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HOW TO CHOOSE
AYURVEDA / SPA STAY IN INDIA
There are several Ayurveda
Resorts and Spas spread across India catering a wide range of
clientele and for a variety of Reasons. This section intends
to give guests a perspective on them and therefore help them
choose the correct option for them
Resorts
offering Ayurveda Stays
Basic
Difference between Ayurveda and Spa :
Ayurveda is age old Indian Science that has evolved over
period of centuries a set of alternative medicines and
therapies that are required to be customised for individual
body constitution for effective results. Ayurveda apparently
given the time and correct application of procedures and
follow ups, can cure all ailments. Some of the Ailments that
are treated are Arthritis, Psoriasis, High Blood Pressure,
Parkinson's Disease, Asthama, acidity etc.
Ayurveda also has developed a
set of therapies and processes for Rejuvenation (Feel Good) ,
Stress relief (De-stress), Detoxification (From Tobacco etc.)
and Body Purification (Panchkarma).
Ayurveda is not just a massage
or a set of treatments but a way of life and its more
effective if undertaken for longer period and a stay of 7
nights or longer is always recommended. After effects of
Ayurveda are more long term in nature and guests are expected
to follow the diet recommendations after the stay and do a
follow up later for better and more sustainable results.
The word spa comes from the
Latin meaning "health through water." Modern spas have
evolved from ancient European towns known for the healing
powers of their springs. Spas range from a day spa , where
people can drop in for massage and body treatments on a
day-use basis OR destination spas where people immerse
themselves in a total spa experience for several days. Spas
target Rejuvenation (Feel Good) aspect and therefore a minimum
stay is not recommended and guests can even enjoy the benefits
over a weekend. Spas world over have come to associate with
luxury and style and celebrities and glitterati have been
known to patronise them regularly.
Different
Category of Ayurveda Resorts and Spas :
-
Ayurveda
Only Resort - These are a set of Ayurveda resorts catering
to mainly serious Ayurveda treatment and cure related stays
(e.g Kairali Ayurvedic Resort). These resorts are equipped
with full set of ayurveda doctors and treatment Rooms and are
geared to deal with any serious ailment besides rejuvenation
and Panchkarma stays. Some of the Ayurveda doctors have
themselves started small but highly personalised stays which
some guests prefer (e.g. Hari Vihar). Some of these have now
become full-fledged resorts themselves (e.g. Cherai Resort).
Typically there are two sessions a day for about 2 hours each.
Besides these there are yoga sessions. Resorts offer various
options to guests occupied and interested (Some may have a
swimming pool, library, open interaction sessions, organised
trips around the area etc.). Meals are strictly ayurveda meals
(No Alcohol, No Meat, No spices customised by doctor as per
individual requirement). High end Ayurveda only Resort like
Kalari Kovilakom employ specialised Chefs that can cook up
interesting dishes as per ayurveda specifications. One of the
biggest area of difference with other category of resorts is
the amount of pre-visit and after-visit support they offer.
Guests are in contact with the doctor well before their
arrival and well after their departure.
-
Beach,
Backwater, Mountain Resort - These are well located
resorts having ayurveda facilities. Here guest looks at having
a relaxed long stay at a serene location coupled with
Ayurveda. e.g. Aquaserene, Coconut Lagoon
While most resorts having a full-fledged Ayurveda centre are
capable of treating serious ailments, they end up getting a
lot of rejuvenation and Panchkarma stays. A lot of these
category resorts have limited treatment rooms and ayurveda
doctor and staff and therefore are not able to handle beyond
rejuvenation and Panchkarma stays. Its important to ascertain
this before reserving an ayurveda stay.
-
Health
Resort - A health resort is where guests visit for a
long-stay for relaxation coupled with a few treatments /
therapies. Here idea is to relax while your ailments are being
worked upon. Some of the health resorts also employ
Naturopathy Diet, spiritual healing, Yoga etc. for treating
both body and mind together.
-
Destination Spa - This is a luxury resort that offers
extensive set of Spa therapies. These are typically located in
close vicinity of a metro city and have a lot of corporate
patronage. Therapies on offer could be as diverse as Stone
Therapy, Chocolate Massage, Wine Therapy etc. e.g. Windflower
Spa Mysore. They may or may not offer some Ayurveda therapies.
Season and
Climate requirement for Ayurveda :
It is believed that Ayurveda is most effective in warm and
humid climate without any temperature control (No AC). Monsoon
is considered a very good season for Ayurveda. However
Ayurveda is effective even at Hill stations located at
moderate heights and having persistent rains are also found to
be effective e.g. Orange County Coorg, Tea County Munnar and
Ananda in the Himalayas at Rishikesh.
Factors
contributing to success of an Ayurveda Stay :
-
Time -
Ayurveda is a highly customised set of procedures. So to
understand the body constitution and to customise and based on
the responses adapt further, the doctor and his team prefers
to have some. Anything less than a week is considered not
enough. Even for 1 week stay, guests can be requested to do a
follow up visit later for maximum benefit.
-
Experience
- Ayurveda is a highly customised set of procedures. It
helps for a doctor to have handled or have access to a large
set of cases to be able to end up suggesting most optimal set
of procedures. This is particularly required for complex and
serious ailments. Some of the resorts in Kerala are managed by
a Second or Third Generation Ayurveda Doctor (Father and Grand
Father have been Ayurveda Doctors) e.g. Sarovaram and
therefore privy to a large set of in-house case studies. Some
larger and a decade old resorts like Kairali have built their
own set of experienced doctors who have been there for over 10
years treating thousands of guests over that time.
-
Adherence
- Guests have often shown inability to understand seriousness
of the restrictions and lifestyle changes prescribed and shown
resistance / Inability to adapt once they are back to their
life. This effectively often negates the positives gained out
of a stay.
-
Information - Ayurveda doctors prefer to have full patient
medical history for evaluation. Guests often are unable to
provide this information and thus making task of customising
and adapting that much more difficult.
-
Patience
- Guests sometimes are not prepared to be patient enough to
understand the purpose and undertake the extensive Massages
like Full body Oil Massage etc. Ayurveda needs a bit of
patience and understanding and any expectation of instant
result should be thrown out of the window straightaway.
How can Tolu
Tours Help
Individual
Guests :
Health
Tourism Companies :
-
Selection
of the Ayurveda Resort or a Spa and Reservation on on going
basis
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Servicing
other needs of the same customer related to the trip,
Reservation of allied services.
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