Wellness is a 1.5 trillion dollar market globally, and people are now interested in wellness categories like fitness, health, nutrition, and mindfulness. It can be observed that quite a sea change has happened in how we eat and what we want to do with our bodies.
The Global Wellness Institute forecasts that consumers will continue to increase spending on wellness, and the global wellness economy will grow at an annual rate of 8.6 percent. By the end of this year, it will reach $6.3 trillion, $7.4 trillion in 2025, and $8.5 trillion in 2027, which is almost double its size in 2020. But we do not have to spend a lot of money on wellness to “be well,” and there are many activities and lifestyle choices that we can pursue to support our health and well-being that do not cost anything at all.
With all of these changes and enthusiasm lurking, the Sunday Observer sat with Dr. Miuru Jayaweera to delve into her holistic wellness program, which creates space for people to focus on their wellness journey by combining yoga, fitness, calisthenics and nutrition. Her program, offered through the Myrus Colombo Center, focuses on personalising wellness journeys to enhance both physical and mental health.
Explaining the inspiration behind creating a holistic wellness approach, Dr. Jayaweera said that the concept of Myrus started with the idea of merging two unique backgrounds. “ One of us is a yogi, and the other is an international cricketer. While one brings experience in sports, the other brings a background in spiritual wellness. We believed that combining these two fields would provide a more holistic approach, addressing physical fitness alongside mental and emotional well-being. Our sub-brand, Myrus Power Abs, exemplifies this philosophy by integrating wellness and fat loss with components such as hormonal balancing and calming the mind. This approach goes beyond traditional weight loss by addressing not only the physical body but also what we call the “energy body” and “psychological body”—the different layers of human existence, all of which are interconnected.
Stress or depression
We’ve seen people who might look fit but still struggle internally with stress or depression. Our goal was to bridge this gap, creating a comprehensive method that includes fitness, sports, and wellness. That’s essentially the foundation of the Myrus Colombo Center.
When asked to walk us through how a typical session of her program would be, she said that People come to us for a range of reasons—some for weight loss, others for mental well-being, or even just to feel better overall. “ Let me share an example. Recently, we had a client with an impressive athletic background and a great physique, yet he struggled with low self-esteem and workplace stress, feeling unappreciated and stuck. He used the gym as an outlet, but it wasn’t enough to address his emotional and mental needs.
We start by addressing nutrition because what you eat has a big impact on how you feel. I introduced him to Ayurveda-based nutrition, helping him cut out processed sugars, junk food, and stimulants like caffeine. After a few weeks, he felt improvements in digestion, which positively affected his mood.
Then we introduced yoga into his routine. Yoga asanas are designed to heal specific areas of the body, targeting glands and hormones, and aligning the body’s energy. We also incorporated breathwork, which is crucial for balancing hormones and the nervous system. Breathwork alone can be transformative, affecting everything from cortisol levels (linked to stress) to testosterone (linked to confidence). This combination of diet, yoga, and breathwork created a holistic environment for him to gain self-confidence and feel genuinely happier.
After he adjusted to this routine, we slowly introduced meditation to help him focus and clear his mind. Techniques such as walking meditation, candlelight gazing, and guided silence helped him reconnect with himself. He progressed further with consistent support from our team, and as a result, his mental clarity and overall satisfaction increased.
For others, such as a menopausal client, we tailor the program to address hormonal imbalances, which can be barriers to weight loss and well-being. Our Power Abs program has helped clients regain physical fitness and reduce symptoms like diabetes, high cholesterol, and insomnia.
Moving into yoga, where Dr Miuru has earned more fame in the town, she said that Myrus is different because we blend fitness and wellness in a way that’s truly holistic.
“Personally, I have maintained a fitness routine for over 27 years, balancing yoga and strength training.
One distinctive aspect is our focus on calisthenics—a strength-training method that relies on body weight rather than machines.
Calisthenics is gaining popularity worldwide but is still new to Sri Lanka. Unlike machine-based exercises, calisthenics allows clients to control their movements and build strength naturally, minimising the risk of injury. It pairs perfectly with yoga, enhancing one’s ability to perform advanced asanas and challenging poses by building core strength and mental resilience.
We’re also introducing resistance band training, Olympic weightlifting (with barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells), and functional fitness exercises, which increase mobility and joint strength.
The Myrus model combines all these fitness elements with yoga, nutrition, and mental practices, making it a complete approach to health and wellness. We’re creating not only strong bodies but also balanced minds and energy bodies.
For example, we design six-exercise routines that target the full body, combining calisthenics, resistance bands, strength conditioning, and kettlebells. Depending on their needs, they can work out for 30 minutes or spend more time here. It’s a versatile setup that accommodates different levels of fitness and availability.
Hormonal health
When it comes to hormonal health, changes need to happen across multiple layers: nutrition, yoga, and meditation. Nutrition, in particular, is crucial because it impacts hormone levels. We have a video guide that explains dietary choices based on individual goals, from weight loss to weight maintenance. Hormonal balancing, however, requires a comprehensive package that includes consultations and a complete wellness approach.
Each client starts with a consultation, where we assess their needs, goals, and lifestyle. Our model is flexible. We aim to make Myrus a supportive, welcoming space that goes beyond traditional gyms and studios.
Reflecting on the wellness industry’s rapid growth, Dr. Jayaweera said that wellness is accessible to everyone and doesn’t require significant expense. “While the global wellness industry has seen explosive growth, you don’t have to spend heavily to pursue a healthy lifestyle,” she said. “Many of the practices we teach at Myrus are designed to be incorporated into daily life, making wellness achievable and affordable.”
