“I’m burnt out,” sighed my patient. “I’m going to snap if I don’t cut myself some slack. But I can’t, everyone depends on me.”
“You need a vacation more than medication,” I suggested.
“ I can’t afford the luxury of a holiday,” she countered, though sensing a breakdown if she didn’t take a break. Unfortunately her prediction came true, as the next time we met her body had booked her a long-term holiday in hospital, a luxury she definitely couldn’t afford.
        We all need to dissolve stress periodically, to decompress before pressure crushes us. Australian health statistics cite 50% of Australians in general hospitals are there directly in response to stress. Prioritising our health is a necessity rather than a luxury. When we love ourselves enough to nurture our inner yearnings we allocate time for rest and rejuvenation. An affordable and effective option for this is an Eastern retreat. As Ayurvedic doctor Rama Prasad advises, “An annual retreat is considered essential for health, balance and beauty. It’s the best health insurance.”

Healing Holiday
We all need time out to detox, de-stress and refuel for life’s daily demands. Instead of feeling drained or unhealthy after a holiday wouldn’t it be great to return revived and inspired? In the East and Europe a spiritual and physical pilgrimage is an annual priority. Europeans have been visiting Asia’s superb health resorts for decades, a secret Australian’s are just discovering. For the ultimate utopia in pampering and purification one can’t beat exquisite Indian, Sri Lankan and Thai resorts. The best places offer expert treatment, efficient service and comfortable facilities all amongst lush landscapes. The worst places have poor treatment, bad hygiene, pitiable facilities, noise, pollution and overpricing. Ideal retreats are staffed by qualified doctors and therapists, stock potent medicines, serve fresh cuisine and are in a soothing natural environment. With thousands of retreats on offer it can be difficult to distinguish the real deal from the duds. Fortunately India, Sri Lanka and Thailand have a plethora of high quality resorts which I’ve had the pleasure of sampling.

Intriguing India
India excels at authentic Ayurvedic treatment. This holistic health system includes yoga therapy, meditation, blissful body therapies, potent herbs and individualised nutrition. Purification and rejuvenation therapies are available for both preventative and curative health care. Experiencing Ayurveda in it’s birthplace is a unique adventure. Esther Stevens recently returned from a Kerala Ayurvedic retreat saying, “I was scared India would be exhausting and overwhelming. Instead it was like being welcomed into a loving home.” Ayurveda in India’s southern state of Kerala is famous for its luxurious oil therapies, strict hygiene, experienced physicians and high quality medicines. Retreats are dotted around the cool spice mountains, by beautiful backwaters, on islands and overlooking pristine white beaches. The many places I recommend include Poovar Island Resort, a sanctuary on the shores of a golden-sanded beach and serene backwaters just south of Trivandrum. Steve Waugh, former Australian Cricket Captain said after staying at here, "It’s a nice place to spend your vacation. The resort was as good as anywhere else in the world. It’s beautiful. I would like to come again."
Another healing haven is nearby Isola di Cocco Ayurvedic retreat set on thirty acres of flora and fauna. The caring therapists and conducive environment made my cells sing with nature’s symphony. Both these places are only twenty minutes from bargain shopping, exotic site seeing and cultural performances.

Sublime Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka known as the ‘resplendent land,’ is an island with a rich healing heritage and warm people. After exhaustive field research I discovered the premier Ayurvedic resorts on Sri Lanka’s secure south-west coast, all fully restored since the Tsunami. Most resorts overlook stunning beaches and soothing rivers. These divine destinations have exceptional Ayurvedic expertise and great family facilities. Kylie Willows, who recently visited Nooit Gedacht Ayurveda Resort, close to famous Unawatuna beach, remarked, “I felt like a Queen. They just pampered me incessantly.” Another gem was Ayurvedic Hotel Club Paradise. Ideally located 60 kms south of Colombo on a serene stretch of land between the Bentota river and sea. Comprised of beautiful bungalows with stunning vistas this resort is dedicated solely to guests seeking Ayurvedic treatment. Recent guest Peter Beetz remarked, “This resort is located in a peaceful part of the island. I found it a low key, easy going place perfect for sea-goers & sun-lovers.”

Thailand treat
For a cost-effective and quality Thai retreat my ultimate oasis is Tao Garden Health and Wellness Resort. This nirvana, only 30 minutes from bustling Chiang Mai, was founded by Taoist healer Mantak Chia. An eco-eden spanning 80 organic acres, this nature lover’s paradise has over 45 bird and 27 butterfly species as well as over 500 varieties of fruits, flowers and herbs. It’s integrated clinic staffed by compassionate and competent therapists provides an incredible array of treatments blending the best of East and West, ancient and modern. I can highly recommend the Thai tendon massage, abdominal massage, soothing shirodhara, acupuncture, chelation therapy, ozone steam, far infrared therapy, lymphatic drainage and body scrubs. Guests also enjoy complementary classes in chi kung, Chinese yoga (tao yin), inner smile meditation and six healing sounds. Spacious townhouse accommodation and sumptuous organic cuisine provide all the comforts of a home away from home.

When to go
Any time’s a good time to get some TLC. A regular retreat can ideally prevent disease but if illness arises one should attend to it immediately, as an Indian proverb advises, “never delay in tending to three things- fire, debt and disease.” Of course the best time to go is when finances permit and fortunately there are many eastern retreats that won’t break the budget.
Climate is a consideration especially if one suffers heat intolerance. The hottest months in India, Sri Lanka and Thailand are May to July. Monsoon time is considered conducive to treatment as the earth and body regenerates in the warm, moist environment.

