Ayurveda — The Art of Living & Holistic Healing

Ayurveda: The Art of Living — Holistic Healing at Somatheeram

Ayurveda is not a weekend therapy or just an exotic massage. It is the world’s oldest holistic medical system, kept alive in India for more than five millennia. At its core lies a brilliant observation: everything in the universe is made of five elements – earth, water, fire, air, and ether – and these elements also live within us in the form of the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

The balance of the doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha – is the foundation of health in Ayurveda. Each dosha represents a unique combination of the five elements and governs our physical, mental, and emotional functions.

• Vata (air + ether) controls movement, breathing, and the nervous system.
• Pitta (fire + water) governs metabolism, digestion, and transformation.
• Kapha (water + earth) maintains body structure, lubricates the joints, and provides strength.

When the doshas are balanced, the body functions harmoniously, energy flows freely, the mind is clear, and emotions remain stable. Our vitality, resilience, and ability to handle stress depend on this delicate balance.

But when doshas fall out of balance—due to poor diet, irregular lifestyle, chronic stress, or emotional disturbances—symptoms arise: fatigue, digestive issues, anxiety, insomnia, or joint pain. Ayurveda interprets these not as isolated problems but as signs of deeper imbalance that must be corrected holistically.

Ayurvedic medicine therefore goes beyond symptom relief, addressing the root cause. It looks at how we breathe, eat, think, and respond emotionally to our environment. Diet, sleep, daily routines, exercise, breathing practices, and meditation are all part of a personalized plan designed to restore dosha balance and reawaken the body’s natural health.

Through this approach, Ayurveda transforms treatment into an art of living, where prevention is as important as healing, and each daily decision contributes to lasting harmony of body, mind, and spirit.

Somatheeram – The Healing Village

Somatheeram Ayurveda Village is neither a hospital nor a conventional resort. It is a true “healing village” built on a hillside overlooking the Indian Ocean. Traditional wooden houses, medicinal gardens, and palm-shaded pathways immediately disconnect you from the noise of modern life. Most rooms have no television—by design. Instead of news and digital distractions, evenings are filled with the sounds of nature: insects, rustling leaves, and the rhythm of ocean waves.

Founded in 1985 by Mr. Baby Mathew, Somatheeram pioneered the concept of an “Ayurvedic hospital with the ambience of a resort”—a unique combination of authentic medical care and the comfort of a tropical holiday.

Everything is designed for simplicity and balance: shared meals, soft conversations, and a slower pace of life. Guests come from all over the world, yet around the dining tables or in the yoga hall, differences disappear. Everyone is united by the same search for health and inner peace.

Healing Hands and Compassionate Care

One of the greatest gifts of my experience at Somatheeram was meeting Sreekumari, my therapist. With more than 25 years of Ayurvedic practice, her hands carried both precision and warmth. She followed every doctor’s recommendation attentively, ensuring each session was deeply healing.

From the way she adjusted towels, checked the oil temperature, or asked if the pressure felt right, it was clear that each gesture was an act of devotion. At the beginning of therapy, she even offered blessings through song—a uniquely touching ritual that turned each treatment into something sacred.

At Somatheeram, therapists are seen not merely as “massage hands” but as an essential part of the healing process, transmitting the energy of tradition and building trust with every guest.

Warm Water, Plant-Based Diet, and Inner Balance

One detail that surprises many Western visitors is that only warm water is served at Somatheeram. Ice and cold drinks are avoided, as Ayurveda views the stomach as the digestive fire (Agni), which cold liquids weaken. Warm water, in contrast, supports digestion and detoxification.

Equally important is the vegetarian cuisine. Meals are freshly prepared with vegetables, basmati rice, mild spices, and herbs from the resort’s own garden. Diet is personalized to each dosha type: light, warm meals for Vata-Kapha constitutions, cooling and calming foods for Pitta, and so on.

Here, food is not just nourishment—it is medicine.

The Herbal Garden – A Living Pharmacy

Somatheeram hosts a botanical garden with more than 600 species of medicinal plants. Visitors can see Ashwagandha for vitality, Tulsi (Holy Basil) for immunity, Neem leaves for blood purification, and countless other healing herbs. This living pharmacy is a reminder that nature holds answers to almost every health concern.

Yoga and Meditation – Breath and Silence as Therapy

Mornings begin with yoga on an open terrace facing the ocean. The sea breeze carries the scent of salt while the rising sun lights up the sky. Yoga here is not taught as fitness, but as therapy: each asana supports dosha balance, while breathing practices calm the mind.

Evenings end with meditation, helping to close the day in silence and clarity. Without televisions, internet distractions, or city noise, the mind gradually quiets, and inner peace surfaces.

Ayurvedic Treatments – A Journey Through Tradition

Each day at Somatheeram brings a sequence of Ayurvedic treatments carefully tailored to individual needs. Among the most renowned therapies are:

• Shirodhara – a steady stream of warm herbal oil poured on the forehead, calming the mind and relieving stress, insomnia, and anxiety.
• Abhyangam – a synchronized full-body massage by two therapists using medicated oils, deeply relaxing muscles and soothing the nervous system.
• Pizhichil – the “royal treatment,” where warm oil is continuously poured over the body, rejuvenating joints, tissues, and skin.
• Kizhi & Podikizhi – warm herbal poultices applied to relieve chronic pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
• Shirovasti – a special oil therapy for the scalp, easing migraines, anxiety, and stress.
• Thalam – application of herbal pastes and oils on the crown or forehead to calm the nervous system and improve sleep.
• Pichu – localized warm oil compresses for joints and painful areas.
• Dhanyamla Dhara – warm herbal decoctions poured over the body for detoxification.
• Lekhaneeyam – a slimming therapy using herbal pastes to reduce fat and cellulite.
• Mukha Lepanam – a rejuvenating herbal facial for radiant, balanced skin.
• Herbal Bath – end-of-day detox with aromatic plant decoctions.
• Steam Bath – an Ayurvedic sauna that promotes purification and relaxation.
• Kativasti & Greeva Vasti – targeted warm oil treatments for back and neck pain.

Each therapy produced tangible results—deeper sleep, reduced stress, improved flexibility, glowing skin, and a profound sense of lightness.

The Atmosphere – Peace, Simplicity, Healing

What truly sets Somatheeram apart is not only its therapies but also its atmosphere. Silence, calm voices, and the sounds of nature replace the noise of modern life. Without meat, alcohol, or digital overstimulation, the resort creates space to reconnect with the essentials.

A Journey Worth Taking Once in a Lifetime

Somatheeram Ayurveda Village is not a typical holiday destination. It is a pilgrimage for health, a school of life where one discovers the true meaning of balance. After only a few days, it becomes clear that Ayurveda is not just medicine—it is a way of living in simplicity, peace, and harmony.

Best Time to Visit

• September – March: dry, pleasant climate.
• June – September (monsoon): ideal for therapies, as humidity enhances the effectiveness of treatments.

Recommended Duration

14 days – for full evaluation, personalized treatments, and deep relaxation.