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Newest Ayurveda and yoga retreat by Theme Resorts & Spas ‘Ayurvie Sigiriya’ inaugurated by Duchess of Rutland Emma Manners
A lake full of water as clear as crystal. Adjoining the lake is a paddy field whose crops sway to the tune of the light breeze that sweeps through them. Little feathery flocks chirping on Passion creepers that weigh down with delicious tropical goodness.
Thus is the setting of Ayurvie Sigiriya, an idyll of rejuvenation where one could lose oneself in the luscious nature, only to self-discover in an experiential journey of Ayurvedic Panchakarma. Following the successful journey of ‘Ayurvie Weligama’, the second addition to the ‘Ayurvie’ series by Theme Resorts & Spas, ‘Ayurvie Sigiriya’ is a well-worth investment of time, research and innovation that redefines Ayurveda tourism of Sri Lanka.
The retreat was ceremoniously inaugurated on 7 February by Duchess of Rutland Emma Manners, whose visit to the heart of Sri Lanka from the heart of England was facilitated by LYLIS Holistic Travels in Europe, in collaboration with Connaissance de Ceylan and Theme Resorts & Spas. The Duchess who is on an Ayurvedic wellness tour in the country, is the first guest at Ayurvie Sigiriya to experience the miracles of Sri Lankan Ayurveda Panchakarma, Buddhist meditation and yoga.
Picturesquely perched in the midst of captivating countryside scenery, Ayurvie Sigiriya is located in the heart of the cultural triangle, about 170 km away from the capital city of Sri Lanka. This pristine haven hides away from the busy streets of the city, within a few hours’ away from many historical and religious monuments.
Claiming a rich Buddhist cultural value, these northern plains of Sri Lanka served as the crucible of early Sinhalese civilisation and proudly preserves even to date, the remnants of an eventful bygone era.
Global awareness of climate change and resource depletion has recently resulted in a surge of interest in developing alternative building techniques and materials. In designing Ayurvie Sigiriya, Theme Resorts & Spas has opted for earthbag constructions, which are capable of meeting the structural needs with lower energy and material consumption.
The retreat is purely built with re-used polypropylene bags filled with moist subsoil that contains enough clay to become cohesive when tamped, and eco bricks stacked to create structure. These re-used polypropylene bags are then torn out and carefully disposed, before the walls are covered with clay and then burnt to secure and strengthen the structure.
Completely denying the use of cement and concrete which is the second largest polluter in the world, Ayurvie Sigiriya is a vernacular architectural chef d’oeuvre resonating with the traditional living settlements of Sri Lanka.
The oldest healing science known to humankind, Ayurveda treatment focuses on establishing and maintaining the balance of the life energies in human beings, rather than on individual symptoms of a disease. Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorder of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony, through preserving the alliance of the mind and body that offers sustainable cure for maladies of the body.
Ayurvie offers a range of treatments to their guests after one-on-one consultation with the in-house Ayurvedic Physician, who determines the predominant and secondary forms of energy that constitutes in the body (Doshas); as either Vata, Pita, Kapha or a combination of these. Daily treatments are then prescribed with the aim of rebalancing the Doshas. The treatments offered will be the same as those offered at Ayurvie Weligama, letting one experience a vacation of wellbeing; commencing treatment at one hotel and completing in the other.
The interior of the accommodation, comprising of 10 rooms, reflects traditional Sri Lankan nonchalant village dwelling, providing a comfortable living space for the guests experiencing the healing of their body and mind. Each room is built camouflaged in nature, facing the direction of sunrise, adding some vibration to help one break away from the banalities of day-to-day life.
The ambiance of this hideaway together with its surrounding green, encourages the feeling of mass consciousness inciting a sense of belongingness, all the while harmonising with nature. Owing to its eco-friendly building methods, the interior of these humble living spaces is naturally cooling, imitating the indoors of a typical traditional village home. These naturally cooling rooms overlooking eye-soothing green vegetable plots and paddy fields pledge a peaceful sojourn of comfort secluded in countryside goodness.
Built around a beautiful organic garden and paddy fields, all meals served to the guests at Ayurvie Sigiriya will be prepared after consultation with the in-house Ayurvedic physician, who prescribes the meals in accordance with the predominant and secondary Dosha conditions of one’s body.
While the Ayurvedic science strictly insist on a vegetarian or a vegan diet, each mouth-watering dish placed before you at Ayurvie is a proud outcome of organic fruits and vegetables produced in their own home garden. Carefully prepared to complement Vata, Pita and Kapha body constitutions, the primary focus of each meal is the positive enhancement of the health of the guest.
The retreat features a beautifully positioned swimming pool overlooking the paddy fields and a yoga mandapa built in the milieu of immaculate natural environment offering a pantropic elevated view of the great open expanse.
From traditional live music playing at the restaurant area to the atelier of traditional pottery where guests can try their hands at creativity and craftsmanship, Ayurvie Sigiriya offers a sprightly experience to those who seek to rediscover themselves basking in Ayurvedic goodness, surrounded by immaculate countryside.
