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Managing type 2 diabetes with Ayurveda at Ananda in the Himalayas
Manola: 'When I first heard about holistic health retreats, I was skeptical. But I had reached a point where conventional care just wasn’t enough anymore. My blood sugar was all over the place, my energy was drained, and the medications came with more side effects than solutions. I knew I needed something different—an approach that looked beyond just the physical. That’s when I found Ananda in the Himalayas: a retreat that touched not just my body, but my mind and emotions too. In this blog, I share my personal experience—and why I believe holistic wellness can change the game when it comes to managing diabetes.'
- Choosing a New Path
- Arrival in Ananda in the Himalayas
- Diabetes management at Ananda
- Authentic Ayurvedic healing, Vedanta philosophy, and traditional Indian yoga
- My daily routine in Ananda
- Activities and Excursions at Ananda
- Food at Ananda: visible progress
- The results: losing five kilos and emotionally more grounded
- Ananda as a once-in-a-lifetime retreat
- More about Ananda in the Himalayas
- Type 2 Diabetes Recovery: Nutrition, Movement, and Mind
- Longevity Medical Health hotel, Portugal
Choosing a New Path
I feel exhausted, physically and mentally. Years of struggling, low energy, rising blood sugar, and weight I couldn’t get under control, I knew something had to change. I am a woman in my mid forties. My health history was complicated: insulin resistance, PCOS, multiple miscarriages, and in 2021, a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. COVID made things worse. Medication helped, but I knew it wasn’t tackling the real causes—my lifestyle, stress levels, and environment. I needed a fresh perspective. A reset. By the end of 2024, I was ready for a complete shift. So I booked myself a three-week stay at Ananda in the Himalayas, a holistic Ayurvedic retreat in North India, guided by real medical professionals.
Arrival in Ananda in the Himalayas
After a winding, scenic drive through India's mountainous landscape — slowing now and then for cows and wild horses, I arrived at Ananda. From the moment the palace gates opened, I knew I was entering something extraordinary. Arriving at Ananda felt like stepping into history, The retreat, once a Maharaja’s palace, greeted me with grandeur - ornate gates, traditional guards in Indian attire, and an atmosphere steeped in heritage.
Diabetes management at Ananda
At Ananda, they assessed my Ayurvedic constitution—primarily kapha with some pitta—and created a six-month plan, starting with a 21-day intensive stay. The goal was sustainable change: better diet, consistent movement, and daily habits that support long-term health. This program wasn’t just about lowering blood sugar. It aimed at increasing energy, managing weight, and improving related conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol.
Authentic Ayurvedic healing, Vedanta philosophy, and traditional Indian yoga
Ananda doesn’t try to do everything - it focuses deeply on what it does best: authentic Ayurvedic healing, Vedanta philosophy, and traditional Indian yoga. That’s where the strength lies. They honour ancient wisdom but deliver it in a setting that’s incredibly refined. The luxury isn’t just in the architecture or the views — it’s in the attention to detail. The restaurant staff knew my name and my wellness plan. That level of care stayed with me: how you're treated in the restaurants where the waiters know who you are and even know what plan you are on, this made my stay at the Ananda just that extra bit special.
My daily routine in Ananda
My personalized plan included a calorie-conscious diet tailored to my needs, daily walking and gentle exercises, yoga, meditation, and stress relief, avoiding tobacco and alcohol and nutrition coaching tailored to my home life. My Ayurvedic doctor didn’t change my medication right away. Instead, the focus was on balance: about 60-70% activity and 30-40% therapies like detox massages and circulation treatments. I did experience some joint discomfort, but therapy sessions helped me bounce back. One of the treatments prescribed was Shirodhara, where warm herbal oil is poured onto your forehead which takes you into a state of complete relaxation and completely balances your nervous system. For me, this was total bliss as I could actually switch my brain off and get into this semi conscious state which is just pure relaxation.
