When it comes to human wellness, we are spoilt for choices. Oil massages, aromatherapy, water based treatments, traditional or alternative medicine treatments such as ayurveda, acupuncture and naturopathy, physiotherapy, nature walks, yoga, meditation and what not. No wonder spas and wellness centres have mushroomed all over, given the demand.
Wellness Centres (such as Soukya, JNI or Ananda in the Himalayas or Niraamaya) promote holistic approach to treating imbalances created largely by our lifestyle choices. The fact that ‘prevention is cure’ or ‘health is wealth’ does not always resonate within us. When ill, we prefer to consume drugs as their effect is immediate. But surely, will it not be better to minimise visits to hospitals and dependence on drugs? Would you not feel wonderful if you did not have to eat a single tablet on a daily basis for something like say high blood pressure? Or digestive problems?
Spas are different
Wellness centres need to be distinguished from spas. The word spa is supposed to denote ‘health through water’. Traditionally, spas were always located where mineral rich water was naturally available. Today, spas also provide various additional services such as massages, scrubs, body wraps, facials and salon services. In all cases, the feel good factor is temporary and lasts for few days at best.
I recently spent a week at Jindal Naturecure Institute(JNI) in Bengaluru where the waiting period can stretch to months! Unbelievable but true. JNI promotes treatment through detoxification and lifestyle changes and complete avoidance of allopathy drugs. There is a full fledged naturopathy hospital(Manav Hospital) on the premises which is open to outsiders as well. Located next to Anchepalya lake, the serene settings of JNI is perfect for relaxation, de-stressing and treatments.
Online applications for admission to JNI
Applications need to made online, specifying reasons for seeking admission, duration of stay and uploading relevant recent medical test reports if applicable. I chose the week just before Diwali as occupancy tends to be lower before any major festival. Even then, only cottage and deluxe rooms were available.
Check in process takes time
This is an elaborate process that can take 2-3 hours and goes like this:
- Admission co-ordinator explains what to expect, hands over room key and ID card;
- make balance payment based on estimated total cost;
- check weight, height, body mass index, BP etc.;
- meet assigned ward doctor who will prescribe treatments with timing, meal options and juices to consume. Recent medical reports have to be provided and since I did not have any, I was asked to undergo basic tests(Lipid profile, kidney profile, CBC etc.). Very important to be open about any medical condition one may have; treatments, meal and beverage options are decided accordingly;
- meet chief yoga officer, acupuncture and physiotherapy specialists.
Print outs are provided everyday setting out the schedule for treatments and timings for meals/juices. Looked complex at first with multiple potentially overlapping activities but was actually very simple once I got the hang of it.
Available room categories
There are 3 category of rooms – economy, premium and deluxe. Within each category, there are sub-categories largely designed based on number of occupants and size of the accommodation. If 4 members of a family wish to stay together, the only choice is premium or deluxe. There are wards available free of cost as well. Premium and deluxe accommodation is designed for a more exclusive experience. Additional amenities include 24/7 hot water, tea/coffee maker, towels and toiletries, separate dining area, separate treatment centre, in-room treatment facility, separate accommodation for servant/attendants, separate fitness centre with aerobics/zumba and so on. I think it is worth the additional cost.
Deluxe accommodations appeared to be new construction while my premium cottage could do with some minor renovation, especially the shower cubicle.
TV with satellite channels is available is all rooms but I hardly switched it on.
Activities at JNI
There are plenty of activities available that can compete with the best of luxury resorts.
Fitness related
- Yoga…apart from the morning session which is for general health, specific sessions targeting heart health, digestive system, respiratory system, eye care etc. are held in the afternoon; Individually tailored yoga sessions are offered @INR 1,000 per class;
- Fitness Centre… well equipped gymnasium;
- Open air gym…used it every day. Felt good to do moderate exercises in the open;
- Zumba/Aerobics…must say it was very enjoyable. Everyday evening- Instructor led;
- Swimming pool…decent sized pool but the water did feel a bit cool in October;
- Cycling…on earmarked track only. Cycles were free to hire;
- Walking…the 2.8 kms long track goes along the lake, into the mini forest and farmland. Absolutely refreshing, whether in the morning or evening. There were quite a few peacocks/peahen in the vicinity of the lake. Another useful activity is walking on the grass lawns barefoot; Even otherwise, there is quite a bit of walking required in JNI. For treatments, meeting doctor, meals, juices and so on;
- Sunbathing…recommended between 10am and 4pm;
- Reflexology…comprising pebble track, sand track and hot/cold water track in a circle. I walked on it everyday for the recommended time;
- Outdoor sport…badminton, volleyball, basketball;
- Vibro exerciser..set up amidst a big tree, this was an enjoyable experience. Lasts for about 10 minutes or so.
