Spirit Of Ananda Nov 2015

Namaskar from Ananda in the Himalayas!

In this issue of Spirit of Ananda we address ‘stress’ and how Ayurveda deals with stress and its effects. Yoga Guru Kirit Thacker shares breathing postures that are relaxing for both the mind and body. Reiki Master Virginie Claret will be at Ananda this month offering sessions on Aura Reading and Healing Touch. Enjoy the beauty and adventurous offerings of the Himalayan foothills with Ananda’s revamped Ananda Active Program. Also join us as we add another award to our kitty. Ananda in the Himalayas won category awards for: Best for Mind & Spirit; Best for Yoga; and Best for Healthy Cuisine at Spafinder Wellness Travel Awards 2015! Read along for all this and more in this issue.

Do share your feedback on this issue of Spirit of Ananda on newsletter@anandaspa.com. Here’s also wishing everyone the best for the festivities ahead. Add ‘Ananda’ to your lives to stay healthy and relaxed!

Do not lose the treasure of your Self for the pleasure of the senses – – VedantaStress is a by-product of the high paced life we lead today. We generally use the word “stress” negatively when we feel that everything seems to have become too much – we are overloaded and wonder whether we really can cope with the pressures placed upon us. Ayurveda instead considers stress as a positive factor which helps us to improve and evolve by mindfully straining our adaptive capacities. But when our body and mind is not balanced enough; stress is left unmanaged and this residue create tensions in our body and cloudiness in our intellect. Unclear thoughts lead to defective decisions and improper actions which again obliterate the state of natural equilibrium within our body, mind and soul leading to “the cycle of stress” situation.

Maintaining ones Dosha Prakriti or mind-body nature is the basic step to managing stress. One of the most powerful conceptual tools in Ayurveda is the Tri-dosha theory that explains how the elements of nature which make up physical creation, dynamically combine to control all processes within the human physiology. These three functional capacities are called Vata, Pitta & Kapha. Each human being is born with unique combinations of Doshas, and that this natural balance is what is responsible for physical, mental and emotional difference among the people. By identifying and maintaining an individual’s Prakriti or Nature, Ayurveda can help each person create his or her own state of ideal health.

Second step in managing stress is maintaining a routine. Ayurveda has elaborate description of daily routine called Dinacharya and seasonal routine called Ritucharya. This well planned routine helps maintain our Dosha balance even after the body is exposed to a varied diet and climatic variations. Physical activity is also an important element in a well planned routine. Outdoor adventure activities, yoga, meditation, pilates, swimming etc. will equally equip body and mind in managing stress effectively.

Ananda Stress Management Program

Ananda signature Stress Management program focuses primarily on assisting the individual to experience and implement various mind and body techniques based on the concepts and philosophies of Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama and Ayurveda, for creating positive changes, reducing and managing stress and enhancing synergy in one’s life through a balanced approach.

The five or seven night program includes wellness consultations, Reiki, Ayurvedic therapies, Aromatherapy, grounding body scrub, reflexology, Tibetan therapy (for 7 night program only), rejuvenating facial therapy and personalized guided yoga and meditation sessions. The wellness cuisine is customized as per individual’s dosha type and doctor’s recommendation. Listen to our resident expert speak on the program methodology and its benefits here

Handle Stress with Yoga

Ananda’s resident Yoga Guru Kirit Thacker recommends 3 breathing postures to fight stress:

1. Sheetali Pranayama (cooling breath):

Sit in any comfortable posture keeping the head and spine upright. Close the eyes and relax the whole body. Read more

Take fitness outdoors with the enhanced Ananda Active Program

Imagine ditching your routine gym workout for a week of personal fitness sessions amidst the Himalayan foothills with an expert personal trainer guiding you throughout! Ananda packs this and more in the revamped Ananda Active program this season.

The personalized Ananda Active program combines beautiful treks in the Himalayan foothills around Ananda and the thrills of white water rafting on the Ganges with carefully planned fitness routines charted out by SUMAYA trained expert fitness instructors. The luxurious spa therapies designed post a detailed Ayurvedic consultation with the resident physician will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated. A detailed body-composition analysis along with a personalized wellness menu plan ensures that all elements of functional fitness are integrated in this program. Explore more

Upcoming Visiting Masters & Retreats

Cameron Walker
16 October – 15 November 2015

Highly skilled at assessing the Chi-life energy, Virginie is a Reiki master of exceptional intuition and a licensed massage therapist with a strong background in medical studies. She is a graduate of the Arizona School of Integrative Studies as well as a graduate of the Harner Shamanic foundation in the USA. She collaborates regularly as a specialist in top hotels and spas around the world and works privately as a healer in her native Switzerland. Read more

View the Upcoming Visiting Masters Schedule here