Reality Bites
Eating at the restaurants here is an interesting experience. In order for the chef to identify each guest's specific diet plan, seating is assigned for all guests by villa. Once you find your table, it's yours for the duration of the stay. Every meal has your menu for that seating so you know what's coming.
I had a rude awakening when I looked at the breakfast meal plan for me on day one-vegetable juice, fresh fruit, steamed veggies, whole grain bread and a local specialty of idlis (steamed rice cakes). Ok. Huge reality check from what I was expecting even though I know Dr. Ajitha has put me on a vegetarian menu, based on the weight loss program I requested. I was envisioning eggs, whole grain toast, some South Indian coffee (so good!). I guess one out of three isn't bad?
Although each meal is four courses and the chef does his best to make the presentation of each course help you forget about the portions, it's still slim pickings! After the first meal, I found myself heading back to my room and rummaging through my bag for the protein snacks I was saving for my Sri Lanka hikes. Yup. Ate the whole bag of soy beans, nuts and raisins. No guilt whatsoever. I gradually started getting used to the portions at each sitting until today (Day 4) when I really could NOT eat steamed veggies for breakfast anymore. I attacked my whole grain bread like I had a vengeance this morning, savoring each bite as if it were my last. I came to the realization today that I'M IN INDIA! Why am I torturing myself by not allowing myself to indulge in all the amazing food that's available here? As much as I want to follow the plan, I think I'm going to give myself these last 2 days in India to really take in all the flavors of the country. Diets be damned!
I had a rude awakening when I looked at the breakfast meal plan for me on day one-vegetable juice, fresh fruit, steamed veggies, whole grain bread and a local specialty of idlis (steamed rice cakes). Ok. Huge reality check from what I was expecting even though I know Dr. Ajitha has put me on a vegetarian menu, based on the weight loss program I requested. I was envisioning eggs, whole grain toast, some South Indian coffee (so good!). I guess one out of three isn't bad?
Although each meal is four courses and the chef does his best to make the presentation of each course help you forget about the portions, it's still slim pickings! After the first meal, I found myself heading back to my room and rummaging through my bag for the protein snacks I was saving for my Sri Lanka hikes. Yup. Ate the whole bag of soy beans, nuts and raisins. No guilt whatsoever. I gradually started getting used to the portions at each sitting until today (Day 4) when I really could NOT eat steamed veggies for breakfast anymore. I attacked my whole grain bread like I had a vengeance this morning, savoring each bite as if it were my last. I came to the realization today that I'M IN INDIA! Why am I torturing myself by not allowing myself to indulge in all the amazing food that's available here? As much as I want to follow the plan, I think I'm going to give myself these last 2 days in India to really take in all the flavors of the country. Diets be damned!
It's All Or Nothing
I had discussed my treatment plan with Dr. Ajitha and have been working with her to add in some special therapies that I haven't heard of before so I could truly understand the breadth of what the spa offers. Well, true to my nature, I dove right in on day 1. I really don't know how to EASE into anything. Jumped in head first-yoga twice a day, pranic healing sessions, Shirodhara, Abahyangam and Podikizhy massages....you name it, I've tried it. The result of all this "over-wellness" as I call it, was lower back pain. I'm now having to sit out of the yoga sessions and having to ease up on the vigorous massage treatments. I guess there is too much of a good thing!
Perception vs. Reality
When I decided to embark on this Wellness journey, I had visions of soothing massages, relaxing yoga sessions, and contemplative time writing in my gratitude journal and doing some self discovery. Well, the yoga sessions were outstanding. What a great way to start the morning by stretching and awakening your body to the sounds of nature and the cool breezes. The evening sessions were more challenging, but I truly enjoyed both equally. The instructors explained all the postures and also helped with awareness of your breaths and energy.
Let's talk about the "relaxing massages". First of all, I've learned that when getting massages in India, you need to leave your modesty at the door, which is ironic considering that India is a country where modesty is cherished. You are expected to disrobe completely and no, well almost no, area is off limits. Let's just say I was completely traumatized on day one but by day three, I was owning it!
First there was Shirodhara. A stress-relieving treatment where warm Ayurvedic oils are poured on your forehead (or third eye) from a suspended container with a hole in the base. The gradual stream of warmth gliding from side to side is supposed to ease away stress and lull you to sleep. Well, I should say "most people". I'm not most people. I'm high-strung, overstimulated, and very impatient. So, for me, the first few minutes were fine and somewhat soothing. After that, I started following the stream back and forth wondering when it would be over. It's a matter of personal preference, and for me, this was not something I would repeat.
I next tried the Abhyangam massage. This treatment has two therapists working in unison, using warm Ayurvedic oils to massage you in long wave-like strokes. This is combined with Podikizhy, which involves using pouches filled with herbal mixtures periodically dipped in warm Ayurvedic oil to help facilitate healing. Again, in most cases, it's supposed to be a relaxing treatment. In mine, because I selected the weight loss program, the objective was to break up the fat cells. So, what I envisioned as blissful treatment turned out to be an aggressive, abrasive, fast-paced race to projectile me off the massage table. There were times the table literally shook with the force these two mild but utterly respectful ladies were inflicting on me. I had to remind myself that I had made the selection and it was going to garner wonderful results (as if I expected to drop several dress sizes by the end of the 4 day period!).
