|
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
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 Nivalink Help- Individual
Guests Health
Tourism Companies -
Selection
of the Ayurveda Resort or a Spa and Reservation on on going basis -
Servicing other needs
of the same customer related to the trip, Reservation of allied services. How
to reserve - Please email to ayurveda@nivalink.com
for any reservation queries you may have and we will reply promptly with options
and initiate a set of email interactions which eventually will lead to a firm
cost estimate (Resorts, therapies, transportation etc.).
|
