Ayushi Ayurvedic Centre

Ayushi Ayurvedic Centre describes itself as an Ayurvedic retreat. A retreat is essentially a place intended for spiritual seclusion and inner work on oneself. In this case Ayushi can be seen as a wellness centre offering a wide variety of programmes for treating and cleansing body and soul.

Location of Ayushi Ayurvedic Centre

Ayushi wellness centre, or Ayurvedic retreat, is set in the picturesque Indian town of Varkala in the state of Kerala. Its precise location is given as Varkala North Cliff, which means the complex stands on the cliffs close to the Arabian Sea. It is a very green and life-affirming place with the power to heal visitors on a psychological level.

Services of the Ayushi clinic

The ancient science of Ayurveda has given us methods of treatment and solutions for many common illnesses and conditions, as well as for mental stress and tension. These treatments have no side effects, and the medicines used are carefully prepared from natural ingredients.

The Ayushi Ayurvedic clinic offers guests several packages of Ayurveda, Panchakarma and Rasayana. All treatments are prescribed by the centre’s experienced Ayurvedic doctors and carried out under proper supervision.

These include:

• a rejuvenation package
• a stress management programme
• an anti-ageing and beauty care programme (Rasayana Chikitsa)
• a weight-loss programme
• body cleansing treatments
• Panchakarma

Treatment costs from 2500 Rs to 3500 Rs per day

The Ayushi wellness complex thus offers patients a wide variety of treatments: work with herbal decoctions, oiling of the body, massage, the famous five Ayurvedic actions and much more. The package of treatments is prescribed after an individual medical examination, during which the severity of the condition is determined and a treatment plan drawn up.

Ayurvedic treatments at the Ayushi centre:

Ayurveda prescribes many methods for treating various conditions such as rheumatism, breathing problems, blood pressure, cholesterol, paralysis and so on. This system of medicine is distinctive in using only natural ingredients, which makes it entirely harmless and at the same time highly therapeutic. Some of the treatments offered at our centre are as follows:

PIZHICHIL

During this treatment, warm herbal oils are applied over the whole body by specially trained therapists in a continuous rhythmic manner for about 60–90 minutes a day.

NAVARAKIZHI
This is a process in which the whole body or any part of it is made to sweat by the external application of navara rice and certain medicinal preparations tied into pouches.

SHIRODHARA
Here herbal oils, medicated milk, milk with medicated oil and so on are poured onto the forehead in a special way for about 45 minutes a day.

UDVARTANAM
This is a massage with herbal powders for 30–45 minutes a day. It is a treatment for conditions such as hemiplegia, paralysis, obesity and certain rheumatic conditions.

SIROVASTI
Certain warm herbal oils are poured into a cap fitted on the head for 15–60 minutes a day, depending on the patient’s condition, over 7 days.

NASYAM
Herbal juices, medicated oils and so on are administered through the nose for 7–14 days. This treatment is very effective for certain kinds of headache, paralysis, mental disorders, some skin conditions and so on.

SNEHAPANAM
Medicated ghee is given internally in progressively increasing quantities for 3 to 7 days. This is done to prepare the body for shodhana (cleansing). It is a treatment for osteoarthritis, psoriasis, leukaemia, vata and pitta vyadhi and so on.

THARPANAM
This process helps to cleanse the eyes, gives them a cooling effect, prevents eye conditions and strengthens the optic nerves.

KIZHI
Herbal leaves and herbs or herbal powders are applied over the whole body in pouches with hot medicated oils for 45 minutes a day. It is a treatment for osteoarthritis, arthritis with swelling, spondylosis, sports injuries and so on.

DHANYAMLA DHARA
A warm herbal liquid is poured over the whole body in a rhythmic manner from a special vessel for 45 minutes to 1 hour a day. This treatment is very effective for hemiplegia, paralysis, rheumatic complaints and so on.

KATIVASTI
In this treatment a specially prepared warm medicated oil is held on the lower back within a rim of herbal paste. The treatment lasts from 45 minutes to 1 hour and is good for any kind of back and spinal pain.

UROVASTI
As with Kativasti, warm medicated oil is held on the chest for 45 minutes. It is an effective treatment for asthma, certain respiratory conditions, heart conditions and muscular pain in the chest.

KSHIRADHUMAM
Medicated cow’s milk is used here. This treatment is good for facial paralysis, Bell’s palsy, speech disorders and certain nervous disorders of the face.