This brings me to my fascination with Pranic Healing. I had seen pictures of this "no touch" healing treatment. I went in for my session, but really didn't have any physical issues that needed resolving. I was more curious than anything else. The doctor explained to me that most physical ailments are a manifestation of what's in your mind (stress). This treatment removes your negative energy and replaces it with Pranic (life force) energy to heal your physical and mental issues. The doctor also shared that he's cured people in as little as 40 minutes and as long as 45 days (multiple sessions) based on the severity of the issue. This treatment involves laying down on a massage table, fully clothed. The doctor walks around your body making very fast hand gestures over the affected areas while he chants specific mantras. I was supposed to have my eyes closed and be relaxing, but curiosity got the best of me and I would peak from time to time to see what he was up to. The treatment did involve the doctor taking many short breaths because I could hear the force of the air expelled from his lungs. I did this session twice, the second time I was having the lower back pain and also some tingling in my fingers (too much time on the computer) and I surprisingly did feel relief after the session, although not immediately after he finished.
Of all the treatments I have tried, I would still say that my favorite has been Marma Meditation from my first day. I have never felt so relaxed and so at ease without actually getting a massage. If Dr. Rahul were still in town, I would definitely do this treatment again and again for it's therapeutic benefits for me.
Let's talk about the "relaxing massages". First of all, I've learned that when getting massages in India, you need to leave your modesty at the door, which is ironic considering that India is a country where modesty is cherished. You are expected to disrobe completely and no, well almost no, area is off limits. Let's just say I was completely traumatized on day one but by day three, I was owning it!
First there was Shirodhara. A stress-relieving treatment where warm Ayurvedic oils are poured on your forehead (or third eye) from a suspended container with a hole in the base. The gradual stream of warmth gliding from side to side is supposed to ease away stress and lull you to sleep. Well, I should say "most people". I'm not most people. I'm high-strung, overstimulated, and very impatient. So, for me, the first few minutes were fine and somewhat soothing. After that, I started following the stream back and forth wondering when it would be over. It's a matter of personal preference, and for me, this was not something I would repeat.
I next tried the Abhyangam massage. This treatment has two therapists working in unison, using warm Ayurvedic oils to massage you in long wave-like strokes. This is combined with Podikizhy, which involves using pouches filled with herbal mixtures periodically dipped in warm Ayurvedic oil to help facilitate healing. Again, in most cases, it's supposed to be a relaxing treatment. In mine, because I selected the weight loss program, the objective was to break up the fat cells. So, what I envisioned as blissful treatment turned out to be an aggressive, abrasive, fast-paced race to projectile me off the massage table. There were times the table literally shook with the force these two mild but utterly respectful ladies were inflicting on me. I had to remind myself that I had made the selection and it was going to garner wonderful results (as if I expected to drop several dress sizes by the end of the 4 day period!).
This brings me to my fascination with Pranic Healing. I had seen pictures of this "no touch" healing treatment. I went in for my session, but really didn't have any physical issues that needed resolving. I was more curious than anything else. The doctor explained to me that most physical ailments are a manifestation of what's in your mind (stress). This treatment removes your negative energy and replaces it with Pranic (life force) energy to heal your physical and mental issues. The doctor also shared that he's cured people in as little as 40 minutes and as long as 45 days (multiple sessions) based on the severity of the issue. This treatment involves laying down on a massage table, fully clothed. The doctor walks around your body making very fast hand gestures over the affected areas while he chants specific mantras. I was supposed to have my eyes closed and be relaxing, but curiosity got the best of me and I would peak from time to time to see what he was up to. The treatment did involve the doctor taking many short breaths because I could hear the force of the air expelled from his lungs. I did this session twice, the second time I was having the lower back pain and also some tingling in my fingers (too much time on the computer) and I surprisingly did feel relief after the session, although not immediately after he finished.
Of all the treatments I have tried, I would still say that my favorite has been Marma Meditation from my first day. I have never felt so relaxed and so at ease without actually getting a massage. If Dr. Rahul were still in town, I would definitely do this treatment again and again for it's therapeutic benefits for me.
If All Else Fails, Head To The Water
Part of this journey is taking time to reflect on what I'm doing and where I want to go. I was hoping to write in my journal, put a plan in place for what I'm hoping to achieve, and do a lot of quiet reflection. I did start off with a long walk on the beach-the property is on Marari Beach, a beautiful stretch of white sand. However, it was so humid that I was sweating like I had been working out at the gym for an hour, so I ended up heading back to my air-conditioned room and catching up on work. I did enjoy an amazing sunset with the local fishermen's boats floating on the waves. Just beautiful and so peaceful. The water is always where I have found peace and it's where I turn to when I need to recharge, so having such easy access to the beach was a blessing of which I took full advantage.
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