Ayurvedic wellness is offered in most of the holiday resorts throughout Kerala. The government of India monitors the Ayurvedic centres within resorts and provides certification based on the qualifications of the in-house Ayurvedic doctor, facilities and quality of health programmes and treatments offered. The two types of certification are `Olive Leaf’ and `Green Leaf’ with the latter given to those Ayurvedic centres that provide more extensive facilities, Yoga / meditation and cultivates their own herb and medicinal gardens. Treatments range from rejuvenating massages using herbal oils, body wraps, and flower baths to the more intensive curative Ayurveda treatments for a range of medical conditions including stress relief, sleeplessness, weight loss, reducing of diabetes, cholesterol, high blood pressure and a whole range of other medical conditions. The intensive curative treatments require a minimum stay of 14 to 21 days.

This form of well being is also practiced in Kerala and stems from Kalaripayattu – an ancient system of medicine, physical culture and self-defence that is believed to have originated in India thousands of years ago. Kalaripayattu is the only form of ancient marital arts still in existence. The healing arm of this practice originated as a result of the need to cure Kalari fighters who obtained physical injuries. The Kalari fighters had to learn to heal themselves and others, ensuring dedication to mental and physical wellbeing. Even today, Kalari massage is done by trained Kalari practioners and is offered only in a few holiday resorts including Marari Beach on the South West Coast and Malabar House in Fort Cochin.

The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root `Yuj’ which means to merge or unite. Yoga is based on the concept that the body and breath are intimately connected with the mind. By controlling ones breath and holding the body in steady postures, known in yogic terms as ‘Asanas’, stagnant energy centres open up, contributing to better physical health, mental peace and well-being. Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years in South Asia as a beneficial complement to Ayurvedic medicine and healing. Today, people are turning to yoga for many reasons from stress management to maintaining optimum levels of health and well-being. Most of the holiday resorts in Kerala that offer comprehensive Ayurvedic programmes also offers daily yoga sessions.

Southern Kerala:  The major coastal towns situated along the south-west coast of Kerala include Poovar, Kovalam, Trivandrum and Varkala.  Kerala’s most popular beach resort is Kovalam which has several hotels with good Ayurvedic centres including the Taj Green Cove Resort & Spa, Travancore Heritage, The Leela, and Thapovan.   Poovar, a half-hour drive south of Kovalam is an island surrounded by a lagoon, the Poovar River and the Arabian Sea.  The backwaters behind the sandbar, shelter a collection of luxury hideaways with good Ayurveda centres including Poovar Island Resort, Estuary Island and Isola di-Coco.

Central Kerala:  Kumarakom, an island on the backwaters, is ideal for Ayurvedic wellness. The Kumarakom Lake Resort and Coconut Lagoon are recommended for their Ayurvedic wellness centres that offer a range of relaxing and curative treatments.  Marari Beach Resort, situated in Mararikulum, a fishing village on the western coast is also recommended for Ayurveda and Yoga. All three are CGH Earth properties. In Fort Cochin, the Malabar House, a Malabar Escapes boutique hotel, offers Ayurvedic and Kalari massages.

Northern Kerala:   Kalari Kovilakom, another CGH Earth property, situated in Vengunad in the foothills of the Annamalai Mountains, is an Ayurveda Retreat that is entirely dedicated to Ayurvedic wellness. Housed in a refurbished heritage palace, Kalari Kovilakom offers a true experience of Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation.

We have designed two Ayurveda focused holidays for you to choose from. `Ayurvedic Rejuvenation’ is a peaceful 14-night journey through Kerala’s Malabar Coast, the tranquil backwaters and finally, seven days of Ayurvedic rejuvenation on the west coast by the waters of the Arabian Sea. `Ayurvedic Healing’ is a 21-night retreat designed for those wishing to undergo intensive preventive and curative Ayurvedic treatments. This journey also provides an experience of Kerala’s ancient cultural heritage and diverse landscapes. For those just wishing to indulge in a relaxing Ayurvedic massage whilst on holiday in Kerala, we recommend the following itineraries: `CGH Earth Kerala’, `Tranquil Backwaters’, and `Explore Kerala’. Select your holiday based on the extent to which you want to immerse yourself in this rejuvenating healing wisdom.

Ayurveda is a natural and holistic healing system which promotes general well-being and seeks not only to cure disease but also to rejuvenate the body. It has also proved to be effective in curbing stress and in promoting a positive mental attitude and relaxation of the mind. You don’t have to be sick to benefit from the wisdom of Ayurveda.

The basis of Ayurveda treatment is a process of purification and rejuvenation. According to this philosophy, the accumulation of toxic substances in your body including pollution over a period of time, coupled with poor diet, digestion, sleep and excess stress leads to the imbalance of the system and can lead to poor health. Ayurveda treatments aim at eliminating these toxins and balancing the body’s energies, which will restore one’s health and vitality. Some of the detoxification and rejuvenation therapies include herbal oil therapy, massages (head, feet, and synchronized body massages), application of herbal body masks, herbal baths, saunas and facial treatments. In order to receive the maximum benefit from these therapies, a minimum of seven days is required for these initial preparatory treatments and at least a period of two to three weeks for the more intensive detoxification therapies that come under the methods of 'Panchakarma.'

The Ayurvedic spas and wellness centres at the holiday resorts are headed by a registered Ayurvedic doctor. The first step is a consultation with the doctor who will record not only the obvious symptoms, but take all aspects of a person’s life into consideration (personality, lifestyle and state of health). These insights are used to formulate a personalised detoxification and rejuvenation treatment plan that will restore the balance of energies and restore optimal health. The treatment process follows a holistic approach that takes into consideration three vital factors: `Ahara’ (food intake); `Vihara’ (mental and physical behaviour); and `Aushadha’ (medicine and therapy). Ayurveda practitioners take food seriously when treating a patient and will supervise your diet to ensure that it complements the treatment plan. During the period of treatment, it is also advised to engage in activities that will assist in restoring the balance between mind and body. Yoga and meditation is recommended and are offered at most places that have comprehensive Ayurveda programmes.

The common medicinal preparations used in Ayurveda therapies are herbal teas, powders, oils, herbal wines and pastes made out of local medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables. Kerala’s tropical jungles are a natural storehouse of these Ayurvedic medicinal plants. Some of the ingredients are also sourced from other parts of India.