Ayurvedic Medicine and Well-being, A futuristic market for the Spas
Isabelle CHARRIER et Vaidya Atreya SMITH

Ayurveda, which is recognised by the World Health Organisation, constitutes one of the oldest natural (3000 years) and richest systems of health care in the world that are still practiced. This "science of long life" that originated in Kerala is not only a therapeutic practice but also a philosophy and art of living. Thanks to Ayurveda, India has become the second Spa destination after Thailand and this strong demand has been imitated a lot in the European Spa Resorts where one finds the best and the worst westernised adaptations of this science that does not tolerate approximation. Vaidya Atreya SMITH, Director of he European Institute of Vedic Studies, is also the Managing Editor of Turiya Publications: a publishing house that specialises in Ayurveda. He is famous lecturer and practices this science since over twenty years. He has lived and studied in India from 1987 to 1994 where he received the title of Vaidya in Banaras in 2005. His unique experience will help the hoteliers in developing a better understanding of what is Ayurveda and how can they integrate it in a profitable and authentic process chart. Some establishments, such as Thalassa & Spa Alliance Resort Pornic, have already successfully integrated it. Letizia LORENZI, Ayurvedic practitioner of the Resort will tell us more.

Origins of Ayurveda
The history of traditional Indian health system – Ayurveda – is shrouded in mystery. In fact, Indian culture used to consider writing as an inadequate method of conserving knowledge. Indians were famous for their ability to memorise between 40 000 and 200 000 sutras (verses) and reciting them without any errors with a flawless intonation and according to the rules of Sanskrit metrics. A master of this art can, of course, recite the verses perfectly but he can also do it starting from the end without error!
As a result of this special point of view about learning, as well as history of conservation of knowledge, very little was written about ancient India by Indians themselves. However, we know a lot about ancient India thanks to the Chinese and Persians who used to write a lot. Therefore, most of the written information that we have about ancient Ayurveda (literally: science of longevity), has come to us from merchants, or learned men who were not necessarily physicians. Judging from the information originating from the Chinese, we can consider that the Ayurveda was used for public health for the first time before 3000 B. C. This is corroborated by the archaeological discovery, in the last decade, of cities dating back to approximately 5000 to 7000 years, where plumbing and private bath-rooms as well as sewerage systems for evacuation of used water were found.
History of medicine shows that the most important discovery for the health of humanity was not vaccine but public hygiene. Therefore, it would be illogical to imagine that public hygiene in ancient big cities is just a matter of chance. Moreover, it is clearly written in the most ancient Ayurvedic text, the Carak Samhita, that Ayurveda was born as a result of concern of wise men of the period who considered gathering of many people in an urban environment as a fundamental problem for public health and well-being. Ayurveda developed as a result of physical and sociological needs of the humanity of that time, in that place.

Ayurvedic physician or Vaidya (literally, one who has knowledge of Ayurveda) was available for general public, but only the kings got the best treatment and supported the development of Ayurveda. Of course, a king or a queen would not have taken a cold bath while perfumes, rose-water, hot fragranced oils and other enchanting products for senses were available. Probably, till recently, we had completely forgotten that India has always been the richest country in the world. Historical documents indicate that the palaces were made of gold and precious stones were used not only for personal adornment but also to adorn palaces. Such a rich culture also needed to preserve health of its population as well as that of the king who represented political stability for the whole country. Ayurveda also played a key role in providing relaxation and physical comfort to the rich and powerful.

"Some branches of Ayurvedic medicine are very useful for Spa treatments"

Ayurveda consists of eight conventional branches of medicine:

1. General practice (Kâyacikitsâ)
2. Paediatrics (Kaumârabhrtya)
3. Toxicology (Agadatantra)
4. Surgery (Shalyatantra)
5. Head-diseases (Shâlâkyatantra)
6. Regeneration (Rasâyana)
7. Aphrodisiacs (Vâjikarana)
8. Possession and Psychiatry (Bhâtavidya)

Some of these branches such as regeneration are very useful for treatments in Spa but the therapeutic approach of Ayurveda is still more important for Spa professionals.


Vision of health in Ayurveda
The theory of Doshas
Importance of diagnostics
Ayurvedic Dietetics
From training to integration in the Spa
Ayurveda and Spa Resort,
How to achieve a successful integration of an authentic concept?

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