Kelia Moniz built her life around the ocean. She is a five-time world longboard champion who spent years traveling, competing, and balancing family and business. Her world moved fast, and she handled it with style, but the pace eventually caught up with her.
By the time she arrived at Sensei Lānaʻi, she felt worn down from nonstop decisions. The 32-year-old athlete wanted to unplug completely and let her mind settle.
Lānaʻi hit her differently. As a Native Hawaiian, she felt a personal pull the moment she stepped onto the island. The land carries a quiet strength, and the resort sits in a forested region that feels far from everyday noise. She said it reminded her of ancestral living, simple and grounded, and that this connection played a huge role in her reset.
A Reset at Sensei Lānaʻi
@fslanai / IG / Sensei Lānaʻi, A Four Seasons Resort, is an adults-only wellness haven shaped by a clear philosophy called the Sensei Way.
It blends science, data, and mindful living into three paths: Move, Nourish, and Rest. Each space on the property supports these pillars. Nothing feels cluttered or chaotic. The entire environment points you toward ease, which is a gift when your brain arrives buzzing.
The Sensei Way grew from years of research along with preventive medicine expert Dr. David Agus. Instead of strict rules, the team helps you understand your habits so you can make healthy choices long after you leave. It is simple, practical, and grounded in evidence. Kelia said the structure helped her feel supported instead of controlled, which made it easier to sink into the experience.
One feature that sets Sensei apart is its guided program that begins even before arrival. Guests can join the Optimal Wellbeing Program, which includes consultations and personal goal mapping. Once you reach the resort, you meet with Sensei Guides who help translate your health data into realistic actions. It mixes science with real conversation in a way that feels personal instead of clinical.
Kelia spent time with a mindset guide who used biofeedback tools to show her brain waves in real time. Watching her stress rise and fall on a screen gave her a clearer picture of what calm actually looks like. Her guide taught her quick techniques to return to center, and encouraged her to treat each interruption as a chance to practice.
Nourish, Rest, Repeat
Sensei’s approach goes far beyond workouts and mindset tools. Nourishment plays a big role, but without the pressure many athletes feel around food. Meals come from the resort’s hydroponic farm and local producers, which means every dish is packed with fresh ingredients. The menu focuses on clean fuel, not complications.
Kelia / IG / Kelia said she enjoyed letting go of constant meal planning, which can feel like a second job when you have an athletic past.
The spa is another major pillar of the experience. Sensei Lānaʻi features private Japanese-inspired spa villas called hale. Each one includes an infrared sauna, steam room, outdoor onsen, and cold plunge. You can move through the spaces on your own with no schedule to follow.
Kelia loved having nowhere else to be and nothing to check. Her body softened, her thoughts slowed, and she said she had the deepest sleep she has had in years.
For the star surfer, the shift was strong enough that she extended her stay. She said the biggest win was gaining muscle memory for deep rest. Once she felt it, she knew how to return to it in her daily routine. She recommends this kind of reset for moms, caregivers, and anyone who has learned to live tired.
