ayurvedic treatments

As a science of self healing, Ayurveda encompasses diet and nutrition, lifestyle, yoga asana, exercise, rest and relaxation, meditation, breathing (pranyama) and medicinal herbs as well as cleansing and rejuvenating programs for healing the mind, body and spirit.

At all of our retreats we aim to incorporate as many of these treatments as appropriate. In addition, at ayurvedaretreats,org we are dedicated to providing education on the basic principles of Ayurveda, helping guests incorporate these principles in to everyday life.

At each retreat you will have the opportunity to experience the following:

Ayurvedic Consultation

A vital part of each retreat is the Ayurvedic consultation – each guest will spend 90 minutes with one of our fully qualified therapists in a full, private health review. The aim of this consultation is for both the therapist and the guest to understand the current state of health (vikruti) so that an individual programme can be developed to restore full health. This current state of health and doshic balance is determined through detailed questioning and observation. The therapist will look at your eyes, tongue, nails, skin and hair, they will also observe your voice and behaviour patterns and assess the qualities of your pulse. They will then introduce you to the basic principles of Ayurveda and how they apply to you. Understanding the effects of your diet and lifestyle in Ayurvedic terms will enable you to confidently integrate a new routine and enjoy continued improvement to your health. Herbs in many different forms will also be prescribed to improve digestion and aid the healing process. An individual program of yoga asana and breathing techniques may also be incorporated in to your program.

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Diet & Nutrition

Diet is an essential factor in achieving health and bringing the body and mind into a state of balance. Ayurveda does not prescribe one diet as best for everyone, but seeks to individualize and optimise nutrition for the individual, based on their constitutional type and any imbalances that need to be corrected. During your retreat you will not only be given information on the foods that are best for you, but you will also be given inspiring recipes and shown how to use these foods to make mouth watering, healthy meals.

Ayurveda selects food based on its elemental balance, its taste, its effects on the body, and the qualities of the foods such as hot and cold, moist and dry, light and heavy. At ayurvedaretreats.org we teach you how to apply these basic principles to your own food choices, enabling you to take control of your own health. You will learn how to antidote foods, making them more suitable for your constitution. Adding spices or herbs, changing the way foods are cooked and modification of food combinations, will all allow you to eat a wide variety of foods, preventing overly restrictive diets that are so common in modern western nutrition.

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Medicinal herbs

According to Ayurveda herbs maintain the proper functioning of the body systems and are necessary to restore balance between the doshas. Herbs are natures own pharmaceuticals that also have the potential to bring harmonious pranic function. Ayurveda does not use a generalized herbal program for each person but instead chooses herbs according to the individual and their constitution. As an appetizer many herbs help in the digestion and absorption of food. Others work naturally to support the body’s own healing process. Some herbs work as general tonics that help in nourishing and rebuilding tissue. After your consultation you will be prescribed herbs according to your own needs, these may be in the form of powders, tinctures, teas, or creams. There will also be the opportunity during the retreat to experiment with various herbs and spices that support your digestion so that you can experience their unique effect on you.

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Massage & other specialized Ayurvedic treatments

Massage in Ayurveda is considered to be a primary therapy and is essential for the treatment of various problems and to balance the doshas. On each of our retreats guests will experience various types of massage according to their specific needs. Abhyanga is a full body massage where aromatic herbal oils are lovingly applied in a continuous flowing sequence. The penetration of these oils deep into the tissues of the body helps to remove fatigue, increase energy levels and assists the body to eliminate toxins as well as promoting profound relaxation. Shirodhara is an amazingly relaxing therapy where a steady stream of warm, aromatic oil flows rhythmically across your forehead calming the mind and soothing the nervous system. This is preceded by a shoulder, neck and head massage to prepare the body for the flow of oil. This soporific therapy works to switch off a chattering mind and induces a deep rest that borders upon meditation. This whole treatment induces deep relaxation and feelings of profound happiness and well-being. It has been found to help those suffering from headaches; stress related illnesses; Vata imbalances; anxiety, anger, tension and depression; colds and coughs; insomnia; blocked sinuses and congestion; fatigue; throat and ear problems; and to improve hair condition. To give the best results for specific doshic imbalances,more specialized treatments will be used by our therapists

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Yoga, pranyama & meditation

Yoga in its entirety is integral to the Ayurvedic lifestyle and approach to health. Physical postures (asana), breathing control (pranyama), repetition of phrases (mantra) and meditation techniques may all be employed in a personal program.

On each of our retreats there will be an opportunity to experience these aspects of yoga on a daily basis. Every morning begins with a group asana class, suitable for all levels of experience. Then during the afternoon there is a class incorporating pranyama, meditation or chanting to provide a different energy at the end of the day.

At our bespoke retreats in the UK, Yoga programmes will be deisgned specifically for the individual.

See our Yoga page for further information.

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