Take a holiday with a healthy difference Relax, Revive, Rejuvenate at various health spa's in Northern and Southern India that practice Ayurveda & Yoga the ancient science of living.

"Ayurveda" comes from the two Sanskrit words "Ayus" meaning "life", and "Veda" meaning "Wisdom" or science. Ayurveda is an age-old way of life, and an ancient system of medicine that operates in tune with nature. Its therapies are holistic and natural, It treats the individual rather than the disease.

Based entirely on the premise that the individual is a microcosm of the macrocosm, the universe. It follows that a complete understanding of not only - the mind, body and spirit are in order, but a study of the psychological, dietary, behavioral, life-style and environmental factors are equally important before any formal treatment can be offered to an individual.

Ayurvedic Centers in resort hotels are fully equipped dispensaries whose highly trained resident staff works under the close supervision of a qualified vaidya ( ayurvedic physician), who comes in daily for consultations, discussing health issues with guests and recommending appropriate treatment.

Some of the Ayurvedic ways of treatments you can take if staying for a short duration. It normally takes an hour. One can get this massage done in major cities and health spas. Highly recommended after and before long journey Massage (General) : The body is massaged with herbal oils and powders. Tones, improves circulation and restores energy and vigor. It normally takes an hour. One can get this massage done in major cities and health spas. Highly recommended after and before long journey.

Massage (Pathraswede) : A variety of herbs with high medicinal value are packed in leaf bundles which are then used to massage the body. Medicated Steam Bath : The body is exposed to the rejuvenating vapors of special leaves and herbs that are boiled. Eliminates toxins, reduces fat tissue and good for certain skin disorders.

Rejuvenation Therapy : Ayurdeva helps to rejuvenation. Herbal preparations enhance the body power, vigor, vitality. Yoga exercises. Meditation, Oil Massages are highly balanced system of treatment recommended to bring the mental and physical process under control and to refresh the whole person.

Ayurveda's 4 steps for longer duration treatment

1) CONSULTATION - Treatment in Ayurveda is two pronged process. One involving actual treatment. The other - the more important- a life syle consultation. Followed by a cleansing of the mind and body, which then has to be maintained by the individual for the treatment to be effective.

2) DIFFERENT TYPES OF HERBAL THERAPIES.

• Abhyanga - Conventional oil therapy. Where the medicated oil are gently applied over the body. To alleviate fatigue, delay aging, improve sleep, etc. Swedana - A mild fomentation procedure (using cloth dipped in water). Nasya - Is an instilling of 2 drops of oil in the nose just before inhalation. Gandoosha - Gargling with different kinds of liquids.

• Danta Dhavana - Teeth cleaning with a herbal powder. Anjana - Lining of the eyelids with anti-infection paste. To improve eyesight and delay cataract formation.

• Karnapoorna - Is poring of 2-4 drops of medicated oil in each ear. To protect the ear from infection.

• Snana - Bath with herbal powders is administered at the end of each session.

• Dhara - A mental relaxant consisting of herbal oils and medical butter milk poured on the forehead and sometimes on the body as well. It is good for insomnia, mental tension, migraines, ear-nose diseases, spondilitis, paraplegia and certain skin problems. Proposed period is 7 to 21 days or according to condition.

• Pizhichil - Special kind of message with squeezing of cloth soaked in herbal oil all over the body. This therapy helps alleviate skeletal and muscular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis osteoarthritis, lumbago, sciatica, hemiplegia, neuropathy etc. Proposed period is 7 to 14 days or according to condition. Njavarakizhy - A treatment that induces perspiration through the external application of medicated rice concoction. Good for joints pains, arthritic conditions and certain skin diseases. Proposed period is 14 days or according to condition.

• Sirovasthi - A treatment that anoints the head with special herbal oils. Good for headaches, mental tension etc. Proposed period is 7 or according to condition.

• Panchakarma - This treatment consists of five different forms of cleansing the accumulated toxins and waste produced from the body. - emit(vomiting), purging(emptying the bowels with laxatives) Nasya ( application of medicines through nose), vasti (enemas) and Rakthamoksha (Phlebotomy)

3) YOGA -The word Yoga literally means Union. Here it is used to mean the union of the individual sprit with the universal sprit. Yoga asans (positions) are taught to each individual after knowing the persons physical conditions. Any undue exertion is discouraged.

4) MEDITATION -Meditation sessions are conducted where Pranayam is taught in addition to other meditation technique.