What’s On at Soneva Fushi

Ken Kiriyama was a martial arts prodigy in his teens and for the past three decades he has immersed himself in freediving, swimming, meditation, pranayama, Ayurveda, yoga and fitness, and personal development. He is a student of Umberto Pelizzari, who trained under the legendary Jacques Mayol. He currently holds four national records for Japan in deep freediving and has held the following world rankings: 16th, 10th, 8th (twice) and 6th. He can hold his breath for nearly 8 minutes and dive to 94m on a single breath. Ken is a returning resident specialist at Soneva Fushi, where he is known to help guests overcome their fears and move beyond their perceived limitations. He emphasises that guests have a unique learning experience rediscovering their potential both mentally and physically. Ken has taught people of all ages how to use authentic techniques to enrich their lives and enhance health, well-being and vitality.

Karen Willenbrink-Johnsen is an acclaimed American glass artist known for her nature-inspired sculptures. Her work, often created in collaboration with her husband, Jasen Johnsen, combines technical precision with a deep reverence for the natural world. She has received numerous accolades, including the Acquisition Award from the Tacoma Art Museum (2006) and a Louis Comfort Tiffany Award nomination (1994). Willenbrink-Johnsen’s work has been featured in prestigious exhibitions, including the Corning Museum of Glass and the 52nd Annual International Glass Invitational at Habatat Galleries (2024). As a dedicated educator, she has taught at the Corning Museum of Glass and Pilchuck Glass School. With her innovative approach and passion for nature, Willenbrink-Johnsen continues to make a significant impact on the world of contemporary glass art.

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our younger guests stay inspired and intrigued, Soneva aims to help visiting children and teenagers feel fully supported outside of term time. We have partnered with Oppidan Education, a British-based mentoring firm created to help children continue their learning outside of the classroom and reach their full potential. Along with the Oppidan team, mentors Henry and Jess will be hosting plenty of exciting and engaging activities, as well as complimentary drop-in workshops with fun, educational activities and private, one-on-one appointments, which can be scheduled each afternoon at an additional fee.

Joe Wicks is on a mission to make the world fitter, healthier and happier. The man behind the global fitness brand The Body Coach, his YouTube channel ‘The Body Coach TV’ delivers home workouts for all ages and fitness levels. Inspired by the sense of fulfilment he got from helping his clients get fitter and healthier, Joe started using social media to share nutritious recipes and motivation, which he hoped would make a positive difference in people’s lives. His 15-second videos of meals that take 15 minutes to make quickly attracted a large following and inspired Joe’s first book – Lean in 15. Full of 15-minute recipes and workouts, the book was published in 2015 and has sold over one million copies. It was the UK’s best-selling non-fiction title that year and is the second best-selling cookbook of all time. His ‘PE With Joe’ workout series during the Covid-19 lockdown received over 80 million views and raised more than £580,000 for NHS Charities Together. In 2020, Joe broke the Guinness World Record for the highest number of viewers for a live-streamed workout on YouTube – with over 955,000 viewers taking part.  

Regarded as one of the best glass sculptors, Martin Janecký is returning for a second residency at Soneva Art & Glass after a highly successful residency in 2016. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, showcasing his exceptional mastery of blowing and sculpting “inside the bubble” – a technique that allows him to create remarkable glass sculptures. Janecký began working with glass at the age of thirteen at his father’s factory in the Czech Republic. After graduating from the Glass School in Nový Bor, he gained experiences in South Africa, Sweden, the Netherlands and in the US, where he studied at the Pilchuck Glass School under Richard Royal and William Morris. In 2019, he established Janecky Studio in Prague, further advancing his innovative approach to glass art.

Barbara Schett stands as one of Austria’s most celebrated athletes and its highest-ranked female tennis player in history. With remarkable skill and perseverance, she achieved a career-high WTA singles ranking of World No. 7 and a doubles ranking of World No. 8, solidifying her status among the elite in international tennis. After retiring from professional tennis, Barbara seamlessly transitioned into an international business career. Today, she is a sought-after celebrity endorser and global brand ambassador, representing prestigious brands worldwide. Her expertise and vibrant personality have also established her as a leading sports presenter and analyst for Eurosport, Europe’s premier sports channel, where she delivers live coverage and insightful commentary from Grand Slam tournaments.