What is Ayurveda? What does an Ayurveda cure involve? Is an Ayurveda holiday right for me? And is an Ayurveda cure healthy for anyone? We often get these questions put to us at Puurenkuur. Are you considering an Ayurveda holiday? We cover everything you need to know about an Ayurveda holiday, here.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda means ‘Life Knowledge’. Ayurvedic medicine is thousands of years old. This medicine, thought to be the mother of all medicines, is all about restoring balance between the body, mind and soul. A traditional cure consists of an Ayurvedic diet with lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, occasional chicken or fish (link naar blog over ayurvedisch eten), morning yoga and evening meditation, massages, herbal baths and steam baths. An Ayurveda practitioner will tailor your cure to you personally based on your dosha type (link naar verschillende doshatypes blog).
What can Ayurveda do for you?
On an Ayurveda wellness holiday, you can have it all: an indulgent holiday and health cure in one! You’ll get to enjoy delicious food all holiday and still lose weight. Other pleasant side effects: a clear mind, total relaxation and newfound energy. Ayrvedic philosophy also offers us greater insight into ourselves and the world around us.
Ayurveda is primarily a preventative medicine. An Ayurveda cure can rejuvenate your body and mind and can promote longevity. However, Ayurveda also achieves remarkable results for rheumatic conditions, sleep problems, chronic fatigue, stress, high blood pressure, migraines, psoriasis or depression.
What types of Ayurveda are there?
You can choose between a rasayana (wellness Ayurveda: for pure relaxation), an intensive panchakarma (purification of body and mind) or a medical Ayurveda cure (for the treatment of specific conditions or complaints). Medical Ayurveda cures require a longer stay. We also recommend repeat treatments and therapies.
The best place for Ayurveda holidays?
Ayurveda originates from the Indian subcontinent. Sri Lanka and India traditionally represent the best places in the world to go to for an Ayurveda cure. Particularly in India there are an incredible number of Ayurveda hotels, especially in the province of Kerala (southern India). Kerala has many forested areas and a pleasant climate, with a refreshing monsoon season (June - November) and is the perfect place for an Ayurveda cure. Puurenkuur knows exactly what to look for in choosing the best Ayurveda hotels. The fantastic resorts (link naar Ayurvedaresorts) in our selection have been chosen based on strict criteria. The best of the best, if we do say so ourselves.
Ayurveda in Europe?
If India and Sri Lanka sound a little far for you, don’t worry: Ayurveda is on-trend! An increasing number of spa & wellness hotels in Europe are now also offering Ayurveda cures with personalised treatments, a dosha-specific diet and daily yoga and meditation. The hotels source the knowledge, experience and products (and sometimes even the Ayurveda practitioners and therapists) from India. The Kempinski Hotel in Gozo, the Galo hotel in Madeira and Ayurveda hotel Luna y Sol in Spain belong among Europe’s largest Ayurveda centres.
A-Z of Ayurveda treatments:
What's is your Dosha Type?
A more comprehensive description and a list of questions to ask in order to determine your dominant dosha type can be found in our blog ‘Ayurveda Types: are you an impulsive Vata, fiery Pitta or a calm Kapha?’
Good to know
In Ayurveda, male therapists will treat males, and female therapists females (the therapist will be massaging / treating you). This is the case in India and Sri Lanka. In Europe, resorts may deviate from this because there is often just one Ayurvedic therapist. If, as a woman, your preference is to be treated by a female therapist, please make this clear.
Take books and magazines with you. In line with Ayurvedic philosophy, most authentic Ayurveda resorts in India and Sri Lanka do not have TVs or air-conditioning so that you can really relax.
Ask our Team!
If you have any other questions about Ayurveda, or want help finding the best Ayurveda destination for you, our wellness holiday specialists are here to help.
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