As an alternative answer to the hectic and often chaotic pace of modern-day life, we’re beginning to look for ways to tune back in with nature and reconnect with our inner wisdom. The practice of Ayurveda was not so commonplace in the West even 10 years ago, but today people are turning to this ancient Eastern holistic medical system to guide them back to a balanced and healthy state.
The principle behind Ayurveda is to find a perfect balance between mind, body and spirit for you as an individual. Ayurveda strives to prevent illness, and to treat disease by observing its causes and reversing the imbalances that have caused it in the first place. The foundation of Ayurveda is what, how and when we eat. The key is to nourish our bodies, not deprive ourselves, with digestion and gut health being a core focus.
Bringing Ayurveda to the Island
Nourish recently met up with Amrita Ma Devi, who is an Ayurvedic Health Coach and Ayurvedic Chef here in Mallorca, to discuss all things Ayurveda, and the upcoming Nectar & Beauty retreat she is hosting in July 2022. First impressions of Amrita would have anyone switching to an Ayurvedic lifestyle in a flash. She is a glowing picture of health and serenity.
Amrita and her husband and spiritual teacher Igor Kufayev, have an organisation in Europe called Flowing Wakefulness, with a community of people spanning Mallorca and Germany that come together purposefully to partake in conscious based activities such as meditation, yoga, cooking, and conscious eating. Everything is based around tantric, meditative, and Ayurvedic practices.
Since Igor’s spiritual awakening with kundalini two decades ago, the family has been on the road with his teaching schedule across many countries; California, British Columbia, Italy, England, Germany and Spain. After years of integration and sadhana (disciplined and dedicated practice), Igor now imparts his knowledge through meditation workshops, his online YouTube channel, and various conferences and congresses in California, Italy, and Austria.
Now Amrita and Igor have established themselves in the Balearics, and believe Mallorca serves as the perfect location for an Ayurvedic retreat. Amrita explains that in Ayurveda it is not just the diet that nourishes you, but your surroundings as well.
“We are constantly taking in information and impressions from our environment and our senses – what we see, hear, smell, and touch, as well as our thoughts. If we’re in a place where we can be connected to the environment and its beauty, and experience the associated pure, calm thoughts then it nourishes us. Nature has the answers and enlivens our physiology.”
On this premise magical Mallorca, and the picturesque retreat location of Osa Major in Montuiri is an ideal setting.
The Nectar & Beauty Retreat
The aim of the Nectar & Beauty retreat is for guests to relax, refresh and heal during a five-day exploration in Ayurvedic wellness, where the Vedic art of yoga and meditation practices will be combined with delicious meals. From sunrise to sunset live a perfect day according to Ayurvedic principles.
The retreat is open to anyone, whether you know your Ayurvedic dosha like the back of your hand or are completely new to Ayurveda. If you’re interested in cooking and eating great food, being in nature, foraging for plants and learning about their medicinal qualities, all while having fun then this retreat is for you!
One of Amrita’s key motivations is that she herself has come from a place of thinking that the pharmacy has that magic pill if you’re ill, to now taking responsibility for her own health, and connecting back with nature.
“It’s not alien knowledge its common sense, but we’ve become detached from that nature and we get swept away with external stimuli. It’s coming back to that self-referral, experiencing being present and mindful with the choices we’re making. The body has its own intelligence it’s just about us being in tune with that. Going against that intelligence is what causes illness, disease and suffering.”
The Retreat Hosts
Amrita Ma Devi – Amrita is the founder of Ayurveda Anytime and has over a decade of experience in Ayurveda and has travelled the world with her spiritual teacher and partner, Igor Kufayev, and children. Through self-study and an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist 1860h Diploma she added to practical learning of how to use the wisdom of herbs and became intimately aware of the healing potentials this sacred relationship availed. A skilled Ayurvedic Chef, Amrita creates a wide variety of nourishing seasonal Ayurvedic recipes and offers Ayurvedic Health Coaching.
Sundari Ma – Sundari Ma is a yogini, meditation and yoga teacher. She founded and is co-directing Soma Yoga, studio for Yoga, Ayurveda and Meditation in Freiburg, Germany. Sundari was introduced to the rich world of plants and herbs by her mother, which inspired her to learn about their healing properties, and to create her own herbal medicine. Studies with David Frawley further deepened her knowledge of Ayurveda as a way of tuning in to the transformative and restorative powers of Mother Nature to maintain one’s health and balance.
Nectar & Beauty Retreat Details
- July 17 – 22, 2022
- Prices are from €750, excluding your travel.
- Day only attendance option is available (eat at the retreat and experience all workshops but don’t stay overnight) at €475
- Book your spot online here.
Use code ‘NB-10-nourish’ for a 10% discount!
