol is a catabolic hormone, that can break down the gut lining and break down brain tissue? When I…