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WHAT DOES IT MEAN ‘BEING WOMAN’ OR 'BEING COCOONED’ OR WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘BEING LONELY’ AND ‘BEING ON YOUR OWN’? ZUZANA ASKS VERY OPENLY MINI CHANDRAN, GENERAL MANAGER OF THE CGH EARTH SWASWARA...
There's a big difference between ‘being lonely’ and ‘being on your own’.
People often tell me: "You must so lonely?" There's all this pitying for women, who are staying on their own. I don't miss anything! Someone told me, that it is because I am ‘at that age’. But I don't think so. I think a lot of people are ‘at that age’ to be comfortable with ‘being on your own’, but maybe they're reluctant to acknowledge it or people around them don't allow them, because we're so boxed in by a society which says one can only be happy if one is with people.
MINI CHANDRAN
General Manager of CGH Earth SwaSwara
As a woman you need to strike the balance between your family and work. You have to be fully committed in your personal and professional life. For me personally, the call to stay and work at SwaSwara, came at the right time. I was free, my children were grown up and I could take this decision to move out and be able to focus on management of SwaSwara. The Last 10 years in SwaSwara, it has been like watching my own baby growing up and evolving. As a woman I needed such a challenge and creative learning process in my work space too.
I think it reflects the situation in the tourism and hotel industry. I do not think, it’s anything to do with the ayurveda, but sadly enough I must also say, that over the years I have not seen many ayurveda female doctors, who would be involved into ayurveda practices like the men are. Most of them get married and after marriage it's like they kind of fade away somewhere. I don't know why it is. It's the same for the female therapists. It's sad, because I've met a couple of very strong ayurveda women doctors, but they're still not in charge of the department, they're not the heads of department. I'd like to see that happen.
Some men call it meddling (laughs)...
It is difficult. It is difficult to show the real face of SwaSwara to the people, convince them to give the chance for healing and at the same time to stay true to traditional and classical ayurveda. I think, it has been a big battle for the most people in the ayurveda industry.
It is female in the majority, but we've started getting more men coming in now. I think, men are finally accepting that they can be open about their fears about their problems, that it is more acceptable for them to. Men also go through the same emotions as women. The problem is, that in my generation, the men were taught not to show their emotions. They had to be the man in the house, but today it's changing.
Not only gender approach is changing, but also the age of our guests. Still the most of our guests belong to so called 'older generation', but we are getting quite a few of the younger women coming in, who are successful, ambitious, but very stressed out. They are afraid to show their weaknesses, but in SwaSwara they are finding the space for'cocooning'.
I always tell people when you come here, it's like getting 'cocooned'. It's like going back into the womb of the mother. It is transformation process after which you emerge as the dragonfly.
SwaSwara is a place where you learn to be comfortable with yourself. Most of us are not happy with ourselves, including me. But I'm fine, I don't feel lonely. There's a big difference between ‘being lonely’ and ‘being on your own’. It's just two very different states of the mind.
People often tell me: "You must be so lonely? Don't you miss this or that?" There's all this pitying for women, who are staying on their own. I don't miss anything! I'm very happy getting up in the morning and being able to hear the birds and just getting on with my life and my interests - with my day panning out the way I want it to.
Someone told me, that this was because I am ‘at that age’. But I don't think so. I think a lot of people are ‘at that age’ to be comfortable with ‘being on your own’, but maybe they're reluctant to acknowledge it or people around them don't allow them, because we're so boxed in with so many people. There is this belief that to be happy one must be in & part of a crowd. You cannot be happy alone.
SwaSwara reminds me of a woman (laughs), she can be moody, but still you feel her openness and free flow of all-encompassing energy. She is a mother, a sister, a healer, it's all there!
I think, this is Swara of Swa, you can hear that echo in the whole way it's built, it is in the sea water, in the forest, the songs of the birds and steps of all the little animals. All this makes this place, it cannot be boxed. To restrict this free flow of energy it would be like putting SwaSwara into a coffin and nailing her down.
Founder & Director of Ayurveda Trails, healing collection of (extra)ordinary people and their stories, whose experiences are transferred into various trails shared by travelers.
