Rejuvenation – My Panchakarma journey in an Ayurvedic Beach Village in Kerala

Time for Rejuvenation

The concept of slow living is often overlooked in today’s fast-paced world and finding time for rejuvenation and self-reflection has become an elusive pursuit. Slow living surrounded by nature, well-balanced food tailored to suit your body composition and relaxing massages, all put together make for a perfect vacation and a much-needed rejuvenation for your body, mind and soul.

Realizing the need for a reset, I decided to spend some time in an Ayurvedic retreat. I am happy to share my recent experience at a serene Ayurveda resort in Kerala. There are several Ayurveda Centres in India. I had a tough time choosing the one that would not only be good for treatments but also provide a  relaxing ambience without a strict routine. In other words, I wanted a vacation where I could relax, eat some delicious healthy food and get pampered with Ayurvedic massages. I got much more than what I had asked for.

After reading many reviews and doing some research, I chose Manaltheeram Ayurvedic Beach Village located in Chowara near Kovalam in Kerala. It looked like an ideal place for my requirements. The location is perfect for beach lovers. I mean a clean beach with very few people. You can either go for a Panchakarma treatment or a General Rejuvenation Program. I opted for a Panchakarma program. 21 days is the ideal duration for Panchakarma but it can be tailored for a shorter duration as well. I was there for 2 weeks.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine. It is a holistic way of healing and has no side effects. The concept of Ayurveda is based on the principles of balance and harmony between the body, mind and soul. As per Ayurveda, each individual is unique and their constitution is determined by the balance of the three doshas-Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

The state of Kerala in India has been practising Ayurveda for centuries now. This makes it all the more a perfect destination for Ayurveda.

What is Panchakarma?

Panchakarma is a therapeutic process with a series of cleansing and rejuvenating treatments. It is an ancient system of Ayurveda to eliminate toxins from your body. Now if you are wondering, why would you be having toxins in your body? The answer is, that we all tend to accumulate toxins in our bodies over the years due to lifestyle, stress, pollution and many other factors. Even though a large portion of these toxins get eliminated naturally, the remaining toxins get deposited in our bodies. It is important to get rid of them to ensure a proper balance between the 3 doshas( Vata, Pita and Kapha) to enjoy a healthy body and mind.

While Panchakarma is not a one-size-fits-all solution, its suitability depends on an individual’s constitution and health condition. Qualified Ayurvedic practitioners will advise you on the same.

A few years ago, I did fasting and Detox at Sivananda Yoga Ashram. It was a great experience. This time, I wanted to see what Panchakarma has to offer.

Best time for Ayurvedic treatments

The monsoon season is considered the best time for Ayurvedic treatments because the body responds better to the treatments during this period. The humid climate helps open the skin pores for better absorption of herbs, oils, and medications.

Why an Ayurvedic resort?

My previous Ayurvedic experiences were in typical Ayurveda hospitals, where you undergo treatments with a strict diet served in your room. I felt confined to the four walls of the room most of the time. This time I chose a resort for a more vacation-like atmosphere instead of just a hospital.

My Ayurveda Journey begins

You can book your stay either through booking.com or through the resort’s website.

The resort arranges pick up from Trivandrum airport/ train station. Upon reaching the resort, I received a warm welcome with a garland and traditional Kerala aarti.

My quaint little eco-friendly cottage was comfortable in every aspect. It had a small garden seating area with a partial view of the sea, making it a perfect tropical paradise.

A few minutes after checking into my room, I received a call from the Ayurveda centre that I would have my initial consultation at 2 pm. I was asked to fill in a questionnaire which was quite elaborate. This was to understand my medical history or any other ailments. I met with the doctors and they were great. My consultation went well and they presented a personalized detox plan for my 2 weeks stay. During the initial consultation, I was given a brief introduction to Ayurveda. This is the time they determine your constitution type (Prakriti).

A typical day in the resort

The day starts with the prescribed herbal medicines in the form of tablets and herbal concoctions. Depending on the timing of the treatment session, you can go for a morning walk along the beach or attend the yoga sessions.

I enjoyed a morning walk along the beach and spent some time meditating.  My treatment session was in the mornings which was ideal since I could spend the rest of the day as I wanted to.

About the treatments

Every day, there will be a consultation before your treatment. The doctor observes how your body reacts to the treatments and if necessary, makes appropriate changes in the medicines or treatments.

