Last updated: 25 April 2023
Aging Gracefully with Ayurveda
Living in an uncertain world can be difficult, but it is important to remember that complete certainty is unattainable. However, there are steps you can take to reclaim a sense of control and certainty in your life. By focusing on what you can control, seeking out knowledge and information, building resilience, practicing acceptance, and taking action, you can feel more grounded and confident in your decisions and ability to handle whatever life may bring. While uncertainty may never completely disappear, by embracing it as a natural part of life, you can learn to thrive in the face of adversity and uncertainty.
What does aging mean to you? How do you see life after retirement?
What does aging mean to you? How do you see life after retirement
What does aging mean to you? How do you see life after retirement?
For some, it might conjure images of playing with the grandkids, taking longer vacations, sipping fine wine, tending to the garden, and enjoying a delightfully slower pace of life. These are the optimists who can’t wait to retire.
For others, like my late grandfather, Ramzan Bawa, who worked all his life as a mechanic since the age of 13, the prospect of retirement and aging was something to be feared. In his mind, retirement was associated with the feeling of being useless and unproductive and, in the final analysis, it meant an acceleration towards death. He used to say, "If I don't work, I will die."
The above examples represent two different attitudes towards old age. The first example takes a positive view of retirement, while the second example takes a negative view of retirement. The first reflects optimism, the second reflects fear. How do we make the former a reality for us all? Is it possible to look at retirement as opportunity for better health, a better body, a stabler mind, and a good quality of life even into old age? I believe it is possible.
Ayurveda is often translated as the Science of Longevity. The reason is that Ayurvedic medicine contains various protocols and guidelines for rejuvenating the body, slowing down the ageing process, and optimizing digestion. Why digestion? Because digestion is ultimately responsible for how we convert food into energy. For more on this, read Ayurveda 101.
For some, it might conjure images of playing with the grandkids, taking longer vacations, sipping fine wine, tending to the garden, and enjoying a delightfully slower pace of life. These are the optimists who can’t wait to retire.
For others, like my late grandfather, Ramzan Bawa, who worked all his life as a mechanic since the age of 13, the prospect of retirement and aging was something to be feared. In his mind, retirement was associated with the feeling of being useless and unproductive and, in the final analysis, it meant an acceleration towards death. He used to say, "If I don't work, I will die."
The above examples represent two different attitudes towards old age. The first example takes a positive view of retirement, while the second example takes a negative view of retirement. The first reflects optimism, the second reflects fear. How do we make the former a reality for us all? Is it possible to look at retirement as opportunity for better health, a better body, a stabler mind, and a good quality of life even into old age? I believe it is possible.
Ayurveda is often translated as the Science of Longevity. The reason is that Ayurvedic medicine contains various protocols and guidelines for rejuvenating the body, slowing down the ageing process, and optimizing digestion. Why digestion? Because digestion is ultimately responsible for how we convert food into energy. For more on this, read Ayurveda 101.
Can elective surgeries be avoided?
As we age, recovery from surgery can be a long road
Everyone experiences aging differently. Some see deteriorating skin and more wrinkles as the first signs of aging. Others may encounter problems such as arthritis, osteoporosis and joint pain without announcement. In the United States alone, it is estimated that 700,000 people have knee replacements and 400,000 people have hip replacements every year!
Elective surgeries are on the rise, fuelled by lifestyle disorders such as obesity, which puts extra pressure on the muscles and joints. What’s more, these surgeries are not without risk.
In November 2013, Johnson & Johnson paid a $2.5 billion settlement to some 8,000 patients who suffered from a faulty hip implant. Consequences included everything from chronic pain to repeat surgeries. In the worst cases, people were crippled for life – a hefty price to pay for a surgery gone awry.
As we age, recovery from surgery can be a long road, sometimes with adverse outcomes that nullify the gains from having had the surgery in the first place. This is one reason why so many people today are trying alternatives to surgery, including chiropractic, naturopathy, and Ayurveda.
Elective surgeries are on the rise, fuelled by lifestyle disorders such as obesity, which puts extra pressure on the muscles and joints. What’s more, these surgeries are not without risk.
In November 2013, Johnson & Johnson paid a $2.5 billion settlement to some 8,000 patients who suffered from a faulty hip implant. Consequences included everything from chronic pain to repeat surgeries. In the worst cases, people were crippled for life – a hefty price to pay for a surgery gone awry.
As we age, recovery from surgery can be a long road, sometimes with adverse outcomes that nullify the gains from having had the surgery in the first place. This is one reason why so many people today are trying alternatives to surgery, including chiropractic, naturopathy, and Ayurveda.
Ayurveda and Pain Relief
Ayurveda is a system of health care with origins in Ancient India.
Ayurveda is a system of health care with origins in Ancient India. As a scientific practice, it works on the premise that the body is composed of three doshas, or energies, that need to be in harmony for us to be healthy.
