SHREE DATTATREY ASHRAM

“HEALTH IS WEALTH”: “Shareeram Adyam Khalu Dharma Sadhanam.”

These are often heard sayings. But do we often bring them into practice?

We are trying hard to build up our careers, progress in our lives. In the process, we gather a lot of stress and tension due to different reasons. We neglect the very human lives that we are leading by not caring for the body as well as for the soul, that we really are.

Shree Dattatrey Ashram or SDA is an institution for promotion of concept of positive health inclusive of the physical as well as the mental fitness. This concept is derived from the principles of Yoga and Ayurveda.

The main thrust area of activity is Yoga in all its eight stages, Ayurveda and Adventure.

In Ayurveda there is a discussion of the routine activities and diet, which are subject to change according to the seasons. One may not be able to follow the prescribed schedule in our daily lives. Yet, with the awareness of it, one can always try to bring oneself on the right track.

Yoga and Ayurveda share a close relationship. As against the popular belief of Yoga equivalent to the asanas, Yoga also prescribes social and personal ethics. It is actually a way of life. S D A also recognizes the role of “Mother Nature” in our lives propagated by almost all the civilizations, hence the site of the Ashram is being developed with several plantations of medicinal herbs, grasses, creepers, bushes and Orchards.

Rivers, Mountains, Rocks are also a part of the nature. These have fascinated human beings of all the times. To awaken and promote the spirit of adventure among the people is also one of the objectives of the S D A.

It is believed that the sight of any construction and its layout has some effect on the happenings around. The lotus shaped structure of the Ashram is located on saddle with a hill on the south, slopes on the east and west, the entrance being from the northeast. We have used certain non-conventional forms like the geodesic Dome covering a Meditation and Exercise hall of 600sq.ft area. There is a pyramid placed on brickwork about 1 ½ Ft. in height covered with glasses; this works as the natural sauna.

To have good effect on the Vastu there is a step pond or the “kunda” on the North East. Our culture includes plants like Bael, Tulsi and Durva or doob-grass, linked with three gods and rituals. The TRINITY takes care of the three Dhoshas mentioned in Ayurveda. These are also significant from the medicinal value. In the Ashram we have abundant Tulsi beds, Bael plantations and Durva lawn along with the aromatic flower plants like Jui, Chameli, Raatrani, Mogra.

Evergreen trees like Mango, Tamarind, Jackfruit, and Jamun are planted in the vicinity of the Ashram to provide the shade in the summer. There is a simple and decent arrangement of living. The Ashram has 10 rooms of 200sq.ft area with attached bathrooms. There is also a provision of lodging and boarding for 30 people. Simple nutritious vegetarian food is provided to the participants. Coir-mattresses with covering sheets are available. There are 5 packages of activities organized by the Ashram.

1) General health and stress-relief camp for twenty persons for two days, Saturday and Sunday.

2) Practical positive-health camp for five days for ten to twenty persons, Monday to Friday for different age groups.

3) Children’s health and adventure camp for five days.

4) Team building and stress-relief camp for corporate groups up to twenty-five persons for two days, Saturday and Sunday.

5) Family health camp for five families--with yoga, meditation and stress-relief activities for parents and adventure activities for children.

The overall objective of the Ashram is to spread true happiness through physical, mental and spiritual health. It is that happiness, which can be shared by all. It is that happiness, which will always be cherished by all.

Sarvepi Sukhinah santu, Sarve santu Niramaya,

Serve Bhadrani pashyantu,

Ma kaschid duhkham apnuyat.

Let all be happy, Let all be healthy

Let all see the best of time, let none be otherwise.

Prakash Tendulkar

FA&CAO(MTP)CR