Foundation and Principles

Ayurveda is thought to have originated in India over 3,000 years ago and named from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge).  It’s a holistic and natural system of medicine that is based on ancient writings and whilst it’s one of the world’s oldest medical systems, it’s still used widely in India’s healthcare system today.

It’s believed that everybody has their own unique energy pattern; a combination of physical, mental and emotional characteristics which stay with you throughout your life.  The three principal energies of the body are called

Vata (Space and Air) – associated with movement, from blinking to heart pulses.

Pitta (Fire and Water) – associated with the metabolic system such as digestion.

Kapha (Earth and Water) – connected with the body’s structure such as bones and muscles and associated with lubrication and immunity.

It’s thought that disease is caused by an imbalance or disorder in this personal constitution and consciousness.  Prevention is therefore a large part of Ayurveda treatment, encouraging you to focus on the balance between body and mind.  For example, you can have an impact on this by adopting a beneficial lifestyle (eating a good diet for example, taking herbs and spending time in nature) and trying to minimise your exposure to physical and emotional trauma.

Treatments

Core when deciding on treatments is understanding what’s needed to re-create this balance within your own body, mind and spirit, your personal physiological functioning.  As our individual make-up is unique, it’s consequently very bespoke.  You’ll be asked about your lifestyle, such as diet, and your environment, as well as be physically examined.  The practitioner carefully evaluates the key signs and symptoms of any illness especially in relation to an imbalance and then decides upon the best treatments to heal these.  At the same time, the aim also remains to increase resistance to disease for the future, by reducing stress and promoting harmony and balance in life.

Ayurvedic treatments include panchakarma (detoxification treatments), a special diet, massage, yoga, meditation, and herbal medicine.  It’s different from Western medicine, which is more focused on symptomatology, primarily using drugs to rid the body of pathogens.  Surgery is still encompassed by Ayurveda however, but drugs, because of their toxicity, are thought to sometimes cause weakness.

Wellness Holidays

So how do you not only have a lovely holiday, but return home more than just refreshed?  You could simply choose a hotel such as the lovely Taj Green Cove, which offers complimentary morning yoga and treatments such as Abhyanga, a deep massage using herbal oils to increase circulation and remove toxins.  Afterwards you typically sit in a steam box which helps the herbal oils seep deeper into the layers of your skin for a more intense benefit.

Alternatively, if you feel a complete re-set is in order, The associated Ayurveda and Spa Centre at Leela Palace offers full Wellness packages for 7 or even 14 nights, even longer, to include a full assessment and programme.  You might be seeking a general well-being experience, but specialised therapeutic programmes are also offered, from insomnia, to arthritis or migraines and lower back pain. 

So if you find general life too busy to have regular treatments, and yet you could benefit from general rejuvenation or help with a specific health issue, why not incorporate some Ayurverda into your holiday, and learn some tips to embrace into your care routine back at home as I have? 

Abi travelled to Taj Green Cove and Leela Palace in November 2024

About the author

Abi Shaw - Bushbaby founder and avid explorer!