Kalari Rasayana, Kerala Ayurveda Retreat, Kerala

The philosophy at both Kalari Kovilakom and Kalari Rasayana is that healthy living is about living wholly, in harmony with nature, our environment and our own core self. It is about integrating our mind, body and soul. Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of healing and living, is the only one of its kind that addresses the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our wellbeing. With a therapeutic approach that gets to the core of our personality, behaviour and lifestyle, Ayurveda is more than a mere system for curing ailments; it in fact charts out a complete lifestyle for disease-free living.

Kalari Kovilakom and Kalari Rasayana are certified and accredited by the NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare providers), and adhere to the strict tenets of the old school of Ayurveda.

Kalari Rasayana Approach

The treatment process at both Kalari Kovilakom and Kalari Rasayana features the following elements

Diagnosis

Any treatment offered begins with the three kinds of diagnostic procedures in keeping with the pure Ayurveda treatments.

1. Darshana — Observing
2. Sparshana – Palpating and
3. Prasna – Interrogating

The Vaidya determines your Doshas or body constitution through extensive examination of your body using these methods of diagnosis and accordingly arrive at a course of treatment

Treatment Course

1. Rookshana- Pre-preparatory stage During the first stage, the patient undergoes a treatment called Rookshana which means drying. This process helps to improve the metabolism, reduce heaviness and prepares the body for the next stage of Snehanam (oleation).
2. Poorvakarma- Preparatory stage Here the body is prepared for removal of toxins through two methods namely Snehanam, where the body is oleated internally and externally, and Swedanam, where the body undergoes therapeutic sweating. Depending on the medical condition and Doshas, the Vaidya will determine the course of cleansing processes.

Medicine

The therapeutic treatments are supported by special internal herbal medicines. Following the traditional Ayurvedic principles, medicines, both for external and internal use, are prepared from organically grown local herbs at the herbal garden. These are freshly picked for use by the gardeners who care for them with love and attention. This enhances their effectiveness. The medicines are prepared at the Ayurveda kitchen based on hygienic and traditional practices.

Food

Diet and lifestyle being core aspects of the Ayurvedic healing process, are integral to the treatment. There are many specific guidelines to be followed while consuming food as Ayurveda distinguishes six different tastes or Rasas which interact with the five elements in the body. Food is an intrinsic factor in balancing the bio-energies according to each individual’s body constitution and the balance of five elements. Ayurveda also strongly recommends the consumption of fresh and organic food and encourages mindful or meditative eating by which the full essence of food can be assimilated by the body in an aware, fully engaged and respectful manner. These basic principles are strictly followed with the doctor prescribing a specific diet for each person with the focus being on a Sattvic diet that has a corrective and revitalizing effect. The chef closely follows the doctor’s instructions for each individual’s diet and accordingly prepares his meals using freshly plucked vegetable organically grown at the herb garden, which in turn is tended to with care by a staff tuned to the healing ethos.

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga is thus used to complement the whole healing process. Each one is initially supported on an individual basis until he or she is ready to partake in the group exercises. This complete body and mind experience is aimed at improving your health and total well-being.

Meditation

With Ayurveda’s thrust on internal healing, meditation as a practice in disciplining the mind and the thinking process is made a core part of the treatment.

Satsang

Satsang which can be translated as ‘true company’ (sat- true, sang- company) has always been one of the fundamental elements of Indian philosophy and it means: 1.Company of the highest truth, 2. The company of a Guru 3. An assembly of people which listens to, talks about and assimilates the truth. Patients are therefore encouraged to partake in a rich cultural and spiritual offering including discourses, classical music and dance performances, Mantra chanting, candlelight meditation, Yoga discourses , Kalaripayattu demonstrations and doctors’ talks.

Accommodation & Location