My first full day at Carnoustie started with 7:00am healing yoga near the beach. I left my villa around 6:30 to check everything out!
I set up my yoga mat:
Then I took a walk to the beach to observe the fisherman. The name of the beach Thiruvizha Beach.
There were lots of House Crows, Lesser Fish Eagles and Red-Backed Sea Eagles flying around looking for scraps of fish from the fisherman:
Looking back at the resort from the beach:
Time for yoga with Dr.Raj. Dr. Raj’s full name is Dr. V. P. Rajasekharan. He is a 70 something year old yogi! He is one of Carnoustie’s resident yoga professors. As well, he is a Reiki Master and Pranic Healer. He has his PhD in yoga & MD in Alternative Medicine and Diploma in Pranic Healing.
The yoga was shockingly gentle with stretching that included the eye muscles! There were very few traditional poses. The meditations included focus on the chakras with our breathing. It was a beautiful practice!
Next was the morning’s detox tea and breakfast.
The restaurant!
My Pitta Vata breakfast menu:
Breakfast – according to my Pitta Vata doshas:
I decided to go back to my villa and have a hot bath – but the water didn’t run very hot – and the water cooled very quickly – so I passed on the bath!
My fresh changed bed was decorated by a single flower!
House crow on the villa’s balcony railing:
I took a walk to the main reception to tell them about the bathtub water not being very hot. Here are pictures of the main reception area:
One of the many sitting areas throughout the resort:
The entrance to my villa:
At 11:00am, I was off to the spa. This is the walkway to the reception at the spa:
I was scheduled for three Ayurvedic treatments:
Abhyngam – Here is the description of an Abhyangam Massage from the resort’s website:
“Abhyangam…the greatest expression of self-love
It is believed that the effects of Abhyangam are similar to those received when one is saturated with love. Abhyanga is infusing the body with ‘prana’ or vital life force. When we infuse all our cells with love, they are revitalised and energised. It involves massaging of the body with warm oil infused with healing herbs and balancing essential oils.
Abhyangam moves ‘Prana’ (vital life force energy) within the body thereby nourishing and revitalizing all body organs. It aids the removal of toxins and stimulates both arterial and lymphatic circulation. It boosts the ability of nutrients to reach starved cells and allows for the removal of stagnant waste.”
Podikizhi – Here is a description of Podikizhi from the resort’s website:
“This is a type of Swedana Chikitsa (fomentation) wherein medicated powders are made into poultice and used for giving fomentation. Drugs like vacha, sarshapam, jatamamsi etc. are made into fine powder, fried and tied in cloth pieces in the form of boluses. These are made hot frequently throughout the procedure. Elakizhi “Patram”and “illa”mean leaf. ‘Kizhi’ means ‘bundle’. or Patrasweda’ is kind of sudation theraphy using herbal leaves. Leaves of Arka (calotropisgigatea) Karanja (pongamiaglabra) Dhatura (dutura metel) and so on are chopped and mixed with grated coconut mustard and rock salt. The proportion of the ingredients varies according to the symptoms of the disease. The mixture is warmed in a pan smeared with coconut oil and then tied up in linen.”
Nasyam – Here is a description of Nasyam from the resort’s website:
“Nasyam is a very important treatment for any discomfort in the head region. Nostrils are considered the doorway to the brain. In this therapeutic treatment medicated oil, medicated powder or herbal juices are administered through the nose for a prescribed duration. This removes the excess humors accumulated in the different sinus cavities and throat and is very effective for treating migraine, hormonal imbalances, paralysis, mental disorders, premature graying of hair, loss of smell and taste and even can add clarity to the voice. It cleanses the different cavities, increases oxygenation and improves brain functioning. There are different kinds of Nasyams based on the difference in the type of medicines and oils used. Nasyam not only helps in removing toxins from the head, neck, brain, eyes, ear, nose and throat region, it also gives immunity and strengthens their functioning.”
Here is the open with a surrounding pool treatment room! First, I sit in the chair where my feet are immersed in salt water, scrubbed with raw salt, rinsed with salt water and dried. I sit in the chair for the first part of the Abhyngam Massage then lay on the table for the rest.
While showering after the treatments – because I am soaked with Ayurveda oils specific to Pitta Vata – it looks like a leach decided to join me! Remember – I am in India – in a tropical climate with LOTS of insects and bugs and so on….
Next was lunch! As I walked from the spa to the restaurant I felt as if I were sleep walking I was so relaxed!
After lunch I had another treatment – Therapeutic Marma.
Marma – Here is a description of Marma from the resort’s website:
“Marma’ is a Sanskrit word meaning hidden or secret. A Marma point is defined as an anatomical site where flesh, veins, arteries, tendons, bones and joints meet. In Ayurveda Marma points are treated as points of vital life force. When imbalances block the movement of free-flowing energy in the body, the resulting stagnation leads to physical and mental discomfort and disease. A professional therapist isolates the Marma points and cleans them out by increasing the blood flow to the affected part of the neuro-muscular junction stimulating the body’s biochemistry to produce neurochemical and hormones that heal. Marma massage involves a full body massage with warm medicated oil, stimulating or massaging the Marma points on the body. It nourishes and revitalizes internal organs, strengthens muscles and bones, helps remove toxins, balances the doshas and encourages good sleep.”
Here is the room of the little cottage location for Marma treatments:
This was a very pleasant, relaxing treatment!
Later at 5:00 I went to the restaurant for my evening detox tea then went to Advanced yoga at the same location as morning yoga.
Next, I made my way to the spa at 6:00pm for my first Reiki Session with Dr. Raj! Here is the spa in the evening:
I did not take any pictures inside the Reiki room – because I wasn’t sure what I was allowed to do! The Reiki treatment was incredible and somewhat different than the way I am trained to give Reiki. The treatment started with a body scan meditation while I lay on the table as a transition into the treatment. Dr. Raj used a different order of the hands and used a very specific breathing exercises as he treated me.
Next, in my totally relaxed state – I went for supper!
Relaxed and totally at peace, I made my way back to my villa – excited for the next day and a wonderful sleep!
S, <3 <3
Just reading your relaxation sessions was enough to make anyone feel relaxed. I was ready to sleep.😴😴 Also your diet is starting to look good 😳 The Incense burning at entrance was nice as I have always like the smell. A very full day 😘