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An ayurvedic health spa in Kent

Ayurveda and Healing Herbs

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“May all be happy, may all be free from disabilities, may all look to the good of others, may none suffer from sorrow” Ayurvedic Stanza

As with all holistic methods of healing, Ayurveda looks to treat the individual as a whole.  The mind, body and spirit are all linked and for true healing to take place all of these elements must be considered together and never separated.  Emotions and thoughts have a powerful impact on the way our body is expressed and the higher levels of our spirit must also be in alignment for a healthy life.  Herbs work well within this holistic system as they treat all levels of the self and create balance with natural healing elements, rather than man-made chemicals.  Ayureda contains many different methods and forms of herbal preparation which are all designed for different therapeutic effects.  This ancient method of healing uses infusions, decoctions, powders, poultices, pastes, oils and liniments in a great variety to support healing.  The herbs used will depend on the person’s dosha, their presenting symptoms and the weather.

Here at TOR Spa Retreat different oils, teas and foods are used to balance and relax our guests and give their whole system support before they return to their busy lives.

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Tip: The easiest way to bring herbal remedies into your own life is to try herbal teas.  You can buy prepared blends from good health food shops which have Ayurvedic herbs such as fennel, tulsi and liquorice.  If you are feeling creative you can make your own teas with household and garden herbs.  Lavender and rosemary both make lovely blends from your own garden or cinnamon and clove combinations can be made from your kitchen supplies.  Be creative and try different blends and if you want to invest in a tea strainer or herbal tea pot then you can create lovely smooth teas with no bits!

To book contact us on: 01227 728500

Ayurvedic Approach to Life

By TOR posts

“The beauty of plants, especially of flowers, uplifts our emotions, we recognise the masterly touch of creation in them” Vaidya Bhagwan Dash

Ayurveda is both a science of life and a system of medicine.  It aims to treat the person as a whole so will take into account your lifestyle, diet, mental disposition and exercise routine. Therefore even in wellness you can take measures to bring the Ayurvedic teachings into your own Western lifestyle easily on an everyday basis.  Herbs, oils and diet play a big part in Ayurvedic health programmes and these can easily be practiced at home.  These days we are always rushing, never focussing on the moment and constantly worrying about situations that may never occur.  Letting go of these modern day traditions and allowing life to flow easily in the direction it is leading you is a valuable tool for dealing with the natural changes in our path.   By bringing healing herbs, simple rituals and foods into your day, you can support your body and mind through the challenges modern life brings.

By visiting an Ayurvedic retreat like TOR Spa Retreat you can learn how to ‘release’, ‘relax’ and ‘let go’ in true Ayurvedic style and learn ways of incorporating that peace into your own routine.  Here at TOR Spa Retreat we combine all the teachings and principles of Ayurveda in a simple and relaxing way by bringing nature, rejuvenating treatments and stillness together in spa day or retreat experiences.

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Tip:  If you want to bring a little Ayurveda into your own life then you can take some simple first steps by being aware of the way you use your home.  Do you have papers and clutter lying around?  Do you have old clothes which you never wear at the back of your cupboard?  Is there dust collecting on your bookshelves?  Think of your home as your own spiritual retreat. Make an effort to burn oils, keep it tidy and tend to your plants.  You can even make an area focussed on relaxation and put flowers, ornaments and candles in that corner.  Each day spend 5 minutes in this area breathing deeply and focussing on the things you are grateful for in your life.  If you can’t manage 5 then do 2 minutes, every little helps!

Ayurvedic Foods

By TOR posts

It is easy to bring ancient healing methods into our modern busy world with simple cooking styles and techniques. Ayurveda uses food as a healing art and uses certain herbs and spices to support good health and balance the 3 doshas.

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In Ayurvedic medicine doctors consider the three doshas and attempt to keep them in a good balance to maintain health or repair illness.  These doshas can become imbalanced when the lifestyle and emotions become damaging.  They are balanced with different foods depending on the property of that food (bitter, sweet, salty, sour, astringent, pungent).  Ayurveda works to restore harmony and balance in the body by using herbs, exercises, foods and treatments.  Here at TOR Spa Retreat we combine all these practices which creates a truly relaxing and restoring sanctuary to balance modern life and focus on vegetarian dosha neutral food which nourishes and cleanses the body.

Tip: Herbs can rejuvenate the body and help to keep it in balance.  Try using cumin, coriander, cinnamon, turmeric and cloves in your cooking.  They can help to stimulate the system and keep you feeling vital and strong.  Each herb has its own individual properties for supporting health and by combining them in meals you can help to support your whole system (always check for contraindications to medications/illnesses/pregnancy)

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Ayurveda and Connecting to Nature

By TOR posts

 “The best reflections are there when the wind, water and you are quite still.”

It is very rare in modern lives that we make the time to walk in nature and appreciate its simplicity.  Ayurvedic principles show that the elements in nature (air, fire, water, earth and space) are also within us.  Therefore when connecting to nature, we are also developing our deeper knowing and connecting to the world around us. Ayurvedic medicine takes this further and shows how certain weathers and seasons can affect the way we feel and respond to events in our lives.  Those who practice Ayurveda create unique connections to each season and increase certain foods to balance the elements that time of year brings.

So to allow a little Ayurvedic enlightenment into your day, feel at one with nature and enjoy the fresh air on your skin.  The garden here at TOR Spa Retreat is a source of constant joy for us and our guests throughout the seasons.

