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After the challenges of the last few years, it was time for me to recharge my batteries for the projects of the coming years.
On the recommendation of good friends, I did this at the Somatheeram Ayurveda Centre near Trivandrum, the capital of the South Indian province of Kerala. Once there, I immersed myself in a medical world that was new to me. The seriousness and human closeness of the care provided by the Ayurveda doctors and therapists was impressive and deeply touching. The orderly sequence of treatments and the peaceful atmosphere of the place helped my body and mind to relax after just a few days. New strength and energy clearly built up in a body that had been cleansed of ballast and toxins. I would like to share this thoroughly positive experience with you.
The Ayurveda Hospital and Research Centre Somatheeram has been successfully concentrating on the application of the millennia-old Indian healing art of Ayurveda against the background of the needs of people today and their modern health problems for over 40 years. Somatheeram has already been awarded 10 times as the best Ayurveda centre in India and Kerala.
Somatheeram is located away from mass tourism, just half an hour's transfer south of Trivandrum airport. Here you won't notice any of the hustle and bustle of Indian cities. Tropical sea breezes and the calming rhythm of the waves set the tone here. In this environment, stress and hectic pace become a distant memory, the body relaxes and becomes open to the wide range of treatments. Walks on the beach, time out by the pool and the high standard of hygiene in the facilities further enhance this positive experience.
The various therapeutic packages include a daily doctor's consultation followed by approximately 2-hour treatments performed by two therapists, yoga for beginners to advanced practitioners and meditation. A German-speaking translator is available for the consultations on request. Most of the Ayurvedic medicine is produced in-house and is Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certified. A large selection of vegetarian Ayurvedic dishes is offered at the buffet in the morning, at lunchtime and in the evening, which are included in the full board package, as are non-alcoholic drinks.
The Ayurveda Centre Somatheeram consists of three facilities, which are located close to each other and all have Ayurvedic treatment rooms, restaurants, pool, restaurant and reception:
Opened just three years ago, the ► Ayursoma Ayurveda Royal Retreat impresses with its unique fusion of ancient Indian palace architecture and modern construction technology. Individual architectural elements that are up to 200 years old, such as stone pillars, have been skilfully integrated into the heavily overgrown, cosy-looking building. The hotel-like complex, built at sea level, is just a few minutes' walk from the sea.
The ► Manaltheeram Ayurveda Village, which opened in 1992, is located about a hundred metres north of the Somatheeram Ayurveda Village, also on a hill above the sea. Here too, accommodation is provided in traditional mud cottages or wooden houses between coconut palms and large flowering shrubs and trees. A small path leads from here directly down to the beach.
The ► Somatheeram Ayurveda Village is located directly above the Ayursoma, to which it is connected via a lift. It is the oldest part of the resort and was opened in 1985. From the edge of the slope, you have a sweeping view over the coast. Scattered over a wide area between lush tropical vegetation are small round clay houses (cottages), which function as single or double rooms, and spacious wooden houses with 3 bedrooms (Kerala Houses).