By Veronica Carpio, Editor at The Wellness Collective

Perched high above Dubai’s skyline, where sky and sea blur into a seamless horizon, wellness finds a new expression. At AURA Skypool, the world’s highest 360° infinity pool, “elevated living” transcends the view — it’s a philosophy rooted in balance, connection, and transformation.

In this exclusive interview, Dean Stuart Jarvis, Director of Operations for the DayLife Division at Sunset Hospitality Group, shares how Wellness in the Sky is redefining the way we experience movement and mindfulness. From sunrise yoga and floating meditation to high-performance collaborations with global wellness pioneers, AURA’s approach blends science, community, and sensory design into one holistic philosophy.

As Dubai’s wellness culture continues to soar, AURA stands out not just as a destination — but as a living, breathing ecosystem of aspiration and well-being, where every element is curated to inspire a life beautifully in balance.

What inspired the creation of “Wellness in the Sky,” and how does it align with AURA’s overarching vision?

AURA Skypool has always stood for more than its iconic 360° infinity pool – it’s about redefining what elevated living truly feels like. The creation of Wellness in the Sky was born from a desire to design a mind–body experience as awe-inspiring as the view itself. We envisioned a space where movement meets mindfulness, where wellness is immersive, intentional, and accessible to all.

Curated by our resident wellness coach, Emilse, the program blends yoga, functional movement, and sensory healing with curated themes such as balance, flow, and strength. Each session is framed by AURA’s unwavering commitment to excellence, offering a holistic journey that reflects our core values of innovation, connection, and transformation. At its heart, Wellness in the Sky embodies AURA’s broader vision to provide experiences that are not only physically enriching but also deeply restorative, experiential, and beautifully personal.

While AURA is globally recognised for its breathtaking views, our brand’s evolution reflects a deeper mission: to inspire an aspirational lifestyle that resonates with wellness, balance, and community. Over the past four years, Wellness has become a celebrated pillar of the brand evolving from hosting simple yoga sessions into a comprehensive, year-round wellness program.

Our in-house yoga offerings invite guests of all levels to experience the venue in extraordinary ways, from Aqua Yoga in the Skypool to Dance Flow sessions. As part of this evolution, AURA even commissioned handmade Tibetan singing bowls and a gong which were all hand hammered in Pokhara, Nepal ensuring each piece is unique, reflecting our dedication to authenticity and depth in every practice.

Today, AURA Skypool Wellness continues to expand through strategic collaborations with leading home grown and international wellness brands including CRANK, Barry’s, Technogym, Longevity, Breasy, Bioniq, Humantra, and the Dubai Fitness Challenge to name a few. Each partnership strengthens our mission to unite communities and deliver unique, aspirational experiences that celebrate wellness in its most inspiring form.

How does AURA’s wellness offering fit into broader wellness trends in Dubai / GCC?

The wellness landscape across the GCC has evolved dramatically, with individuals increasingly seeking experiences that extend beyond the traditional gym or spa. Dubai, in particular, has positioned itself as a global hub for high performance, lifestyle drivenwellness and AURA stands proudly at the forefront of this transformation.

Our offerings align with the region’s leading trends: immersive wellness experiences, recovery focused practices, community driven fitness, and multi-sensory engagement. From sunrise yoga and floating meditation to ice baths in collaboration with Bioniq, AURA continues to push the boundaries of personalised health and holistic performance. Our dynamic partnerships with brands such as CRANK and other leading wellness innovators further reflect our commitment to delivering both performance and presence in equal measure.

What truly sets AURA apart is our location and philosophy; wellness, quite literally, elevated. The blend of panoramic views, world-class programming, and thoughtful amenities positions AURA as a benchmark for next generation wellness in the GCC.

At AURA, we don’t follow trends, we set them. We’re redefining what elevated wellness means by creating qualitative, transformative experiences that go far beyond a yoga class with a view. Our goal is to inspire and engage a diverse community of wellness enthusiasts from beginners to seasoned practitioners offering every guest an experience that is immersive, intentional, and distinctly AURA.

What’s next for the brand — are there any innovations or unique concepts in the pipeline that will further differentiate you in the market?

AURA’s wellness journey continues to evolve, shaped by seasonality, science, and the ever-changing needs of our community. We are expanding our portfolio of immersive and performance driven experiences, while maintaining our unwavering commitment tocuration, quality, and intentional aspirational lifestyle.

Building on a strong foundation, we’re deepening collaborations with leading performance and recovery partners such as CRANK and Longevity Wellness Hub to introduce innovative formats including Micro Lagree sessions and SKYROX, a HYROX-inspired strength and endurance challenge designed for all fitness levels in the sky.

Signature events like the annual Tri in the Sky, held in partnership with the Dubai Fitness Challenge, will continue to redefine what community driven wellness can look like. Blending triathlon disciplines, high-energy movement, and breathtaking surroundings to create unforgettable experiences.

We’re also expanding into recovery and relaxation, with curated massage therapies and multisensory healing sessions that complement AURA’s high-performance offerings. What truly sets AURA apart is the complete ecosystem we’re building where every touchpoint, from movement to nourishment to environment, is crafted with purpose. For us, wellness isn’t a trend; it’s a lifestyle that continues to be reimagined, season after season.

As part of this evolution, the AURA Skypool Boutique continues to extend the brand’s wellness philosophy beyond the venue. This exclusive retail concept features a collection of wellness inspired products from signature scented body oils and bespoke yoga mats to the AURA Fit athleisurewear range allowing guests to bring a piece of AURA’s elevated lifestyle into their everyday. The collection will soon be available online, with home delivery launching by the end of the year.

In addition, AURA continues to welcome influential wellness leaders, including Marisa Peer, celebrity therapist, and Adeyemi Adeyosoye, renowned mental health coach both of whom were very welcomed guests on the AURA Podcast. These collaborations further reinforce our mission to unite global expertise, community, and holistic wellbeing under one sky.