In SwaSwara you evolve along with the place. There's so much openness, that you yourself, start opening up. You see things in a new light and a better perspective. That's what happens in SwaSwara.
CGH Earth Hotels & Resorts create travel experiences that let you explore nature, community and culture intimately. These experiences are themed around you - your awareness and aspirations!
VISHU FESTIVAL
NEW YEAR IN KERALA
The Malayalam word kani literally means that which is seen first. The traditional belief is that one's future is a function of what one experiences, that the New Year will be better if one views auspicious joyful things as the first thing on Vishu.
10 REASONS WHY AYURVEDA TRAILS ARE DIFFERENT
Ayurveda trails is using the symbol of mudra as reminder, healing is in your hands. We are creating a small collection of highly specialised ayurveda resorts run by passionate ayurveda experts, who want to keep authentic healing knowledge for modern world.
What is ayurveda? How is this ancient medical system connected with yoga, meditation, healthy food, relaxation in nature and modern life style? Ayurveda Trails is dedicated to everyone, who would like to travel and search answers to these questions.
NAVARATRI
Festival of Nine Goddesses
Navaratri is a nine night festival that honors the Mother Goddess in all her manifestations. The worship, accompanied by fasting, takes place in the mornings. Evenings are for feasting and dancing. Each day has a different ritual associated with it.
ONAM
The Harvest Festival in Kerala
Onam is the most popular festival in Kerala. It can be traced to the primitive harvest festival and also to the myth regarding King Mahabali - the benevolent asura ruler who brought peace and prosperity to his country. It is celebrated in August and September.
The importance of the feast to the Kerala's Onam celebration culture is captured in the famous Malayalam proverb: Kaanam Vittum Onam Unnanam - which means: One must have the Onam lunch even by selling one's property, if need be.
MANALTHEERAM AYURVEDA BEACH VILLAGE
Manaltheeram Ayurveda Beach Village, gives you an opportunity to pamper yourself with a heavenly experience. Enter the world of holistic healing and let Ayurveda and meditation restore your physical, mental, spiritual and emotional equilibrium.
MANALTHEERAM
Dr. Hemalatha Manoj
In Manaltheeram, we believe, that Ayurveda is a divine science of life, our hands should be pure to treat a patient. Sometimes we are not able to cure every one but it is important not to make any mistakes from our hands. We pray to God.
Somatheeram, the world’s first Ayurveda hospital set in a resort ambiance to provide Ayurveda healing and treatments programmes. With its exotic tropical beauty and tranquil hospitality, this getaway is the perfect place for relaxation and rejuvenation.
The World’s First Ayurveda Tourist Resort: Baby Mathew, in 1985 together with his brother Dr.Pauly Mathew, has founded the world’s first ayurveda tourist resort Somatheeram in Kerala. How has this journey started?
Cliff View Ayurveda Retreat is built in the Bauhaus style, which aims to reunite fine art and functional design, creating practical objects with the soul of artworks. The resort embrace the philosophy of traditional Ayurveda in modern style.
HARIVIHAR HERITAGE
Dr. Sri Kumar
Harivihar, abode of the divine, is a 170 year old painstakingly restored royal heritage homestead located in Calicut. It offers unparalleled experience of staying in a heritage ambience and benefit from the goodness of Ayurveda and Yoga, two great contributions of India to mankind.
I hesitated for publishing this story quite late, but there’s a beauty in rewinding. Makes me appreciate how all those days have become of me. The clever fall of dominoes of life events that led me to still standing. A very happy new year to all!
SwaSwara means your inner voice, this is a place of natural harmony to release, refocus and recalibrate the self. Inspired by the first sound of creation, the resort in Gokarana on Aum Beach is a perfect setting to enable one to hear the voice of the inner self.
Green gram is a powerhouse of nutrition. It has high nutritive value and can be consumed by anyone for improving health. Hence, this superfood is one of the most vital detoxifying agent as well as an energiser that helps to enhance the immunity of the body.
KAIRALI - THE AYURVEDIC HEALING VILLAGE
There is no better place to get inside nature and rejuvenate with natural medicine than the sweet scented forests of Kerala's Pala trees. Time spent at this jungle paradise will allow you to experience the authentic healing practices of India.
