Cover Unlike conventional massages, body massage following Ayurveda doesn’t just make you feel relaxed—it aims to harmonise the body, mind and spirit (Photo: Getty Images)
Unlike conventional massages, body massage following Ayurveda doesn’t just make you feel relaxed—it aims to harmonise the body, mind and spirit (Photo: Getty Images)
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Ayurveda may not align with the framework of modern scientific medicine, but its emphasis on holistic health and harmony with nature makes it resonate with people seeking sustainable well-being options
Ayurveda has been practised in India for a long time—more than 3,000 years. In that time, it’s been influenced by several branches of medical systems; saw a decline during India’s colonial era; then experienced a revival after the country’s independence. Today, it has gone mainstream and is endorsed by Hollywood celebs like Jennifer Aniston and Julia Roberts.
It’s been quite a journey for this ancient medicine system, but through it all, it has remained unchanged in its core philosophy: the need for a balanced lifestyle. That’s why an increasing number of people, who seek alternatives to Western medicine, are still drawn to Ayurveda.
So, to meet the needs of modern times, many practitioners of Ayurveda are reimagining this ancient philosophy’s wisdom by blending the time-tested principles with contemporary practices. This revitalisation is not merely a trend but a movement that reflects a growing awareness of holistic well-being.
Also read: Rituals: Finding success at the intersection of wellbeing, mindfulness and sustainable luxury
Ayurveda for everyone
Above Dried herbs and flowers in wooden bowls—all used in Ayurvedic remedies (Photo: Getty Images)
Dried herbs and flowers in wooden bowls—all used in Ayurvedic remedies (Photo: Getty Images)
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Tatler finds out out how Ayurveda can be incorporated into contemporary daily lifestyle through a conversation with Dr Ramkumar Kutty, a renowned expert in this field, who visited Hong Kong to speak about the benefits of Ayurveda as part of the India by the Bay festival in November 2024.
“The practice of Ayurveda is easy to include in our daily lives,” he says. “In fact, most of us do it knowingly or unknowingly.”
At the core of Ayurveda is the idea of moderation, he adds. “Ayurveda says ‘no’ to nothing. No element is universally good or bad, but overconsumption or overexposure to certain elements can be personally good or bad for your health. So, anyone who is eating healthy, sleeping well, overcoming stress and cleansing the body through regular bowel movement, perspiration and exercise is already practising Ayurveda. It’s as simple as that.”
But how does one sustain this moderation in the long run? To provide one with the tools necessary for long-term self-care, many experts—Dr Kutty included—have set up Ayurvedic healing communities, wellness retreats and more where people can not only go for a short-term detox but also take the learnings and apply them to lifelong practices.
Ayurvedic wellness centres
Above The Shirodhara Ayurveda treatment is said to release stress (Photo: courtesy of Dharana)
The Shirodhara Ayurveda treatment is said to release stress (Photo: courtesy of Dharana)
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One such wellness centre is Dharana at Shillim, a luxury wellness retreat located a few hours’ drive from Mumbai, India. Its Ayurveda Panchakarma programme, available for 14, 21 or 28 nights, first assesses an individual’s unique constitution and then customises a wellness journey based on that assessment.
“We use cutting-edge scientific technology to do a detailed body composition analysis, allowing a deep understanding of each guest’s health profile,” says Dharana at Shillim’s wellness director Dr Arun Pillai. “The retreat begins with a detailed consultation where doctors and experts assess each guest’s balance (dosha) and health goals.”
Above Dr Pillai, the wellness director at Dharana at Shillim, says the dosha-centric approach in Ayurveda is a personalised well-being roadmap (Photo: courtesy of Dharana at Shillim)
Dr Pillai, the wellness director at Dharana at Shillim, says the dosha-centric approach in Ayurveda is a personalised well-being roadmap (Photo: courtesy of Dharana at Shillim)
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The philosophy of dosha is central to Ayurveda. The three doshas—vata (dominated by air and space), pitta (rooted in fire and water) and kapha (combining earth and water)—each represent different elemental qualities that influence a person’s physical and mental characteristics. For example, individuals with a dominant vata can have an energetic personality but may experience anxiety or irregular digestion if out of balance. To keep vata in check, the experts at this wellness centre guide such individuals through grounding routines like restorative yoga, warm oil massages and a diet of warm, moist food to help counterbalance the airy, mobile nature of vata-dominant people experience.
