Ayurveda, medicine to get boost

New Delhi, March 23: Ayurvedic and medical tourism is likely to be the largest beneficiary of 2010 Commonwealth Games and may gain by around Rs 800 crores. The revenue generation for ayuvedic industry will be mainly driven through spa centres, which means pampering exterior of those tourists that stay in various hotels, beginning five star to one star.

Currently, the medical tourism market in india is estimated to be worth over $300 million with 170,000 foreign patients coming in every year and expected to grow into a $2 billion business by 2012 with advantages of low-cost medical and surgery treatment compared to the US and the EU.

According to Assocham president Venugopal N. Dhoot, the Assocham estimates are based on the assumption that over 1,800 athlete participation would be bare minimum for the Commonwealth Games in 2010 in variety of sporting disciplines and tourist arrivals for the people is projected for six-seven lakh overseas visitors.

The countries of which maximum outflow of tourists would emerge include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, South Africa, Singapore and Sri Lanka and over four lakh domestic tourists.

The Assocham has suggested that the ministries of health and tourism should jointly set up a separate department and training institutes to bridge the gap of skilled professionals in this field and also authorise the ayurvedic and herbal centres. Some of the major treatments in the ayurveda and spa centres include rejuvenate programmes and therapy, body immunisation and longevity treatment, body sedation, panchakarma treatment etc.

The science of life

There is a renewed and growing interest in the many different natural therapies available - the re-discovery of the ancient and forgotten healing arts that use oils, herbs, crystals, meditation and the merging of ones self with nature, which are as old as humanity itself.

Originating in India several thousand years ago, Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine based on theories of health and illness and on ways to prevent, manage, or treat health problems. It uses herbs and oils to heal and rejuvenate.

The term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words - ayur, which means life, and veda, which means science or knowledge. Ayurveda means "the science of life."

To understand this ancient Indian therapy, a visit to Frank n Sense urban retreat is necessary. Located on Xinhua Road, the retreat is a home of true healing and a sanctuary for the international community in Shanghai.

The retreat provides ayurvedic marma energy treatment, ayurvedic marma point head massage and Shirodhara.

Shirodhara is one part or feature of Ayurveda. For any treatment to be effective, it is essential to know the body type so that the treatment can be tailored accordingly.

Before the beginning of the two-hour Shirodhara treatment, I was asked questions such as how stressed I was, my skin type, my sleep pattern and if I was easily frustrated by other people's incompetence.

General Manager Yoshiko Okada, a certified aromatherapist, advanced Reiki practitioner and Ayurveda healer, analyzed the consultation answers and said I was a Vata type.

Doshas (life force) are referred to in Sanskrit as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. They are the three fundamental operating principles in the physiology. Some people are single-dosha type but others are a two-dosha type. Practitioners seek to determine the primary dosha and the balance of doshas through questions that allow them to become very familiar with the client.

After Ayurveda, Kerala Astrology finding favour

KOCHI: After Ayurveda, it is Kerala Astrology which is finding favour, especially among foreigners, who are keen to tap the traditional wisdom of this ancient science.

The Kerala method of delineation of horoscopes using 'cowries' (sea shells) is highly valued for its accuracy, according to astrologers from India and abroad.

Well-known astrologer Kailasnath from Parappanangadi near Kozhikode said that no time of birth or place of birth is required for doing the predictions,.

Kailasnath, who is here to take lessons for delegates attending the International Conference on Astrology, which ends today, said there is great demand for the Kerala method.

Drawn by the uniqueness of Kerala astrology, John Ryder from Australia, a structural engineer, who takes classes in Melbourne University on Indian Astrology, is here to learn ways to remove 'vastu doshas' (ill-effects of the construction style of buildings).

Ryder and other practising astrologers were learning ways to use cowries to remove vastu doshas.

 

Kailasnath, who describes himself as a student of astrology since 24 years, says the workshop is an effort to teach delegates the unique aspects of the state's rich astrological wisdom, particularly 'prasnam vekkal' (suggesting causes of certain events and possible remedial measures).

The delegates have been given practical instructions on ways to use the 'cowries' since the last three days, he said.

The workshop has been organised and coordinated by Komilla Sutton, a UK-based astrologer, who has been practising astrology in the UK and US since 1995.

Besides Kerala astrology, classes on Sanskrit verses and yoga were also held, Sutton said.

Kerala astrology was widely appreciated by the delegates, she added.

Alexander from Latvia, who practises astrology full time, said there was huge interest in this ancient science in his country.

Sutton told PTI that there was scepticism earlier about Indian astrology, but there was 'deep interest' too.

Westerners are interested in astrology as they are interested in Indian philosophy and spirituality, she said. For them, it is a spiritual journey to know themselves.

For her, astrology was always a source of fascination which started off as a hobby.

The interest on Indian astrology began during the eighties and could be attributed to gurus like the late Mahesh Yogi, she said.

Sutton, who is also an astrology teacher, said 18 practising astrologers and researchers from 12 countries, including Wilfredo from Puerto Rico and Keiko Ito from Japan, were here for the workship.

Dr Ajith Sinha, Sanskrit scholar from Mumbai, took classes in Sanskrit.

The next workshop, to be held in 2009, will be on 'Shani' (Saturn), Sutton said