Educational, recreation related
- Health Education Centre… With graphics, models and TV screens, the museum is a treasure trove of information on the human body. Needs up to 3 hours and hence one day is not enough;
- Library…Fairly well stocked; Fiction is also available if you get tried of reading health related books and magazines;
- Movies…normally hindi movies are screened once or twice a week; Short entertainment and educational shows are screened every other day;
- Food sessions… including live demonstrations are held twice a week;
- Recreation Centre…carrom, table tennis, snooker/pool, etc.
- Shop where a whole lot of naturopathy products and books are available. Also available online.
- Boating… The lake was a bit dirty, thanks to the heavy rainfall in the preceding weeks that resulted in the rainwater drains dumping all kinds of debris into the lake. Cleaning was in progress when I went and I could make out it was quit a tedious job. Consequently, boating was suspended. Even then, there were plenty of birds around the lake.
- Herbal garden, flower garden…very well maintained
All the above activities are free, except boating and obviously, you have to pay for whatever you pick up at the shop!
Treatments offered at JNI
Please check JNI website for diseases they treat. One can also enroll just for a detox, like I did.
Naturopathy treatments include Hydrotherapy(use of water including steam), Mud therapy, Manual therapy(oil massages, vibro, hot stone massage, etc.) and diet/fasting. The treatments are supplemented by herbal medicines where necessary.
Food options at lunch and dinner
Only 2 meals are served in a day and the quantity served is measured! No breakfast as we know it!
Timings
7.30-8.05am was the time for a small serving of sprouts and juice that is essentially the breakfast. Lunch was served between 10.45am to 12.15pm while Dinner was served from 5.45pm to 7.15pm. I would normally have lunch around noon and dinner around 7pm.
Apart from breakfast, Juices are served 4 times a day, ~9am, ~2 pm, ~4 pm and ~8.30 pm. 3-4 varieties of tea(green, karela/bitter gourd, Tulsi, black) were also available during specific time slots through the day. Juices and beverages were served in the newly built fitness room complex. What I particularly liked was that detox water, plain water and beverages were also conveniently made available in few other locations in the campus.
The menu for lunch and dinner
The all vegetarian menu included soups(2 varieties), raw food(fruits, sprouts-raw and steamed, salads-raw or steamed, vegetables-raw or steamed), cooked food(Indian style with rice or millet item, khichdi, dal, vegetables, multi-grain phulka and dessert), cooked continental/global cuisine(pancake, burger, sandwiches, roll, vegetable pie) and common food accompaniments(chutney’s, raita, pickles, butter milk). Couple of items were specifically prepared for Jains.
My fasting menu
My fasting menu comprised two servings of fruits – 100 gms each, steamed vegetables 100 gms, steamed sprouts 30 gms, soup 200ml and on one occasion, a desert 30gms.
The meal portions are decided based on required calorie intake. For that reason, dry fruits are not served as they are calorie dense. The variety of fruits also was limited possibly for the same reason or for high sugar content.
Great variety but can’t pick and choose
The fundamental rule was that raw and cooked food should not be mixed. Another thumb rule was that carbohydrates, protein and vegetables had to be in equal proportion. Within raw food, it had to be either raw or steamed food, with fruits being common to both. Soup could be had with both raw and cooked food. While there would be a number of items prepared everyday, one could not simply pick what one wanted. The servings would be limited and exactly as indicated by the doctor!
The food provided at JNI is among the healthiest I have had. Bland, non oily, fresh with some innovative preparations. Refined flour, sugar, refined oil etc. were not used in preparation of food. No fried stuff, no curd-only raitha and butter milk. The best part was that the lunch and dinner menu, with ingredients used, was displayed at the entry to the dining centre(called Diet Centre).
Why no curd?
Curd is a staple food at our homes but no curd was served at JNI. From whatever I understood, curd is supposed to be both good and bad. It has many health benefits but should be eaten in moderation and should be avoided in the night. Those with digestive problems should avoid eating curd.
Limited portions served
I thoroughly enjoyed the meal experience, especially the variety of soups served. Hardly any variety of soup was repeated during the 8 lunches and 7 dinners that I had. Almost all the fruits and vegetables are organically grown in the nearby farmland and hence were fresh. While I was happy with the portions served, there were people who were unable to manage. Since soups were on self service basis, they would take more than one serving of soups! The serving staff was generally very understanding and would sometimes serve a bit extra here and there. But except for Day 1 of my fast, I did not really feel the need to ask for more.
