India is the birthplace of Ayurveda. But with the increasing and Western interest, it becomes more difficult to navigate in the ever-growing (commercial) offer. Therefore my personal tips for easy and trustworthy navigation.
It is quite a different thing to experience Ayurveda in a Western country or to experience it in its country of origin. The main reason why I travel back to India every year, back to the roots of Ayurveda. To be able to feel and experience with my own senses, down to my deepest fibers, what this ancient knowledge means, which DNA it carries and how it develops. To bridge the gap between what I have seen and experienced for years in the Netherlands and how it is seen and practised in the mother country. A journey that will have many sequels though in the meantime, I share my knowledge and experience with you here.
An important reason to go to India is that a large number of treatments are still very unknown in the Netherlands or are not even allowed to be performed. I am talking about panchakarma in particular, the showpiece of Ayurveda, which has been used for centuries for deep cleansing and restoration of body and mind.
What is panchakarma?
‘Pancha’ means five and ‘karma’ means action or procedure; the five phases you go through during this treatment. It is unique in the sense that a) it is virtually unknown in Europe and b) it deals with various illnesses and disease prevention like you probably have never heard of before. Where in the West there is often no explanation or clarification, the path continues here (or even back, to the source!).
Often much emphasis is put on the element of detoxing, because that speaks to people the most (the obsession in Western countries is real), but the power of Ayurveda is about knowing what someone needs (not what you want) and keeping a close eye on what body and mind can handle separately. What is the strength (bala of the body (sharira) and what is the strength of the mind (manas)? That will be a main factor in deciding on the treatment protocol and it’s development.
“Everything is completely tailored to your body”
The way you are cared for during the process (from a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of 6-8 weeks) is quite unique. From the intake to the treatments: everything is completely tailored to your body and you are cared for 24/7. During my visit to a clinic in both Bali and India, I was surrounded by several patients who were all somewhere else in their process. Where one was still struggling with drinking litres of ghee and being able to eat little, the other had just rolled out of an abhyanga radiantly or was amazed by the impact of her shirodhara (a continuous flow of warm oil over the forehead – so healing for the nervous system). It is a dance between suffering a lot and daring to trust and let go, but also feeling yourself heal step by step. ‘I always had the idea that this was a really heavy detox, not for the faint-hearted, but it is very loving!’, Anne Schouten shares about her experience.
Most people come into contact with it when they are dealing with ‘unexplained’ or serious complaints or a threatening illness, in preparation for pregnancy or fertility problems, to recover from burnout or to finally lose those extra pounds. ‘There’s lots of wisdom behind every disease’, and Ayurveda also dares to look at the underlying message of your dis-ease. What does this show you? What do we prefer not to hear or feel? Many people come back regularly after their first experience with panchakarma, for example as a biennial maintenance (pssst, many celebrities apparently do this!). You can see it as a thorough MOT but completely tailored to what your body and mind can handle. Don’t take it lightly, I can add that. This is profound and can set an intense transformation in motion, certainly the first time. As Jessica also experienced this year.
AUTHENTIC Ayurveda – what is that?
It’s kind of an illusion to think that everyone in India follows an Ayurvedic diet and lifestyle. On the contrary, the eagerness for Western influences and luxury is increasing rapidly. Ancient knowledge and traditions that are being lost to modern life have long proven to destroy more than we like. As a result, the weight of India is not only heavy because of its millions of inhabitants but also because more and more people are struggling with Western diseases such as obesity and overweight.
Ayurveda is visible in many places but is increasingly being diluted into a bad commercial variant. The question is mainly: with whom are you really in good hands? With whom do you feel the soul of Ayurveda? With whom do you experience the authenticity and how they once intended it, thousands of years ago, and do you experience that it is still mega effective and relevant? Moreover, panchakarma can go seriously wrong and have serious consequences if you are not under good guidance. My advice: know exactly what you are coming for (but dare to surrender to the process), use your intuition and make sure you choose a good clinic. I also had to be patient for years until the stars were aligned and I finally found the right clinic and doctor. In this fast and modern world, I can increasingly recommend choosing Ayurvedic clinics and doctors who honour and maintain a connection with the authentic source and hold this in high regard.
MY recommended places
These are personal tips and recommendations based on my own knowledge and experiences. The doctors and experts with whom I have experience or contact, or have been recommended by reliable sources. India is big, so also look who/what fits into your travel schedule; from north to south. Panchakarma is absolutely NOT something to quickly caulk yourself with. This requires time, rest and introspection. And, book on time!
