The Benefits of Doing an Ayurvedic Retreat During Monsoon

The monsoon season with its heavy rainfall may not seem like the ideal time to head away on a wellness break, but in actual fact, this is the best time to do an Ayurveda retreat. Ayurveda is India’s ancient form of healing that believes ill health is a result of an imbalance in the body’s internal energies (the doshas) and uses therapies such as panchakarma and a nutritional diet to rebalance them, for more detailed information on Ayurveda click here. The benefits of this holistic type of healing are lauded by many, and it is said during the monsoon season that these benefits are greater than ever – but what is it about the monsoon season that makes it the perfect time for an Ayurveda retreat?

It's More Relaxing

Most can agree that the pitter patter of the rain has soothing effects, especially when you have no real need to be out and about in it. When you are spending your time trying to unwind and heal, the calming effect of the rain can be especially beneficial. When your mind and body are in a state of relaxation they are much more open to the healing powers of the treatments meaning you will notice greater benefits from them. As the monsoon season also limits what physical activities you can do during the heavy rainfall, you will avoid too much exertion giving your body the chance to rest and feel the full effects of the treatments.

The Body Responds Better to Treatments

The rain and humidity help to open the pores and soften the skin, something that will allow the Ayurveda treatments to have a greater effect on the body. Ayurveda treatments often involve the application of oils and use of steam to flush out toxins within the body and rebalance the doshas, with open pores and softened skin the body is more receptive to these kinds of treatments, allowing them to penetrate better and lift the toxins with greater ease.

The Climate is More Comfortable

The monsoon season brings with it cooler temperatures and less dust than is present in India at other times of the year, making this a generally more comfortable time to visit. Heat and dust can irritate the body and also induce stress – not ideal circumstances when you are trying to rejuvenate, meanwhile the rain refreshes the air resulting in a much more enjoyable stay.

The Meaning of Monsoon

Varsha ritu (Rainy season) – Monsoons provide new life to all living beings, the plants look lush green and verdant and the surrounding is teeming with new life forms. It also brings a prospect of awareness, whether it drizzles or occur as a wall of water, the soft musical vibrations over the lush green, silencing the noise of our daily life, slowing us down from the intense world. This extended quietness, which we perceive through the senses, makes the “Varsha” ritu a time of introspection, a period which through nature’s support is ideal for nurturing, learning and reflection.

According to Charaka: “All diseases begin at the junction of seasons”.

So when life journeys through the heat and dryness of the summer months stepping towards the rains, the ämlata/acidity in the environment during this interim period naturally creates aggravation of the vata dosha (air bioenergy) and accumulation of the pitta dosha (fire bioenergy) leading to weakening of individuals strength. This imbalance imparts weakness and dryness of tissues, making ourselves vulnerable to lower immunity, allergies, indigestion, infection and sluggish metabolism.

Ayurveda advises having subtle cleansing, rejuvenating treatments along with nurturing and nourishing ourselves through a regimen of beneficial diet and lifestyle to balance the bioenergies, augment the metabolism and immunity. This plays an important role in realigning these imbalances; building our immunity and checking the adverse impact of seasonal changes on the body. The body’s pores open up and it becomes more receptive to healing and the process of getting rid of toxins.

The wisdom of Ayurveda not only helps us to enjoy the beauty of rains and nature but also to appreciate the beauty of enhanced wellbeing.  Let’s live in harmony with the qualities of the season and accept her benefits in its totality.