Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
(with some variation depending on your treatment plan)
06:00 AM : Medicine Administered
08:30 AM : Breakfast & Morning treatment
12:30 PM : Lunch
03:00 PM : Tea and snack
07:00 PM : Evening meal
09:00 PM : Bedtime
Afternoon treatment (some treatments require 2 hours of rest on the bed after treatment so you may wish to bring books or digital entertainment)
The managing physician will visit you for treatment evaluation every day.
Anandapuram is typical of rural Kerala’s small villages with abundant local agriculture ranging from rice paddies to coconut palms and fruit/nut trees.
An ancient Hindu temple is located close enough to the clinic to be able to hear the auspicious sounds of Vedic recitation floating on the early morning air. A Christian church on the other side of Aatma broadcasts chanting/prayers (5-6am) as well as bells and choral singing (6-7 am) and at various other times such as Sunday mornings. These sounds form the distinctive soundscape of rural India (roosters, cows, trains, planes, horns, fireworks…but no sirens, so ubiquitous in western cities). The atmosphere is delightfully ‘alive’ and one soon adjusts to the daily rhythm.
There are lovely walks in all directions that you can enjoy during your stay. The local people are friendly and welcoming. Delighted to encounter a foreign visitor walking at dawn or dusk, they will often greet you with a friendly hello and want to exchange names. Some speak various degrees of English. You are unlikely to encounter any other European languages here. Malayalam (the language of Kerala) and Hindi are widely spoken.
As is the case throughout India, ladies should be modestly dressed at all times and walk with a friend whenever possible.
All basic necessities can be purchased in the village and even though the shopkeepers speak only Malayalam, it is usually easy to make one’s needs understood. Local garments are available at a reasonable cost as well as fruits, vegetables, dry goods, household supplies, mobile top-up, tailoring, etc. Anything more elaborate is available in nearby towns, accessible by bus or taxi.
Treatments are offered in the mornings and afternoons and range in duration from 20 minutes to one hour. Generally not more than two treatments are prescribed per patient per day so you will have a lot of time for rest and relaxation in between your treatments.
Treatments that require full-body therapeutic massage are administered with the patient unrestricted by clothing. This facilitates unobstructed movement of the strokes. Whenever the massage position allows, the technicians will cover the pubic area with a triangular-shaped disposable cloth. In every case, technicians are the same sex as the patient. If you feel shy, you may bring a g-string to wear during treatments.
Wifi is available and free on site but it is sometimes slow and temporarily unavailable. During high-use periods such as working hours, the connection may not be sufficient to view videos online, download photos or have video skype conversations. If you prefer not to bring your own computer, if needed we provide personal paid wifi connecetions
Use of your home-country mobile/cell phone will be very expensive here unless your phone accepts a local SIM card (Vi, jio)(available at the airport in Kochi). You can purchase an inexpensive mobile phone locally for approximately £15 or $20.
Although you may use the two-prong European plug in the three-prong Indian socket, IT IS NOT SAFE as there are occasional power surges that could damage your equipment. Therefore, please ensure you have an adapter that converts three-pronged i.e. grounded North American, European or UK plug to the Indian three round prong plug. This is very important if you wish to be certain to return home with your electronics intact!
You are unlikely to use equipment such as hair dryers, curlers or straighteners while in treatment. Electric razors are fine as long as you have the right adaptor.
Wifi is available and free on site but it is sometimes slow and temporarily unavailable. During high-use periods such as working hours, the connection may not be sufficient to view videos online, download photos or have video skype conversations. If you prefer not to bring your own computer, if needed we provide personal paid wifi connecetions
Use of your home-country mobile/cell phone will be very expensive here unless your phone accepts a local SIM card (Vi, jio)(available at the airport in Kochi). You can purchase an inexpensive mobile phone locally for approximately £15 or $20.
Although you may use the two-prong European plug in the three-prong Indian socket, IT IS NOT SAFE as there are occasional power surges that could damage your equipment. Therefore, please ensure you have an adapter that converts three-pronged i.e. grounded North American, European or UK plug to the Indian three round prong plug. This is very important if you wish to be certain to return home with your electronics intact!
You are unlikely to use equipment such as hair dryers, curlers or straighteners while in treatment. Electric razors are fine as long as you have the right adaptor.
If you would like to show your appreciation to the staff, tips are permitted (in that case, it is necessary to offer something to all members of our staff who served you including the Ayurveda technicians, cleaners, cooks, and maintenance/gardening staff.) Pls note : Do not give tips or gifts to any one who ask or approach you with such intentions..
Travelers from most western countries will require a visa to enter India. This should be arranged in advance. Check with the Indian Embassy of your home country regarding details. Apply for either a tourist visa or medical tourism (if that option is offered on your form)or The new AYUSH Visa. Also ensure that your necessary immunizations are up to date in good time before traveling. Again, consult your country’s advisory service in this regard. Most have websites that deal with these issues.
Kerala is virtually malaria free. There have however been a smattering of cases amongst agricultural workers in the area. Prophylactic medication against malaria is not required, but it is good to bring protective clothing and mosquito repellant. All rooms have screens on the windows, but natural bug repellant will add to your comfort while walking outside as well as resting or sleeping in your room.
