What are the key reasons to recommend Ayurveda to your clients? Fully understanding this life science takes years of study, so explaining it to travelers can feel overwhelming. However, placing your clients in the care of a trusted Ayurvedic doctor can yield incredible results for their mind, body, and soul. Having a basic knowledge is enough to make proper recommendations.

Immersive wellness resorts that offer traditional, authentic Ayurveda will likely start preparing for your client's stay prior to arrival. Anticipate making an introduction early so the assessment can begin. As part of a constitutional analysis, there is an in-depth questionnaire to complete that covers physical and emotional wellbeing. It could be as simple as you forwarding an email, though some Ayurvedic doctors like to speak to the traveler asking additional questions to best prepare for their stay.

This assessment is used to evaluate the unique prakriti (genetically determined constitution) of Doshas that determines the traveler's body type and current imbalances. The three Doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Most of us have one predominant Dosha, however many of us have elements of all three. The Tri-Dosha Concept emphasizes that everyone is unique. It's a matter of being in balance with your natural state. Learning about the Doshas is a fun experience as they often align with our personalities as well as our physical properties. Simply looking at the descriptions, it’s easy to see yourself.

These are the basic descriptions of each Dosha:

• Vata - lighter body structure, active, creative mind, often feels cold, tendency for dry skin or eyes, quick to anger
• Pitta - medium body type, abundant energy, problem solver, often feels warm, direct, short-tempered by nature
• Kapha - strong build, higher tendency to gain weight, excellent stamina, calm and stable, emotional, likely stubborn

Once the evaluation is complete, a tailor-made program is created. This encompasses food, oils used in spa treatments, and even customized activities. Keeping the traveler's health goal in mind, the Ayurvedic doctor works to bring the body, mind, and soul into balance. Guests that stay at Ananda in the Himalayas continue these conversations after their visit to assist in maintaining this lifestyle at home. Currently, they are offering Wellbeing Assessments with a Zoom consultation to accommodate travel restrictions.

When determining if Ayurveda is the right fit for your client, consider these four things:

• Is your client open to using food as medicine?
• Do they have physical ailments?
• Are they feeling emotionally out of balance (stressed, anxious, depressed)?
• Are they interested in preventing future issues?

While more and more resorts are offering Ayurvedic treatments in the spa, for an authentic experience look for an Ayurvedic doctor. This might not always be visible on the website so ask the supplier directly. If there isn't a doctor, a vast number of treatments is a good indicator. These involve significant training as they're much different than other modalities. In the States, YO1 Health Resort has an extensive Ayurveda program include a Netra Tarpanam treatment. This is used to soothe dry eyes, a much-needed experience with all of the time spent looking at screens. For guests craving warm weather, The Retreat Costa Rica has a thorough, traditional Ayurveda offering as well as an Ayurveda Balancing package. 

For the spa lover with a busy mind, look for a Shirodhara. This Ayurvedic healing technique is incredible for relaxation and calming those running thoughts. These can be found at wellness resorts with or without an authentic program. Remember that the best Ayurvedic programs will provide reasonable tools and recommendations for keeping life in balance.

The journey to a traveler's wellness can start with their seasoned travel advisor.

Contributor: 

Jackie Roby is a sales strategist & social media amplifier for healing & wellness travel businesses. As CEO of Inspired Journey Consulting, she brings 19 years of travel & hospitality sales experience, & hosts the podcast Through Inspired Eyes. Jackie helps clients stand out from their competitors with creative approaches implemented through achievable goal setting, crafting sales & social media strategies to increase revenue that are authentic and communicate the magic of their missions.