Home - Hanya House

Your healing starts here.

A collaborative multi-system approach that equips you to take back ownership of your health journey.

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.

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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.

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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.

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2 Experiences

from R3200

Keta-Therapy

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

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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.

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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.

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3 Experiences

from R2250

Advanced Genetic Testing

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

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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

April 11, 2024

Hanya House – A collaboration 20 years in the making that celebrates the art of living

A stroll passed an old building on a golf course I’ve always had a fear of hospitals, clinics, and doctor’s rooms. Strangely enough, so has Rav but our fears were slightly different. While I feared the smell, the…

by Ryan James

February 5, 2025

7 & 8 March: A rest & renewal weekend of Acupuncture, Craniosacral Therapy & Yin Yoga at Hanya House

Visiting 500-Level Yin yoga teacher, lecturer and acupuncturist, Theresa Moodie, teams up with resident sports physiotherapist and cranial-sacral therapist, Lindsay Harris, offering transformative treatments designed to soothe the nervous system, restore balance, and replenish energy reserves. Customise your own…

by Denise Sohandev

January 21, 2025

What 17 years of Vision Boarding has taught me

Over the past 17 years, vision boarding has become an integral part of my life—a practice I’ve embraced personally and shared with countless others. My very first vision board was created out of sheer desperation. After experiencing three…

by Ryan James

December 7, 2024

Great news: New Hanya House health professionals joining us in 2025

As a collective it gives us great pleasure in welcoming four new health professionals to the Hanya House Wellness Collaboration in 2025. While our professions and areas of specialty may differ, we all share a deep belief in…

by Ryan James

December 7, 2024

The flamingo’s 2024 reflections: Collaboration, community, and connection

Looking back at 2024, Hanya House Wellness Collaboration’s second year, I find myself being drawn to the word “collaboration.” We have been energetically attracted to the word as our guiding north star this year and I’m proud to…

by Ryan James

December 7, 2024

The best thing that I accidentally did in 2023

“I am protective, I am paternal, I give love!” I formulated this statement many moons ago during one of my compassionate inquiry coaching sessions with Denise Sohandev and she recommended that I add it as a daily reminder…

by Ryan James

November 30, 2024

“My interpretation of the word, Hanya” by Nina Bosch

As we come up to the end of our second year of the Hanya House Wellness Collaboration, I've been feeling grateful that a special friend (with a wonderful creative talent) gifted us the word 'Hanya' when we started…

by Dr Allison van der Riet

November 30, 2024

We ask an Aesthetics doctor: Why is the “Vampire Facial” so popular?

A few years ago, Kim Kardashian posted a picture on her Instagram feed of her undergoing the infamous "Vampire Facial". This post saw Vampire Facials soar in popularity around the world and it remains a firm favourite in…

by Alison Ward

November 23, 2024

A Polyvagal perspective on social gatherings

There it was, the WhatsApp invitation. I sunk back on the bed and groaned. The physical reaction first and then the thought, “I thought I had navigated this, and now there is another thing”. Back to the body:…

by Lindsey Hyson

November 22, 2024

6 Proven Tools Lindsey Hyson suggests we use for more meaningful family connections over the festive season

Getting together with the family over the festive season is a special time, but can be fraught with difficulty. Family systems are complex and for many, spending time with family can bring stress, tension and old wounds to…

by Ryan James

November 1, 2024

A Handful of Healers Featuring Dr. Allison van der Riet

In our first edition of A Handful of Healers, we share a Q&A (originally published in Muse Magazine) with Integrative & Aesthetic practitioner, Dr. Allison van der Riet. What do health and wellness mean to you? Health is not simply…

by Dr. Rav James

October 26, 2024

Acknowledge the sugary comet in the room

Photo: Erin, me, Denise, Lindsey, Bron & Claire enjoying a slice of Hanya's zero-sugar chocolate tart Have you watched Don’t Look Up yet? In this Netflix movie two scientists try to convince humanity that a civilization-destroying comet is on a…

by Lindsay Harris

October 26, 2024

Video: Lindsay Harris explains what craniosacral therapy is and why you should consider it for your healing journey

