Stress Management at Ananda in the Himalayas

​I just returned from an amazing 2 week trip to India. Before I left, I was in a frenzy trying to juggle client trips, my own travels and be present for my family. I always felt like I was on a hamster wheel, constantly trying to balance my business needs with those of my family, leaving no time for taking care of myself or having a moment to reflect.
 
I had also been reading about the benefits of morning routines, yet as much as I tried to get up an hour early to do yoga, meditate, exercise and prepare for my day, I just felt overwhelmed and frustrated. So when the opportunity to visit Ananda in the Himalayas came along, I was eager to experience this world-renowned international wellness resort for myself. 

​Ananda is situated in Rishikesh, India about an hour’s flight from New Delhi, but it feels like a world away. Set on a 100 acres at the Maharaja’s Palace Estate, overlooking the spiritual town of Rishikesh (also the birthplace of Yoga) and the Ganges river, Ananda is a haven for the weary, over-stimulated, over-connected travelers of today. The grounds themselves with the lush foliage, roaming peacocks and serene natural surroundings evoke a sense of calm and peace from the moment you arrive. 

​Ananda offers a variety of all-inclusive wellness packages including Weight Management, Active, Rebalance, Renew, Detox, Yoga and several others. Each begins with a personal consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor to determine the mix of your doshas. Ayurveda believes that everything in the universe is connected and if your mind, body and spirit are in harmony with the universe, you’ll have good health. In Ayurvedic medicine, the doshas represent the 3 life forces or energies in your body (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) which are believed to  govern your physiological state. While we have all 3, one will be your dominant dosha,  and when they are out of balance, it creates havoc in your system, ultimately leading to the beginnings of disease. 

​The goal of your program at Ananda is to balance your doshas through meal plans and activities such as yoga and meditation. Once your dosha is determined, your doctor will create a plan catered to your needs and your specific intentions for the visit. Although it’s best to select a program, it’s not mandatory. Some guests come to Ananda merely to relax, unwind by the pool and enjoy the healthy cuisine and incredible spa services. 

​I selected the 7 day stress management program to learn how to create more balance in my life. This program is a perfect blend of yoga, meditation, healthy meals and spa treatments meant to relax you and teach you how to get your life in order. My consultation with Dr. Singh revealed that I’m a Vata with Kapha as my secondary dosha. As he shared the tendency of Vatas, I found myself nodding in agreement. Vatas are quick and agile in their minds, thoughts, speech and actions with changing interests and inclinations. They have a lot of things on their mind and tend to worry often. They are talkative and make friends easily but their minds easily waiver and wander out of control. They are light sleepers and often suffer from insomnia…my favorite part- “change is usually their second name. They are rebels, not liking to be leaders or followers. Creativity and enthusiasm are hallmarks of balanced Vata.” Yup! That’s pretty much me. As a Kapha (my secondary dosha), I have a tendency to gain weight easily (thanks for that insight!) so Dr. Singh recommended I focus on the Kapha meal plan while at the resort. My private consultation with their chef ensured I was on board with the Kapha menu during my stay and also provided the opportunity to review any dietary concerns, allergies or aversions.

​Once I received my schedule, I realized my activities started late morning-usually not until 10am and they were well paced during the day, ensuring I wouldn’t be rushing from one place to the next (unlike my life at home). This immediately eased my mind and put me into a more relaxed state. I had private yoga sessions three times a week and private mediation sessions 5 times a week. My instructor, Reema, was fantastic and continued to stress that I be present and in the moment, that yoga was not about poses but being connected to yourself in both mind and body. I also learned how to use breathing techniques to de-stress and bring about a sense of calm. All of my spa treatments involved grounding, calming, and stress-relief elements. Over the course of the week, I enjoyed 11 treatments ranging from reflexology to Reiki to Ayurvedic Choornaswedana, where small bundles filled with Ayurvedic herbs and medicines dipped in heated oil are used to massage your body-my absolute favorite of all!

​The meals at Ananda challenged all of my pre-conceived notions of wellness cuisine consisting of boiled vegetables and bland, tasteless food. On the contrary, the resort employs no less than 5 head chefs, each with their own team and focused on a particular cuisine (Indian, Chinese, Italian, Continental, Pastry). You have the option of eating from your dosha-specific wellness menu or you can select from the regular menu with a more varied offering. I chose to stick to my Kapha menu throughout the stay so I could reap the maximum benefit of my plan. The service at the main restaurant was wonderful and it was so comforting to arrive at each meal to be greeted by the wait staff who knew exactly what you preferred!

​Ananda also offers weekly excursions, including an extensive hike to a nearby temple and the opportunity to go to Rishikesh for the evening aarti ceremony on the Ganges. I enjoyed both and although I was clearly not prepared for what I thought would be a modest hike (steep incline for 4.5 miles followed by over 300 steps to the temple itself), coming back to a yoga session and massage treatment certainly helped alleviate my sore muscles. In addition, the Vedanta lectures onsite, offered twice daily, allow for discussions on topics such as Living a Stress Free Life, Building Successful Relationships, and Practical Values for Positive Living. The insight offered by these seminars is the perfect complement to Ananda’s programs and a wonderful chance to hear differing perspectives not only from the moderator but also from other resort guests.

Given all the program elements, the amazing cuisine and the attentive service, it's no wonder Ananda is not only garnering international accolades but is also a favorite among celebrities such as Oprah and Ricky Martin. Even Prince Charles and Camilla have paid Ananda a visit and the Bollywood set are regulars during the winter holidays.

​Overall, my week at Ananda proved to be exactly what I needed. I came back home relaxed, rested and ready to take on my hectic schedule. My yoga and meditation instructor even emailed me my plan so I could continue to practice healthy habits at home. I learned to be more present and pay attention to the cues my body was giving me. I also learned how to eat healthier, lighter meals and not give in to my sugar cravings. I’m determined to apply what I have learned in India to my daily life, but I would welcome the opportunity to return and recharge at Ananda!
 
Ananda being a Virtuoso resort also means I’m able to offer extra amenities such as room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out (based on availability) and additional spa treatments. My relationship with hotel management, including the General Manager Nikhil Kapur, will ensure you get treated like royalty!