Follow the covid protocol rules as per your you country and India, which may updated time to time.
Aatma Centre is located in the small town of Anandapuram. The closest airport is in Kochi (Cochi, Cochin, Kochin) approximately one hour’s drive away. Whether you are arriving directly from overseas or traveling from elsewhere in India, your best option is to fly into Kochi. Alternatively, there is train service to nearby towns such as Thrissur and Irinjalakuda. A car is normally arranged by the clinic to pick you up at the airport or train station, the cost of which is added to your bill or can pay on arrival. Taxi fare approximately rs 1400
Treatment plans are usually 14 or 28 days. However, we advise you to include time for a few days ‘rest’ at the end of the treatment period prior to returning to your home country. Traditionally, for each day of treatment, one is advised to have one day of rest post-treatment. During the treatment period, there is a fundamental clearing and cleaning of the body, rebalancing of the doshas, and dealing with any specific illnesses or complaints. After this, the body needs a transition period to full-on life back home. This is best achieved somewhere nearby the clinic as even the traveling, including traveling around India, is hard on the system. Planning to stay at the Kerala seashore or in the hills where vegetarian food remains readily available and where you can continue to take the herbal medicines, rest, swim, etc. is recommended for as much of the 1:1 time as you can manage.
Some clients with strong constitutions opt for 21 days of treatment and 7 days of rest, or even 28 days of treatment and only a few days of rest if they need to give priority to treatment time and cannot be away longer. In such cases, one should try to minimize commitments at home in the month or two following treatment, as full benefits from treatments can take up to three months to realize.
Depending on the time of year and your preferences for ‘rest’ locations, the coast north of Kochi (ie Cherai Beach), or southern Kerala north or south of Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) are options as well as Goa further north; also the ‘hill stations’ closer to Thrissur like munnar or have higher altitudes providing a slightly cooler and more comfortable environment.
For domestic travel and international travel, there are two Indian companies with good value for money and service reputation— www.makemytrip.com and www.cleartrip.com
Wifi is available and free on site but it is sometimes slow and temporarily unavailable. During high-use periods such as working hours, the connection may not be sufficient to view videos online, download photos or have video skype conversations. If you prefer not to bring your own computer, if needed we provide personal paid wifi connecetions
Use of your home-country mobile/cell phone will be very expensive here unless your phone accepts a local SIM card (Vi, jio)(available at the airport in Kochi). You can purchase an inexpensive mobile phone locally for approximately £15 or $20.
Although you may use the two-prong European plug in the three-prong Indian socket, IT IS NOT SAFE as there are occasional power surges that could damage your equipment. Therefore, please ensure you have an adapter that converts three-pronged i.e. grounded North American, European or UK plug to the Indian three round prong plug. This is very important if you wish to be certain to return home with your electronics intact!
You are unlikely to use equipment such as hair dryers, curlers or straighteners while in treatment. Electric razors are fine as long as you have the right adaptor.
As food and medicines are grown on site, Aatma is trying to reduce the use of chemicals and non-organic products in the water system. Please keep this in mind with your choice of personal care products.
After each treatment you will be provided with medicinal powders or soaps with which to wash your body and hair. At other times it is advisable to use very mild natural soaps and shampoos only when necessary. Ayurvedic soaps and shampoos are available in town for a very low cost.
Please also avoid too much flushing of toilet paper into the septic system. There is no need to use toilet paper as each toilet has a water sprayer beside it. You may find it helpful to bring or purchase a small ‘toilet towel’ for drying off.
Face cream with sun protection and sunscreen although walking in the sun is not recommended
Prescription medicines in original bottles (although you may discontinue these while in treatment)
Yoga mat
Earplugs if you have difficulty sleeping
Natural insect repellent and citronella candles for sitting out after dark (better than mosquito coils)
Your own sheet, towel, pillow if desired. Flat sheets, towel, and pillow are provided
(Additional towels and facecloths are available locally)
Natural wash liquid or powder for hand-washing underwear or clothes
(chemical detergents are available locally)
Flashlight/torch
Immiscible ‘kettle’ for boiling water in a cup or flask for post-treatment ‘rest’
(not all hotels provide in-room water boiling facilities)
Umbrella/parasol for daytime walking
Ziploc-style plastic bags for safely packing liquid medicines and oils for return journey
Packing tape for sealing liquid medicine bottles
Fruit knife (packed in checked luggage)
Grounded adaptor plugs for electronic devices
Camera
Mobile/cellphone if SIM unlocked
Computer or equivalent (load digital books, videos, music, etc. to keep yourself entertained if you normally do a lot of watching/listening/reading)
Books or well-stocked Kindle
Paper, envelopes, pens, pencils, sketchpad and paints (for those with artistic tendencies)
Well-sealed plastic container or two for storing snacks (optional and available locally)
Cards or puzzles
Small denomination currency notes for tips en route and within India
Check any electronic equipment you plan to use here to make sure that it can accept 220V current.
