Wow. I think im waking up! Today is my first full day at this vastly upgraded Ayurvedic retreat. If you didn't see my previous posts, i had been staying in a rather 'not cool' place for 4 days previous to this and then suddenly decided to drop out of it and come to a MUCH nicer place instead. ITs amazing really because all the things that i felt were missing in the other place., and by that i mean much more than just the comfort and Zen like opulence. I mean the attentiveness, and the way they explain what is happening. They provided me with some things to read so i can know what to expect, and they take the time to explain to me what i am eating each meal. In fact more than that the head chef is happy to take time out each day and demonstrate right in front of me how to cook some of the dishes i am eating. Today was a great treat to watch a real Ayurvedic cook whip up something I had eaten last night, and it was so tasty. What struck me right away was that he used NO oil whatsoever, and managed to fry and sauté onions, garlic and some veggies with just masalla and water!
Today i have tried a few things from the daily schedule. In stark contrast to the previous place, which had absolutely nothing going on at ALL, I am almost overwhelmed with the perfect array of activities, all of which are exactly the ones i want too! This morning started at 6:00am with a Pranayama session. The teacher walked us through their rustic paths up toward the peak, which has a breathtaking view of the beach and sea. On the way we passed through their property, which has so much attention paid to not only the beauty and landscaping, but also the planet. They use only rainwater here and have huge rivers of water stored for use. They also treat their grey water in large botanical cells that they can then use for many gardening jobs. It was a great session and around 6 of us did some simple breathing exercises together as the sun rose over the shimmering sea ahead. Beautiful!
I decided to skip the yoga class straight afterward, i didn’t sleep much as i got bed late last night, and so i rested a litte. Then a delicious breakfast which consisted of two kinds of dosa, and i also tried their version of porridge. The dosa was gorgeous of course with the slightly spicy coconut chutney sauce, one was a bit greasy and fried, and the other was a thicker more American pancake texture. This felt like a really good breakfast and it sat well and I didn’t feel heavy afterwards.
Not longer after it was time to meet the chef, who i think is very knowledgeable about Ayurvedic cooking for health. He set up a cute table in the foyer as sadly covid prevents me from going inside their kitchen. The table had everything he needed to make the dish, and i sat watching for about 20 minutes as he prepared it. I learned a lot, and had the pleasure of eating it all right after he made it. This is something i am going to try, that coconut sauce was too good, a very Kerala style of cooking.
I tried to attend the art therapy class today but as i approached the door of the art building there was a lady meditating there under supervision and so i have to come back tomorrow. I only caught a glimpse but it looked like an amazing art studio, with lots of pottery happening and many things around the walls! Tomorrow maybe ill paint something or make a small bowl.
Soon enough it was lunch time, and i sat in anticipation to see what they would bring me to eat today! It was a nice and simple dish, not the most exciting thing in the world, but very tasty indeed! One of the dishes was a kind of thinly diced spinach with toasted coconut and spices. I really liked that and have asked if Chef can teach me how to make it tomorrow. You only have to ask around here and seem to be really on it and just make it happen :)
Straight after lunch i headed to the most gorgeous beach just a few minutes walk from the resort. Thankfully the climate is just perfect now, not too hot and not too humid. I walked along the sea edge and greeted the local dogs who came to say hi. The dogs here run the place! I sat and did something naughty, but it was needed! I haven’t had a coffee since around 5 days and i was feeling really sluggish. I went to a small restaurant shack that was perched on the edge of the beach overlooking the whole location and ordered myself a good filter coffee. Thankfully they had a proper Italian style coffee maker, so I had the perfect coffee and some coconut water. Wow. The coffee perked me up fast, after not drinking it for so long.. and suddenly i had loads of energy and so i quickly walked back so i wouldn’t miss the next daily activity.
The yoga Nidra session was genuinely amazing! The last time i did this was a few years ago, and that was also amazing. All you do is lye down and listen to a guided meditation that brings your awareness to each part of your body in turn. Then finally you go into a deeper meditation and finally the teacher brings you back. Somewhere in the middle of it i experienced a true deep relaxation. I felt my mind stop, and my whole beingness shifted. It was NICE! A nice place to be, and i haven’t been there in such a long time! Its amazing how quickly it can take you there actually.. So COOL!
If you would like to try Yoga Nida out here is a great session with Sri Ravi Shankar
I had 15 minutes gap before the highlight of the day!.. Treatments and massage! Today was also a real good session. My entire body was pounded nice and firmly with hot medicated fabric pads and oil for about 45 minutes. They did a good job, and i also got a nice quick indian head massage afterwards! Love it! So sweet how they do it here, even with a short prayer before we begin and when we end. Very nicely done!
Now ive had some time to organise myself for the evening and am about to head off to dinner. The meals are good, and somehow i have resisted snacking completely. When its there ill eat anything, and a lot of it too.. but it seems it IS possible for me to not snack and still feel pretty OK. Im sure if i continue like this i would finally loose my big belly which ive had for a good 10 years now, and i really don’t like it! The question is, will I manage to bring this all home with me and continue cooking and not snacking?! I hope so, i am motivated and inspired. I even am thinking about making a small deliver service to some of the people who live near my home, with only super healthy and tasty Ayurvedic food. I think its a great idea and many people cant get that kind of food in any of the restaurants. Lets see!
One thing is for sure, Ayurveda is a powerful and sacred form of medicine. It is so much more than just medicine and brings together so much ancient wisdom in to a practice that has been passed down through generations. Im so thankful to have found this place, that practices it so well. Its such a shame it costs an arm and a leg to stay here else i would stay the whole month! Oh and, NO headache at all today! Wooo hoooo! ( I've had migraines every day all day for weeks before two days ago!)
Thanks for stopping by! I hope this has maybe perked your interest about Ayurveda. If you want to learn more you can watch this short movie from Sadh Guru who explains Ayurveda well!
The Science of Aliveness: Ayurveda
Secrets of Ayurveda With Dr. Vasant Lad & Sadhguru | @AyurPrana