A TOTAL Ayurvedic Experience By Jayant Doshi

I had read a lot, and heard about ayurvedic massages and treatment in Kerala, and now spreading in other parts of India and the world, but I also know that some of those centres have very rudimentary accommodation, and little else by way of activity besides massages. However, when I found about Kairali Health Resort, I decided to go and try it out. Ayurvedic medicine, based on natural herbs and plants, is centuries old, and it is nice to see a revival of this ancient medical science. Universities run degree courses in ayurvedic medicine, and gradually the herbal medicines are getting recognition and are being now researched and regulated to our modern standards.

We landed at Cochin airport at mid-day where a car from the resort was waiting for us. The drive through the Kerala landscape was picturesque, and we reached the resort after two and half hours. The resort is in the middle of rice farms, and our first reaction was how we

were to spend a fortnight in such a forlorn place. But no sooner had we entered the resort, our spirits were raised, and we were totally mesmerised by the bewitching beauty of the resort. We were taken into the reception. The reception was a spacious room, nicely decorated with some lovely light fittings and simple but appealing furniture. The resort is built on a fifteen acre of undulating sloping land, totally covered with trees that included palm trees, cocoa nut trees and banana trees mixed with many other types of trees. The tree cover was so good that hardly any sunrays

would pierce through them during the daytime. An artificial falls is created at one end of the resort, and the water flows through a properly built stream that runs through the complex. Some fountains with colour lights adorn the stream and lotus flowers are planted in between to enhance beauty of the stream. Slabs are put in the stream for the purpose of crossing the same. Lampposts that go well with the surroundings are fixed along both sides of the stream. The grounds are covered with green grass, and slabs are put on them for walking. Landscaping of the grounds is fabulous with colourful flowers and exquisite tropical plants that is superb and beyond words for description. There is a nice clean swimming pool on one side, and the complex has a

variety of cottages for patients and for various activities. There are thirty cottages for patients, most of them housing two persons, while a few had space for four persons. Each cottage was individually designed, and if there was a contest for a best-designed cottage, most of these will qualify for such a prize. With the simple use of bricks, plaster and stones, the architect has created wonders on the outside and inside walls. Roof tiles are used effectively to create distinctive designs on ceilings of each cottage. Each cottage is furnished with thought and care. Bathrooms with hot water, a television with most channels, air

conditioning and a ceiling fan, and a telephone in each cottage give all the amenities provided in any five star hotel. Two ayurvedic doctors look after the patients and recommend the type of massage, treatment, medicine or food each patient has to take as per his or her condition. The treatment centre is divided into two wings, one for male patients and one for female patients. Each has four massage rooms, one treatment room, one medicine room, one steam room and shower and changing room. There are two offices for doctors. On our arrival our medial records were noted, we were checked out and then recommendations were made. We were given a schedule of daily routine, and recommended some herbs for clearing out our systems. There is a herb garden, which produces all the herbs used by the resort. They also have their own factory which produces all the oils, and the herbal medicines, which are packed and sold under their own brand. Our daily routine comprised of one hour of yoga in the morning, and one hour of yoga in the evening. The morning yoga concentrated on asanas, while evening yoga concentrated on breathing, meditation and eye exercises. Then we had one massage in the morning and one in the afternoon. However, one can opt to take whatever massages they desired. Breakfast

consisted of fresh juice and nicely cut and peeled selection of

fruits, though some days we had idli, dosa or similar item. Lunch comprised of soup, salad, roti without butter, two vegetables without oil and spices, rice and dal, and fruits for dessert, and dinner had similar menu, with a different selection of vegetables. Fruit juices and fresh cocoanut water were freely available. Massage rooms were simple but elegant. One wall had a nice design created with bricks and stones. In one corner, almost near the ceiling, an earthen pot was hung on the wall, and a speaker fitted inside the pot, which played soothing music when the massage was being done. A wooden plank in the form of a bed was made on piles of nicely laid brick pillars. Two masseurs gave the massage at the same time, and their hand movements were so

