Indian Ayurveda for Beijing Olympics

When the Chinese capital hosts the 2008 Summer Olympics, tourists visiting Beijing will get to experience the healing touch of Indian Ayurveda.

With Beijing fast gearing up for the extravaganza, Decleor, a premium range 'spa' treatment chain has invited four Ayurveda therapists from Assam to cater to the hospitality needs of the tourists visiting during the Olympics.

Impressed with the Indian spa treatment, the company, with more than 100 branches worldwide, invited the therapists who, apart from providing services to the tourists, would train the local therapists to extend their services as well.

As part of the invitation, the Assam therapists have already visited China to train some spa therapists.

Spa Specialist Madhumita Saikia, Principal of the Signature Training (A class member NBC University, USA) said though four therapists have been invited initially, the requirement may increase during the event.

The Beijing Olympic Committee is expecting about 1.5 million tourists to flock to the country. The therapists would provide services of Ayurvedic massage and treatments of ancient India, including the Prag Ayurveda massage of Pragjyotishpur (the ancient name of Assam).

Saikia said the Northeast, especially Assam, is a hub of Prag Ayurveda treatment which contributed to holistic health development and the ancient scriptures like Kalikapurana also endorsed the theory of Ayurvedic treatment.

"Chinese therapists have expertise in acupressure and herbal massage treatment to bust stress and anxiety, but the Indian Ayurvedic treatments nurture mental, physical and aesthetic values for holistic health," she said.

The therapists are hoping that the services of Indian therapists during the Olympics would provide an impetus to the traditional treatments and help promote its market around the world.

"Since Indian traditional spa treatment is very popular in the country, the concept of Prag Ayurveda of Assam can also gain popularity in the world market. But for that to happen, connectivity of the region needs to be improved and other facilities for foreign tourists should also be improved," Saikia added.