India: The wellness destination
MUSCAT: As most travellers across the globe search for destinations that enhance their general well-being; India is one of the hot favourites for wellness, relaxation, therapy, and health. It not only offers day spas, there are destination spas like Ananda in the Himalayas, Ayurvedic spas and Royal spas in heritage hotels, as well as spas in seaside destinations like Goa. The luxury spas in India combine ancient therapies that the country is known for with innovative techniques.
Ayurveda, which is also called the “science of life”, has been practiced for generations. Using natural herbs, milk, essential aroma oils, Ayurveda provides holistic healing treatments by well trained experts.
The long history of beauty and rituals practiced by Indian women has ensured that India is rightfully considered the land of rejuvenation and perfect well being. Even today the burgeoning wellness industry in India relies on numerous beauty traditions and rituals detailed in various mythological and historical texts. Spa menus across the country today take inspiration from age-old rituals to provide exotic and royal treatments.
A traveller is spoilt for choice as they can indulge in pampering themselves while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Himalayas, or enjoying an Ayurvedic massage on the wooden houseboats in Kerala, or even in sandy deserts with special spa tents in Rajasthan.
Spas
The rising popularity of the spa can also be seen in the changing context of urban lifestyles today. With stress levels rising day by day, along with rising disposable incomes, and awareness levels increasing about wellness, India has become a hotspot for spa lovers. People are now seeking alternative therapies to lifestyle disorders like sleeplessness, backache and hair fall and Ayurveda is being offered as a natural solution to these disorders. Spa menus across India today take inspiration from age-old rituals to provide exotic and royal treatments.
Foods that heal
The Ayurvedic diet is one that not only nourishes the body, but also restores balance of ‘Trido- shas’ which is very much essential for maintaining good health. Depending on our dosha, or constitutional type, some foods can be beneficial, and others should be avoided. These same foods may have the opposite effect on another dosha. The science of Ayurveda teaches that the right diet is the foundation of healing. For maximum health and vitality, the ideal diet is one that balances our dosas.
Ayurveda categorises food under three kinds: Sattvic, Rajasic and Tamasic. Food not only nourishes the body, it affects the mind and consciousness as well. As our physical constitution is characterised by different proportions of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, we also have a mental constitution determined by the sattva, rajas, and tamas. These three qualities are universal and equally necessary to maintain our psychological balance.
Alternative therapies
India is a hot favourite wellness destination among tourists. Seeking Ayurveda and other alternative therapies, many tourist plan spa holidays across various places in India.
Ayurveda and other alternative therapies, combined with yoga and meditation, promise a more wholesome approach to wellness. A combination of Yoga, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani calms the nervous system and balances the body, mind, and spirit. It is believed that these treatments prevent specific diseases and maladies by relaxing the body, deepening respiration and calming the mind.
Ayurveda and other alternative therapies, combined with yoga and meditation, promise a more wholesome approach to wellness. A combination of Yoga, Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani calms the nervous system and balances the body, mind, and spirit.
Yoga a practice for life
Yoga has evolved over thousands of years to embrace a wide range of styles and disciplines. Many people think that yoga is just stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body and mind through developing both mental strength and flexibility.