“Slowly inhale the vayu (air) around you to a count of 8. Now hold it for another count of 8 and then exhale completely to a count of 10”, Shankar instructed a lady, adding that exhaling should be longer than inhaling. He heads the Nature Cure centre at the Karnataka Health Institute’s premise in Ghataprabha, a village located in Belgaum, Karnataka. He said that the woman was under stress and that he was treating her to relieve it. Before sharing his version of self-rejuvenation, he asked me how Ghataprabha was treating me so far. And being a lover of story-telling, I narrated about how the need for a change in life in the topsy-turvy land triggered my wish to sign up for Milaap's fellowship and for this quiet hamlet called Ghataprabha.
While walking around Karnataka Health Institute, Ghataprabha
The bus I took from Bangalore’s Ananda Rao Circle careened through the lanes that wore a semi-urban look. My eyes were glued to the view outside to look for a familiar language since it was my first meet with Kannada, the language spoken in Karnataka, the south-Indian state. I also wished for a better night vision and a personal Google translator to just crack the new codes for me. After a good 11-hour journey, I finally saw the banner of a local movie with the hero flaunting his moustache and villains flying at the backdrop. My eyes could read GOKAK and I deboarded the bus only to drag my 25-kg trolley bag to another bus that would take me to my destination, Ghataprabha.
“So you finally reached our place, huh!” Shankar laughed at my tale. I just nodded my head and saw Usha and Bhubaneshwari, the manager and the therapist at the centre arriving in a Scooter. He introduced me to both and asked Bhubaneshwari to briefly guide me through the village.
The treeline walkway is truly a beautiful sight!
Dr. Shankargoud Patil aka Shankar leads the centre that blends herbs, shrubs, and Yoga to treat ailments. “Dr. MK Vaidh, one of the senior doctors came up with the idea of introducing the power of nature. The idea was to make use of all that the soil had to offer and pursue the path of wellness. His daughter-in-law, Dr. Swati Vaidh, initiated the step towards building this centre,” said Shankar. He added that the vision was to treat people both physically and mentally. In a nutshell, it is all about detoxification.
The 3-year-old wellness centre is run by a small fraternity – A doctor, a manager, and four therapists. All of them are pros in their areas. While Dr. Shankar plans and designs the ideal healing processes, Usha, the manager takes it forward by briefing the therapists of their duties.
The Nature Cure family (From the left - Kaveri, Bhubaneshwari, Usha, Dr. Shankar and the two therapists whom I call Anna (brother)
Usha is well acquainted with all the natural remedies. She personally picks up the herbs and leaves required for the therapy. “I have planted these so that we don’t run out of stock. Besides, it is always healthy to be surrounded with plants which have healing properties,” she said. Brahmi, Mint, Tulsi, Amruthaballi, Ashwagandha or lemongrass and Parijat are some of them.
Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri is widely known for enhancing memory. It is also good for Diabetes and is rich in antioxidants.
Bhubaneshwari guided me through the process of decluttering and then rejuvenation with the help of Pancha Mahabhuta or the five elements that make up the universe. “Bhūmi (earth), Jal (water), Agni (fire), Vayu or Pavan (air or wind) and Vyom or Shunya (space or zero),” she told me in the chronological order. “Do you want to start with earth?” she asked.
With a blank look on my face, I asked what she exactly meant. She answered, “Try out a few yourself and let us know how you feel. Okay?” So I spent the next few minutes in mud and then a layer of banana, apple, aloe vera, neem, turmeric and everything that the soil offered. I knew that something good was happening to me for sure since they briefed me about the black soil of North Karnataka. “The soil rests 4 feet below the sand and we dig it out, clean it off the stones, soak it in fresh water and then let it dry. We store it and use it for treating minor ailments,” said Bhubaneshwari.
Nature's magic in one frame! Here we have leaves with medicinal properties - Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), mint leaves, lemon grass, black soil and a mix of crushed, dried leaves
These days, you say skin and I am all ears! Mine is still adapting to the new climate and it is really not doing that great. So knowing that mud helps in retaining the moisture in our skin and cooling it along with treating acidity, headache, fever, etc., I asked her where I could get some for future use. “We give it for free if someone needs it. But we do supply black soil to Bangalore and other places within the state,” she replied with a smile on her face. The mud can also be recycled by peeling it after use and soaking it in fresh water.
Dr. Shankar is a professional Naturopath who has taken up the responsibility to run the centre. He is trying his best to cater to everyone who is willing to trust nature and bask in it. “My aim is to make this centre known for its simplicity and most importantly for its affordability. People can avail treatments like Yoga, Diet Therapy, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Mud therapy, etc. at a minimal rate, unlike other centres which charge four times what we offer. Here we are trying to cater to the needy and unprivileged ones,” he explained.
Dr. Shankar with one of the visitors at Nature Cure centre
Earlier, as many as 100 visitors used to show up at 6 in the morning for the Yoga classes conducted by Shankar. “Those days the craze for Yoga was at its peak. People had just started to learn about the concept of health through Yoga Asanas,” he said. He hopes people return with the same zeal as before. “We saw the highest number of participants, around 8000, on the Yoga Day or June 21, 2017,” he added.
The centre has Parijat or night-flowering jasmine right at the entrance. Usha says it cures cramps.
The Nature Cure centre has a homely atmosphere wherein anybody can relax. It literally directs you to slow down in this extremely fast-paced world by luring you to the lap of nature. However, as every bud needs nurturing, this new facility in Ghataprabha also needs support for its sustenance. In order to reach out to more people, it is raising awareness about the natural ways of treating ailments and also busting related myths in the process.