THALAM
A special powder mixed with medicated oil is applied to the head for 20–45 minutes. This treatment is helpful for ENT problems, insomnia, migraine and so on.

LEPANAM
This is a process in which a medicated herbal paste is applied to the affected part. It is helpful for various types of inflammatory condition.

MARMA MASSAGE
This massage stimulates all the vital points called “marma”. It helps to bring vata, pitta and kapha into balance.

MUKHALEPAM
This herbal face mask consists of a specially made herbal powder and fresh cream. It prevents wrinkles and improves the tone of the skin. It is also good for the eyes.

MEDICATED STEAM BATH
Certain valuable herbal leaves and herbs are boiled and the steam is passed over the whole body for 10–20 minutes.

LEKHANIYAM
This is a special treatment for obesity. A particular herbal paste is massaged into the body in an upward direction. It is also good for cellulite and for the tone of muscles and skin.

YONI PRAKSHALANAM
Herbal oils and decoctions are administered vaginally. This treatment is good for gynaecological conditions and is also a process of cleansing the genital organs.

Opening hours:
Sunday to Saturday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

YOGA

Yoga is another branch of the ancient Vedic system of knowledge, very close to Ayurveda. Yoga brings together body, mind and spirit through the practice of asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), meditation, mudras (hand gestures) and mantras (chanting). Yoga and Ayurveda are an inseparable part of maintaining well-being and treating illness, both physical and mental. At Ayushi we believe in the importance of a regular routine that includes both yoga and Ayurvedic care, and we offer comprehensive yoga programmes for practitioners of all levels.

Daily yoga
Yoga is held twice a day in our rooftop yoga shala. Begin your day with an invigorating Ashtanga-based practice and end with our hatha yoga practice at sunset. The classes are suitable for all levels.

8:00 – 9:30 Morning class

16:30 – 18:30 Evening class

Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga:
The postures are linked with flowing movement to develop awareness of the breath, strength and flexibility.

Hatha: In this slower-paced class the emphasis is on moving mindfully into each longer-held posture, along with the practice of breathing techniques and meditation.

Private classes
Our team of yoga teachers can create individual private or semi-private classes that match your needs and your current practice, whether you are new to yoga or an experienced practitioner. Our yoga teachers can also work with your Ayurvedic therapists to develop a yoga routine that complements your treatment programme at Ayushi.

– Stress relief (10-hour course) (meditation and pranayama) (60- and 90-minute sessions)
– Weight loss (10-day course) (90 minutes per session)
– Yoga for the respiratory system (10-day course) (60 minutes per session)
– Shatkriya (preferably for yoga teachers) (60 minutes per session)
– Yoga for insomnia and sexual problems (10-day course) (60 minutes per session)
– Spinal disorders and body flexibility (10-day course) (60 minutes per session)
– Advanced pranayama and meditation (10-day course)
– Vision disorders (minimum 3 days) (60 minutes per session)
– Prenatal yoga (minimum 3 days) (90 minutes per session)
– Gentle yoga (minimum 3 days) (preferably for people over 50, 60 minutes per session)

1.5 hours of yoga costs 400 Rs

Workshops
Ayushi’s team of experienced yoga and Ayurveda practitioners regularly offers full-day workshops on various themes, including:

• Integrating yoga and Ayurveda

• The fundamentals of yoga

• The philosophy of yoga

• Yin yoga

• Restorative yoga

• Yoga for anxiety and mental health

• Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga

• Yoga nidra (yogic sleep)

• Prenatal and postnatal yoga

• Chakra meditation

• Sound healing

• The fundamentals of meditation

• Yoga therapy for

The back, shoulders and neck
The heart, hypertension and blood pressure
Arthritis
Diabetes
Stress and anxiety
Weight loss

We are always happy to discuss our many yoga offerings and how you can make the most of your stay and your treatment with us!

Meals

Food costs 400 rupees a day per person (3 vegetarian meals with some seasonal fruit)

Accommodation

We have 5 treatment rooms, 1 consulting room and a pharmacy. There are 2 doctors, 5 therapists, 2 cooks, 3 cleaners, 1 security guard and 3 administrators. There are 3 furnished cottages with a kitchen, 7 standard rooms and a rooftop for yoga (suitable for 30 people or more). About 150 species of Ayurvedic herbal plants grow in the garden.