Mysore Ayurveda Wellness Centre

On 9th Cross in Gokulam 3rd Stage, the neighbourhood of Mysuru known as its Yoga Capital, the Mysore Ayurveda Wellness Centre works as a clinic and a classroom at once. Its founder-director, Dr. Chitralekha, is a senior Ayurvedic consultant, researcher and author. The centre's own account is that growing worldwide interest in Ayurveda, both as treatment and as something to study, paved the way for its founding.

Dr. Chitralekha took her BAMS from Bangalore University and her master's in Kayachikitsa from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences. She has more than 20 years in clinical research, primary care and practice, and is described as one of the few Ayurvedic physicians who practise Marma touch therapy. For ten years she has also run free health camps and workshops in Mysore.

A visit can begin with wellness counselling: an assessment of prakriti, the body and mental constitution, and of vikriti, the imbalances, followed by individual diet and lifestyle advice. From there the centre offers classical treatment plans, Panchakarma (Vamana, Virechana, two forms of Basti, and Nasya), and rejuvenation work such as Abhyanga with Marma point pressure and Swedana. Its registration list also names Shirodhara, Pizhichil, Kati Basti and Elakizhi.

Teaching is the other half. A 10-hour course covers the basic principles: the Panchamahabhuta and Tridosha theories, Trigunas, and daily and seasonal routine. A 15-hour course in Ayurvedic nutrition and cooking ends with a live demonstration of tridosha-balancing recipes. A 20-hour Marma Abhyanga course runs in four modules. Certificates are issued only when the teachers are satisfied with a student's classroom performance, discipline and theory and practical examinations. The centre also holds ISO 9001:2015 certification.