symmetrical, that if one had the eyes closed, then it would feel that one person was giving massage. The massage lasted for at least an hour, and the massages are absolutely wonderful. After massage, I was taken to a room with a coffin type of box, and asked to lie inside the box with the head outside. Steam was released into the box while I relaxed. Then I went for shower where I was given a small bowl with flour like powder mixed with water, and two towels, which at first shocked me. Each towel was the size of a hand towel, and made of thin muslin type of cloth, similar to the material used for dhoti. The first thought that came to mind was how was I going to dry my body with this small piece of thin fabric. But I was in for a surprise. After applying the flour paste on the body, and taking my shower, I was surprised how the little thin towel nicely absorbed all the water on my body, and I could dry myself in one towel. The flour powder had performed a miracle. After the massage, my body was shining with oil, which literally was dripping from my skin. But after the shower, it appeared as if no oil had ever been applied to my body.

There are many types of massages and treatments, and the doctor showed me a book with hundreds of others, which have never been tried. But I will try to describe some of the massages. In Ayurvedic massage, lot of oil is used. The oil has lots of herbs added to them. Body massage is the simplest one, where lot of oil is used and rubbed over the body giving a soothing feeling. The masseurs press and rub the body hard and literally tone the fat on the body. While in normal body massage they use oil by the fistful, in another massage they pour lots of oil on the body, until the

body soaks in oil and the skin absorbs some of that oil with all the herbs. Dhara is a massage where oil continually drips from a pot on the forehead. This massage is very relaxing. Other treatments included face plaster, enema, nose drops, herbal water in eyes, a crown on head with oil filled

inside etc. The other massage is done with potli (a bundle of cloth) with lots of herbs or other items. In one massage, the potli has seventeen herbs, the potli is heated on a stove with a metal pan, and then the potli is pressed and rubbed against the body, and the body massaged. In another one, water with herbal roots is boiled, and the steam taken by the potli and then the body is massaged. In another massage, boiled rice and herbs are put in the potli, and then dipped in a mixture of water, milk and herbs, which are boiling on a stove. There are many other treatments, which are too various and complicated to be described here. For the first time, they tried foot massage (where the masseur uses his foot to give massage) on me, and it was a wonderful experience. But whichever the massage,

the feeling after the massage was wonderful. Soon I set myself into a routine. I started going for a long brisk walk in the morning. The walks were wonderful. The walk took me through rice fields, and farm workers and others who lived along the way. Early morning was quiet, country air felt fresh and wonderful, the breeze fluttered the trees and rising sun enhanced the scene, and the quiet of the morning was filled with the chirping of the birds. Women along the path were already busy in their daily chores, while men were getting ready to

go to their daily routines. School children were already on their way to the schools. The walk gave me a wonderful insight into local life, and I enjoyed the atmosphere. As I knew some yoga already, the teacher agreed to give me yoga lessons on my own at a later time. After breakfast, and reading the newspaper, I went for my first massage. This was followed by an hour of intense yoga session. I drank lot of juices and cocoanut milk during the day. After lunch, I went near the swimming pool, read for a while, had a small nap, and did some swimming. Then I had my second massage at four. In the evening, I knocked around a few tennis balls, and then went for the evening yoga session, followed by dinner. After dinner, we gathered in the games room and had some card game to entertain us. The day just passed in all these activities.

We took a chance to visit the nearby town of Palakkad, where we saw the fort of Tipu Sultan, and one of the oldest Jain temples (claimed to be 1500 to 2000 years old). There was a big festival when huge chariots are beautifully decorated and lighted. We were misinformed and missed the actual ritual when, these huge chariots, are pulled by crowds of people. I spent fourteen days in the resort. I am not sure if the medical treatments are that effective, but for rejuvenation and a

wonderful quiet holiday, this place is wonderful. I felt totally rejuvenated, and a new person. My body felt toned down and in good shape. I would highly recommend this resort for a visit. It is a good holiday, with a good recuperation and rejuvenation of the body and the mind. It is a health resort that should be visited annually to do a MOT of the body, as we do MOT of our cars every year. (website www.jayantdoshi.yolasite.com)