A Wellness Journey Across The Mountains, Beaches And Backwaters Of Kerala

For Vasudha Rai, a timely wellness journey across the mountains, beaches and backwaters of Kerala has transformative results

- Vasudha Rai

IT WAS THE PERFECT KERALA MORNING. The ocean was as placid as a bath and the golden sand under my feet was still cool. But though all around me was calm, I felt as if I might break down. It wasn’t surprising. A day before I’d been through a series of Ayurvedic therapies. Being a hyper-sensitive individual who shields herself with false bravado, these treatments always trigger release.

According to Ayurveda, the human body is made up of with our physical body, encircled by energy, emotions, our original state. When we heal, our emotions break through the layers so they can be released.

I turned to yoga and Ayurveda—sister branches in the Indian school of medicine—a decade ago, to recover from emotional trauma. Severe endometriosis and unsuccessful fertility treatments had drained me, physically, emotionally and spiritually. I was looking for something beyond modern medicine to counter the heaviness I felt.

Both practices helped transform me, release toxicity, purify my energy, improve my health and lead me towards self-love. But even though I’ve written a book about Ayurvedic herbs and hosted a podcast on holistic healing, I still see myself as a novice. My visit to Kerala, with its lush forests, mountains, beaches and backwaters, had come at just the right time. I couldn’t wait to explore not only Ayurveda, but also naturopathy and slow living, a post-pandemic self-prescription with the potential to heal yet again.