Ayurveda and Wellness? Often the question arises: do they match at all?
The definition of wellness is multifaceted and multilayered. Apparently everything allows itself to be incorporated under this definition, including alternative healing methods like Ayurveda.

Wellness is the answer towards a demand for a conscious lifestyle. For some wellness has become a lifestyle for others a kind of life's philosophy. As a result wellness can also be seen as a conscious attempt for self betterment, for feeling well in that one makes an effort to do something oneself. Wellness touches on a clear definition of self responsibility towards oneself and towards one´s personal wellbeing. Wellness encompasses all aspects of existence, body, mind and soul.

Wellness implements a certain curiosity, to assess the meaning and value of life in a new way and to find the best possible way for a personal way of living and to create a meaningful life style and to enjoy it the best way possible.

No doubt: wellness is a trend. After a long dry spell simple hotels have converted themselves to wellness hotels with the result that these hotels are booming. Traditionalists amongst ayurveda fans are disgusted with this shift. Wellness and Fun - no thank you!

It all started in Sri Lanka, beautiful beaches, pleasant climate. Already in 1968 a clever Hotelier came up with the idea to offer Ayurveda in his hotel. A small welcome drink, a few oilmassages and that was it, that was Ayurveda.
At the dawn of the nienties this happy go lucky, somewhat soggy concept of ayurveda no longer functioned. Mainly people from Germany, who had a serious approach to Ayurveda, were not happy with this situation. The hotelier narrated without irony: they did not want to practice this near those  beer drinking guests, even explaining what the right way should be."
He then seperated this form of ayurveda with its sun-and- fun ideology, and appointed Ayurveda doctors, who have the same qualification as the orthodox doctors in Sri Lanka. He built treatment rooms for Acupuncture, massages, herbal baths and steambaths and laid a herbal garden. Today there are 100 people working in this clinic.
However with the tsunami catastrophe many guests escaped to South India, the original land of Ayurveda. There they found the same beautiful beaches, the same beautiful hotels and remained there. Sri Lanka had a setback. As many lost their faith in the former paradise they choose to move on to the sunami safe zone of Kerala.

Amongst many hardcore Ayurvedist there was a note of dissatisfaction. They complained about the reduced manner of simple "wellness thought process" where many patients claimed to have less weight after the Ayurveda treatment and that the mirror reflected less wrinkles than before.
This misconception is certainly based on a  fundamentalist approach; because many ideas and thoughts found in wellness are deep rooted and reflected in the philosophical structures of Ayurveda.
It is sheer luck that ayurveda offers to both groups something palatable; for the hardcore Ayurvedists as well as the wellness oriented fans who do not wish to sacrifice sun- fun pleasure incorporated in a wellness holiday.
Suum cuique!  "to each and Everyone His own" as the East Roman Emperor Justinian formulated. Even Epicur signified the importance of measured or balanced dose of pleasure as the goal or aim of well being. He represented the perception that through right thought one can live a blissful contented life; thus reflecting what most forms of wellness are trying to emphasize, including Ayurveda.

Translated by Paramita Lahiri