We all have our own ways of returning to nature. It’s time I adopt mine since the centre, especially Usha, has already fuelled the desire to add more herbs and shrubs with healing properties at home. For now, all I can say is - This is surely the kickstarter for all my upcoming affairs in Ghataprabha!
While walking around Karnataka Health Institute, Ghataprabha
The bus I took from Bangalore’s Ananda Rao Circle careened through the lanes that wore a semi-urban look. My eyes were glued to the view outside to look for a familiar language since it was my first meet with Kannada, the language spoken in Karnataka, the south-Indian state. I also wished for a better night vision and a personal Google translator to just crack the new codes for me. After a good 11-hour journey, I finally saw the banner of a local movie with the hero flaunting his moustache and villains flying at the backdrop. My eyes could read GOKAK and I deboarded the bus only to drag my 25-kg trolley bag to another bus that would take me to my destination, Ghataprabha.
“So you finally reached our place, huh!” Shankar laughed at my tale. I just nodded my head and saw Usha and Bhubaneshwari, the manager and the therapist at the centre arriving in a Scooter. He introduced me to both and asked Bhubaneshwari to briefly guide me through the village.
The treeline walkway is truly a beautiful sight!
Dr. Shankargoud Patil aka Shankar leads the centre that blends herbs, shrubs, and Yoga to treat ailments. “Dr. MK Vaidh, one of the senior doctors came up with the idea of introducing the power of nature. The idea was to make use of all that the soil had to offer and pursue the path of wellness. His daughter-in-law, Dr. Swati Vaidh, initiated the step towards building this centre,” said Shankar. He added that the vision was to treat people both physically and mentally. In a nutshell, it is all about detoxification.
The 3-year-old wellness centre is run by a small fraternity – A doctor, a manager, and four therapists. All of them are pros in their areas. While Dr. Shankar plans and designs the ideal healing processes, Usha, the manager takes it forward by briefing the therapists of their duties.
The Nature Cure family (From the left - Kaveri, Bhubaneshwari, Usha, Dr. Shankar and the two therapists whom I call Anna (brother)
Usha is well acquainted with all the natural remedies. She personally picks up the herbs and leaves required for the therapy. “I have planted these so that we don’t run out of stock. Besides, it is always healthy to be surrounded with plants which have healing properties,” she said. Brahmi, Mint, Tulsi, Amruthaballi, Ashwagandha or lemongrass and Parijat are some of them.
Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri is widely known for enhancing memory. It is also good for Diabetes and is rich in antioxidants.
Bhubaneshwari guided me through the process of decluttering and then rejuvenation with the help of Pancha Mahabhuta or the five elements that make up the universe. “Bhūmi (earth), Jal (water), Agni (fire), Vayu or Pavan (air or wind) and Vyom or Shunya (space or zero),” she told me in the chronological order. “Do you want to start with earth?” she asked.
With a blank look on my face, I asked what she exactly meant. She answered, “Try out a few yourself and let us know how you feel. Okay?” So I spent the next few minutes in mud and then a layer of banana, apple, aloe vera, neem, turmeric and everything that the soil offered. I knew that something good was happening to me for sure since they briefed me about the black soil of North Karnataka. “The soil rests 4 feet below the sand and we dig it out, clean it off the stones, soak it in fresh water and then let it dry. We store it and use it for treating minor ailments,” said Bhubaneshwari.
Nature's magic in one frame! Here we have leaves with medicinal properties - Bacopa monnieri (Brahmi), mint leaves, lemon grass, black soil and a mix of crushed, dried leaves
These days, you say skin and I am all ears! Mine is still adapting to the new climate and it is really not doing that great. So knowing that mud helps in retaining the moisture in our skin and cooling it along with treating acidity, headache, fever, etc., I asked her where I could get some for future use. “We give it for free if someone needs it. But we do supply black soil to Bangalore and other places within the state,” she replied with a smile on her face. The mud can also be recycled by peeling it after use and soaking it in fresh water.
Dr. Shankar is a professional Naturopath who has taken up the responsibility to run the centre. He is trying his best to cater to everyone who is willing to trust nature and bask in it. “My aim is to make this centre known for its simplicity and most importantly for its affordability. People can avail treatments like Yoga, Diet Therapy, Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Mud therapy, etc. at a minimal rate, unlike other centres which charge four times what we offer. Here we are trying to cater to the needy and unprivileged ones,” he explained.
Dr. Shankar with one of the visitors at Nature Cure centre
Earlier, as many as 100 visitors used to show up at 6 in the morning for the Yoga classes conducted by Shankar. “Those days the craze for Yoga was at its peak. People had just started to learn about the concept of health through Yoga Asanas,” he said. He hopes people return with the same zeal as before. “We saw the highest number of participants, around 8000, on the Yoga Day or June 21, 2017,” he added.
The centre has Parijat or night-flowering jasmine right at the entrance. Usha says it cures cramps.
The Nature Cure centre has a homely atmosphere wherein anybody can relax. It literally directs you to slow down in this extremely fast-paced world by luring you to the lap of nature. However, as every bud needs nurturing, this new facility in Ghataprabha also needs support for its sustenance. In order to reach out to more people, it is raising awareness about the natural ways of treating ailments and also busting related myths in the process.
We all have our own ways of returning to nature. It’s time I adopt mine since the centre, especially Usha, has already fuelled the desire to add more herbs and shrubs with healing properties at home. For now, all I can say is - This is surely the kickstarter for all my upcoming affairs in Ghataprabha!
