When all is well…ness

“If you consciously let your body take care of you, it will become your greatest ally and trusted partner” — Wellness guru Deepak Chopra in his book What Are You Hungry For?

With a range of holistic therapies designed to balance your psychological, emotional, and physical wellbeing, wellness programmes are designed to rescue you from the stresses of your daily routine.

So if you need an escape, then a trip to a secluded, personalised wellness retreat could be just what you’re looking for.

More than offering just a luxurious spa break of pampering and indulgence, wellness retreats are now focusing more and more on well-being, to create the ultimate luxury wellness experience.

Work your way through a rejuvenating menu of both beauty and body treatments, as you complement your wellness journey with tailored programmes focused on detox, weight loss, yogic detox, rejuvenation, stress reduction, nutritional advice, restoring emotional therapies, and anti-ageing to name just a few.

Eat light and healthy cuisines created especially for you by specialist chefs in settings where you will be able to explore the stunning natural beauty of your surroundings through the best experiences possible.

We showcase four hand-picked destinations in South India that will perhaps help you find the ideal programme to suit your wellness needs. You will soon feel returned to your best self on this healthy holiday!

Svatma, Tanjavur

Svatma, built as an elegant family residence over a hundred years ago, and consequently impeccably restored, epitomises Tamil art, architecture, culinary heritage, and culture.

Hence, there are no standard rooms in this property; each is unique. The spaces are envisioned as private rooms within a large elegant family home. There are verandahs, hallways, lounge spaces, nooks, bowers and secluded corners.

An all-day fine food restaurant with a traditional display kitchen overlooks the pool. It has a unique menu – an exploration of Tamil cuisine available a la carte in an exclusive bouquet of plated mini meals.

Ideal for those wanting to explore the flavours of the region, the ingredients are organic and carefully prepared by trained specialist chefs. Special hand-poured filter coffee, traditional health drinks and gourmet ethnic snacks presented in a quirky fashion add to the allure.

The Gym and Yoga centre has experienced instructors who can guide the body to a path of fitness with traditional asanas and simple meditative practices.

The luxury spa full body massage / treatment and foot and shoulder massages. The staff comprises trained therapists attuned to luxury travellers requiring customised treatment under expert advice by a wellness consultant.

Soukya, Bengaluru

SOUKYA is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Soukhyam’ which means ‘wellbeing’ and represents the harmonious state of mind, body, and spirit which is their goal for all who come here.

Aside from the treatment of illness, they concentrate on early intervention, preventive medicine, and health promotion and education.

Situated on a 30 acre organic farm with natural landscaping, SOUKYA is the first healing centre of this kind in the world where different systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Naturopathy, Homeopathy, and over 30 Complementary Therapies like Yoga, Acupuncture, and Reflexology are practised under one roof.

An open dining area serves a fresh, healthy ovo-vegetarian cuisine created by their in-house nutritionist – using organic fruit and vegetables from their orchard and garden. Dairy and poultry are also sourced organically at SOUKYA itself.

They have Wellness Programmes for relaxation, rejuvenation, and health promotion. Specialty treatments include the Ayurvedic Hot Stone Massage and the Dead Sea Mud Face Pack.

Their organic, Ayurvedic, herbal, and aromatic gardens provide ingredients for distinctive Ayurvedic and naturopathic therapies, and for in-house production of quality ayurvedic medicines and oils and aromatic oils.

SOUKYA helps restore one’s natural balance by combining modern medical advancements, ancient medical techniques, and complementary therapies.

Ayurvedagram Heritage Wellness Retreat, Bengaluru

Established over 75 years ago, the Ayurvedagram Heritage Wellness Retreat is one of India’s finest Ayurveda and Yoga Resorts, on the outskirts of Bangalore.

This is a peaceful, deeply spiritual Ayurvedic Health Resort. It promotes wellness through Ayurvedic Remedies, Yoga, Meditation and Pranayama, a Vegetarian Ayurvedic Diet, and a whole range of natural Herbal Ayurveda treatments.

9 acres of lush green, filled with birdsong, medicinal plants and shrubs, flowers, and fruit trees. Areas like Silent Spaces and the library allow people to relax during their breaks.

Films, lectures, talks on Ayurveda and Yoga, or a classical dance or music performance also enhance the experience.

The Gram’s mantra is Balance of Body, Mind, and Spirit.

Ayurvedagram has Ayurvedic Physicians, a Yoga faculty, Therapists, a Yoga and Meditation Centre, a vegetarian restaurant, and a Treatment Centre.

It is one of the Top Ten Healing Retreats in India today.

Shreyas Retreat, Bengaluru

Shreyas offers guests a private and tranquil haven to pamper and recharge themselves. Here, they discover the timeless spiritual tradition of Yoga and Vedanta.

Rated as one of the finest yoga retreats in the world, Shreyas is a sprawling 25-acre eco-friendly retreat that promotes responsible tourism.

It is a seamless blend of the modern and the timeless, luxury and simplicity, indulgence and enlightenment. Its beauty lies in providing access to Yoga at all levels of experience.

Guests have the rare luxury of being cared for in a secluded and serene environment by dedicated staff who are all trained in Yoga, and are encouraged to serve guests as part of their spiritual discipline.

Guests can integrate the benefits of Yoga into their daily lives without the austerity and rigour usually associated with ‘ashrams’.

The Retreat’s completely customisable itineraries offer diverse and complementary activities ranging from Yoga, meditation, chanting of sacred mantras, deep-relaxation sessions, body and breath awareness classes, volunteerism, community service, CSR (corporate social responsibility) exercises and communing with nature.

All these are perfectly complemented by rejuvenating massages, organic vegetarian cuisine and an organic farm where guests are welcome to work in, planting/picking the produce and communing with nature.