Summary
While staying in Alleppey, India, we had to try an Ayurvedic massage. Alleppey is renowned for its Ayurvedic treatments, making it a perfect destination for relaxation after our extensive train travel in India.
However, our Ayurvedic massage experience turned out to be more than we anticipated.
Here’s a quick excerpt I wrote in my travel journal:
I learned how to shower like a true Indian today. A woman bathed me, showing me how people manage to shower with a bucket of water without creating a mess.
Well, now that I’ve experienced it, I understand the technique.
Ayurvedic Massage and Indian Bath in Alleppey
Our journey began at Palmy Lake Resort after completing a houseboat tour. Once we settled into our spacious bamboo bungalow, Marcy, the owner, offered us a massage.
Although Dave and I love massages, our budget was tight due to the recent splurge on the houseboat experience. Therefore, we politely declined her offer.
Fortunately, there’s an absence of pressure in Southern India. We simply declined, and she pleasantly accepted our choice.
In Southern India, we’ve encountered a culture free of aggressive sales tactics:
- If you decline a taxi, the response is just, “Okay.”
- When offered clothing, the reply is met with a casual “Okay.”
- Our massage experience was similar: “No problem, just letting you know it’s available.”
As we pondered our late afternoon plans, the idea of a massage began to seem more inviting. The combination of bird songs and distant horns created a relaxing ambiance, and soon we believed that a massage was precisely what we needed to rejuvenate our bodies for the journey ahead.
Consequently, we arranged an appointment for later that day.
The Ayurvedic Massage
After a 15-minute walk to Sreekrishna Ayurvedic and Panchakarma Center, we arrived and were greeted by a stoic man who directed us to sit without uttering a word. Confused, we sat in silence.
It’s amusing how massages, intended to induce relaxation, can often leave us so tense and anxious, especially in a foreign setting.
After a few minutes, he left and returned, speaking with a staff member. Eventually, he informed us that the room was being prepared, which was a relief since we were unsure if we were expected to engage in conversation.
Our Massages
We were led into separate rooms—my masseuse was female and Dave’s was male. My masseuse communicated little in English, prompting me to strip down and sit on a stool.
I was uncertain whether to undress completely, but ultimately, I did. Sitting there felt surreal, yet I embraced the moment.
She began by pouring oil into her hands, gently massaging my hair and scalp, instantly bringing me relaxation.
Her technique worked through my upper body tension, particularly in my shoulders, which had accumulated from traveling with a backpack.
After completing my upper body, I was signaled to lie on the massage table. Unlike Canadian tradition, there was no towel for modesty during this massage—just the oils being kneaded into my skin.
To my surprise, she included breast massage in her technique. Unsure of the propriety, I later learned that Ayurvedic breast massages promote healthy tissue, which was enlightening.
Fortunately, I managed to enjoy the experience without feeling tense or uncomfortable, even though communication was limited.
The massage was divine, striking a balance between pressure and soothing motions, allowing my mind and body to unwind. A meditative state enveloped me, and for an hour, I entered a tranquil space devoid of thought.
This went on for one hour.
Upon completion, she gently tapped around my belly button, folded my arms, and covered me with a towel. She then indicated for me to remain still.
Surprisingly, I felt so relaxed that lying there was effortless, a testament to the quality of the massage.
When she returned, I naturally expected to be informed that my session was over and to rinse off. However, that was not the case.
The Bath
Instead, she ushered me into the bathroom, applied shampoo to my hair, and rinsed off the oils using scoop after scoop of warm water.
Having not enjoyed hot water recently in guesthouses, I was reminded of its soothing properties, making the experience feel revitalizing.
She meticulously cleaned every inch of me, showing dedication and care throughout the process. Despite the language barrier, I surrendered to the experience.
After returning home, we had planned to go out for dinner, but both of us felt immensely fatigued from the massage and opted for a quieter evening of reading and writing instead.
As Dave mused during our walk back, “Was that as awkward for you as it was for me? I feel like I should have bought him a drink or something!”
Indeed, Dave has a way with words. Our experience was certainly more intimate than any massage we’d encountered in Canada, where privacy is typically prioritized.
However, in this setting, the openness was simply a reflection of cultural differences. They maintained professionalism, and I felt safe throughout the massage.
Thus, while navigating a new culture, embracing these experiences is invaluable.
Tipping at a Massage
It’s unclear whether tipping is customary at Ayurvedic massage centers in Alleppey since these are therapeutic in nature. Nonetheless, we chose to leave a tip. Tipping culture varies globally, yet our Canadian habits prevailed, and we often feel inclined to show appreciation through gratuities.
Additionally, many workers may not receive a substantial portion of the fees we pay for services, so we left a 50 rupee tip each, thinking this might make their efforts worthwhile.
After our massage, we enjoyed the best night’s sleep we’d experienced in weeks.
- Information
Sreekrishna Ayurveda Panchakarma Centre – Recommended by Lonely Planet India.
www.krishnayurveda.com
Located in Alleppey - Cost
For two people, our total was 1100 Rupees ($25 Canadian) for one hour of body massage, which included coconut and Ayurvedic medicinal oils along with a shower and hot water.
