The Death Of The Coffin - 1660 Words

The imagery suggests that the mother, who is the carpenter, gives life to her child, the coffin. Ahab referred to the carpenter as â€Å"Prometheus,† a titan, a silkworm spinning its own shroud out of itself (Leiter 1958). This, I think is Melville’s way of connecting the coffin’s obvious meaning of death to life. The carpenter as Prometheus symbolizes God who gives birth or in other words life to death. The coffin then acts as a life buoy for Ishmael specifically, when it carries him over to safety at the end of the novel. Ishmael and the coffin, both tossed up by the Pequod—rigged out like a whale—also like Job by the Whale of God, become Prophets who deliver the message of God to the world (Leiter 1958). In a way then, the coffin also symbolizes the universe, man, his life, and his death. It is a symbol of the fate of man here on this earth. Ishmael is saved because he—unlike Ahab, whose view of the condition of man is so monolithic and pr etty much insane—has reached a state not only of understanding man’s role in the universe, but he has also achieved acceptance of that role. â€Å"Wedded† to Ishmael earlier in the novel, Queequeg points the way to sanity, neither through destructive internal questioning, nor through acceptance of religious prophecies, but by what he is. After meeting his other half in Peter Coffin’s inn, which is decked out like a whale, Ishmael says, â€Å"As I sat there in that lonely room†¦I began to be sensible of strange feelings. I felt a melting in me.† SinceShow MoreRelatedVietnamese Culture on Death819 Words   |  4 Pagesthe ceremony of the first anniversary of the relative’s death and after two years is the ceremony of the end of mourning. The first stage is called â€Å"Nhap Quan† or â€Å"Entering the Coffin.† The purpose of this stage is to clean the death body and place it inside the coffin. The death body is cleaned with alcohol or water, removed from the old clothes and worn in the death clothes. The clothes are made from white fabric, and not only the death body but also the husband/wife, the son and daughter andRead MoreThe Connection Between Christianity, The Bible, And Moby Dick1338 Words   |  6 Pagesfate, he dies devoured by both mental and physical sharks. The connection between Christianity, the bible, and Moby Dick is a clear one as we have seen earlier on. Because of this connection, it can be understood that Ahab’s death and Ishmael’s survival through the coffin was also foreshadowed in the bible. Ahab believes he is a warrior of God and that he is somehow commanded to help rid the world of evil. The fact that he thinks he can help God fight evil is certainly a little insane, but it isRead MoreEssay about Herman Melvilles Moby Dick685 Words   |  3 Pagesby Herman Melville, a recurring theme of death is seen throughout the book. A coffin appears at the beginning of the book and at the end of the book, Ishmael sees a large oil painting that foreshadows and represents many things and events that follow in the book, and Fedallah makes a prophecy talking about hearses and predicts Ahab’s death. Ishmael stays at The Sprouter-Inn, whose proprietor was a man named Peter Coffin. In the end, Ishmael clings to a coff in for over a day until rescued by anotherRead MoreAnalysis Of As I Lay Dying 1086 Words   |  5 Pagesfish. He constantly dehumanizes Addie into a fish, which is seen in the bridge scene. When witnessing the fall of the coffin into the river, Vardaman does not describe the coffin falling but instead describes a fish that is swimming away. The fish is a symbol of his refusal to connect the reality of her decaying body to her death. Instead of rationalizing that the body in the coffin is that of his deceased mother, Vardaman regresses into a stage of denial and believes that Addie is an animal that willRead MoreEgyptian Mummies and the Afterlife1051 Words   |  5 Pagesprotect and identify the body by painting or carving pictures, hieroglyphics, and symbols on the coffin. One very good example of this is represented by the ‘Mummy of Irethorrou in Coffin.’ This coffin, made of wood with polychrome, is adorned with hieroglyphics, symbols, and a portrait of the Egyptia n priest. It was found in a cemetery in Akhmim, and dates back circa 500 BCE. The inside of the coffin, where the mummy lays, also has a carved outline of Irethorrou’s profile standing on some sort ofRead MoreAnalysis Of As I Lay Dying 1738 Words   |  7 Pagesthe family and is the most sensitive as well as articulates of the children. The journey takes a large toll on him and the reader can see that when Darl becomes so frustrated with the whole journey that he tries to incinerate his deceased mother’s coffin. His mother’s passing has a great toll on him and makes him gain a deeper meaning about his own life as well as the nature of being and the world that encompasses it. One of the first aspects about his life that he re-analyzes is his connection andRead MoreThe Book s Name Is `` Smoke Gets On Your Eyes By Caitlin Doughty1323 Words   |  6 Pagesand the awareness and cognition of death. Caitlin mentioned that she works in a crematorium because she want ed to overcome the fear of death. Because when she was eight years old at Windward Mall, she saw a little girl climb up to where the escalator met the second-story railing, then she tipped over the edge and fell thirty feet, landing face-first on a laminate counter with a sickening thud (Caitlin 29). So, she lost control of death. Maybe people fear of death because they experience some frighteningRead MoreAs I Lay Dying by William Faulkner997 Words   |  4 Pagesrest in the Jefferson town (Faulkner, William, Michael 43) In the entire novel, Faulkner presents fifteen different points of views with each chapter narrated by a single character including Addie who expresses her though from the casket after her death. The chapters are narrated in such a way that the characters are developed steadily through the opinions and perception of the characters in the novel. The novel explores the burden of the family faced in Mississippi countryside in order to bury AddieRead MoreSymbolism in as I Lay Dying1066 Words   |  5 Pagesthemes throughout the book but one of the most important ones was the use of symbolism. Cashs tools and Anses farm equipment symbolizing their stability becomes threatened from the carelessness of the Bundrens journey. The coffin stood the burden of dysfunction the Addies death put on the family. There were also a couple instances where Faulkner used animals to symbolize emotions and as a comparison to a couple of the characters. Cash was the eldest sibling in the Bundrens family, he was a carpenterRead MoreGeorge Bernard Shaw and His Short Story About the Cremation of the Nar774 Words   |  4 Pagesbody are eventually reconciled with an understanding that her spirit lives on. He imagines how she would find humor in the bizarre event of her own cremation. The quality of humor unites Shaw and his mother in a bond that transcends the event of death and helps Shaw understand that her spirit will never die. The reader is also released from the horror of facing the mechanics of the cremation process when Mamas own comments lead us to understand that her personality and spirit will live on.