How to Prepare
Travel is derived from the French word 'travailler' meaning to work, which is what a trip to Asia can be if you try to do too much in a short space of time. The real pleasure of a retreat is to resign as general manager of the universe and relax. Research the retreat well and ideally talk to someone who has stayed there recently. Building a strong immune and digestive system is the surest safeguard against illness. Consider homoeopathic vaccinations to protect against tropical diseases.

Savoring the experience
It’s said that healing is ’an inside job.’ The love, wisdom and healing we seek is within ourselves. Developing a loving, unconditional acceptance from our core means much more than getting it from outside. The inner journey of a retreat often demands mental weeding for health to blossom. Loneliness, boredom, sadness, fear, guilt, lust and anger are all likely to arise. Observe these obstacles to happiness and let them naturally subside. Yoga’s first step is to be introspective, acknowledge the ego and dissolve it gradually. Once you are nothing, everything can enter you.
To support a healing shift it is best to reduce stress or strain as much as possible and observe the following:

Avoid:
- Exposure to wind, cold water, cold air, sun on the head, dust and chemicals.
- Over exertion.
- Overeating.
- Recreational drugs.
- Exposure to insects and sources of infection (unreliable food, water.)
- Excessive talking or sex.
- Sitting or lying for prolonged periods.
- Negative emotions such as anger, fear, worry, hurry or sadness.
- Dwelling on the past or projecting into the future.
- Excessive reading, listening to loud music, staring at screens.
- Oily or heavily spiced foods.
- Red meat.
- Eating within two hours before sleeping and overeating.

Favour:
- Meditation or prayer.
- Positive visualisation and affirmations.
- Gentle exercise.
- Breathing deeply.
- Smiling to one’s cells.
- Warm liquids.
- Eating in a relaxed, slow manner.
- Relaxing creativity (art, writing or music.)
- Uplifting, calming music or guided meditation.
- Reading inspiring material.
- Sleeping under a mosquito net.
- Early to bed, early to rise.
- Cultivating positive emotions such as patience, faith, love and gratitude.
- Clear and open communication with doctors and therapists.
- Periods of silence and solitude. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Divine music is incessantly going on within ourselves. But the loud senses drown the delicate music.”

Conditions treated.
Everyone benefits from occasional cleansing and rejuvenation. Natural therapies in a supportive environment coax the mind and body back to balance through a holistic approach. Guest’s are encouraged, but not forced, to observe a specific regime, diet and treatments according to their individual requirements. They can then expect improved health, energy, radiance and tranquillity. Though the Ayurveda and Thai retreats are adept at treating all conditions, they’ve gained a reputation for particular success with the following- arthritis, allergies, back pain, chronic fatigue, diabetes, digestive disorders, disc problems, eye problems, gout, hair loss, headaches, heart disease, infertility, joint degeneration, liver disorders, memory loss, neuro-muscular conditions, obesity, osteoporosis, period problems, skin conditions, tinnitus and ulcers. It is advisable to discuss your condition with the residing doctor before finalising your reservation.

Homecoming
“Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul,” Marcus Aurelius.
Some suffer reverse culture shock on returning home from a retreat. Emerging from a sanctuary is like exiting a protective womb to re-enter the harsh reality of relationships, work and domesticity. This can create post-holiday depression and withdrawal pangs. Others fall straight back into destructive habits. Though a retreat often transforms one’s life view, the challenge is to integrate this fresh perspective into one’s everyday environment. The test is to traverse valleys, peaks and stress triggers without reverting to outmoded negative reactions. It’s important to be gentle and patient with oneself. It may take a lifetime to fully absorb a retreat experience but as Alduus Huxley said, “Experience is not what happens to a man. It is what a man does with what happens to him.” Some relish a retreat more than others and are able to reap the long-term rewards. On meeting a patient soon after their India retreat I mentioned how she was glowing. “That’s because I went inside and turned on the light,” she smiled. I hope everyone finds their light.
Caroline Robertson is a spa connoisseur, having spent many indulgent interludes at international spas. As a naturopath, homoeopath and Ayurvedic consultant based in Sydney she appreciates the benefits of a healing holiday and prescribes it to many patients. For more about the best eastern retreats and tours see www.ayurvedahealthresorts.com, email caroline@ayurvedahealthresorts.com or phone (02) 9904 7754. For Ayurvedic consultations and courses see www.ayurvedaelements.com.

Menu of main modalities
Abhyanga - Ayurvedic massage.
Avagaaham - Immersion of the body in herbal oil.
Bahyavasti - Pooling fluids over an area of the body such as the back.
Chi Nei Tsang - Deep abdominal massage.
Colonic Irrigation - Colon cleansing.
Dehadhara - Warm herbal oil or milk poured over the body.
Far Infrared therapy - stimulates circulation, oxygenation, immunity, cell regeneration and eliminates microbes.
Gandharvaveda - Ayurvedic music therapy.
Hot spring hydrotherapy - Floating massage at sulphuric mineral baths.
Karsai - Genital massage is excellent to restore male and female reproductive balance. It is also effective for bladder problems.
Lepanam - Herbal pastes purify and replenish the skin.
Marmachikitsa - Ayurvedic acupressure.
Navarakizhi - A bolus of herbal or plain rice is dipped in warm herbalised liquid and massaged over the body.
Ozone Steam Therapy - Detoxifies and oxygenates cells.
Paadaaghata - Ayurvedic massage where the therapist massages the client with their feet.
Panchakarma - Five Ayurvedic therapies designed to cleanse the body. These may include vomiting, laxatives, nasal medication, enema and blood letting.
Shirodhara - Herbal oil stream across the forehead to dissolve stress.
Swedana - Herbal sweating therapies to optimise circulation and elimination through the channels.
Thai tendon meridian massage - A deep massage along the meridians combined with herbal compress.