Last spring, an email arrived in my inbox about a newly launched sleep enhancement program at Ananda in the Himalayas. I was immediately intrigued. A wellness program that integrates ancient Ayurvedic practices and principles, customized to my dosha and lifestyle, and addresses my many mistakes through spa treatments, physical and emotional therapy, and chef cooking. I’ll correct it. All are located on the former Maharaja’s extensive grounds at the foot of the mountain. Himalayas? Don’t twist my arm. As I prepared for my visit, I was excited, but a question lingered in the back of my mind. Can a 7-day program really solve lifelong sleep problems?
Two weeks before I boarded my flight to India, Ananda’s senior Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Naresh Perumbudri, addressed this concern in a pre-arrival Zoom consultation with me. He kept it real, recognizing that I was unlikely to experience a miracle within a week. But you’ll gain a better understanding of how to manage and optimize your sunrise-to-sunset rhythm. (Frankly, I was reassured by his honesty about these expectations, especially in the wellness world. a lot ) We also discussed my medical history, habits, and overall health, which I covered in a thorough Ayurvedic health questionnaire.
Before closing the deal, I told Dr. Perumbuduri that there was one non-negotiable. That means you have to *leave* the coffee on the table, literally and figuratively. I fully expected a battle since caffeine and sleep go hand in hand, but to my surprise, he just laughed and said it would be fine. Perhaps I could gradually reduce my intake, but he didn’t recommend eating cold turkey as it would only make the cravings even stronger. (Best doctor ever.) Now I am disarmed and officially on board to fully commit to the program. In fact, it starts early, with dietary and lifestyle recommendations to reduce ama (toxins) and reset agni (digestive fire), and to ensure that the body readily accepts the herbs of the dosha diet upon arrival. Did.
Before closing the deal, I told Dr. Perumbuduri that there was one non-negotiable. That means you have to *leave* the coffee on the table, literally and figuratively. I fully expected a battle since caffeine and sleep go hand in hand, but to my surprise, he just laughed and said it would be fine.
Upon arrival at the lush 100-acre palace grounds, we were greeted with a rosary necklace and received a jam-packed itinerary. The calendar had an average of about 5 appointments per day, and a maximum of 8 appointments. I was transported on a golf cart from the restored Viceregal Palace, past pristinely manicured gardens and gently tearing tiled waterfalls, to my deluxe room overlooking the spiritual heart of Rishikesh . I was able to get used to thisI thought to myself, enjoying a moment of calm before jumping right into things.
I started with a one-hour IRL consultation with Dr. Perumbuduri, where he summarized the principles of Ayurveda, the philosophy of Ananda, and the what and why behind my own personal constitution. He reiterated that I am Vata Pitta and have primary Vata (air and space) energy and secondary Pitta (fire and water) energy. This surprised me since I was “diagnosed” with the opposite during the Ayurveda module of my yoga teacher training a few years ago. Also, I’ve always associated myself closely with fiery energy (and not just because I’m a passionate and sometimes fiery Leo).
Still, Dr. Perambuduri confirmed that I am fully Vata. I’m easily stressed, have irregular sleep patterns, and have an obsessive need to know and absorb “everything”, yet I still suffer from intense pitta that keeps me out of touch with my true self. They are also used to experiencing emotions. . He likened it to fanning the flames of a fire that can spread if my dosha is disturbed. I felt exposed, seen, and speechless (all in a good way) as he read me like a book. The goal of this program is first and foremost to balance my vata energy. Improving cellular function, which means better sleep and overall health, will likely follow.
Dr. Perumbudri confirmed that I am Vata. I’m easily stressed, have irregular sleep patterns, and have an obsessive need to know and absorb “everything”, yet I have a strong Pitta mentality that keeps me out of touch with my true self. It is easy to experience emotions.
Apparently, for most of my life, I have lived a diet that is in some way out of line with my dosha and Ayurvedic dietary principles. Drinking coffee for breakfast, subsisting on cold food and drinks, munching on raw vegetables, and eating inconsistently. Meal times, eating a big dinner, and late night snacks. For a full week, I follow the Vata diet, eating hot and room temperature drinks with a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and mostly cooked vegetables cooked with earthing herbs. My first dinner was an earthy gourd soup with cumin, bright basil fish tikka with coriander and mint chutney, and semolina gnocchi topped with leek and aubergine caponata, balsamic vinegar, and beetroot cream. , set a high bar in terms of taste and presentation. Luckily, the fresh, aromatic, prepared meals loaded with fruit, salads, and spreads for breakfast and lunch never ceased to be a pleasure. I didn’t leave any crumbs on my plate at any meal (3 meals a day compared to the usual 2 meals a day). I also had a dreamy sleep infusion tea with chamomile, saffron, nutmeg and cardamom as a nightcap, which replaced my standard sweets.
As for the itinerary itself, the most succinct description of the extensive list of treatments and meetings is Hardcore Healing. The back-to-back sessions of massage, meditation, bodywork, energy and emotional healing were akin to Olympic training for health. Frankly, it was tough. And luckily it was right up my alley. All of Ananda’s programs include a combination of his five pillars (Ayurveda and Holistic Wellness, Yoga and Meditation, Emotional Healing, Healthy Cooking, and Spiritual Awareness), but each itinerary offers a more prominent one. There is also. For example, my schedule was filled with calming, grounding rituals to counteract the rumination and anxiety that caused a lifetime of tired days and fidgety nights.