Juices and beverages
Variety of juices are prepared every day based on requirement. Including fresh fruit and vegetable juices, jaggery water with ginger, warm lime juice with jaggery, Jal Jeera, Barley water, Aloe vera and kokum juice, tender coconut water, coconut milk with chia seeds, hot milk with turmeric and so on. Juices are served 5 times a day. Normal serving size was 200ml but for some like aloe vera or wheatgrass juice, it was 100ml.
Beverages included green tea(plain and with ginger), Karela(bitter gourd) tea, cleansing drink, Tulsi tea(with ginger), detox water, black tea and so on.
No milk tea or coffee. I am still unclear why black tea is healthy but milk tea is not. I continue to consume a small cup each of milk tea and coffee almost every day.
Outside food or beverages, cigarettes and alcohol are banned at JNI.
My typical schedule at JNI
I would wake up by 5.15am, about an hour earlier than my usual time. After a brisk walk, I would head to Yoga centre for yogic kriyas like Ghrita neti, Jal neti, Gargling and Eye wash in a herbal concoction. There were other kriyas like Dhauti and Laghu Shankha Prakshalana that I skipped. Thereafter, it was time for a 10 minute meditation session at 6.10am, laughter session at 6.20pm followed by general yoga session at 6.35am that concluded with pranayama around 7.45am. These sessions were held in the open, next to the lake that provided a serene setting.
Well trained therapists for treatments
After a breakfast of sprouts and juice, it was time for treatments. The scheduling of treatments is done by the ward doctor and on a given day, there would be a minimum of 2 treatments plus packs plus anything optional that one has chosen-say acupuncture or physiotherapy. Most treatments require 1 hour to 1.5 hours while packs require 15 minutes to 45 minutes. While some of the packs, enema etc. are administered in the room, other treatments are given at the Treatment Centre. The treatment rooms were basic but well maintained.
The masseurs who provided oil massages, including Kairali massage which is JNI’s signature massage, and the staff providing other treatments such as colon hydrotherapy were very well trained. Most of them have served at JNI for 10 years or more. JNI has provided housing within the campus for its staff.
Busy schedule, with lights off at 10pm
During the free time, my favorite activities were open gym, walking, swimming, cycling, zumba/aerobics, reflexology and Health Education Centre.
Post lunch was the rest period for about an hour. It was lights off at 10pm.
All in all, a busy schedule from 5.15 am to 10pm!
How did it feel to suddenly eat less than what one is used to?
I fasted for the first 2 days, having only soup, fruits, steamed sprouts and steamed vegetables for both lunch and dinner. Those looking to reduce weight can fast by having only a liquid diet – meaning only soups for both lunch and dinner. Plus juices/beverages through the day.
I was a little apprehensive on day 1 of the fast and was looking to limit activities but surprisingly, I felt energetic through the day. I did not have to cut down on any of the activities. Yes, there were pangs of hunger but by second day, it all disappeared. I guess regular consumption of juices, water including detox water and beverages throughout the day did make a significant difference. Reducing the intake of carbohydrates also had a positive impact. In fact, on the day of my arrival, I had a full lunch comfortably and could have had even more. After fasting and reverting to regular meal, I struggled to finish the same quantity of food! My body had adjusted to lower quantity of food.
I now clearly understand that it is not what you eat that matters but what you digest/burn! Eating less had actually improved my energy levels! Even more surprising was that I did not really feel the need for a nap in the afternoon.
How much does it cost?
A premium cottage for 7 nights for a couple cost me INR 123k, an average of little less than INR 18k per night. Inclusive of 2 meals(no refund if on a fast!), juices, tea, amenities such as gym, reflexology, zumba/aerobics, yoga lessons, cycling and so on.
Certain treatments such as mud therapy, pack treatments too are free while others such as Colon Hydrotherapy, GIB bath with Epsom salt, oil massages, Kairali massage, full mud bath, etc. are chargeable. The prices were quite reasonable in my view. Full details are available under ‘charges’ sub-menu on JNI website. I think it is a great idea to be so transparent with the pricing structure.
I spent just under INR 200k for a couple. One week.
Check this link for more details.
What was my overall experience?
Highly positive. Although JNI is not exactly a resort, it comes close with lovely greenery next to a water body and farmland. Newer facilities were under construction when I visited. The air is fresh despite being located close to the bustling Tumkuru road.
