After an extensive follow up treatment in a bungalow on the cliff in Verkala/Southern India and a 2 weeks stay with friends in Bangalore the effect of a cleansing 4 week Panchakarma treatment with Dr. Darly in the Matha Ayurveda hospital, close to Allepey, is showing.
Resting within my very center, full of power, yet inner peace I enjoy the mountainous air of Dharamsala. I feel light and free.
My reckless appetite for chocolate, meat or a bear is past.
The vegetarian food in India, especially in Dr. James hospital is tasty and plentiful. The right amount at the right time is leading me back to a basic principle: “I eat to live!” Before I was living to eat and indulge.
My figure is back in shape. Slowly but surely fatty rolls disappear. My goals in writing: cleansing. rejuvenation and weight reduction. To my dismay I would achieve the latter only after some time. Sweating continuously which, according to Dr. Darly is a result of too much bodily fat, also decreased.
The choice of the clinic in Alleypey was exactly right for me. It’s suburban location among fishermen with all their liveliness, singing of the birds, the music or chanting in temples to the left or right, the nightly concert of barking dogs, noises of water pumps and last but not least people at the bus station. Become one with everything meant to immerge in a variety of sounds and still be able to hear and identify the wind blowing in palm and mango trees.
Imbedded into a daily routine with hot tee to wake up, yoga classes on the top of the roof, feeling the rising sun on your face, warm breakfast with most tasteful specialties from Kerala, visit from Dr. Darly measuring blood pressure and extensive conversations about the course of the treatment, morning applications, rest, lunch – surprise of meals hidden under a variety covers of some 20 pots – swinging in a hammock in the garden, treatments in the afternoon, dinner and socializing on the porch.
Dr. Darly with her empathetic and intuitive way of treating each patient became a dear friend of mine. She and her family fulfilled each expressed wish in no time. Because I chose the hottest of all rooms they installed a sun shield in front of both windows..
So I could listen to my favorite music during applications I was given a CD player, in order to write in my diary I was given a chair and table like the ones I know from Trivantrum university.
As the gardner would pass my door I could take my pick of two pot plants in order to place them next to the entrance of my room. Thankfully I chose bougainvilleas in white and pink.
My team of therapists Dhanva and Priva fondly gave their best. After some direction they devotedly gave me a synchronized massage , eased pressure and included hands and feet. This way a methodic, medical massage turned into a smooth, rhythmic massage. This way I was able to completely let go.
During their education Therapists practice with patients. However, themselves they would not experience the wonderful effect of touch, Abhyanga, the oil bath. Their culture doesn’t stipulate such practize. Prior to marriage one doesn’t show bare skin. Covered from neck to the knees, all other areas are sacred places. Honestly, their sense of shame in all honors, but why would they assume for European female patients to feel comfortable with their most intimate areas all exposed? Upon posing this question the two started to think. In the end I wanted to spoil them with a facial and foot massage. Dhanva was as deeply asleep in the end.
Basic to this familial clinic with its neatly kept green front yard, countless roses, blossoming flowers in terracotta pottery, lovely and sedulous team is a vibrant love with the love for their work, the love to Ayurveda and the love for their patients.
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