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) is a noninvasive treatment that focuses on the structures surrounding the brain and spinal cord (namely the membranes, the cerebrospinal fluid and the bones around them). A trained therapist uses CST to support the body’s…

by Ryan James

October 21, 2024

8 & 9 November: An “East Meets West” weekend of ancient healing with acudetox, acupuncture, Yin yoga & cranio-sacral therapy

Visiting 500-Level Yin yoga teacher, lecturer and acupuncturist, Theresa Moodie, teams up with sports physiotherapist and cranial-sacral therapist, Lindsay Harris, offering transformative treatments that will restore you for the final leg of the 2024. Customise your own weekend…

by Theresa Moodie

October 19, 2024

Yoga, acupuncture, Qi and my lifelong pursuit of holistic healing

Theresa Moodie is a Johannesburg-based, 500-level yoga teacher and lecturer with a special interest in Traditional Chinese Medicine, more specifically combining the practice of Yin yoga with acupuncture stimulation. Apart from being aligned with Yoga Alliance International and Shakti Yoga,…

by Denise Sohandev

October 19, 2024

Whales, Menopause and the Gifts of MidLife

I recently learnt that certain species of female whales and female humans are pretty much the only known mammals to go through menopause. As a 47-year-old woman right in the middle of this journey I found this fascinating.…

by Dr. Rav James

October 12, 2024

Most Women Are Not Aware That This Syndrome is a Medical Condition. Sadly, This Often Stops Them From Enjoying Sexual Intimacy Later in Life

The Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (GSM) is defined as a collection of symptoms and signs associated with estrogen deficiency that can involve the labia, introitus, vagina, clitoris, bladder, and urethra. In 2014, the term “genitourinary syndrome of menopause”…

by Alison Ward

September 24, 2024

“Keep calm and carry on,” they said

I grew up with that phrase. It felt like good advice back then, so I followed it. I kept going, perhaps not always calmly. But it is not the advice I would give to anyone today. Nor is it…

by Dr Allison van der Riet

September 24, 2024

I’m 40 (and above). Tell me more about biostimulators for restoring my skin’s firmness

For those well versed (or not) in aesthetic treatments, you would have heard the latest buzz word being thrown around in all circles - biostimulators. The most well known cosmetic aesthetic treatments out there are those of BOTulinum…

by Farrah Cruse

September 21, 2024

Farrah’s Gut Loving Protein Bowl

This gut-loving bowl is a powerhouse meal loaded with a one-tray mixed roasted veg, to diversify your gut's nutrient density intake. Using quinoa as a base ensures your protein intake has been increased as well as gut loving…

by Dr. Rav James

September 20, 2024

I Woke Up Late To This Women’s Health Option

There are things that we sometimes wake up late to in life. I hope, through writing this column, that one of those things for many readers, is the havoc that ultra-processed foods wreak in the body over years.…

by Lindsay Harris

September 20, 2024

No Short-cuts: Recover or else!

Ultra-distance sporting events continue to gain the attention of athletes globally. The appeal of pushing their mental and physical barriers attracts a unique subset of humanity and creates a unique spectacle. One example is the ABSA Cape Epic,…

by Alison Ward

September 13, 2024

Some important life lessons from the muddy trenches of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, my journey as a Life Coach coincided with my daughter’s diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). As a result of many hundreds of hours of research trying to find some…

by Dr. Rav James

September 13, 2024

An overview of non-hormone therapy options for managing medium to severe hot flashes in perimenopause & menopause

The SWAN study - a large cohort study of women transitioning through menopause - found that 60-80% of women experience hot flashes at some point during the menopause transition. This includes the perimenopause period, or the years leading up…

by Denise Sohandev

August 31, 2024

3 Signs your gut might be affecting your brain (or is it your brain affecting your gut?)

As a Personal Growth Mentor, my aim with clients is to encourage them to explore all aspects of their lives and consider how they can optimise their well-being. Because my journey started on the yoga mat I know…

by Andrea Parker

August 31, 2024

I’m a Biokineticist and a Pilates instructor. Admittedly, my Pilates journey started with “books” and wine…

In 2010, my pilates journey began shortly after moving to Grahamstown (now Makhanda) in the Eastern Cape. I was 30 years old, newly married to Dan, settling into a new town, and starting a new biokinetics practice: Life…

by Alison Ward

August 24, 2024

I became a life coach specialising in nervous system regulation when my daughter got Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