My favorite part was the aromatherapy massage with rose, sandalwood, and vetiver, which calms, balances, and promotes relaxation. Additionally, his two Tibetan massages, using the most enchanting blend of lavender, lemongrass, patchouli and jasmine, balance the five elements and restore the nervous system. Shirodhara, a classic Ayurvedic ritual in which medicated oil is slowly poured onto the forehead, was the most frequently performed treatment in my lineup. While slathering gallons of oil on my breakout-prone skin wasn’t my first choice for relaxing, Dr. Peranbudhuri says it calms the mind and stimulates the third eye chakra. He assured me that it is a golden rule that will help normalize your sleep patterns through. All I could do was take his word for it. Eventually, the kind man gave me the green light for coffee.
I try to be kind to my body with gentle movements, but I have had neck and upper back pain for a long time, which also causes sleepless nights. My physical therapist, Dr. Palak Jain, diagnosed imbalances in my body and provided postural corrective exercises to reduce pain.
I have a consistent routine of yoga, Pilates, and long walks, so physical fitness wasn’t really a focus. To my delight, these fitness exercises were exactly what the Ayurvedic doctor prescribed for my dosha. (Nevertheless, I joined sunrise group hikes, worked up a sweat at the gym, and continued my solo yoga practice throughout the week.) I taught myself what was right for my body through gentle movement. I’m trying to do that, but I’ve been struggling for a long time. I have pain in my neck and upper back, which also causes sleepless nights. My physical therapist, Dr. Palak Jain, diagnosed imbalances in my body and provided postural corrective exercises to reduce pain. Additionally, Dr. Jitendra Uniyal capped off my acupuncture, cupping, and moxibustion Chinese medicine session by hitting tender (painful) pressure points in my hamstrings, which instantly relieved some of the tension in my upper body. Ta.
On the spiritual awareness front, I attended a lecture by a visiting Vedanta scholar on how to deal with the double-edged sword of negative emotions and expectations. Towards the end of the program, I drove down the winding roads to Rishikesh and witnessed the nightly Ganga Aarti devotional rituals held along India’s holiest river, filled with music and merriment along the Indian river. I was fascinated by it.
The most transformative moment during my stay occurred during an emotional healing session with consulting therapist Shikha Sud. Through two sessions spanning hypnotherapy and inner child work, I began to heal the wounds that plagued my subconscious during the most difficult times in my life, from prenatal and early childhood to my teenage years and now. . I was guided to embrace, embrace, and heal my past self, who had felt alone and helpless in my most vulnerable moments, and for the first time I was able to forgive and reconcile my family’s trauma. In fact, I was able to accomplish more in these two sessions with her than I had accomplished in over 20 years with a handful of therapists and medications. (And they said miracles weren’t on the menu.)
Now, the ultimate question: within a week, did my sleep quality do a 180? Not completely…but that doesn’t mean the program somehow failed. My sleep issues are just a symptom of other root causes, namely anxiety and less-than-ideal eating and lifestyle habits, so I identify the one that has clear benefits and work on it right away. In addition, the level of care and attention from people everyone His activities at Ananda in the Himalayas had a considerable impact.
I was guided to embrace, embrace, and heal my past self, who had felt alone and helpless in my most vulnerable moments, and for the first time I was able to forgive and reconcile my family’s trauma. In fact, I was able to accomplish more in these two sessions with her than I had accomplished in over 20 years with a handful of therapists and medications.
I can say without a doubt that I have never been looked after with such compassion in my entire life. For me, who had to learn to rely on myself at an early age, being seen and cared for by others, and allowing myself to surrender to it, was transformative in itself. Midway through my stay, when a personal issue (completely unrelated to the program) threatened to impede my progress, Dr. Perumbuduri modified my schedule to restore balance to my nervous system and scheduled several treatments under the care of a spa therapist. I mentioned briefly that I enjoyed Reiki. These small but meaningful acts brought tears to my eyes. By the time I sat down to dinner that night, I spent a few minutes staring blankly through the trees at the valley below. It was no small feat for someone who tends to run a mental mile a minute. I experienced similar moments of peace and presence at breakfast the next day and lunch the next day. I simply observed and admired the beauty of the grounds and slowly immersed myself in the magic of inner peace and tranquility.
As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Ever since I left the palace gates of my destination spa and returned to city life, I have done everything I can to carry Ananda, which means “a state of absolute bliss,” with me every day. For the first time in years, I decided to fall asleep naturally, meaning without the help of drugs or supplements, so my ZZZs are still going strong. I know it will take some time for my body to get used to it, but I am following my doctor’s (and of course my own) advice to limit my coffee intake and timing, improve my eating patterns, and normalize my circadian rhythm. Masu. Prioritize previous training. After Ananda, I have less of a tendency to huff and puff throughout my life and now operate from a quieter, more harmonious place. (Well, at least more than in the past few years.)
“Healing is an ongoing process and must continue beyond your time at Ananda,” reads the first page of the diary Ananda provides upon arrival. “The time we spend together is meant to guide you on this path of knowing, to hold your hand as you walk through this journey called life.” I reach out and ask for help. Although it’s rare, I realized that I needed Wellness Olympian-style “coaching” to begin a new chapter as a calmer, more complete version of myself.
