By Praveen Prabhakar
Posted on
Wellness Bloggers Meet, Edition 1
-by Shruti Prabhakar
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but Nature more”
― George Gordon Byron
Nature has it all, an undeniable truth, which we all had been axiomatically ignoring. Shedding away our stoic indifference towards Nature and to relive ataraxia, Ayurved Sutra stole two days from the busy schedules of 14 Bloggers and organized a Wellness Bloggers Meet at NIMBA Nature Cure, Mehsana, Ahmedabad on August 30-31st, 2016.
As we stepped out of the airport, I knew the Meet will let the Bloggers explore the pathways to their own metamorphosis physical, mental and spiritual and not just one of these. Unlike my expectation, the weather was pleasant; the journey to our destination NIMBA was simply exhilarating. Drops of rain and the euphoric wind greeted us. The roads were clean and huge. The uninterrupted sojourn to our destination was undoubtedly intoxicating.
As we reached, the guards enquired us whether we are carrying eatables along with us, as it is strictly prohibited. No Drugs, No Alcohol, No Smoking and Mind it No Tea!! We finally made the ‘Grand’ entry, as the doors to Nature were opened to us. It is the statue of Buddha that first greets you to the peace and tranquility in the surroundings.
All set and done, the bloggers were to reach on 29th evening itself as the day starts early at NIMBA. A call from one of the bloggers who was stuck in a bad traffic jam on her way to the airport and things seemed obstreperous. Thankfully, her flight got delayed and it was not only her. Almost everyone on the list from the capital had faced the same trauma to reach IGI airport. The blusterous rain and rambunctious traffic on Delhi roads had almost spoiled the fun, but fortunately everyone could make it and was on board. It was a long night though for Ayurved Sutra as one them was to reach at 3 in the night.
Day 1: Rendezvous with Nature
The mornings at NIMBA starts as early as 5 in the morning, where everyone is given a wakeup call at 4:30 am. Perfect arrangements were made for the bloggers to experience nature and naturopathy. After the Upasana and a small stroll inside the centre at 5:30, everyone was taken for Yogic Satkriyas at Yoga Kendra. The Day-I was a power packed day for all, as bloggers had a chance to enjoy, understand the techniques and know the nitty-gritty of the lifestyle that one should live with in coordination with Nature and their benefits.
Mani Yogi and the team helped the bloggers with yoga asana and pranayam to suit their bodies. Excited the evangelist bloggers savored their stay as along with Dr.Joy’s consultation they underwent therapies that best suited their body types like Raaga Therapy, Shirodhara, Aquatic Yoga, Reflexology, Detox Therapy, Ozone Therapy, Acupuncture & Acupressure, Thai massage, Aroma Therapy, Potli Massage, Abhyangam Therapy to name few.
‘Food is Medicine’ the principle that is stringently followed at the Nature Cure Center, which as well boasts of a huge Organic Farm. The Bloggers during their stay were given the food prepared from the produce of the farm. Uttapam san oil, Spinach, sprouts, herbals juices, corn soup, tomato soup, fruit salad, cucumber raita, bottle gourd kheer, dhokla with no chilly, oilless upma, vegetable oats, vegetable daliya were some of the highlights of the items severed to bloggers. Ruchika Batra, Blogger & Youtuber, Namaste Happiness Vlog post the event, says it all about the food. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZk5eAQGHnI)
Talking about NIMBA, Mr.Jayant Bakodia, CEO explained, “NIMBA is a unique facility that aims at helping visitors restore the natural balance of their mind, body and spirit through modern medical advancements, ancient medical techniques and contemporary & international therapies which enhance and augment the original. Treatments and therapies at the centre are based on the five elements— Water, Air, Fire, Earth & Ether called as PanchMahabutuas and are intended to bring balance in body and improve general health.”
It’s easy to lose yourself in the tranquil atmosphere, this destination redefine lifestyle with its integrated holistic approach and Naturopathy treatments with contemporary & international therapies. Stuti Shrimali, Me & My Suitcase explains it all in her Vlog ‘2 days of Detox & Rejuvenate’—(https://youtu.be/-zFloFHdTFo).
An echo of nature, the rooms at the resort are spacious, serene and elegant and equipped with the modern amenities so as to allow complete relaxation to the visitors. Rosme Chaube, Rosme in Wonderland who is as well an Ayurvedic Doctor said, “It was one of the best experiences as NIMBA is a beautiful place to be and the choice of bloggers at the meet made the stay memorable. The food was simply great, though the quantities offered were limited as per our body requirements.”
Pradeep Chamaria and Parej Chamaria, Exatraveller.wordpress.com, were seen capturing the beauty of the place. An experienced photo journalist, Pradeep found NIMBA peaceful. “The place has an intrinsic ability to heal.”