When you’re searching for answers to an unexplained medical condition, life can feel bleak and overwhelming. You’re constantly coping with symptoms, flare-ups and at a loss for answers and wondering who to turn to next. I’ve been there…

by Ryan James

August 17, 2024

The Magic of the MacFarlanes & the tale of how a healing house also became a (he)art haven

Clearing and Creation is an exhibition at Hanya House, in collaboration with White River Gallery (@whiterivergallery), that celebrates and explores the sacred feminine. This isn't just any exhibition though... it has a backstory that's close to our hearts:…

by Ryan James

August 17, 2024

Blooming Bold: Moné van Rooyen’s exploration of motherhood

Clearing and Creation: A Journey into the Sacred Feminine is an exhibition in collaboration with the White River Gallery at Hanya House in honour of Women's Day and Women's Month. Lowveld artist and ceramicist, Moné van Rooyen, is…

by Claire Takahasi

August 3, 2024

How is White River’s unique Ley line and the upcoming celestial Lion’s Gate related & what could it mean for you?

We walk into the darkest nights, surrounded by the brightest stars. This week, we have a beautiful pairing of the New Moon in Leo (Sunday) and Lion’s Gate (Thursday). The darkness of this New Moon in Leo invites us…

by Kelly van Rooyen

July 27, 2024

As a parenting coach, I had to break through this blind spot to truly start being of service to frustrated parents

Ever jumped onto social media and seen an eye-catching design with a title such as “Try these Three Tools to Instantly Make Parenting Easier?” Or my favourite – the shame grabber - “I’m a *insert title here* and these…

by Ryan James

July 4, 2024

The Sacred Ley Line that runs through White River

BeJay Watson often reminds us that, in White River, we are lucky to live on the Nilotic Meridian. This is an energetic ley line that runs along 31-degrees east longitude. This wide meridian is at the very centre…

by Ryan James

July 4, 2024

As we rise: “Out of the Ashes” by Kerri Dunshea

We continue to explore (and bask in) 'creativity as medicine' and you'll notice that as you rise up the staircase at Hanya House we are rotating the works on the first floor. One of our most recent artworks…

by Claire Takahasi

July 3, 2024

What will you reconnect with and remember when you pause to play with the Earth?

As I wander the world creatively unlearning, more and more I have come to believe in my bones, that playing with the Earth is a part of our inborn, natural state of learning, growing, and being as humxn…

by Dr Allison van der Riet

July 3, 2024

The Most Common Mistakes I See Women Making with their Skincare Routines

Skincare… my favourite topic at work. Yet, so misunderstood by my patients and friends alike. Having healthy skin is considered to be a universal sign of health and beauty. Here are a few of the common mistakes I…

by Ryan James

July 3, 2024

Community Voices: Lowveld Psychiatrist, Dr. Caro De Witt, Discusses Crystals Balls, Balancing Tables & Psychiatry in a Changing World

We know her as the psychiatrist who’s breaking the mould. Dr. Caro De Witt is not only young, full of joy, and an exquisite singer, but she’s also known as one of the most caring (and joyful) doctors…

by Jenny Pott

June 29, 2024

Why I love working with kids with ADHD and why they love my co-therapist: The music

As a certified Music Therapist, one of the real joys I've found this year is working with children with varying degrees of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Music becomes the motivation and suddenly being noisy and wriggly and…

by Ryan James

June 22, 2024

As we rise: “Surrendering to the unknown” by Kerri Dunshea

One of our greatest privileges at Hanya House (one that we never take for granted) is being able to share specific pieces by South African artists. We are guilty as charged of looking at art from a healing…

by Denise Sohandev

June 7, 2024

I’m an NLP Coach and if you’re seeing these three things in your behaviour, it’s time to get to know your brain better

"Intelligence is the ability to change." These profound words, often attributed to Einstein, resonate deeply with our desire for personal growth and transformation. As a Master Coach of Neurolinguistic Programming and a Practitioner of Gabor Maté’s Compassionate Inquiry,…

by Lauren Jackson

June 1, 2024

So what’s the difference between dry needling and acupuncture and will either solve my problems?