You’ll be assigned two therapists who work in tandem to give a perfect relaxing effect. There are both indoor and outdoor treatment rooms. I particularly enjoyed the outdoor (open on one side and closed from 3 sides)ones since they were more spacious facing the sea. The sound of the waves during the treatment sessions was therapeutic. Once the treatment for the day is completed, you will be served a fresh coconut.

You are required to wait for one hour before taking a bath.

After lunch, I loved relaxing in a hammock reading a book or lazing by the pool. I was advised not to be exposed to the strong sun.

Evenings were the best with a beach walk and an amazing sunset. On the days when it was raining, I enjoyed sitting outside my room and watching the scenery.

Dinner time was great with an opportunity to meet other guests. It was wonderful having conversations and enjoying dinner.

The ambience of the place is amazing

I liked this place a lot because there is lush greenery, enough space to walk and a beach(almost a private one) a few steps away. It all gave me a very relaxed feeling and I enjoyed the treatment sessions without any stress. I want to specify something here, in an Ayurvedic place, where you are back from treatments with oily robes, having a good housekeeping team is a must and this place exceeded my expectations with a wonderful clean room and replenished toiletries in the bathroom each day.

Every day was so special and time seemed to slow down. Each day, I woke up to the sound of the waves and birds chirping. It was exhilarating living so close to nature.

There were times when I felt tired particularly during and after the Purgation phase-  a sign that my body was reacting and adjusting to the treatments. Although some days were intense, staying in a resort in a lovely room made it smooth to overcome these challenges.

 

There was enough time to relax after the treatments. Since Manaltheeram resort is part of the Somatheeram group, guests can use the facilities and the restaurants at their other two resorts Somatheeram and Ayur Soma as well. These resorts are just a few minutes away. In other words, I could enjoy meals at any of the 3 different restaurants. My personal favourite was the food at Manaltheeram itself.

The food was wholesome and delicious 

While taking an Ayurvedic treatment, especially Panchakarma,  a special diet must be followed for the first few days during the preparation phase. I was given fixed doses of medicated ghee(Snehapanam) in the mornings during this period. This was the most challenging part since it tasted terrible and I almost had to force myself to ingest it. I was so happy and relieved after completing the preparation phase. Now, I could start eating as per my Prakriti(Dosha) type.

 

I was impressed by the variety of healthy food options( catering to all body types) at the resort. The food they prepare is both delicious and nutritious.

The restaurant was amazing with an outdoor seating area facing the sea. The buffet offered a diverse range of options that catered to all Prakriti types. I liked the idea of them experimenting with many recipes incorporating different kinds of millet.

After trying some amazing dishes there, now back home I am recreating some of the dishes with the available ingredients in my kitchen.

A Cultural program, a short Excursion and an Event during my stay

The resort arranged a short day trip to the Poovar Island backwaters.  It took around 3 hours to go and come back. Though it was a bit tiring after the treatment,  the boat ride through the backwaters was a great way to get an introduction to the backwaters of Kerala.

On the eve of International Day of Yoga, the resort hosted a special Saatvik dinner, which was a nice gesture. The food was wonderful with a great variety though all the dishes were not Saatvik and did not do full justice to the word ”Saatvik” 🙂

After dinner, there was a live cultural performance of dance and instrumental music. There was a beautiful dance performance by the local school students. Listening to classical notes performed by a few artists was a pleasure. I just wished the music was not very loud with heavy beats, especially in an Ayurvedic resort where guests prefer to have more soothing and relaxing music.

Some of the Ayurvedic treatments that you can expect during your stay

Rejuvenation massage

For the first 2-3 days, during the preparatory phase, they started with a gentle general body massage for an hour. This helps to loosen up your muscles and prepare your body for the more rigorous treatments for the next few days.

The total session per day was for 2 hours. It would generally start with Abhyangam: a full body oil massage for about 45 minutes.

Shiro Dhara

The therapist gently pours a continuous flow of warm herbal oil or milk over your forehead. This is a great remedy for insomnia, stress and any skin ailments. I felt it was extremely relaxing with no other thoughts in mind. This session lasted for another 45 minutes.

After undergoing Nasyam and other purification processes, the treatment concluded with Mukhalepam, which involves the application of herbal face mask. Additional treatments may vary depending on individual needs.

Conclusion

Based on my experience, I highly recommend trying Panchakarma if you haven’t tried it yet. Whether you are seeking relief from chronic conditions, aiming to prevent illness or just want to experience holistic rejuvenation like I did, trust me, it is worth it. My experience with this Ayurvedic place has been amazing. I am writing it a few months after my experience and I have to say I feel energized, fresh and positive in every sense.

 

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