The evenings and the music @NIMBA as the day dawns makes the ambience scintillating, lights dazzling from between the shades of the leaves and the sparkling rains are to die for. It is bliss— Paradise Regained.
Aashna Malani, Instagrammer, Model (aashnamalani.com) was the youngest of the lot and could be seen enjoying her stay as she compared the rooms and the ambience at NIMBA with Taj while Nidhi Joshi, coinsandmaps.wordpress.com, brought along with her the dignity and mellowness of a blogger. “It is a perfect place to correct our incorrect lifestyles,” she could be heard saying.
As the bloggers gelled along during the Wellness Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, they shared their experiences of the therapies they underwent. A session with Dr Joy, CMO, NIMBA saw everyone trying to understand the concept of how to go along with the Nature and be HEALTHY.
Day II
The second day was set to commence a little late. Prior to that bloggers entertained themselves with a session of Aquatic Yoga. Aquatic Yoga commonly called in short as Aqua Yoga is done in Water. Here water acts as your Yoga mat! So it may be done in a swimming pool or in shallow water on a beach. It is a low impact yogic kriya that best suits aging people, pregnant women (on doctor’s advice only), people with injuries or chronic conditions and off course for those people who love being in the water.
A blog by Judy Morris, The Other Brain Inc., (http://www.theotherbraininc.com/2016/09/beginners-guide-to-aquatic-yoga-with-7-easy-water-yoga-asanas/ ) will offer you with every single detail. “I love being in water and I had lot of fun. It was indeed an experience to remember,” said Judy.
Ruchika Batra adhere the same thoughts as she is a water lover too. Along with Satyen Gadvi echoed the same sentiments. A government employee, Satyen hails from a family who had been following the Ayruvedic tradition from last three generations. Satyen comes across as a person with in-depth knowledge of the subject and handles his website diabetesneed.com. Expressing his pleasure to be a part of the meet he said, “The initiative of organising Wellness Bloggers Meet across the country taken by Ayurved Sutra is one-of-its-kind in the field of Ayurveda and Naturopathy. In fact, it is important for all of us to know that Gujarat demographically is best suited for such endeavours as it is ayurvedically fertile. Finally, the Gujarat Tourism Ministry has realized the potential of the state and this the best time for Ayurved Sutra and NIMBA to keep organising such programs.”
Amit Panchal, Co-founder, Digi Future adored the ambience and the therapies he underwent. A well-known social-media influencer, he said he was pleased to be a part of the Meet and would love to work again with Ayurved Sutra.
While it was a pleasure to receive Vikay Kumar Karai, CEO, AyurUniverse at the Wellness Bloggers Meet Edition I. AyurUniverse is a comprehensive wellness portal, which provides access to a list of reputed wellness centres that offer a vast range of wellness therapies in traditional in India and Sri Lanka. Ayurved Sutra was instrumental in organising a B2B meeting between AyurUniverse and NIMBA. Speaking about the Meet, Mr Karai said, “People travel abroad in search of holistic experiences and to stay cool, instead they emerge as fools. India boasts of numerable naturopathy, yoga, meditation and holistic centers that can help rejuvenate and detoxify. Through this initiative Ayurved Sutra has tried to establish Wellness fraternity at the national and international level.”
Day II concluded with everyone coming together for the final words. Present on the occasion were Mr Jayant Bakodia, CEO, NIMBA, Mr. Naresh Tarwani, Arvind Mills, Ms. Priyanshi Patel, Young Entrepreneur, Mr. Joy Singh, Chief Medical Officer, NIMBA.
The day saw the bloggers namely Nidhi Joshi, Rosme Chaube, Judy Morris and Stuti Shrimali presenting an idea to developing NIMBA into a Family Wellness Centre. Expressing his concern Dr Joy informed that for the treatment a complete atmosphere of concentration is needed, which might not be possible in the presence of children. While approving of the idea, Mr. Jayant said, “In near future NIMBA can definitely think upon developing a Children’s Park within our facility. While the adults could get themselves rejuvenated and detoxity, children will be able to enjoy the nature’s park.”
Expressing his concern on the hectic lifestyles and the increase in the lifestyle diseases, Mr. Naresh mentioned that corporate should promote the idea of Wellness Programs to enhance the productivity of their employees. While Ms. Patel stressed on the relation of Industry and Naturopathy.
The day concluded with the guests presenting the Certificate of Participation and Token of Presence to the Bloggers.
With a new hope and some new found friendships, bloggers and the Team Ayurved Sutra said Goodbye to NIMBA to meet again for the next edition.