According to Dr Pillai, “This dosha-centric approach in Ayurveda is like a personalised well-being roadmap that allows for intuitive self-care throughout one’s life.”
Ayurveda meets AI
Above With AI technology, predictive analytics can be performed that can help practitioners anticipate potential health issues
With AI technology, predictive analytics can be performed that can help practitioners anticipate potential health issues
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Though Ayurveda is more than 1,000 years old, one of its best qualities is that it has always been adaptable to the times. With AI entering the conversation in recent years, Ayurveda practitioners have been nimble enough to jump on this trend and use it to their advantage. The result? Accessible and personalised treatments for everyone.
Imagine having a wellness plan designed just for you, where AI analyses your unique symptoms and lifestyle to recommend remedies that fit your specific health needs. This is exactly what has been adapted at Dharana at Shillim. “Our doctors analyse the nadi (or pulse) of the patients to understand their imbalances by using AI and technology. The graphs measuring the fire, earth and water elements in your body appear on the monitor in front of the patients just like a heart rate monitor making it easier and more tangible for them to understand the process, says Dr Pillai. “Embracing this technology at Dharana at Shillim has made an otherwise esoteric branch of medicine accessible to all.”
Dr Pillai adds that they also use technology to perform predictive analytics that can help practitioners anticipate potential health issues, allowing for proactive care that keeps you ahead of the game.
Ayurveda and eco-friendliness
Above An Ayurveda practitioner grinding neem leaves and turmeric (Photo: Getty Images)
Above An Ayurveda-focused class in progress at Dharana at Shillim (Photo: courtesy of Dharana at Shillim)
An Ayurveda practitioner grinding neem leaves and turmeric (Photo: Getty Images)
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Ayurveda not only charts a course of well-being for people but also takes into consideration the well-being of nature. It emphasises a harmonious relationship between human health and the environment. At the core of Ayurvedic practice is the use of natural remedies, primarily derived from herbs and plants. This reliance on herbal medicine promotes biodiversity and encourages the sustainable use of natural resources. Ayurveda advocates for organic agricultural practices and consumption of seasonal produce—all of these signalling a deep respect for the earth and its abundance.
With that in mind, Dr Kutty has set up a healing village called Vaidyagrama in Coimbatore, south India. Here, on top of engaging in Ayurvedic self-care rituals, guests also actively care for the nature around them. Under Dr Kutty’s supervision, Vaidyagrama has self-sufficient farmlands, water harvesting, waste management and recycling systems in place, all providing solutions to contemporary ecological concerns.
Promotion and pitfalls
Above Dr Ramkumar Kutty says Ayurveda is focused not just on cure but also on holistic healing
Dr Ramkumar Kutty says Ayurveda is focused not just on cure but also on holistic healing
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The Ministry of Ayush, established by the Indian government, promotes Ayurveda. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Indian government also set up the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujrat, India, in 2022. Boosted by the government’s support, the Ayurveda industry is projected to grow rapidly, yet there are allegations of unscrupulous players who take advantage of people’s limited understanding of Ayurveda to promote and sell fake cures.
Dr Kutty says that the only way to make sure Ayurveda’s reputation remains untarnished is by implementing robust, rigorous studies of Ayurveda, which will support its practitioners.
While Ayurveda may not align with the framework of modern medicine, its emphasis on holistic health and well-being in harmony with nature has garnered millions of supporters for millennia. No wellness path should be followed blindly, but embracing Ayurveda’s fundamental philosophy of moderation seems generally beneficial. And that’s precisely why Ayurveda continues to be relevant today.
Suchetana Mukhopadhyay is the Digital Content Manager for Tatler Hong Kong. In this role, she leads all digital editorial and branded content on Tatler Hong Kong’s website, from brainstorming story ideas with the writers to editing and publishing the articles, and from managing the overall content flow to driving search engine optimisation. She also leads the beauty content at Tatler Hong Kong and across the region, and is always looking to champion diversity through her articles. She was previously with Cedar Hong Kong and Gafencu, and freelanced for the South China Morning Post, Campaign Asia-Pacific, CNN and more. Contact her here.
