The journey to One World’s Retreat’s home in Tegalalang winds through rice terraces and rainforests. You feel the world take a deep sigh. I signed up for a yoga retreat rather than the signature panchakarma that is the focus of this resort, but after my stay, part of me wished I had.
On the short walk to my suite, we wander past a beautiful pool that hangs over a precipice. “You won’t be swimming,” my hostess informs me. When I ask why, she tells me gently that bathing in cold water is not advised during a cleanse. This is just one of the many discoveries I’ll make on my brief journey.
Each piece of information brings me closer to signing up for the full program, but I’m not there yet. Ayurvedic medicine is a time-honoured tradition in India, but it’s practised all over the world. Panchakarma is about restoring balance through detoxification and a gentle rebuilding of the system, or the individual dosha – but more on that later.
One World’s Beating Heart.
At the heart of One World retreat in Tegalalang is its health centre – a sanitarium that sits at the centre of the property. This is where the Ayurvedic doctors and nurses have their rooms and where the treatment rooms are located. The first people I encounter smile in a kind of other-worldly way, and I’m shown a stunning terrace at the far end. It’s a quiet area where guests can relax, soak up the views, enjoy a tea, read or meditate. It’s a quiet area.
Forbidden Pools and Personal Journeys.
I am told as I settle in that there will be a lot of discussion about, well… bowel movements. It doesn’t take long before I know exactly what this means, and I’m glad of the heads-up. As we all sit down at the communal table for dinner, overlooking the forbidden pool and the valley views, mysterious potions are passed around. They look every bit as awful as every herbal remedy I’ve ever had, but I feel a bit as though I’m missing out.
FOMO kicks in, but rather than upsetting me, it inspires me. The next few days are even more encouraging as I talk to lovely people dressed in everything from robes to monk-like pyjamas, who tell me their stories. Many come back every year, some twice yearly and tell me this is the best, and most affordable, ayurvedic retreat they’ve found anywhere in the world. They all have shining eyes and big smiles, they are young and old, and they are all lovely, interesting and smart. That says a lot to me.
I am also pleasantly surprised by the food we’re served, individually designed for each member of the group, it’s far more delicious than I’d expected. In fact, I had anticipated starving myself! I enjoyed every bite, including dessert, which at dinner is just 3 prunes or dates; it’s strangely satisfying. Lunch is the main meal here.
About One World.
One World opened in Ubud as a yoga retreat centre with a hilltop spa that offered ayurvedic treatments. Running 50 retreats a year, a rundown resort was renovated as a residential retreat offering vegetarian food, activities and spa treatments as part of each program. Opened by French Canadian restaurateur Claude ( who created the famous Bridges restaurant in Ubud) and his partner, Yann, a quietly spoken Indonesian yoga master.
Building on the popularity of the original retreat, they researched Ayurvedic programs and worked with qualified doctors to establish One World Ayurvedic retreat in Tegalalang. Yoga is still an integral part of the One World experience, and I am on a yoga retreat rather than a panchakarma experience. A soft bell wakes everyone early for an 8 am yoga class before breakfast is served.
The yoga studio is an open pavilion with the valley stretching out below us. The classes are more about flow than ability as part of the Panchakarma detox. Everybody shows up. Another gentle yoga class is held in the late afternoon, before an early dinner is served and everyone retires.
Sleep Comes Easily here.
There’s no alcohol served at the retreat centre, naturally, and the rhythm of the day means that everyone is in bed early and up early. The suites are quietly luxurious with beautiful bathrooms and generous terraces. Sleep comes easily and deeply, everything is designed to relax the body and mind and restore harmony, and that means sleeping well, gentle exercise and a diet designed specifically for you.
My Introduction to Ayurvedic Systems.
If I had to guess, and there is a lot of discussion about the doshas, I’d say I was a Kapha, ruled by Earth and Water. Turns out I am primarily Pitta with a mix of Vata. My initial consultation with the resident doctor involved a physical and emotional assessment and guidelines for bringing myself back to balance. As I am here for a short yoga-based stay, I am left to my own devices but given a list of dos and don’ts for my general health. There are a few things that I should avoid that I love, including some cheeses, but overall it isn’t too bad.
The retreat guests are guided through each element of this and given a program of treatments that includes massage and healing sessions that support their program. Firstly, a detox program rids them of the deep-seated toxins that are at the core of any health problems they are having or may have in the future. It all sounds a little woo woo at first but when you meet the people who have booked for longer stays, you can see the light in their eyes, the clarity of their skin and the effects that their journey has had on their emotional state. Everyone seems happy and very calm.
Ayurveda is a whole-body (holistic) system of medicine that began in India more than 3,000 years ago. Ayurveda means the study of life. It takes a natural approach to all aspects of health and well-being.
The practice translates to “the science of life” and aims to promote health and prevent disease through a holistic approach that includes herbal medicine, diet, exercise, yoga, and massage. Ayurvedic theory is based on five elements (air, space, fire, water, and earth) that form three “doshas” (vata, kapha, and pitta), which are types of energy that circulate in the body
If you’re considering a Panchakarma retreat, you can explore One World Retreat’s programmes and availability here.
