Archive for August, 2010
Jobs For Ayurvedic Doctors In Insurance Sector
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010
WELLNESS BECKONS YOU
Friday, August 27th, 2010ANITA RAO KASHI
ellness beckons you
Wellness is such a blanket word that no two people will agree on its definition. In fact, there is no universally accepted definition of wellness apart from meaning a vague sense of well-being. That’s just as well, since well-being is in itself such a subjective word.
There are possibly very few words in the English language which have so many meanings as wellness. It was first used in its current sense around 1961 in the US and advocated physical and psychological well-being through a multidimensional approach, with a strong focus on personal responsibility. A mouthful as that may be, it opened the door for bringing so many things under its ambit. It could range from mental happiness to physical health; from a mindset to a way of life; from individual to collective wellness… Some even consider it to be a philosophy that precludes dependence on doctors and a commitment to oneself to follow a healthy lifestyle.
In general terms, everything from alternative medicine to pampering spas take shelter under the wellness umbrella. Not only do new entrants jostle for space, but no matter which stream is taken into account, fads arrive, catch the imagination of the people, gather their own set of fans and then thrive. From exclusive health clubs to Tai Chi groups, from Salsa lessons to laughter clubs, all are par for the course. And from the way things are going, it only seems to be getting bigger and better.
THE ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE CHOICE
Alternative medicine is possibly the first and biggest component of wellness. But like wellness, even this is an all-encompassing word. In the Indian context, among the many streams that find place under alternative medicine, ayurveda is probably the most popular. Though this system of medicine has been around for millennia, it has suddenly shot into prominence in the past few decades. Though the debate rages on about its efficacy, it has garnered an enviable following. The fact that the global herbal market is worth nearly $100 billion is a telling statement about its growing acceptability. Many ayurvedic procedures, such as panchakarma, and massage and therapeutic treatments have become immensely popular. It has successfully overcome allegations of being quackery, and with big brands embracing and packaging ayurvedic products, it has gained customer confidence as well. This trend will probably keep growing and the number of new ayurvedic products, treatment centres and resorts bear testimony to this.
Apart from ayurveda, Bangalore has slowly embraced various other systems that are classified as wellness regimes. These include Reiki, Pranic Healing, Naturopathy Yoga (Hatha, Siddha, Ashtanga, Power, etc) Tai Chi, Transcendental Meditation, Acupuncture and Acupressure and such others. As people get more and more adventurous and with exposure, the city is bound to experiment with new systems and streams. One such is Pilates, a German system of physical fitness developed early last century, but which has suddenly shot into prominence.
HEALTH AND FITNESS
No longer is health consciousness all about a walk or a jog in the park. Bangaloreans are incredibly aware and receptive to issues of health and fitness, so much so that it has turned into a lucrative market. From home fitness equipment to health club memberships, there’s much to choose from. In keeping with the demand, gyms and health clubs provide not just static equipment but have doctors, trainers and dieticians who design individual regimen for members. In addition, there’s aerobics, ball exercise, dancing, Salsa, jazzercise… the list goes on, with something new being added regularly. All this to ensure people get to try different things, and do not get bored and quit.
That fitness is an emerging and growing trend is a fact recognized by star hotels as well. Almost all of them have swanky fitness centres which are open to non-guests on both temporary and long-term basis. Many offer attractive membership options which include access to other facilities such as the spa. In addition, exclusive standalone health clubs such as Zela provide luxurious surroundings and even boast of health food restaurants and stock the right wines to go with them. Clearly, being fit is not only about sweating it out on the treadmill.
PAMPERING ALL SENSES
A more static, if not evolved, component of wellness is surely pampering the body. Whether for fun, relaxation or as a matter of routine, a session at the spa is now a done thing. This is a trend that has become so entrenched in the Bangaloreans’ minds that spas are no longer confined to star hotels. Instead, standalone spas have mushroomed all over the city and some have become destinations in their own right. In keeping with the city’s yuppie and will-try attitude, there have been some interesting concepts which have made their presence felt.
Apart from a whole range of Ayurvedic massages, people can choose from Swedish, Hawaiian, French, Colour therapy, Crystal therapy, Aromatherapy, Hot Stone massage, Balinese and so much more. Chocolate manicure and pedicure, massages with such ingredients as fruits, spices and even wines are commonly available. There’s reflexology which serves as a quick-fix for back ache or for tired feet. And if all this passé, then how about dipping your feet in a tank of water filled with tiny fish and letting the creatures eat away the dead cells and exfoliate them? Agreed it is a bit ticklish and weird at first, and could evoke squeals of surprise, but it does grow on you.
But no matter which route one takes, or even if it is not just one route but an amalgamation of many, wellness is too individual. Naturally, there just cannot be any kind of prescription. As awareness grows and people make informed lifestyle choices, it can only keep getting more and more person. Wellness experts insist wellness is far too important to be taken grimly and insist people have fun while following whatever they choose to do. Perhaps Aristotle meant precisely this when he famously said, ‘Happiness depends upon ourselves.’
