Guess what I got to experience recently? Pure bliss, that’s what! I was one of the few invited to NH Bentota Ceysands’ bespoke Wellness Workshop, a collaboration with Adhitya Ayurveda. And let me tell you, it was exactly the kind of chill, re-centering experience I desperately needed.
Picture this: Nestled between the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean and the serene Bentota River, the resort itself is a total sanctuary. The two-day journey kicked off with Dr. Nathaliya Weerawardene, who totally debunked all my misconceptions about Ayurveda. She made ancient wisdom feel super relevant for modern life, even giving us a live demo of a traditional ritual – so cool to see all those sensory layers!
Then, Dr. Kasun Gunawardhana amazed us by reading pulses to understand body-mind balance. He even did live assessments on a few of us, and it was wild how accurate the Ayurvedic observations were. Later, both doctors, along with Adhitya’s senior therapists, showed some healing techniques outdoors.
Day one wasn’t only about learning, though. Dr. Nimeera Weerarathne led an awesome ice-breaker that got us all interacting and reflecting through mindfulness. As Dr. Nimeera wisely put it, “Mindfulness isn’t about stopping thoughts; it’s about not letting your thoughts stop you.” And Dr. Deemanthe Weerasuriya took us on a deep dive into subconscious reprogramming for peak performance – talk about mind-bending.
As he explained, “Your subconscious mind is like an iceberg; only a fraction is visible, but the true power lies beneath.” We wrapped up with a panel discussion featuring all four brilliant experts.
The next morning, it was all about that sunrise glow. Dr. Nimeera guided us through a fantastic sunrise yoga and sound healing session that grounded me perfectly for the day. This really highlighted for me how yoga isn’t just about flexibility; it’s a profound practice that connects your mind, body, and breath, helping to reduce stress and boost your overall well-being.
Dr. Deemanthe then brought us to a serene close with a guided subconscious meditation to energize our mornings and find inner clarity.
Detoxing
The workshop also subtly emphasized the importance of detoxing, not just in the trendy sense, but as a holistic cleansing. We often accumulate toxins from our environment and diet, which can lead to fatigue, digestive issues, and a general feeling of sluggishness.
A mindful detox, as integrated into the Ayurvedic principles we learned, helps your body’s natural cleansing systems work more efficiently, leading to increased energy, better digestion, and clearer mental focus. It’s about giving your body a reset, allowing it to function at its best.
Let’s talk food!
The culinary journey was an absolute game-changer. Forget bland health food; this was a modern, flavour-packed feast crafted with Ayurvedic principles. Think cucumber and green tea sushi, seared paneer with ambarella chutney, and curry leaves kurakkan muffins. Every dish was a delightful surprise, proving that healthy food can be seriously delicious.
My favourites had to be the coconut-crumbed thai fish rolls and the “tea sweets” such as mango and strawberry kurakkan cake – pure, mindful indulgence!
Honestly, this workshop was a refreshing reminder that wellness isn’t just about detoxing; it’s about balance, reconnection, and enjoying every vibrant, flavourful moment. Huge kudos to NH Bentota Ceysands and Adhitya Ayurveda for putting together such a transformative experience! I left feeling lighter, clearer, and totally inspired.