There were a lot of positives. The excellent quality of food. Comfortable accommodation. Helpful and highly trained staff. The quality of treatments. Available activities.
I can hardly think of anything negative that impacted my stay.
Tried acupuncture for the first time
Since I did not have any medical condition, the acupuncture doctor conducted an ‘energy mapping’ for various organs such as heart, kidney, liver etc. and concluded couple of organs needed a boost! I agreed more out of curiosity and also because the charges per session of 40 minutes was INR600 only. It was not painful but I could feel the prick of the pins at the time of insertion and sometimes, when they were removed. After 5 days, another ‘energy mapping’ indicated a dramatic improvement! But the doctor was good enough to admit that it is the overall lifestyle at JNI that causes the improvement, not just acupuncture.
The physiotherapy section too looked quite advanced. I just did not have any need for it.
Lost 2 kgs over 2 days of fasting
Despite having a weight optimum for my height, I chose to fast on day 2 and 3. And lost 2 kgs! Had no option but to get back to normal diet but still, I ended up losing 1.5 kgs by the time I checked out.
Learnings ‘re-learnt’
While there were couple of new learnings, there were quite a few old learnings ‘re-learnt’ so to say. I guess we are all guilty of ignoring them while being busy pursuing our career. One important ‘re-learning’ was keeping the colon clean. In Ayurveda, keeping the digestive tract clean is the key to treatment of various diseases. Colon Hydrotherapy pumps water(plain or sometime mixed with neem) into the colon as a cleansing process and is therefore far more effective than enema. At home, one can opt for herbal laxatives on a monthly basis or as advised by a doctor.
Another re-learning was the importance of proper diet and the need to detox regularly.
Are wellness centres like JNI really useful?
Absolutely. First hand experience is a lot more persuasive than mere consultations or internet search. The activities and the treatments are designed in such a way that everyone will see some benefit, especially if they are done with full involvement. But the real challenge is how to continue similar lifestyle after getting back home. This is not easy and this is where most of us fail. I met many ‘patients’ who are unable to sustain similar lifestyle at home and hence, come ‘regularly’ to JNI, even from USA and Middle East. Even then, by JNI’s own admission, even if one can implement half of what is suggested at JNI, it’s impact on one’s wellness would be tremendous. That should encourage all those with busy and erratic schedules.
Having said that, it is possible that those with chronic cases may or may not see any improvement.
Involvement is the key to success
The key to a successful sojourn at Wellness Centres’ like JNI is the level of involvement, while at the Institute and after checking out. The closer it is to 100%, the better would be the results.
Key changes I implemented
After experiencing the benefits of a healthy lifestyle at JNI, I have made few key changes to my daily routine:
- Waking up at 5.15am; brisk walk for about 2.25 kms, starting before sunrise;
- 2 meals in a day(around noon and 7.30pm), finishing dinner before 8pm; Minimum of 2 hours gap before going to bed;
- More vegetables and less carbohydrates(the Indian diet is normally heavy on carbs) in the meals;
- Substituted white rice with red rice;
- Fruit diet once in a week;
I continue to practice yoga and pranayama for little more than an hour in the morning. Other activities that I have continued include swimming and exercising in the gym, both twice a week. Water intake remains around 1.5 to 2 litres though the recommendation is up to 3 litres a day.
The reality – healthy diet costs more
Whether it is cold pressed oils or organic whole grains or larger intake of fruits and vegetables, there is no doubt that a healthier diet will cost more.
Detox after travel or eating out
Since it is not practical to stop eating out altogether or avoid travel, the next best option is to eat sensibly, to the extent possible. I make sure I detox after eating out or upon return from travel. This means fasting or having only fruits or salad or soup for the next meal or for a full day in case of travel. I also indulge in ‘sin’ food once in a way but ensure I detox thereafter.
One of the display boards at JNI says this:
We lose health to gain wealth and then lose wealth to gain health. Often it is too late.
How true and how life comes a full circle!
I enjoyed my stay at JNI so much that I have decided on a week’s detox every year at a Wellness Centre. Need not be necessarily be JNI though. I would love to explore an Ayurvedic Wellness Centre or another Naturopathy Wellness Centre. Maybe something in the Himalayas. Or the beaches.
For more information:
Jindal Naturecure Institute, Bengaluru
Some of my earlier experiences:
Polynesian spa, rotorua, New Zealand…set in a geothermal area
Széchenyi Thermal Bath, Budapest…among the largest in Europe
Hot stone bath, Bhutan…an ancient tradition
