Travel with Kathy to the most southern tip of India, on the balmy coastline of the Arabian Sea, to enjoy 14 days of total rejuvenation of mind, body and spirit in beautiful Kovalam. We'll be staying at Ayushya Ayurvedic Center in Vellayani which is located about 5 miles from Kovalam Beach.
Your retreat will include:
Daily 1-1/2 hour healing panchakarma treatment
Panchakarma is the grand healing treatment of Ayurvedic medicine. Your daily treatment will include:
- Abhyanga - an invigorating long-stroke massage done with herb infused oils that are deeply healing and detoxifying to your body.
- Podikizhi / Elakizhi - herbal poultices prepared with herbal medicines and soaked in warm oil.
- Eye, Nose and Ear Detox
- Small herbal enema
- Shirodhara 3rd eye massage - a therapy in which warm oils are gently streamed over your forehead for about 15 minutes as you close your eyes and relax.
- Detoxifying steam
- A finishing exfoliating scrub
In Kathy’s case, panchakarma completely cured her of 5 years of chronic, debilitating neck pain and migraine headaches, and freed her from a painful emotional attachment. You can read Kathy's healing story here: blog.sivanaspirit.com/are-you-in-pain-why-not-try-the-miracle-of-panchakarma/
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Consultation with Dr. Sambhu Pillai Doctor will address us as a group to teach us about what to expect from our treatment protocol. You'll also meet individually with the doctor as he supports you through the progression of your treatments and makes recommendations for continued treatments at home. |
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Dinner at Leela Resort On our 4th night together, after having rested and become adjusted to time zone and treatment, we will enjoy dinner together at the beautiful 5-star Leela Resort overlooking the Arabian Sea. The Terrace Restaurant offers exquisite dining in an atmosphere of breathtaking beauty. |
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Sounding Healing & Reiki with Raja You will be treated to a session with the gifted healer, Raja. His sessions include energetic insights that come to him while performing Reiki on you, and a sound healing with his giant Tibetan sound bowls. This is not to be missed. |
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Cooking with Geeta
We will visit the home of the lovely and talented Geeta to meet her family and enjoy a cooking lesson as she teaches us to make a few of the most delicious Southern Indian dishes. Everyone I've taken to learn from Geeta agrees that, though the cooking lesson and delicious dishes are wonderful, the most memorable part of the evening is learning about this amazing young woman and all that she has accomplished. |
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Daily Yoga
Kathy offers gentle yoga to those who would like a short morning practice. Our yoga shala (studio) is located on site at the Vellayani Center. We’ll practice to the sounds of the many local birds who love to sing out from the rooftops and trees, and the temple bells that ring in the distance. During our 2020 trip, we were visited on many days by a Peacock and Peahen who were very curious about our yoga practice. |
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Daily Wisdom Circle Each afternoon we will sit in circle. Through wisdom story, contemplation, and soulful discussion, we will mine the depths of our own lives to discover the amrita (precious nectar) that lies within. Upon returning home, you will have gained a little more insight into who you are and how your gifts are important in this world. |
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Walks on the beach Morning and evening walks at Kovalam Beach are equally enchanting. Some say the waves at night look electric, and in the morning hours you're sure to see the local fishermen chanting their work songs as they pull in their catch. Kovalam Beach is a short 15-minute taxi ride from the Vellayani Center so it's easy to enjoy relaxing at the coastline. |
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Lodging and Food Prepared at Vellayani Ayurvedic Center
All rooms are private with comfortable beds, private bath, air conditioning, television and 24-hour internet connectivity. There is a heated chemical and chlorine free swimming pool, lovely gardens, and a spacious yoga and gym area. You'll enjoy traditional Indian meals prepared by Vellayani's talented chef. Your meals at the center are included in the cost of your trip, but you can also choose to take a taxi in to Kovalam Beach to enjoy any one of the many restaurants there.
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Plenty of free time each day to relax, read, rejuvenate, or meander through the local marketplace.
Because of the beautiful, relaxing Vellayani Center, the beach town that we’ll be living near, and the depth of spiritual, emotional and physical cleansing you’ll be experiencing, Kathy wants to make sure you have plenty of “you time” to be quiet and to process all that you’re encountering. For that reason, she has provided ample daily free time.
There are plenty of things to do during our stay at Vellayani Ayurvedic Center. Swimming, yoga, a little working out in the gym, enjoying one another during our daily wisdom circles. A short taxi will get you to walks on the beach or into the forest area for shopping and dining. You can taxi to Trivandrum (the capital city of Kerala), visit local temples, take a yoga class from a local master, watch craftsmen make musical instruments, or . . . take a leisurely nap.
