Thiruvananthapuram with its salubrious environs and great scenic beauty has been the favored abode for saints, hermits and religious minded. The city has an eclectic mix of hills, plains, rivers winding down to the ocean and lush green forests; perfect setting for the art of Yoga to develop.

The hills and the fertile land help in the growth of exotic herbs, used in manufacture of medicines. The science of Ayurveda has matured in Thiruvananthapuram and people from all over the world throng to the Ayurveda clinics for treatment to a myriad number of diseases. However it is sad that Ayurveda is considered only when all other systems of medicine fail.

Yoga

Yoga is a way of living in complete harmony with oneself and nature. Some say it is an art whereas it has now been proved that it is a scientific process to achieve a fuller and healthier living. Yoga literally translates into "summation" or "union". The ancient Hindu texts divide the human form into five earthly elements; water, fire, breath, earth and ether. Disease appears when one of the elements is out of sync or proportion. The Yoga and Ayurveda revolve around a balance and synergy of all the bodily functions. The medical science today is realizing the importance of relaxation techniques as practiced in Yoga.

Thiruvananthapuram is host to a number of Yoga Centers; many are located at the beach resorts of Kovalam and Varkala. All the good hotels will arrange Yoga practice camps for groups or even individuals at a steep price. There are many volunteer based Yoga centers like the Sivananda and Brahama Kumari Yoga Centers. Here private lessons can be arranged at less than $10 per hour and if you are willing to join an ongoing class, it would be just $1 per class. Generally these centers do not arrange for your boarding and lodging but no harm giving it a try. A saying in Thiruvananthapuram goes, "if you ask you may get an elephant".

Ayurveda

The science of longevity or Ayurveda has evolved earlier than 1500 BC. The precepts of Yoga and Ayurveda merge to evolve a perfect healing for an ailing mind and body. Thiruvananthapuram has been famous for the Ayurvedic massage with special herbal oils. The oils are heated to the right temperature and applied to your body with bare hands. The tired sinews are then massaged and even pummeled into submission.

The head message with a deluge of oil is the best to calm the modern day stresses and frayed nerves. The stanch form of Yoga and Ayurveda involves purifying the body by strict vegetarian diet, cooked in natural ways with various herbs. Some of the camps grow their own fertilizer and pesticide free vegetables. You can opt to stay for a month or more and enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating experience of a life time.

It is sad that the craze has been exploited by a number of quacks with little or no training mauling your bodies. There have been many instances when emergency medical care has been necessitated just to save the life of the victim. There are no government regulations to curb this menace; however some steps at certification are being undertaken. But it should not deter you from experimenting a little, especially in the message and Yoga parlors of renowned hotel chains.