- Vaidyagrama – Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
I first came here as a student for my internship and knew immediately: I will return here for my own panchakarma. This is a true gem in the Ayurvedic landscapes where I would confidently send everyone. The biggest names in the Ayurvedic world come here to teach or to find their own internal balance. Think of Vedic leaders such as Dr. Robert Svoboda, Dr. Claudia Welch and Krishna Das (if this means anything to you, otherwise just ignore these names). You are not only in the beautiful southern part of India, but also in the middle of nature and in the hands of true experts who know what needs to be done and have been transferring and applying their knowledge for generations. I am truly mind blown by the way things are done here and their eye for detail.
More info - Ayushmat Ayurvedic Clinic – Pune, Maharashtra
An Ayurvedic clinic that is run by dr Deepa Kshire and dr Alaknanda Rao, who’s one of my main teachers and Ayurvedic doctors (in Amstelveen). A sweet and very professional Indian ‘Amma’ (mother) whom I visit several times a year and who I know works with a lot of knowledge (25 years of experience), dedication and integrity. Also nice: because she works both in the Netherlands and in India, she knows very well how to deal with and empathize with Western clients, complaints and illnesses. She runs the clinic together with Dr. Deepa Kshire and a team of assistant doctors and therapists.
More info - Easy Ayurveda Hospital – Mangaluru, Karnataka
I dare say that seventy percent of my knowledge comes from Dr. Hebbar, the man and professional behind this newly opened Ayurvedic hospital. His website Easy Ayurveda is my online bible and through him I learn a little bit more every day. This is Ayurveda of the old school, but completely applicable to modern man. Exactly, this is proof that this knowledge is timeless. Last year he opened the doors of this large clinic where the door was immediately knocked on by people from all over the world. My teachers are also great about him (yes, you should see the selfies) and recommend this clinic. Especially people who deal with neurological disorders are in the right place here.
More info - Vasanta Institute of Ayurveda – Pune, Maharashtra
When you say Dr. Vasant Lad, my heart melts and a big smile appears on my face. It is my big dream to hopefully meet this man in this life and learn from him, because there is no one like Dr. Lad, ’the doctor from India’ and the guru of my own teachers. The figurehead of Ayurveda worldwide and the one who brought Ayurveda to the West a long time ago, starting in America. His consultations and pulse analyses are next level and he often includes your horoscope (Jyotish, Vedic astrology, my second great obsession next to Ayurveda) in the whole thing. I would love to book a panchakarma with him today, because this is the Taj Mahal among clinics. Not cheap, but a unique experience.
More info - Poonthottam Ayurvedasram – Palakkad, Kerala
This clinic is high on the list. Sometimes it is not only the knowledge that matters, but especially the place and energy. And this place is very special and that makes many of my colleagues like to come here. The daily updates that they have shared with me about the doctors, nurses, location, treatments and nutrition from their professional and personal perspective are inspiring to say the least. This place also breathes authenticity and functions on centuries of knowledge and experience passed on, from generation to generation, but at the same time with a firm foot in the present and the future. A beautiful example of how the ancient Ayurveda comes together with high-quality medical technology of today to lay a new foundation for healthcare.
More info - The Raju family – Hyderabad, Telangana
Although I have no direct experience with this family and clinic, I have been following them closely for a long time (thanks to Dylan from the wonderful Vital Veda podcast). Here, authentic Ayurveda is practiced by a large group of experts or vaidyas whose knowledge of Ayurveda goes back generations. You can go there for panchakarma, but also other specific treatments such as the Banana Treatment for the reproductive organs and liver, and therapies aimed at the thyroid gland. Whatever you come with or struggle with, the treatment plan is completely adapted to your constitution and complaints. The only thing they ask of you is complete surrender. Many well-known names from the Ayurveda world come here or are known here. The Sanskrit word ‘raju’ means king or royal, so you can’t go wrong.
More info - Ishwayaan Ayurved Centre – Pune, Maharashtra
This is the clinic of Ayurvedic doctor Dr. Shailesh S. Muli who used to be my teacher during my academy years. A true source of inspiration, because this man really knows a lot about Ayurveda and the human body. The reason why he is also a much sought-after writer for newspapers and magazines. A few years ago he set up his own Ayurvedic farm where he breeds cows to produce organic ghee, milk and curd and now he also grows many of his own herbs and spices. A popular place for students to learn but also many Dutch patients come to him for in-depth treatments and their search for better health. He is not only specialized in panchakarma in general, but also in fertility.
For more information, please send an email
`This article was originally published on Spice First (in Dutch)
Eén reactie op “Ayurveda in India (all my personal tips!)”
The brand brought the heat with a new formula that makes skin look so good.