In the bustling landscape of Dubai’s wellness industry, where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge innovation, few educators have demonstrated the rare combination of clinical expertise, educational passion, and entrepreneurial vision that defines transformative leadership in holistic healthcare. Sunita Teckchand stands as a testament to what emerges when decades of healing experience converge with unwavering dedication to natural wellness and a commitment to empowering others through authentic knowledge transfer.
Her journey spans over two decades across aromatherapy, reflexology, and integrated holistic therapies, creating a unique perspective that bridges the gap between ancient healing wisdom and modern therapeutic application. From her early days establishing one of Dubai’s first specialized aromatherapy centers in 1999 to her current role as a global educator through The Holistic Alternatives digital platform, Sunita has consistently championed authentic holistic education in an industry often dominated by superficial wellness trends.
“Go for it 100% you will never regret it,” Sunita reflects on her advice to aspiring holistic therapists. “Myself, coming from a corporate background, my life changed completely when I decided to follow alternative therapies. Not only for myself but my family, friends, peers, teachers, mentors all saw that shift happen internally.”
THE FOUNDATION YEARS: FROM PERSONAL HEALING TO PROFESSIONAL CALLING
Sunita’s defining moment came not through academic study, but through personal necessity. As a teenager heavily involved in sports, she suffered a back injury that conventional medicine couldn’t resolve. “I went to several doctors, chiropractors, acupuncturists and nothing helped even after taking so many pharmaceutical drugs,” she recalls. It was her sister’s intervention that introduced her to aromatherapy, a modality that completely healed her pain and set the trajectory for her entire career.
This personal transformation, combined with childhood observations of her mother’s kitchen remedies using turmeric for burns and wounds, created the foundation for her lifelong belief in natural healing. “I have always been a firm believer in natural cures even when I was little and saw my mum make things from spices in the kitchen cupboard and that peeked my interest as I saw the results,” she explains.
The subsequent milestones tell a story of continuous innovation and expanding influence. The establishment of eSSensuals Aromatherapy Centre in 1999 marked Dubai’s introduction to specialized holistic healthcare, operating with one of the first rehabilitation licenses from DHA that allowed treatment of both men and women equally. This pioneering venture ran successfully for nine years until Sunita’s own health challenged her to practice what she preached about self-care.
BUILDING BRIDGES THROUGH EDUCATION: THE INSTITUTE YEARS
After recovering from overwork-induced health issues, Sunita’s vision expanded beyond individual healing to systemic change through education. The 2009 launch of The Holistic Institute in JLT represented a bold step into formal holistic education, offering KHDA-accredited diplomas in Clinical Aromatherapy, Reflexology, and Therapeutic Massage.
“This was a haven for anyone to come and learn Clinical Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Therapeutic Massage and so much more while attaining diplomas in their chosen field,” Sunita explains. The institute operated for five years, establishing Dubai as a serious destination for holistic education before regulatory changes forced its closure.
Rather than viewing this setback as defeat, Sunita saw opportunity for global expansion. Her freelance teaching experiences in Hong Kong and London in 2015 revealed the potential for digital education delivery, leading to the birth of The Holistic Alternatives as a fully digital learning platform. “It took almost 1.5 years to put the platform together and today it is fully functional with students online achieving amazing results in the field of Clinical aromatherapy and receiving full diplomas from The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists UK.”
DEFINING AUTHENTIC HOLISTIC EDUCATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Sunita’s approach to holistic education goes beyond simple knowledge transfer to encompass personal transformation and professional credibility. Her methodology emphasizes the importance of proper accreditation and professional development, recognizing that credibility in alternative therapies requires rigorous standards.
“Getting a proper accreditation and becoming a member of a professional affiliation/organization is very important,” she explains. “It gives you credibility as a practitioner of alternative therapies. You need to continue with your education with ‘Continued Professional Development’ courses to show that you are still in the field as a practitioner/therapist.”
Her students receive Level 5-6 higher education qualifications and diplomas from The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists UK, ensuring they meet international standards for clinical practice. The comprehensive curriculum requires completion within three years and includes extensive case studies, reflecting Sunita’s belief that true competency comes through practical application rather than theoretical knowledge alone.
PERSONALIZATION: THE HEART OF HOLISTIC HEALING
Sunita’s therapeutic philosophy centers on the principle that effective healing must be uniquely tailored to each individual. This approach distinguishes her practice from conventional medical protocols and represents the core value proposition of authentic holistic care.
“As a Holistic practitioner we work with a client and offer them a personalized treatment created only for them, for their issue and this is the beauty of a professional session,” she explains. “When you create a blend for a client you are creating something that works for them and only them, you cannot use the same blend for the second person coming to see you.”
This individualized approach extends beyond aromatherapy to encompass multiple modalities including reflexology, Jin Shin Jyutsu, regression therapy, kinesiology, and manual lymphatic drainage. Her ability to integrate these diverse approaches demonstrates the depth of knowledge required for truly holistic practice.
“In one day I could be doing a Jin Shin Jyutsu session with one client and the next a clinical reflexology session, followed by a regression session, followed by a manual lymphatic drainage massage. It all depends how I can best help the client achieve the results they are seeking.”
NAVIGATING REGULATORY CHALLENGES: PIONEERING IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY
Sunita’s experience establishing holistic therapies in Dubai has provided her with unique insights into the challenges facing alternative healthcare practitioners in regulated environments. When she arrived from Hong Kong in 1997, “there was honestly nothing happening here as far as holistic therapies were concerned and it was difficult explaining to the authorities what aromatherapy was.”