Many physiotherapists offer dry needling as a treatment option for pain, but how does it work on the body? Is it painful? And which conditions is it used for? Isn’t dry needling the same as acupuncture? As a…

by Verena Wagner

May 22, 2024

I’ve been a Rebound (Trampoline) Fitness Instructor for almost two years and here’s why I love it

I’m biased but I believe everyone should Rebound (read point number one below immediately!). I don’t think that’s all you should do; lifting heavy weights is so important for longevity and I attend Kingsley CrossFit for that reason.…

by Erin Slingerland

May 16, 2024

Redefining possible — My journey to my first 1/2 Ironman

For every woman who has said: “I could never”, “I’ll do it when”, or “not in this lifetime”. It's often a shock to people when they find out that I’m not naturally sporty. "Being fit" was only something…

by Dr Allison van der Riet

May 9, 2024

5 Changes an aesthetics doctor wants you to make to your skincare routine this winter in the Lowveld

We don’t really have much of a winter season in the Lowveld. Yet despite this, we still suffer the effects of the season on our skins. By understanding the changes and making a few small tweaks to your…

by Kelly van Rooyen

April 28, 2024

5 Steps to repair our connection to our children (and ourselves) when we’ve “reacted” in a way that we aren’t proud of

Last week I did a talk on anxiety in children, and how we can show up to support them as parents. It ended up being a wonderful (almost) two hours of vulnerable conversations with some incredible parents at Hanya House in…

by Erin Slingerland

April 26, 2024

How a Functional Medicine Doctor recommends we supplement to stay on top of life (and our bank balance)

Dr. Rav James is known as the “sugar eliminator” to her many patients seeking to reverse disease and optimise their healthspan. The founder of one of the Lowveld’s first Functional Medicine practices and co-founder of Hanya House Wellness…

by Ryan James

April 18, 2024

Reaching Down: In a single painting this artist communicates my biggest learnings from three years training to be a Master Life Coach

One of my biggest take-aways from three years training to be a Master Life Coach has been to get really curious about “the darkness”. Which is why the Majak Bredell painting that I talk about in the video…

by Ryan James

April 16, 2024

Community Voices: Absa Cape Epic finisher, Julia Westoby, discusses 6000kms of training, lessons in the saddle, & re-adjusting to life after such a big event

White River local, Julia Westoby lost her dad to colon cancer eight years ago. She describes this as a turning point and, now in her mid-forties, she is steadily conquering thousands of kilometers at a time, most recently…

by Erin Slingerland

April 12, 2024

Our recent Women’s Health Talk: 3 Insights I want to share with every woman

Womanhood used to feel oddly scary and isolating. I grew up feeling (and still sometimes feel) so shameful about natural bodily processes. I believed periods must be gross since they couldn’t be spoken about in public. Many women…

by Kelly van Rooyen

April 12, 2024

Attuning to our children’s lived experiences and supporting them (and us) through anxiety

I’m sure all of us know what it feels like to experience anxiety, and how we respond to it in our own lives. We may even know what we need to do to manage it, when we can.…

by Claire Takahasi

April 10, 2024

Several years ago, in the midst of a deep depression and insomnia season, all I could do was paint

“Once upon a time, the darkness fell and there in the nothing everything was born.” Claire Takahashi —--- Several years ago, in the midst of a deep depression and insomnia season, all I could do was paint. The world felt…

by Ryan James

March 20, 2024

Community Voices: Melissa Appel (Joubert) Discusses Salty Chips, Blind-Dates, Onions, & Stairways to Heaven

Most people will know of Body Stress Release (BSR) practitioner, Melissa Appel (Joubert). But how many of you know that she sings “Stairway to Heaven”? It’s a fitting song for her because she believes in – among other…

by Dr. Rav James

February 18, 2024

Let’s Play the “What’s Controversial in Health?” Game

Apparently heating ready-made meals in plastic containers in microwaves generally isn’t seen as controversial. Margarine and seed oils aren’t seen as controversial. Taking pharmaceutical drugs for life (in cases where there are other ways) isn’t seen as controversial.…

by Cathy Flores

February 15, 2024

Understanding Speech Sound Disorders

A speech sound disorder is one of the most common paediatric communication disorders and forms a large part of a Speech Therapist’s caseload. It refers to any difficulty or combination of difficulties with the perception, motor production or…

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 van der Riet

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…

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,…

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…

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