In the pursuit of health and inner beauty, Sarwat Abed and her partner Zahida Ispahani discuss the Ayurveda Wellness Centre as Natasha Rahman explores this holistic approach to healthy living
Photos: Ashraf Uddin Apu
Sarwat and Zahida believe that the centre not only enhances your external beauty but also has significant health benefits. “My partner and I felt the need to help create awareness about wellbeing, as so many people, young and old are suffering from diseases like diabetes, kidney failure, heart problem, high cholesterol levels, etc. People from Bangladesh often go to India to try Ayurvedic treatment as they do not want to take medicines which can create serious side effects.”
Unlike similar institutions, the Ayurveda Wellness Centre takes up the challenge and the effort to train their staff for months, before they can perform the different massage therapies and health treatments.
“The biggest challenge of training staff is the time frame. Since this is a specialised skill, it takes at least six months to train a therapist. Our therapists have been trained in Kerala from the Ayurgreen Clinic for seven months. They get hands on training by working with the patients of that clinic,” they confirmed.
Health requires an integral balance of the body, mind and soul. Hence some of these therapies are excellent when it comes to relieving anxiety, stress and even depression. The Marma therapy, for one, is a blissful yet healing experience. It’s a deep tissue massage where medicated Ayurvedic oils are used on the body to alleviate stress and pain.
If a patient were to come for treatment, the centre has certified doctors who study the nature of your body and prescribe one. Also, there are plenty of myths that need to be busted when it comes to massage and Ayurveda therapies. The partners are here to do just that.
“Many people think that using a good olive or baby oil and rubbing it on your body is as good a massage as an Ayurvedic massage. However, in reality, there are different kinds of massages for different problems and body types. Our doctors at the centre prescribe what is good for you. It is only then that therapists administer the massage. People must be made aware of the fact that wrongly performed massages can be detrimental to one’s health. The oils which we use are also medicated oil which is good for the body.”
The misconception about Ayurveda therapies is that they are contemplated as luxury getaways that one may indulge in from time to time. The partners interject, “There is no quick fix in Ayurveda treatment. We hope to bring a change in the mindset of the general public. The more regular they are with these treatments, the better their health would be in the long run. Our first patient had severe sciatica pain. He came for five treatments and he never came back with this problem again. We have regular customers who come for hair fall treatment and are happy with the result.”
“Our weight loss program is also quite popular.” The Udvartana therapy is one of their popular therapies in breaking cellulite in the body. While eating right and working out should be a part of a healthy lifestyle, the benefits of massage only adds to that aspiration of remaining fit. Udvartana therapy uses medicated herbal powders to give the skin a much needed exfoliation. It also breaks down the cellulite buildup and excess fat accumulation. This massage is known to increase metabolism and strengthen the muscles. Opposite directed strokes used in this therapy removes dead cells from the skin, and gives your body a natural lustrous glow.
With so much to juggle in a day, it sometimes gets cumbersome to maintain a healthy stress free wellbeing.
“We have very good treatments which help to de-stress,” the partners believe. One of their popular therapies, the Shirodhara is also perfect for stress relief and calming the mind.
It manifests a blissful sensation, as a warm and constant flow of aromatic oils and buttermilk is poured on the forehead and between the eyebrows. The liquids are free to flow on the scalp, through the hair harmonising the senses and uplifting your spirit.
Speaking of harmony, the centre also offers a special bridal package which promises to give the bride-to-be a treatment that will help radiate her natural beauty. Rejuvenating massages, facials, hair care and a long exotic bath in herbal water, saffron and milk sounds like just the thing the bride would love.
“It has many herbs which are soaked overnight in a huge amount of water. The next day, it’s brought to a boil, bringing it to half that amount of water. Then milk is added. As it is a long process, we need an appointment a day earlier to prepare it for the bride.”
To maintain a healthy lifestyle, it’s vital to change one’s diet as well.
“We shall have healthy cooking lessons which shall teach how to prepare healthy food that nourishes the body,” they express.
They feel that if one were to maintain a healthy body, the centre shall create that environment for them.
“All the treatments have herbs in it, which goes inside your pores and heals your body. I want the public to be aware of the benefits so they can make healthier choices when it comes to caring for their bodies.”
The partners want a gradual and steady growth of the centre. “We are passionate about this and we want to learn from our experiences.” Ayurveda is a spiritual curing science which soothes the body and mind. Slowly but surely, the Ayurveda Wellness Centre is working to reach that state of true healthy living.