Taxi ride from TRV airport to Vellayani Ayurvedic Center
A taxi will be waiting for you upon arrival. You will be met right outside the airport front door and escorted to your taxi. Your taxi ride to the clinic is a little less than 30 minutes. When you depart for home, your taxi will also be arranged and paid for.
Your retreat cost does not include:
Airfare
Cost of airfare from LAX to TRV is currently about $1900 depending on your skill and timing in booking. There are many airlines that fly from LAX to TRV. Kathy's favorite is Emirates Airlines. Their flight path takes you to Dubai for a very quick layover of about 2 hours, then connects you directly to Trivundrum (TRV).
Note: If you see the word Thiruvananthapuram as you're making your reservations - no worries - Trivandrum is the anglicized version of the longer name for the capital city and is widely used now.
Any herbs you might wish to take home with you to continue your treatment
Doctor often suggests a home protocol for you to continue. If you choose to purchase the herbs he suggests, they will be inexpensive and you can take them home as extra baggage. Kathy always brings an additional small collapsible suitcase to transport her herbs.
All meals outside the clinic (with the exception of our welcome dinner)
If you choose to eat any meals outside the clinic you will be responsible for those expenses. The meals in Kovalam and Trivandrum are very inexpensive. There are lots of wonderful restaurants to choose from, serving many delicious vegetarian, chicken or fish options. Cost for a truly delicious meal will run you about $5 to $8 dollars and often the portions are so big that you can take leftovers back to the clinic kitchen to eat the next day.
Shopping
Kovalam Beach is filled with shops that present beautiful items by local artisans. You can get anything from a gorgeous, hand embroidered pashmina shawl to a hand-carved drum, a fun dress, handmade shoes, beautiful jewelry made from precious stone and sterling silver, and more. The shops here are not the “trinket-selling” shops you might see in other parts of India. Though you can get some fun, inexpensive “take-home” gifts, most of the shopping is for quality items at very reasonable cost.
Tuk Tuk to any of the excursions of your choice
If you decide you’d like to taxi in to Trivandrum to see the sights and do "more serious shopping", visit one of the many local temples or taxi/tuk tuk down to the beach, you are on your own for the cost of the tuk tuk or taxi. But like anything else in India – it’s very inexpensive.
Gratuity for your panchakarma therapists
It is customary to tip your therapist. About 300 – 400 rupees per treatment is the suggested amount. This amounts to about $4.50 - $5.50 in U.S. dollars. So, let’s just say $5 x 14 sessions = around $70.
And, of course, you may wish to tip the housekeeping staff and our chef a little something at the end of our stay.
A little about weather and logistics
Weather in February in Kovalam is lovely. The temperatures are in the mid 80’s in the afternoon, but mornings and evenings are a little cooler.
All the bedrooms have air conditioning so you'll be comfortable in the heat.
Clothing in Kovalam is beach friendly. There is nothing special you need to buy to clothe yourself appropriately for Kovalam. Any of your casual wear items from home will be perfect. Kathy suggests natural fiber clothing such as light cotton to be really comfortable during your stay.
The one thing Kathy recommends you pack, however, is a light “shift-type” dress that you can throw on to wear to your treatments. Anything you wear will get very oily, so you’ll want to bring something light, easy on and off, cotton if possible, and OK to throw away when you’re done. (Or save for your next trip to Kovalam for panchakarma the following year.) (wink wink)
There are many places to exchange money in Kovalam so it’s easy to get Rupees with your ATM or credit card. Many of the shops & restaurants accept credit cards. This is a tourist resort with many international tourists so the whole city accommodates people and their money.
You’ll need a passport and an Indian Visa for your trip.
Once you've registered for the trip, Kathy will send you a "welcome" document with lots of information about how to plan for your trip, including instructions for obtaining your Indian Visa.
Additional Information:
Kathy is limiting this trip to only 10 people. She wants the experience to be intimate and deeply meaningful for everyone. A small circle of wisdom seekers is what she envisions gathering for this very special retreat.
Together, we will enjoy a time of deep healing, welcome rejuvenation, and an opportunity to bond deeply with one another.
Cost for this retreat is $2250
Payment details:
- A $500 non-refundable deposit holds your space.
- Make 2 payments of $875 to pay in full. First payment due by Aug 1. Second payment due Dec 1. Or you can make the full payment of $1750. Both links, plus link for deposit appear below.
- Total amount of $2250 is due by December 2020.
- If you cancel 90 days prior to the retreat you get 75% refund less the $500 deposit.
- If you cancel 6 months prior to the retreat you get full refund less the $500 deposit.
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Are you ready to treat yourself to 2 weeks of total rejuvenation at Vellayani in Kovalam in 2024?
Simply fill out the registration form below and pay your $500 deposit to hold your space.
Simply fill out the registration form below and pay your $500 deposit to hold your space.
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