Activities and Excursions at Ananda
Ananda offers yoga lessons every day, two in the morning for beginners and the intermediate also having lessons in the afternoon. The teaching brought me back to the roots - to Hatha yoga, breathwork, and alignment. Not only were the teachers great but where they held the yoga classes - In the theatre area, the roof of the palace overlooking the foothills - were phenomenal too. If you are not drawn to yoga or hikes, Ananda offers alternatives. There were guests who opted for white-water rafting on the Ganges: active, energising, and a perfect balance to the retreat’s stillness. One of my highlights was a visit to Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga, where I joined the Aarti ceremony on the riverbanks. Lighting candles and releasing them into the water was a quiet, emotional moment. A pause that stays with you.
Food at Ananda: visible progress
The Ayurvedic meals at Ananda are tailored to your Dosha type, and I stuck to my meal plan and didn't get bored. Everything was fresh, clean, and aligned to decrease my high glucose and obesity. They started gently—no intense detoxing. I thought it was delicious and beautifully presented and to top it off I felt great. My meals were complimented by teas again suited to your Dosha type, I was given mint teas to 'dampen' down the heat in stress levels. My food plan was adjusted after a few days to match my activity level, and my blood sugar stayed stable. After two weeks, my numbers improved and my medication was reduced. For those not on a specific diet, there is also a general menu full of wonderful Indian cuisine cooked with less fat for those who may want to experience real Indian cuisine.
The results: losing five kilos and emotionally more grounded
By the end of my stay, I felt transformed. I’d lost five kilos—more than I expected. Mentally, I felt lighter and emotionally more grounded. Meditation and yoga gave me a sense of inner calm I hadn’t felt in years. Before leaving, they reviewed my health stats and recommended monitoring my thyroid levels. I now have a plan in place to continue the progress at home with realistic, daily actions.
Ananda as a once-in-a-lifetime retreat
What I experienced at Ananda went far beyond symptom control. Their holistic approach helped me reconnect with my body and mind. If you’re living with diabetes and feeling stuck, this kind of integrated wellness could be the shift you’ve been looking for. It can be called as a once-in-a-lifetime retreat, If you want deep rest, get rid of your medical issues, to rebalance, or to reconnect with yourself, Ananda is the place. It’s perfect for singles and couples, for anyone living under pressure, or for those simply wanting to experience India in a meaningful way. You’ll leave lighter, clearer, and deeply reset.
More about Ananda in the Himalayas
Editor’s Note: Manola lost 5 kilos during her stay and described the experience as profound on multiple levels: physical, emotional, and hormonal. She returned home full of energy, with a clear stick-to-it plan and medical follow-up advice, including monitoring of her TSH levels. The programme for Diabetes management at Ananda falls under the Comprehensive & Intensive Wellness programmes, personalized to address lifestyle diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and hormonal imbalances.
Type 2 Diabetes Recovery: Nutrition, Movement, and Mind
A holistic approach to type 2 diabetes goes beyond treating symptoms. It looks at how lifestyle factors like diet, movement, sleep, and stress affect the body. Eating fewer fast carbs and more fiber, healthy fats, and protein can help the body respond better to insulin. Regular physical activity—whether it’s walking, cycling, or strength training—supports better blood sugar control. Stress and poor sleep make things worse, so rest and recovery are essential. A specialized health spa can offer valuable support here. With focused guidance on lifestyle, relaxation, and long-term habits, it becomes easier to make lasting changes. This way of working tackles the root of the problem and, in some cases, can even reverse type 2 diabetes. We partner with medical spas and holistic resorts in Europa and Asia that run tailored programs, led by teams of both holistic and medical professionals. The medical spa Longevity in the Algarve (Portugal) offers a similar program, guided by Western doctors.
Longevity Medical Health hotel, Portugal
The 21-night Diabetes Optimisation Programme at Longevity in the Algarve offers a medically supervised, integrative approach to managing type 2 diabetes. You follow a personalised plan with diagnostics, nutrition, fitness, detox therapies and stress reduction. The aim is to improve metabolic health, reduce medication and support long-term lifestyle change.