Perhaps what distinguishes Ayurveda from other medical disciplines is that it focuses on detoxifying, strengthening and balancing the body and mind. In fact, most Ayurvedic doctors argue that aging begins in the mind before it manifests physically. Thus yoga and meditation are typically offered alongside Ayurvedic treatment in order to purify and calm the mind.
Ayurveda does not advocate for temporary relief of aches and pains. It looks to address the underlying cause of pain, which is often linked to poor digestion, poor nutrition, and the accumulation of toxins in the body. Toxins can include undigested food deposited in our joints and open spaces throughout the body.
Let us consider, for example, someone who is overweight and suffering from knee pain. Simply prescribing “more exercise” and a weight-loss diet may not help that person to get free of pain; rather, it could aggravate the condition and induce mental stress.
An Ayurvedic doctor, on the other hand, looks beyond the person’s weight problem and considers the likelihood of toxicity – undigested matter – in the knee joints, causing heat and pain. In order to address the inflammation, the knee joints need to be rid of toxins and lubricated with healthy oils, internally and externally. Once the knees are healthier and the pain subsides, exercise is likely to be more effective and sustainable. This is the Ayurvedic approach in a nutshell.
Ayurveda does not advocate for temporary relief of aches and pains. It looks to address the underlying cause of pain, which is often linked to poor digestion, poor nutrition, and the accumulation of toxins in the body. Toxins can include undigested food deposited in our joints and open spaces throughout the body.
Let us consider, for example, someone who is overweight and suffering from knee pain. Simply prescribing “more exercise” and a weight-loss diet may not help that person to get free of pain; rather, it could aggravate the condition and induce mental stress.
An Ayurvedic doctor, on the other hand, looks beyond the person’s weight problem and considers the likelihood of toxicity – undigested matter – in the knee joints, causing heat and pain. In order to address the inflammation, the knee joints need to be rid of toxins and lubricated with healthy oils, internally and externally. Once the knees are healthier and the pain subsides, exercise is likely to be more effective and sustainable. This is the Ayurvedic approach in a nutshell.
Janu Basti is an ancient Ayurvedic treatment for treating knee pain. It involves creating a pool of hot oil directly on and around the knee caps.
The results gained from Ayurvedic treatment, because of its holistic approach, are likely to last longer and involve less physical hardship and downtime than surgery. If the motivation to have surgery is because it offers a “quick fix”, think again. There are no quick fixes when it comes to addressing chronic pain.
But what if you already had a hip or knee replacement? Can Ayurveda still help? The short answer is: yes. The approach would be fundamentally the same as described above, with the initial focus being on detoxification. Ayurveda can help to regenerate and strengthen the very muscles and organs that have been weakened or underutilized in the post-surgery phase.
While hitherto we have talked about pain relief and the reactive approach of Ayurveda, it is important to remember that Ayurveda is equally concerned with the prevention of disease and the onset of aging – what many call “anti aging”. This term is somewhat of a misnomer because it may create the perception that aging can be stopped when, in reality, it cannot. However, Ayurveda can slow down the aging process and help us to enjoy a better quality of life as we age.
But what if you already had a hip or knee replacement? Can Ayurveda still help? The short answer is: yes. The approach would be fundamentally the same as described above, with the initial focus being on detoxification. Ayurveda can help to regenerate and strengthen the very muscles and organs that have been weakened or underutilized in the post-surgery phase.
While hitherto we have talked about pain relief and the reactive approach of Ayurveda, it is important to remember that Ayurveda is equally concerned with the prevention of disease and the onset of aging – what many call “anti aging”. This term is somewhat of a misnomer because it may create the perception that aging can be stopped when, in reality, it cannot. However, Ayurveda can slow down the aging process and help us to enjoy a better quality of life as we age.
Somatheeram is an Ayurvedic hospital nestled in the plush greenery of a beach resort
Anantya Resorts offers a 21-day and 28-day anti-aging packages. It also offers specialized treatment programs for hepatitis, spondylitis, diabetes, asthma, and arthritis. If you are looking for spacious accommodations with high quality Ayurvedic treatment, Anantya is the place to go.
Anti Aging and Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a person-specific science – that is, it recognizes every individual as unique and requiring personalized guidance and treatment. There is no “one size fits all” approach. Ayurvedic doctors are trained to identify and treat those issues that are peculiar to you. All things are considered – your diet, heart rate, blood pressure, work life, sleep pattern, hair texture, eye colour, tongue, stress levels and even the regularity and shape of your stools.
A proper consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor can last from 45 minutes up to 2 hours, in order to understand your physical and emotional makeup. Only after a detailed consultation in person can the right Ayurvedic treatments, medicines and diet be given to you. Anyone who tells you otherwise is misleading you.
Due to each person’s unique makeup and the necessity for a face-to-face consultation, it is very difficult to recommend a specific Ayurvedic protocol to counter the effects of aging. However, here are some generic recommendations to consider for transforming your health and aging gracefully:
A proper consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor can last from 45 minutes up to 2 hours, in order to understand your physical and emotional makeup. Only after a detailed consultation in person can the right Ayurvedic treatments, medicines and diet be given to you. Anyone who tells you otherwise is misleading you.
