GUIDED BY AYURVEDIC DOCTORS, PERSONALIZED TREATMENTS AND THE CALMING RHYTHM OF KERALA’S COAST, ONE TRIP TO INDIA BECAME A LESSON IN INTENTIONAL LIVING.
BY ERIN MICHELLE NEWBERG
There are certain places in the world that leave you feeling changed long after you return home. India is one of them.
For six weeks, I traveled through the country immersed in its extraordinary contrasts: the vibrant energy of Delhi, the serene backwaters of Kerala, the dazzling colors of local markets and the quiet spirituality of daily life. Somewhere between sunrise yoga sessions, fragrant curries, and visits to landmarks like the Taj Mahal, I discovered something even more transformative: Ayurveda.
More than 5,000 years old, Ayurveda is India’s ancient holistic healing system focused on balancing the mind, body, and spirit. While wellness trends may come and go in the West, Ayurveda remains deeply integrated into Indian culture, practiced not as indulgence, but as a way of life.
My journey into Ayurvedic healing began in Kerala, often referred to as the birthplace of Ayurveda. Alongside my friend Enrico, I flew from Delhi to Kochi before arriving at Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, a peaceful beachfront retreat on the Arabian Sea known for its personalized wellness programs.
Upon arrival, we met with the resort’s in-house Ayurvedic doctor, who assessed our doshas, the body’s three governing energies: pitta, kapha, and vata. Based on these evaluations, we each received customized schedules that included tailored meals, daily treatments, and guided wellness practices designed specifically for our individual needs.
Our days quickly settled into a calming rhythm. Mornings began with oceanfront yoga beneath swaying palm trees, followed by Ayurvedic therapies selected by the doctor, nourishing meals crafted around our doshas, and long stretches of uninterrupted relaxation. Sunset yoga overlooking the Arabian Sea became a daily ritual I genuinely looked forward to.
The treatments themselves were unlike anything I had previously experienced. Traditional Marma and Kalari therapies, performed by highly trained practitioners using warm herbal oils and rhythmic massage techniques, left both body and mind feeling noticeably lighter. By the end of my four-day stay, I felt rested in a way that extended far beyond physical relaxation.
Returning to Delhi, I shifted from Kerala’s tranquil coastline to the grandeur of The Imperial New Delhi, one of the city’s most iconic luxury hotels. Rich in history and old-world elegance, the property feels magical with its colonial architecture, art collection, and refined atmosphere.
The hotel’s spa became an unexpected highlight of my time in the capital. Designed with intricate Mughal and Moroccan influences, the serene wellness space offers Ayurvedic treatments overseen by medical professionals. Although I didn’t have time to commit to one of the spa’s longer wellness programs, I opted for the 90-minute Shirodhara treatment, one of Ayurveda’s most renowned therapies.
The experience begins with a continuous stream of warm oil gently poured across the forehead while soothing massage techniques encourage the body into deep relaxation. The result is both calming and meditative, a treatment that quiets the mind as effectively as it relaxes the body.
By the time I returned home from India, with glowing skin and a renewed sense of balance, I gained a deeper appreciation for a centuries-old philosophy centered on slowing down, listening to the body, and making wellness part of everyday life.
