Since the pandemic the benefits of a holistic lifestyle have become increasingly recognised in Western culture.
Of course, the importance of having body, mind and soul in alignment has long been accepted in Eastern traditions so if the pressures and stresses of everyday life are getting too much and you need to escape and realign your chakras, the new Lhasa Ayurveda and Wellness Resort in Kerala, India is the answer.
This beautiful resort nestled on the banks of the gently flowing River Periyar, actively encourages an Ayurvedic approach to life*, seeking a balance with nature, our surroundings, and our consciousness. It provides a soothing hideaway designed for those seeking to connect with themselves and with nature in uninterrupted quietness.
Lhasa is the only Ayurvedic wellness resort in the heart of Kochi, the major port city on the Malabar Coast of India. While it is removed from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, it is close enough for guests to visit if they crave more urban buzz during their stay. Similarly, history buffs can enjoy Old Kochi and Fort Kochi with their Chinese and European influences.
A living room with a large window Description automatically generated with low confidence. The Lhasa Resort boasts 11 beautifully furnished air-conditioned suites with ensuite bathrooms to provide guests with simple comfort and stunning views of the lush gardens or the serene river. They can choose to spend their days lying by the pool, exploring the calmness of the exquisite grounds full of rare birds and medicinal plants and trees whose fragrances fill the air with a delicious spicy scent, or meditate in the Sarpa Kavu, a sacred grove in the grounds of the resort, taking a leisurely boat trip on the backwaters of the river, or by benefiting from one of the many ayurvedic-based treatments available.
There are several treatment packages to choose from ranging from those that last for 3 days, ideal for travellers just passing through and who simply want a taste of ayurveda, to longer 5-day, 7-day, 14 and 21-day options for those who want a more in-depth experience. See here for package details. Prices start at £282 for the three-day package and increase to £1,923 for the three-week escape (excluding flights).
Alternatively, the Lhasa Ayurveda & Wellness Resort can offer simple signature massage treatments focussing on different parts of the body, to relax and rejuvenate. A qualified Ayurvedic doctor is on call at the Wellness Resort for consultations about treatments.
No holistic healing experience is complete without including the art of Yoga; in fact, the word “Yoga” means to unite or harmonise. Yoga compliments the science of Ayurveda and provides relief from physical and mental stress and the Lhasa Ayurveda & Wellness Resort has a dedicated space for guests to clear the clutter of the mind and experience yoga in a natural setting that amplifies the experience. There is a trained Yoga instructor to run Yoga sessions every day.
To reflect the Ayurvedic ethos, the mouth-watering food served at the resort follows the Satvik diet which is based on Ayurvedic and Yogic concepts. It is entirely vegetarian, seasonal, nutritious, ethically sourced, and delicious! An individual dietary plan for each guest is developed following a consultation with the residential Ayurvedic doctor.
The Lhasa Ayurveda & Wellness Resort is an independent business, lovingly built and run by local philanthropic family, the Deo family who are already responsible for developing an ethical body care range, Holy Lama Naturals. This is made using essential oils in a Kerala based factory which is a government-recognised women’s enterprise, meaning the factory is 80% ‘manned’ by women from disadvantaged backgrounds who would normally be rejected by society but who, through their work with Holy Lama Naturals gain financial independence and a sense of self-worth. Many products from the Holy Lama Naturals range are used at the Resort.
The founder of Holy Lama Naturals, and patriarch of the family, Mr Vijay D Deo, spent some years in Bhutan in the Himalayas in the 1980s. While there he made a 12-day walking pilgrimage to Aja Ney (the holy place of Lama Guru Padmasambhava) where the presiding Lama presented him with a ‘Thangka of Lama Guru’ – a symbol for good luck in life. This inspired the brand name Holy Lama Naturals and 20 years on, this newest venture into the wellness sector has been inspired by the Bhutanese word ‘Lhasa’ meaning ‘Abode of God’.
And godlike is how you feel by the end of your visit having experienced the pure bliss of nature and the holistic healing of ayurveda. Get more information about packages, prices and what the Lhasa Ayurveda & Wellness Resort has to offer.