As India is being increasingly sought for wellness holidays, Kshema Vana, literally meaning Wellness Forest, has integrated modern techniques into the traditional healing system for drugless care through naturopathy, yoga and diet to create mind and body balance. On a recent visit there, I was tested for my vital parameters and stress levels at check-in. Doctor Vandana then marked my routine activity for my stay at the retreat. Morning and evening yoga, meditation and relaxation techniques were to be practised under expert guidance. My treatment chart included physiotherapy for muscle strengthening. Acupuncture was suggested to my friend for a sleep disorder.

Dr Narendra Shetty, Chief Wellness Officer, Kshema Vana, said: “Body has the inert capacity to heal itself and loses that capacity when under stress. Our 10 expert doctors’ research concluded that contemporary lifestyles constantly create stress that results in medical conditions. We let guests continue taking their regular medicine while helping their body’s inert healing capacity to recoup through our five-stream system developed on evidence-based disease protocol.”

Kshema Vana Bedroom

Holistic well-being is ensured through Food and nutrition, Gut and inner flora, Sleep and restoration, Mind & Body and Energy balances.

A vegetarian no-grain sattvic diet consisting of wholesome, pre and probiotic, fibre-rich organic seasonal vegetables and fruits, soups and salads is served at spacious, aesthetically designed restaurants-one each for a Raw, Boiled or Juice diet.

A guest’s day begins and ends at Kurma or the tortoise complex, which is the main activity centre with two yoga halls, a meditation hall and an indoor swimming pool. Hour-long yoga sessions in the morning and evening, meditation and relaxation techniques are taught by expert teachers.

Dr Shetty recommends a week’s minimum stay for the body to imbibe the benefits of the treatment. He said: “It also helps the guest to understand the daily routine he/she has to follow once back at home. 2 days of fruit or juice diet, 2 days of a raw diet and 3 days of a boiled diet reduce the inflammation, which is the main cause of body function imbalance that eventually leads to diseases.”

All suites at two of its accommodation blocks have private treatment rooms along with a steam bath facility. Additionally, the treatment centre at the retreat has 20 treatment rooms with all modern machines for oil, stone or salt massages, underwater therapy, colon therapy, sauna and steam. Physiotherapy and acupuncture are provided at the Garuda block.

Kshema Vana is a third wellness retreat by the Shri Dharmasthala Institute of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences. This biggest and most modern retreat has 144 rooms that can accommodate 370 guests at a time. It has 180 permanent staff that include many qualified doctors, nutritionists, yoga teachers and 35 masseurs.

Dr Shetty said: “Our mentor, Shri Veerendra Heggade wanted the facility to be available for all those who aspire to stay healthy and hence we also have provided hygienic 6 bedrooms with clean washrooms for budget guests.”

The retreat is spread over 20 acres of restored forest and grows most of its herbs, vegetables and fruits in its own organic gardens.

Buildings are aesthetically designed for comfort and luxury. Decorative-cum-utility gardens around each accommodation block emitted fresh air and made for a soothing sight. Antique wood doors, windows and artifacts recovered from dilapidated buildings are used to improve aesthetics. The path around the campus is good for walks, while barefoot walks on vast lawns are recommended by doctors. We could see sheep and cows grazing in the green pastures surrounding the retreat. Waking up to peacock screams every morning was pleasant. Remains of abandoned brick kilns make for a magnificent monument, especially when lit up at night.

Time just flew with scheduled activities and made me feel fresh and light by the end of the stay. A routine examination before checkout also proved that I was on a healthier path. Said goodbye to the friendly staff, as I resolved to return for more of a refreshing holiday. Its proximity to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport makes it more attractive. It’s less than an hour’s drive. Yashwanthpur railway station and Bengaluru Metro Rail network are also at just 40 km.

Fact Check:

Price: All-inclusive room packages at Kshema Vana range between INR 4000, 6000, 8500 and 12000 per person per day.

Website: www.kshemavana.com

Contact: + 91 80 47645555, Mobile: +91 7625043800

Written by: Madhura Katti

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