Physicians

Athreya is owned and run by a family of doctors. The Vakaseril family is one that has had Ayurveda physicians for over 5 generations. The physicians at Athreya base a portion of their diagnosis on ‘Yukti’ which means intuition. It was believed in ancient times that a physician is not just one who has the knowledge and the observation skills, but also one who has an intuitive mind.

The founder and chief physician Dr. B Gireesh (DAM) set on a journey to bring to Kottayam an Ayurveda treatment centre in the guise of a resort. With a running Ayurveda pharmacy production unit, the reality was easily met. Dr. Gireesh is driven and passionate to give to the people the best Ayurveda medical help in the books. His drive indeed shows in the brilliance with which Athreya functions. He was a disciple of one of the gems of the Ayurveda crown in Kerala, namely Vaidya Madam Veliya Narayanan Nampoothiri. With all the training and expertise he became a pioneer in the field of collaborating traditional treatment science and modern medicine.

Dr. Sreejith has been an important physician at the property for about 13 years. He is a man of much skill and dedication. He is always on the lookout for opportunities to improve the science he worships and has undergone the ancient treatment form of Kuti Praveshika Rasayana himself, to become the first doctor to experiment on himself before offering it to his guests at Athreya. His passion and dedication to Ayurveda has led him to pioneer the revival of a forgotten ancient Ayurveda therapy called Kuti Praveshika Rasayana. Due to its demanding nature and tough regimen, the procedure is not offered anywhere else at this time. However, Dr. Sreejith performed it on himself with the intent of making it available for his guests. Besides him being the first doctor, Athreya is also the first Ayurveda resort property to propagate Kuti Praveshika Rasayana, a sensory inhibition treatment form that is believed to reverse age and increase longevity.

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and meditation is a lifestyle form that helps in finding inner peace and healthy living. At athreya yoga can be practised only if the physicians say so, because some treatments do not permit yoga movements. As per the guests ailment and treatment course, levels are decided upon by the expert yoga instructors in the property.

Medicines

The family owns a production unit for medicines, which is at a short distance from the resort. These medicines are used to do all the treatments and the medicines are also available in leading Ayurveda pharmacies across the town.

Most vegetables and groceries are sourced from reliable sources in town. Some herbs are in fact grown around the property which are also used in cooking.

Food

The food is authentic Kerala cuisine redone to suit Ayurveda diet style. The meal is usually low on spices and oil, but the flavors remain intact. The meal is cooked as per traditional methods using firewood cooking techniques in earthen chattis (pots) which lends an earthy and smoked flavor. The chef is a woman who is nearly 70 plus years, hence the traditional feel is intact besides the oodles of love, care and effort she puts in it.

Breakfasts usually consist of a fruit juice, a choice of fruit, one steamed breakfast fare and an accompaniment usually a kind of lentil with vegetables.

Lunch and dinner follow a similar pattern but is a wholly different menu. There is a fruit juice, rice and an assortment of curries to go along, which covers all the segments of a balanced diet. The meal is finished with bananas to aid in digestion.

The meals may vary for some guests as per the treatment course and a traditional bell is sounded to announce meal times.