W
hat the Indian government is doing to protect
DR RAMKUMAR KUTTY
the tradition of ayurveda is an excellent eff ort. Ideally, the government should now work towards creating ayurveda expert physicians who are well versed with the original texts. Without the experts, you cannot offer
Director, Punarnava Ayurveda, Coimbatore, India
not a good idea, because the client does not necessarily know what they need. Ayurveda has never been about short-term
authentic ayurveda. For example, a herbal therapy only becomes true to ayurveda when an experienced physician prescribes the par- ticular herb based on their understanding of a given context and original text. I have off ered advice to numerous spa
groups which want to off er ayurveda and my recommendation has always been to focus on preventative aspects. T ere is so much awareness that spas can build about ayurveda if their vision is to create a well- ness off ering. Generally, those spas which are the most true to ayurveda are the ones that cater to the need of the client; rather than their desire. However, others present an ayurveda menu and permit the client to choose whatever they want. T is is certainly
pampering. It has always been about long- term wellness. Hence pampering at the cost of wellness is not to be advocated. To give an example – shirodhara is one of the most sought-aſt er ayurvedic treatments in spas, but unfortunately it is wrongly administered in many contexts. Like many ayurvedic treat- ments, shirodhara is an intensive therapy which requires the client/patient to follow appropriate dietary and lifestyle advice for a particular period aſt er the treatment to gain the most benefi t. T is could be anything from avoiding sitting or standing exces- sively to not sleeping during the day, keeping out of the sun or not eating uncooked food. T e texts explain in detail ‘untoward eff ects’ that may occur if this advice is not followed.
“Ayurveda has never been about short-term pampering... shirodhara, for example, is often wrongly administered when dietary and lifestyle advice is not given as a follow up”
J
iva from Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is the only Indian spa
BINA PATEL
brand in the world with unique Indian signature spa therapies and spa expe- riences and it is only natural that ayurveda would be a part of our off er- ings. T e ayurvedic treatments we off er are absolutely authentic. In fact, we only off er ayurveda at our facilities that have a resi- dent vaidya – an ayurvedic physician – who fi rst gives a diagnoses based on the person’s body type and need and then prescribes the treatment and oil accordingly. When creating Jiva’s experiences and treat-
Vice-president – spa operations & development, Jiva Spas, Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces, India Vice-president – spa operations & development,
nesses), because we believe a spa is a place to rejuvenate and re-energise and not neces- sarily a medical centre. In that sense, there is a happy medium
ments, we enlisted the help of qualifi ed and authentic ayurvedic doctors from the old and fabled ayurvedic institutions of India. We did extensive research and incorporated their suggestions into our menu and services. We only off er rejuvenative ayurveda (which focuses on promoting good health and pre- venting disease) and not curative ayurveda (which is used to treat people with ill-
SPA BUSINESS 1 2011 ©Cybertrek 2011
where a spa can offer rejuvenative and lifestyle ayurveda and still stay true to its authenticity. In our menus, we clearly urge people to take a minimum number of treat- ments (and regularly) to ensure that they get the maximum benefi t out of that therapy. Nothing is altered or tampered with and the oils that we use are pure and from a well- known, highly reputed ayurvedic pharmacy. T e oils may be pungent, but many of our spa guests fi nd the experience more benefi - cial than great smelling spa treatments. T ere are so many aspects that need to be considered and monitored before you
Some of the eff ects may not be noticeable immediately, but could become apparent aſt er a longer time. Shirodhara also requires
the use of the appropriate medium (medicated oil or
buttermilk) based on the need which is deter- mined by an ayurvedic physician. T e oils are composed of fi ve elements, which are eff ec- tive in specifi c conditions. When artifi cial elements like colour and fragrance are added, there is some re-alignment of these elements, which could possibly contribute to the oil being less eff ective. T e texts also detail the need for intensive treatments to take place in a protective environment – those which are sheltered and free of interruptions and pollution. A luxury spa could indeed off er this, provided the intent is there. It is diffi cult to explain authentic ayurveda
to spa-goers. However, ayurveda which is administered by knowledgeable, experi- enced and qualifi ed practitioners, and where the practitioners or the spas can actually explain the process referring to the origi- nal texts, would come the closest to being authentic and reliable.
Dr Ramkumar is a qualifi ed ayurvedic physician with over 19 years’ experience. He is currently developing a green ayurveda healing community in southern India. Details:
www.vaidyagrama.com
can off er true ayurveda in a spa and altering any one of these could actually take away from the benefi ts that accrue. Simply put, if you tamper with nature, nature has its own way of levelling
with you. Modern spas unfortunately have jumped on the bandwagon of what is exotic and will attract more customers. So, I would say that there is a need for an ayurvedic reg- ulatory body that can take cognizance and accredit only deserving spas. T e opportunities defi nitely exist where
you can off er the basic version of ayurveda and still be successful. Today’s customers are looking more for result-driven treatments and not strictly for the pampering ones. And by its very essence, ayurveda can become a new way of doing spa.
Bina Patel created the award winning Jiva Spa brand in 2003. Today there are 22 Jiva Spas worldwide and a further 23 in develop- ment. Details:
www.tajhotels.com/jivaspas
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spabusiness.com / digital 61
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