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Tip: Next time you decide to put the TV on or pick up your book, consider going outside for a stroll instead.  You don’t have to go on long walks to connect to nature and feel the air on your skin.  Even when you live in the city you can admire the way the trees take over the pavement as they stretch their roots and how small wall flowers find their way through the nooks and crannies to make their claim on the concrete.  It can also be very healing to have plants in your home, try herbs which you can grow and use in your cooking; take care of them and they will take care of you!  Having plants in your home which you care for and tend to is a spiritual practice which allows you to nurture and share your own energy with nature.

A Typical Day at TOR

By TOR posts

TOR Spa Retreat is one of a kind.  Tucked away in the Kentish countryside, surrounded by wildlife and abundant gardens, it really is a unique getaway.

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The Spa ritual begins with a warm welcome at 9.30.  Forget the conveyor belt of the large spa chains; this is a truly friendly and comforting atmosphere where you are encouraged to feel instantly at home.

Once you have completed your health form you are shown around the facilities and are free to get straight into your luxury robe to relax.

Treatments are very unique at TOR, Ayurvedic oils and techniques are used throughout the treatment choices.  Anyone who has been to a retreat in Kerala will feel immediate familiarity with our Southern Indian Massage Team who have all worked in Kerala before coming to TOR; those who haven’t experienced Ayurveda are in for a real treat.  Whether you want a full body massage or a more traditional treatment such as the ‘Shirodhara’ (where warm oil is poured over your forehead before being massaged in to your head and neck) there will be something which feels just right for you.

Lunch is traditional Ayurvedic cuisine served at a large communal table in the main lounge.  Tranquil Indian music is played, warm comforting dosha neutral food is served and fresh fruit is in abundance.

There are three lounge areas in the spa, two of which look out on to the beautiful gardens and wherever you are light floods into the spa from every angle.  Choose one of our wide ranges of magazines or take your pick from our eclectic book collection and sink into the comfy chairs or lounges.

The superheated oxygenated pool is ideal to soothe away aches and pains and as there is virtually no chlorine in it, you can wallow quite happily for as long as you like.  Our sauna and steam room soothe heat even deeper into your body to give you that wonderfully relaxed ‘spa day’ feeling.

When it is finally time to go home at 4.30 we can guarantee you will feel like staying longer.  We have two rooms overlooking the lake which are available for residential stays, so if you fancy extending your stay then ask about availability when you book.

TOR also offers half days spas, evening spas, Panchakarma healing retreats and treatment only options.  Please look at the website for details and feel free to call us; we are always happy to discuss options and tell you more about what we offer: http://torsparetreat.com 01227 728500.

What can Ayurveda do for you?

By TOR posts

Imagine bringing ancient healing methods into our modern busy world. Replacing stress with relaxation, chaos with tranquillity and rushing with stillness. Ayurveda can offer all those option by bringing a little ancient knowing into our hectic modern lives.  When East meets West you can keep your busy schedule but approach it with calmness and serenity.

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Ayurveda aims to relieve symptoms, prevent illness and help you lead and maintain a healthy lifestyle.  It is an ancient system of healing, dating back to around 4500.  The five elements in nature each try to dominate over one another, for example wind or storm (air) may extinguish fire, cause evaporation of water or destroy buildings. Fire may heat the air, evaporate liquids and burn solids.  Water exerts its cooling effect on air, extinguishes fire and submerges earth.  Earth or solids, can hinder the wind, reduce the heat of fire and inhibit the cooling effect of water. When these elements are in balance then equilibrium exists, but when they are out of balance disasters can occur.

Ayurveda views the human body in the same way; it too is composed of these basic elements.  Ayurveda further separates the individual into 3 doshas which are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.  These can also become imbalanced when the lifestyle and emotions become damaging.  Ayurveda works to restore harmony and balance in the body by using herbs, exercises, foods and treatments.  Here at TOR Spa Retreat we combine all these practices which creates a truly relaxing and restoring sanctuary to balance modern life. Visit our spa day packages page to look at options: /ayurveda-retreat-packages/

Tip: Restful sleep is one of the most important ways to balance all ‘doshas’ and retain balance in life.  Try to keep away from all screens and devices for the hour or two before you sleep.  Burn oils in your bedroom which can give you a deep sense of relaxation (we love sweet orange and cinnamon).  Try simple breathing techniques to calm your mind such as breathing in for the count of two and out for the count of four, in for two and out for four.  Repeat this until you fall off to sleep.

Christmas 2012 At TOR

By TOR posts

Christmas Gift Vouchers

are now available

An ideal gift is only minutes away! Thinking of the perfect gift for that special person? Look no further than TOR Spa Retreat.

Gift vouchers are available for any treatment, package or cash amount. Treatments start at just £15.00 and day packages start at £99.00 for seven hours in the spa including lunch and a treatment.

We are open throughout December and January except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day.

Last posting day for Gift Vouchers is Thursday 20th December.

Contact us on /contact-us/ or 01227 728500

Our Beauty Room will be open on the 10th, 17th and 24th of December, for your last minute beauty essentials. Click the following link to see what treatments we offer and the price

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Most of all, have a VERY Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Best wishes from

All at TOR Spa!

Stuck for a stocking filler?Why not purchase one of these presents already gift wrapped?
TOR Spa Retreat custom blended sweet orange & cinnamon fragrance oil (10ml) £5

Heavenly Hydration Salt Brushing (500g) & Beach Towel  £15