Perhaps the oldest form of health care in the world, Ayurveda and its sister tradition of yoga have developed side-by-side over the course of millennia, emerging in India as much as 5,000 years ago. Today, as people opt for holistic approaches to health, Ayurvedic wellness programs have become popular throughout India.
In Sanskrit, ‘Ayur’ means life and ‘Veda’ means knowledge or science, so ‘Ayurveda’ literally translates to ‘The science of life.’ Practitioners say it uses the blessings of nature and spirit to restore balance – harmonizing body, mind and the universal laws of nature to remove the roots of disease.
Key Principles of Ayurveda
Ayurveda focuses on the prevention of disease rather than merely treating symptoms, with an emphasis on wholesome food, pranayama (breath control), meditation, herbal medication, and yoga. Notably, yoga has similar ancient beginnings, featuring a set of philosophical beliefs and physical techniques such as asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing), and dharana and Dhyana (meditation), ultimately aiming to achieve samadhi, the highest state of universal consciousness.
Together, Ayurveda and yoga complement each other perfectly, teaching that harmonizing your body and mind with the environment prevents disease—the outcome of disharmony—thereby elevating the follower to a higher state of consciousness. Explore these ancient practices across India, where they originally flourished.
1. Mysuru, Karnataka
From T. Krishnamacharya’s yoga shala inside the Mysuru Palace in the 1930s to the birthplace of the Ashtanga and Iyengar styles of yoga, Mysuru has always played an integral role in the evolution and popularity of yoga as we know it today. Most yoga schools in Mysuru are concentrated in and around Gokulam, a primarily residential neighborhood located northwest of the city center.
Though many come to learn the teachings of Ashtanga utilizing the Mysuru-style self-led method, Hatha, Vinyasa, and Yin are just some of the group-focused teacher training courses offered to practitioners of all levels.
Moreover, lessons in wellness and spirituality extend well beyond yoga and its asanas in Mysuru. Trainings in Ayurvedic-style deep tissue massage known as abhyanga, chakra healing, sound meditations, reiki, astrology, and Ayurvedic cooking also draw crowds.
2. Alleppey, Kerala
With a rich history in the performing arts, cultivation of spices, and a diverse geographical landscape, it should come as no surprise that the southern state of Kerala is also the land of Ayurveda in India. Thanks in part to its strategic location along the Malabar Coast and its tropical climate, numerous Ayurvedic programs and treatment centers have opened across the state in recent years.
After embarking on a traditional houseboat cruise along the picturesque backwaters of Lake Vembanad in Alleppey, consider adding a week-long Ayurvedic program. Lakefront resorts like Punnamada Ayurvedic Resort and Kumarakom Lake Resort offer various Ayurvedic packages that can include panchakarma procedures and Pizhichil treatments, along with dosha-specific oil massages called abhyanga and herbal steam baths known as Ushma Sweda.
3. Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
The Himalayan foothills provide an impressive backdrop to the spiritual town of Rishikesh, located in the northern state of Uttarakhand. Positioned along the banks of the Ganges River — regarded as one of the seven holiest rivers in India — Rishikesh has long attracted pilgrims and guided spiritual seekers on their path to self-discovery.
With the self-proclaimed title of the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, Rishikesh stands as a popular choice for practitioners seeking Ayurveda yoga and wellness travel in India. Numerous ashrams, such as the renowned Parmarth Niketan and Sadhana Mandir, line either side of the holy river offering everything from intensive teacher training courses and meditation classes to harmonious hours-long kirtan sessions and holistic Ayurvedic panchakarma cleanses.
4. Kottayam, Kerala
The current rise in Ayurveda yoga and wellness travel in India, particularly in Kerala, is notable. However, the roots of Ayurveda in this state are far from recent. Before the introduction of Western medicine in the 19th century, treatments and diagnoses were conducted by families of Ayurvedic practitioners, who inherited their knowledge of this ancient healing system across generations.
Athreya Ayurvedic Centre, owned by a family of fifth-generation practitioners, exemplifies this legacy. Nestled among rice paddy fields at the outskirts of Kerala’s famous backwaters, this center uniquely features kutee huts, essential for specialized Kutee Praveshika Rasayana treatments focused on anti-aging and enhancing one’s immunity.
5. Narendra Nagar, Uttarakhand
For a unique wellness experience, venture into the Uttarakhand hills where Ananda in the Himalayas, an upscale Ayurvedic spa, resides on a sprawling forested 100-acre property overlooking Rishikesh and the Ganges River Valley.
Focusing on teaching traditional principles of Hatha Yoga, Ananda offers retreats that include daily Vedanta discussions, Ayurvedic detoxification, meditation sessions, and pranayama exercises. Its expansive 25,000 square foot spa provides over 80 traditional and international treatments, along with a gym and an outdoor temperature-controlled pool for hydrotherapy.
6. Patnem Beach, Goa
Goa’s palm-fringed beaches and the susegad lifestyle have long attracted local and international tourists eager to soak up the sun along its extensive sandy coastline. However, during winter months, a more spiritual crowd emerges, as yoga retreats and centers open across the state. While many, like the Ayurveda-focused Mercure Goa Devaaya Retreat, are situated in North Goa, for a serene experience away from the lively crowds, consider yoga teacher training courses and Ayurvedic programs offered at retreats along Patnem Beach in the south.
Programs cater to all skill levels and range from traditional Ashtanga or Vinyasa teacher trainings to innovative intensives such as Oil Yoga. This unique training blends principles of Ayurvedic self-massage with asana practice, strengthening lung capacity, enhancing flexibility, and regulating the body’s lymphatic and blood systems.
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