Ayurveda and yoga
Ayurveda and yoga in a village near Thrissur
Neelambari is a good place to rest and rejuvenate, in body and mind, through Ayurveda and yoga. It is a quiet, unhurried village on the Karuvannur river, with paddy fields around, and the rooms are spacious, with lush greenery on every side.
Central Kerala has long been known for its tradition of Ayurveda. At Neelambari it has a building of its own: a spa shaped like a kettuvallam, the traditional country boat, set in a tank of water lilies. It holds two treatment rooms, and the herbs and trees that grow around it are the ones used in Ayurveda. There are two places for yoga, and meals cooked in a home kitchen.
We are not an Ayurveda hospital, and not a resort that only does Ayurveda. We are also known for the local and cultural experiences we arrange for our leisure guests, and when someone is here for treatment and yoga, we arrange only what suits them.
The spa
The spa is built in the shape of a boat. Its two treatment rooms are for Ayurveda massage and treatments. Around it are planted the medicinal herbs and trees that Ayurveda uses, and the traditional pond is close by.
Seeing the doctor first
Every plan begins with a one-to-one consultation with an Ayurveda doctor, who decides which treatments you have and in what order. Our doctors and therapists work in the traditional way, and the doctor reviews your progress with you during your stay and gives guidance. Most guests who come for treatment ask for rejuvenation or detoxification, and some ask for help with stress or sleep. The doctor decides what is right for you.
Some of the treatments
These are some of the treatments we offer, with the benefits that Ayurveda traditionally claims for them. They are not a substitute for medical care. Which of them you have, if any, is for the doctor to decide after the consultation.
- Abhyangam is a full-body massage with medicated oil. It is the most common Ayurveda procedure, and is given by itself or as preparation for another treatment, such as Sekam. Its benefits are said to include reduced stress, lower blood pressure and less muscle stiffness.
- Dhara, Sekam and Pizhichil are treatments in which warm medicated liquid, such as oil, milk or buttermilk, is poured over a part of the body or over a larger area. When it is poured on the forehead it is called Shirodhara. Its benefits are said to include reduced anxiety, better sleep and less fatigue.
- Nasyam is a short treatment in which medicated oil is introduced through the nostrils. It needs care before and afterwards, and is usually combined with abhyangam. Its benefits are said to include reduced stress, relief from nasal congestion and detoxification.
- Kizhi, also called Pinda Sveda, applies local heat to a part of the body with medicine in a cotton pouch. The pouch can be dry or wet, depending on the person. It is used for relief from pain and discomfort, and to rejuvenate a weakened part of the body.
- Vasti is the Ayurveda treatment by enema, using either a mixture of herbal decoctions (Kashaya vasti) or medicated oil (Matra vasti). Both are given as a course on alternate days. Ayurveda uses it for several conditions. In PCOS, Kashaya vasti is said to ease the Vata dosha that Ayurveda holds responsible for it, and Matra vasti is said to help the quality of the ovum, reduce ovarian cysts and help ovulation.
- Snehapanam is the drinking of medicated ghee or oil on an empty stomach in the morning, followed by a particular diet and routine. It is a well-known Ayurveda therapy for detoxification, used both to prevent and to treat illness, and it is the preparation for Panchakarma.
- Virechanam is one of the five cleansing processes of Panchakarma, using laxative oils and medicines. It is said to help the body eliminate toxins, build immunity and improve metabolism.
Treatments are given only after the doctor has seen you. Charges are quoted on enquiry.
Yoga
We have two places for yoga practice: an indoor yoga hall, above the Koothambalam (the temple theatre), and an open space outdoors at Puzhayoram (the name means riverside), on the bank of the Karuvannur. Our teachers work in the traditional way, and their emphasis is on yoga as therapy. The practice they teach may seem gentle by the standard of a workout, but it engages the body and the mind equally. Progress is slow. Yoga is not something you can have done and be finished with, and what you pick up here has to be kept up when you go home. Each person's practice is personal, suited to their needs and their limits.
The food
Meals at Neelambari are vegetarian and cooked in the style of a home kitchen, with local dishes. Guests find the food outstanding, and those who stay longer say they enjoy the variety.
Beyond the treatments
Thrissur is the cultural capital of Kerala, and a good deal of the local culture and tradition is within reach of Neelambari. In the village there is the Arattupuzha temple and its Pooram, and we arrange performances of Kathakali, Koodiyattam or Mohiniyattam in our Koothambalam. Further out are the great temples of Thrissur, the temple festivals that run from late November to early May, and Kerala Kalamandalam, the institute of Kerala's classical arts, about 45 km away. Our pages on Arattupuzha and its Pooram, temple festivals and exploring Thrissur describe them. If you are here for treatment, we arrange only what suits it, and the doctor's plan comes first.
For retreats and groups
If you lead a yoga or Ayurveda group and want the whole property for as long as your programme runs, see our Retreats page. For individual guests, ask us what we can arrange for the dates you have in mind.
Planning your stay
Message us on WhatsApp, call +91 94005 25150, or use the enquiry form. We will take it from there.