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Dubai has long been synonymous with beauty and indulgence — but in recent years, the city’s allure has expanded into something deeper: a thriving culture of holistic wellness.
Spotting this shift, entrepreneur Tanya S. Mansotra answered the call with a vision of her own. The result? Sohum Wellness Sanctuary – a serene space dedicated to mind, body, and soul, built from Tanya’s personal journey and lifelong devotion to healing arts and spiritual practices.
At Sohum, ancient wisdom meets contemporary technique, offering an experience far beyond a traditional spa. Think timeless rituals reimagined through a modern lens, designed to restore balance, unlock inner calm, and help people reconnect with their most authentic selves.
In a city brimming with luxury, Sohum sets itself apart by redefining what wellness can mean. In this edition of the GRAZIA Career Edit, Tanya shares the story behind her sanctuary – and how she carved out a tranquil escape in one of the world’s most competitive landscapes.
My current role is…
TSM: Founder of Sohum Wellness Sanctuary, where I’ve woven together ancient healing traditions and modern practices to create a space where people can find their way back to themselves, their way back to stillness, self-discovery, and balance.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
TSM: A doctor – so I wouldn’t have to get injections! But also, a princess, and sometimes even a fairy. I’d put on a crown, wear pink dresses, and convince myself the world saw me that way.
My favourite subject at school was…
TSM: Art and music. I loved painting and I also played the electric guitar. I even had a band for a little while. Creativity was always my safe space, even when school itself felt restrictive.
My first job was…
TSM: I never had a traditional 9–5 job. From a young age, I was drawn to healing, whether through tarot, sound baths, or energy work. I freelanced, read cards for strangers, and even did healing sessions on the beach. I preferred strangers, because they didn’t judge.
My career path so far has been…
TSM: A journey of self-discovery and healing. What began as a personal search for balance and deeper meaning grew into a mission to help others reconnect with themselves. Throughout my life, I was surrounded by high achievers: family, mentors, and friends who, despite their success, often struggled with imbalance and burnout. Witnessing this affirmed my belief that true wellbeing isn’t found in achievement alone, but in alignment. My father, who founded Sohum’s first spas 18 years ago, instilled in me structure and discipline, while I chose to carve my own path, one rooted in purpose, energy, and holistic living.
The role the UAE has played in my career is…
TSM: Dubai gave me a stage. It’s a city of dreamers and doers, a place where ideas can grow quickly without as many barriers. People here are open, curious, and ready to embrace new ways of living. It felt like the perfect hub to reimagine Sohum as a modern sanctuary, and from here the vision can expand across the world.
The story of Sohum Wellness Sanctuary is…
TSM: It began with my father’s vision for luxury spas nearly two decades ago. When I stepped in, I felt called to evolve it into something more holistic: not just body, but mind and soul. Today, Sohum is a sanctuary where people reconnect with themselves, through Ayurveda, sound healing, yoga, and conscious dining. It’s both a family legacy and a personal mission.
I was inspired to enter the wellness space because…
TSM: Fashion was my first love. I studied design at Esmod in Dubai in 2014, and while I eventually shifted away, it taught me the importance of aesthetics, storytelling, and how people express themselves. Today, those influences show up in Sohum’s design, branding, and digital presence, it’s wellness with a sense of beauty and modernity.
My daily routine consists of…
TSM: Morning visualisation, affirmations, and breathwork, because the mind doesn’t always know what’s real or imagined, and I believe in imprinting positive states. I do a short yoga practice after a shower (it’s a sign of respect to arrive cleansed to the session), and I try to read a few pages of a self-help book daily. Evenings are about unwinding. Sometimes meditation, sometimes Netflix with my loved ones. Balance, for me, is discipline mixed with softness.
My role as Founder entails…
TSM: I hold the vision, curate the right healers, design the experiences, and protect the energy of the space. More than running a business, it feels like holding a sacred responsibility to create a safe container for people to come back to themselves.
The biggest hurdle I have experienced in my career…
TSM: Balancing heart and business. I want Sohum to be a space of service and healing, but at the same time it must be sustainable and profitable. Reconciling these two worlds, purpose and profit, is an ongoing challenge for me.
The biggest milestone I have achieved is…
TSM: Creating Sohum as it is today. On a personal level, finding my life partner has been equally transformative. He’s been my grounding force, showing me that love can be supportive, steady, and deeply kind.
A quote I live by is…
TSM: “We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” For me, this means life is a temporary adventure for the soul, a reminder not to get too caught up in the material, but to honour the deeper journey.
What I hope for 2025 is…
TSM: To live fully in the present. My vision is for Sohum to expand globally, across India, Indonesia, the Middle East, hotels, and airport lounges, but my personal hope is simpler: to take it one day at a time, with openness and gratitude.
