March 2020 my wife and I were in India. We spent time at the SwaSwara resort in Gokarna, Karnataka. It was a good experience. We were welcomed on our arrival with fresh coconut water. Then we were given a introduction to the resort and our planned activities and assigned our cottage. We went to the cottage and rested for some time. We then changed into the apparel given at the resort and attended a meditation session. It was a relaxed beginning to our stay. Later there was dinner, all vegetarian, Dessert was the best part of the dinner.
Next day morning the day began with an early session of Pranayama, followed by a class of Yoga. After which we got ready and went for breakfast, breakfast was south Indian food, dry fruits and fresh fruits and juices. We then walked the grounds and walked to the beach. There was a nice swimming pool where we relaxed and did some swimming. Around noon we met with the Ayurvedic physicians for an evaluation. It was time for lunch after that, vegetarian food. At 3 pm we had an Ayurvedic, therapeutic massage session. Then there was a meditation class. Dinner around 8 pm and then sleep.
The activities were similar for the rest of the days, Different types of Pranayama, Yoga, Meditation and Massage sessions. These were punctuated with walks to the beach, on the grounds and enjoying the pool. There was an Art studio and Cooking classes for interested folks. The whole experience was novel, at times tiring and at times exhilarating. There were guests who had been there multiple times and there were some for the first time. The resort is a center for Ayurvedic, holistic treatment for guests exhausted with the current stressful living, they undergo a comprehensive treatment program. There was a guest who we saw gradually feel better over several days, the first time we spoke with her she was skeptical but on the last day we were there she was in a much better frame of mind.
We benefited significantly from all the sessions in which we participated. and the day we left we were glad that we had this experience. There could be more in terms of didactic lectures underlying the principles of Ayurveda, Pranayama, Yoga and Meditation. This would help consolidate the practical teachings. Also education to help bring about long term changes in behavior and techniques for incorporation of what was learned into daily living would be beneficial.