Due to each person’s unique makeup and the necessity for a face-to-face consultation, it is very difficult to recommend a specific Ayurvedic protocol to counter the effects of aging. However, here are some generic recommendations to consider for transforming your health and aging gracefully:
- Undergo a proper panchakarma for at least 2-3 weeks every year. Panchakarma is central to any anti-aging therapy and pain relief program. It is the Ayurvedic system of detoxifying, strengthening and balancing the body.
- Develop a personalized yoga practice with the help of an adept. A personalized yoga practice is something that you can do on your own, anywhere and anytime.
- Meditate regularly. Clear your mind. Avoid anger, bitterness, blaming, complaining, fear and any other negative thought patterns.
- Practice graciousness, service and forgiveness.
- Eat your meals at fixed times daily. The Ayurveda way of life generally advises that breakfast should be had between 7 and 9 am; lunch between 12 and 2 pm; and dinner between 6 and 8 pm.
- Increase your intake of freshly cooked food. Avoid frozen foods and processed foods with artificial additives.
- Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables and cut down on meat.
- Follow the advice and prescriptions of your Ayurvedic doctor, if you experience a transformation through panchakarma. If you do not experience a transformation, find a better panchakarma resort until you do transform, physically and mentally.
Where to go for Ayurveda
If you want to experience authentic Ayurveda, your first panchakarma must be in India, where the climate, food, yoga, medicines, and oils are all conducive to the Ayurveda way of life and the process of detoxification. As mentioned earlier, Ayurveda is a holistic approach. Your detox cannot be done in isolation of the Ayurvedic massages, scrubs, and medicines.
The practice of Ayurveda has a history of 5,000 years. In many Indian centres of Ayurveda, knowledge of Ayurvedic protocols has been passed down from generation to generation, long before being codified into formal education, degree programs and commercialized practices. As a result, Ayurveda often makes it possible for a person to find a cure for his or her health problem when all else fails.
Here is a list of some resorts in India that offer anti-aging programs and panchakarma:
Somatheeram Ayurveda Village offers a 28-day anti-aging program as well as many other Ayurvedic programs of a shorter duration. If you would strongly prefer to be at a beach resort, Somatheeram is the place to go.
The practice of Ayurveda has a history of 5,000 years. In many Indian centres of Ayurveda, knowledge of Ayurvedic protocols has been passed down from generation to generation, long before being codified into formal education, degree programs and commercialized practices. As a result, Ayurveda often makes it possible for a person to find a cure for his or her health problem when all else fails.
Here is a list of some resorts in India that offer anti-aging programs and panchakarma:
Somatheeram Ayurveda Village offers a 28-day anti-aging program as well as many other Ayurvedic programs of a shorter duration. If you would strongly prefer to be at a beach resort, Somatheeram is the place to go.
The Jacuzzi villa at Anantya, overlooking the Chittar Lake in Kerala, is a particularly special room
Atmantan Wellness Resort offers programs ranging from 3 days to 14 days. If budget is not a constraint and you are looking for a multi-disciplinary approach to health care, Atmantan is the ideal resort.
Atmantan offers a fleet of highly educated doctors from diverse medical disciplines
Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre in Mysore, India is one of the best resorts for anti-aging and pancharkama programs. What is particularly noteworthy about this resort is the number of therapists and masseurs involved in administering treatments – all treatments involve a minimum of two therapists and several treatments involve three to five therapists.
Four therapists administer the pizhichil treatment at Indus Valley Ayurvedic Centre
There are many, many other resorts that offer excellent panchakarma programs. Here again it is important to remember all so-called “anti aging” programs involve panchakarma and so it is not necessary to restrict your search to the resorts mentioned above.
Again, every person is unique. So in order to find the right resort for you, it is recommended to consult with an expert at Ayurooms who can guide you effectively, based on intimate and first-hand knowledge of the best Ayurveda resorts in India.
Again, every person is unique. So in order to find the right resort for you, it is recommended to consult with an expert at Ayurooms who can guide you effectively, based on intimate and first-hand knowledge of the best Ayurveda resorts in India.
Post Script
The purpose of this article is to encourage readers to consider holistic alternatives to hip and knee replacements and other elective surgeries, as well as to provide information about Ayurveda and its general approach to treating chronic pain, preventing ill health and supporting healthy aging. This information is not intended to diagnose any particular disease or to claim that Ayurveda offers an absolute cure for hip pain, knee pain or any other physical ailment. However, if you are interested in learning more about what Ayurveda has to offer, we would be happy to connect you to a qualified expert. Please submit your request via our contact form below.
This article was written by Alykhan Alidina, with independent research and contributions from Subha Chandrasekaran. Subha is a consultant, coach, content creator and founder with Rainkraft. Alykhan Alidina is the CEO of Ayurooms and a connoisseur of wellness resorts, who assists people in finding solutions to the problems of ill health, chronic pain and aging.