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| Ayurveda Retreat |
| Kerala, South India |
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| Winter Health Retreat on the Shores of the Arabian Sea |
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| Have you thought about a winter break? Would you like to go to Kerala, South India, for a course of Ayurvedic therapy, either to have treatment or to learn, and stay in a peaceful resort only five minutes walk from the ocean? |
| Cleanse and rejuvenate yourself in Kerala, South India with an Ayurveda holiday based in the seaside town of Varkala on the shores of the Arabian Sea . The basic package will include treatments, accommodation, transport (except flights) and food (Ayurvedic food prepared at Ayurveda centre) |
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| Ayurveda... |
| Ayurveda is an ancient system dating back over 10,000 years. It means science of life or art of living, and is very far reaching, covering all areas of life – health, medicine, yoga, food, meditation and even cosmology & society. Massage and herbal treatments are just one aspect of this. |
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| About the Centre... |
| The massage centre we use is called Kairali. It is run highly efficiently & professionally by Prem & his wife Sheelah (see photo right), very ably assisted by their team of masseurs. |
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| They are an Ayurvedic family, and there is a long line of ancestry in the business; Prem & Sheelah used to work for Somatheeram, the biggest Ayurvedic Centre in South Kerala, before they set up their own centre. They make all their own oils & creams with sesame & coconut oils, & herbs they collect locally in the off-peak season. |
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| The Treatment... |
| You will receive a whole programme of treatment called Body Purification Therapy, which balances the Vata, Pitta & Kapha (air, fire & water elements) through the treatments listed below, alongside internal herbal tonics. Prior to treatment starting, you will have a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor, who will recommend a programme of treatment that will suit your individual needs. |
| The body massages are something else! you are dripping in herbal oil from head to toe, sometimes 2 people massaging you at once in synchronisation. It is different from the massage we are used to in the West. It does not focus on specific areas in quite the same way, and there is less deep tissue work. It can seem quite intimate, especially at first.; breast areas are included in massage & there is less towel management. Women only massage women, and men treat men. Massage is more a way of helping the oils & herbs to enter the body, and the oils are not like the fragrant essential oils we may be used to. They are more strong smelling & dark coloured, and you are washed down afterwards. This also is quite an intimate experience. |
| Other treatments include oil baths, or Pizhichil where rich warm sesame oils that feel like honey running down the back, tummy & sides – such comfort & luxury, like anointing. Then there's Kizhi , where hot muslin cloth pads filled with medicinal herbs are heated up & used to massage in a beating movement over the body. This is an essential part of the detoxification process and helps muscle & joint pain. Or Dhara , where warm oil is spread rhythmically across your forehead, side to side. It's a bit like having your head stroked with silk, wonderfully cooling & relaxing. Then there's the facepack that smells like you could eat it, with fresh banana, coconut & egg white in there. |
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| Extra Option 1: |
| Backwater Houseboat Trip |
| Nearby are the Keralan backwaters, a whole network of waterways & canals that were built by the Portuguese for transport during the spice trade. |
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| You have the opportunity of spending a day and night exploring the backwaters on a beautiful houseboat built of local wood & woven palm. It is an unforgettable experience, relaxing while watching the world go gently by and sampling the delicious local food cooked on the boat. Trip includes twin-bed accommodation & wonderful food & service. Definitely highly recommended! |
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| Extra Option 2: Ayurveda Massage Course |
| The massage course takes 14 days for a general head to toe one, 2 hours per day. The course is quite intensive & demands extra practice outside the lessons, so is best suited to those who already have some experience in massage, although this is not a prerequisite. And you will also sample some of their fantastic treatments as well as learning how to do their massage. |
The Qualification
You get a Kairali Certificate, which is apparently recognised in India. If you are already a practitioner then you can incorporate these techniques into your existing practice, which would greatly enhance your skills and contribute to CPD. |
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| Extra Option 3: Yoga classes |
Excellent Yoga classes nearby are taught by Vasu Devananda who truly walks his talk! He has been teaching for 12 years and follows the Sivananda style of yoga, which originates from Kerala. Classes for all levels are at 8.30am and 4.30pm, and last 1.5 hours. |
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Dates: |
| WINTER 2011/2012 |
| alternative dates may be available on request. |
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| Basic Package Price: |
| £1400 (18 day) |
| £1200 (14 day) |
| (includes accommodation, tuition, transport and all excursions. Flights are not included expect to pay around £400-£500 return) |
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| Extra Option 1: |
| Houseboat Trip |
| £120 |
| (1 nights stay and 3 prepared meals) |
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| Extra Option 2: |
| Ayurveda Massage Course |
| £180 |
| (14 days approx 2 hours per day) |
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| Extra Option 3: |
| Yoga |
| £3 per class (payable at class) or £30 (payable in advance for 10 sessions) |
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| Booking: |
| Places are limited to 10 persons and priority will be given on a first come basis. contact us for availability and booking form. |
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| Payment: |
| Reservations will be secured on receipt of a £200 deposit. Payment can be made by cheque payable to 'Lakshmi Tours' |
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| Perhaps the dates are not suitable or you would like to incorporate an Ayurveda package into a longer tour? We are more than happy to organise a bespoke package for you. Just give us a call to discuss your requirements. |
| If you have any further queries or would like to be sent our information pack then please contact us. We will be happy to help. |
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