I recently visited Nimba- a
world class wellness retreat situated near Ahmedabad, India. Ayurveda exhorts
the importance of a good diet as well as a healthy lifestyle and works on
various levels of the human body (& spirit). This trip was supposed to be an
escape and those ruffled nerves needed to be soothed due to my hectic mundane (though
some call it charmed) life. Besides, an injury during my workout had left me
with unbearable pain in my waist. With both of these issues on the top of my
mind, I entered Nimba.
What I saw left me awestruck.
Being a practitioner myself, I know how difficult it is to administer these
treatments and techniques in regular clinics in the city but at Nimba this is
what I got to experience and it was a rejuvenating affair.
To chart my treatment
course I met the resident doctor who examined me before deciding on the course.He
charted out a therapy course keeping my constitution and ailment in consideration.I
was recommended Shirodhara and Abhyanga. A longer and more complex treatment
could be administered if one were to stay for some more time.
Shirodhara–There were several issues plaguing me at home and
stressing me out before I left for Nimba which had caused sleep deprivation and
fatigue. Shirodhara is an ancient technique and literally means ‘a stream on the
head’. I entered the Shirodhara room and lay down in the warm chamber
ready to be pampered. There are several ways to advocate Shirodhara depending
on the ingredient used which in my case was Oil.Oil was poured into a huge cauldron
and it fell on my forehead in a steady stream,while the therapist kneaded my
head and scalp periodically. It was like somebody was soothing my frayed nerves
and this definitely was rejuvenating both for the mind and the body.This made me
forget my fatigue and stress in no time.The flow on the forehead creates a
gentle pressure and that led me to a state of deep rest- just the kind I
experience after meditation.It relaxes one so completely and the effect lasts
for a long time-infact I slept peacefully that night after quite some time.
Abhyanga- is a preparatory step for the major panchkarmas but even on its own
has therapeutic properties.I was massaged with warm medicated oil with special
attention given to my back which was injured.This increases blood circulation
and nourishes the body. It helps in pacifying doshas depending on the type of oil
used. After a full body massage- which is very different from an experienced at
other spas or parlours- it was followed by steam which helps in expelling the
doshas from the body and thus purifying it. Abhyanga works best on Vata dosha and
pain is always a result of aggravation of Vata and hence was advocated to me.
Yoga-
Not many people are aware that Yoga is an integral part of Ayurveda in keeping
with the Aahar Vihaar or lifestyle aspect of the science. Yogic ásanás and
techniques particularly pránayám techniques can be very relaxing. It helps get
your body and mind in a state that is more receptive to other therapies and at
the same time is highly beneficial on its own, which is now well publicised (including the
various articles on this blog ). Yoga is great for the all the glands and rightly
stimulates the internal organs thereby aiding in overall wellness in more ways
than one can conceive. At Nimba one is taught a tailor-made Yoga course
depending on one’s conditions, ailments and needs.
Diet-How
can any healing take place without the right diet? Well one doesn’t have to
worry about it in this fabulous retreat. Food here is cooked in accordance with
ayurvedic directions. Infact doctors also prescribe specific diet depending on
the person’s constitution to ensure speedy recovery.
This trip was organised by Ayurved Sutra in its 1st edition of Bloggers meet.Nimba is a one stop
shop for not just Ayurveda but different forms of alternative therapies. These kinds
of therapies do not target just a part of you but treat you on the whole which
is the need of the hour.
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