Her innovative approach to education and awareness involved grassroots community engagement through coffee mornings and mall workshops. “I would do coffee mornings, short workshops in the centre of the mall where I opened, inviting anyone who wanted to listen and learn or experience alternative therapies and it worked. The groups got larger and we spread more information.”
Despite these successes, regulatory recognition remains challenging. “The authorities here did not understand the actual meaning of what a Clinical Aromatherapist can do and we were shunned away, as we do not have a title of MD or a PHD, which is sad, because everywhere in the world you are recognized,” she notes, highlighting the global inconsistency in alternative therapy recognition.
TRANSFORMATION THROUGH EVIDENCE: THE POWER OF CLINICAL AROMATHERAPY
Sunita’s enthusiasm for clinical aromatherapy stems from her extensive observation of its therapeutic impact, particularly in mental health applications. Her approach emphasizes evidence-based practice while honoring traditional wisdom.
“Clinical aromatherapy shouts out to me as I have seen so much recovery with it, especially with mental health issues. Inhaling essential oils is one of the best evidence based studies for mental health conditions,” she explains. “Our olfactory system and the limbic system works wonders for our thoughts, anxiety, anger, resentment, depression and a whole lot of issues.”
This scientific understanding combined with practical application creates the foundation for her educational approach. Students learn not just how to blend oils, but why specific combinations work and how to adapt treatments based on individual client responses.
FOSTERING AUTHENTIC CONNECTIONS: COMMUNITY AND MENTORSHIP
Sunita’s approach to education emphasizes ongoing relationships rather than transactional knowledge transfer. Her digital platform facilitates community building among students and practitioners worldwide, creating networks of support that extend far beyond course completion.
“Students still connect with me directly and ask for certain blends when they get stuck, so the connections are always there with most students,” she shares. This ongoing mentorship reflects her belief that holistic education is a lifelong journey requiring continued support and guidance.
Her most memorable success story involves an Iraqi veterinarian who overcame language barriers and personal challenges to achieve double diploma distinctions in IFPA and ITEC certifications. “She had 3 small children when she started with me and her husband was not here with her. With all that she accomplished completing the course with a smile. A great lesson for me, especially with the hardships she went through to achieve her goals.”
PRESERVING INTEGRITY: RESISTING COMMERCIALIZATION OF ANCIENT WISDOM
As the wellness industry experiences unprecedented growth, Sunita maintains strong positions on authenticity and integrity in holistic education. Her perspective on industry evolution reflects deep respect for traditional sources and concern about commercial dilution of ancient practices.
“I am still old school I believe what we learnt from basics still exist,” she explains. “When you have something already existing from source, you are not creating anything NEW you are changing the name and adding or deleting things that represent that modality and you have just put your name in it.”
This commitment to source integrity extends to her teaching methodology, which honors ancient traditions while incorporating modern understanding. Her reference to Egyptian civilization’s use of essential oils in mummification processes illustrates how historical wisdom can inform contemporary practice without requiring artificial modernization.
DAILY PRACTICE: LIVING THE PRINCIPLES
Sunita’s personal commitment to holistic principles extends beyond professional practice to daily life integration. Her routine demonstrates how ancient wisdom can be practically applied in contemporary living.
“I meditate when I get sometime and I use essential oils every day in some format or another, whether it’s an application via the skin, or inhalation, or in the bath/shower,” she shares. This daily practice includes encouraging her children to use essential oils preventively, creating a family culture aligned with natural wellness principles.
Her philosophy that “students are my teachers” reflects the humility and continuous learning mindset essential for authentic holistic practice. “I always thank them for my learnings, and this continues until today whenever I teach. I am forever grateful.”
THE RIPPLE EFFECT: HEALING SOCIETY THROUGH INDIVIDUAL TRANSFORMATION
Sunita’s vision extends beyond individual healing to societal transformation through widespread adoption of holistic principles. Her approach recognizes that authentic healing creates ripple effects that benefit entire communities.
“You are helping people who need support in a holistic manner without drugs, without being addicted to certain medication. You cannot become addicted to aromatherapy, it is a science and an art of using plant medicine to help heal you from within, in all aspects of your life,” she explains.
This perspective positions holistic therapy as a meaningful career path that serves broader social good. “It is also a very meaningful career because you see your clients shift and change from something you dedicated to learn and support and help them with what better way of giving back to society?”
A LEGACY OF AUTHENTIC TRANSFORMATION
Sunita Teckchand represents a generation of educators who have witnessed the evolution of wellness from alternative fringe practice to mainstream acceptance while maintaining unwavering commitment to authentic principles. Her career demonstrates that principled education can thrive across industry transformations when grounded in genuine care, evidence-based practice, and respect for traditional wisdom.
Her influence extends beyond individual student relationships to shape industry standards and professional credibility. Through her online platform, she educates practitioners worldwide who carry forward authentic holistic principles. Through her ongoing clinical practice, she continues demonstrating the practical application of integrated healing approaches.
As the wellness industry continues expanding globally, educators like Sunita provide essential guidance on maintaining therapeutic integrity while embracing beneficial innovations. Her example demonstrates that authentic transformation requires both clinical expertise and spiritual understanding, creating practitioners who can genuinely serve the highest good of their clients and communities.
The future of holistic healthcare will be shaped by educators who understand that true healing encompasses mind, body, and spirit integration. Sunita Teckchand’s career provides a roadmap for achieving this integration while maintaining the highest standards of professional competency and ethical practice.