Women s Experiences Of Female Ejaculation - 2083 Words

Women s Experiences of Female Ejaculation This article has been written by Amy L. Gilliland and was published online in the Springer Science media on March 2009. It is a fascinating article that discusses the phenomenon of female ejaculation. The women in this study explicate their ejaculation fluids and just how this shakes their sexual identities. It is not known the origins of their sexual fluids. Each woman had a different level of stimulation to ejaculate, and it was found to happen individually from orgasm for some womenfolk. The author believed that this was a phenomenon that needed to be researched in more depth; hence, this study supports the fact that female ejaculation is a common experience for many women, and offers different areas for further investigation. The author did not specify the social theory that has being investigated or emerged. The author made references to several types of research on this topic, and many researchers have exposed their findings of the female ejaculation. For instance, in 1966, two researchers named Masters and Johnson specified they did not find any ejaculators amongst their female participants. Later on, by examining the data from 1000 women in their sex therapy programs. Masters and Johnson concluded that only a few of these women reported an emission of fluid at the moment of orgasm. It was then indicated that these cases could be clarified by urinary stress incontinence and recommended Kegel exercises or urinary surgery.Show MoreRelatedThe Sexual Response Cycle in Human Beings1306 Words   |  5 Pagesplateau phase. In males, excitement phase is defined by erection of the penis. If the excitement phase is prolonged, the erection may occur very often. In the case of females, during the excitement phase, patterns of the veins often becomes more visible across the breasts, with an increase in the breast size especially if the female is lying on her back. Flattening and thinning of the labia majora that makes it rise upwards and forwards. Increase in size c an be seen in the case of labia minora andRead MoreSexual And Human Behavior : A Theoretical Review1373 Words   |  6 Pageswith normal functions. Although studies agree that the majority of women consider sexuality a very important determinant of quality of life. In terms of specific conditions, age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lower urinary tract problems, breast cancer, hysterectomy, endocrinopathies, clinical depression, smoking, and natural menopause have all been consistently found to show significant associations with female sexual dysfunction. Osteoarthritis depression has been associatedRead MoreSexual Response Cycle1245 Words   |  5 Pages2010). This event happens in both men and women. Myotonia is the tensing of the muscles, which causes spasms in many different areas including the hands, feet, face, and finally, the spasms in orgasms (Nevid Rathus, 2010). In the next section we will go over the four phases of the sexual response cycle. Phase 1, excitement. This is the beginning phase and leads in or serves as a primer to the following three phases. It occurs in both men and women, and it’s when the genitals become readyRead MoreHuman Sexuality and Masturbation Good Morning1537 Words   |  7 PagesMale masturbation became an important image in ancient Egypt: when performed by a god it could be considered creative or magical act. The god Atum was believed to have created the universe by masturbating to ejaculation, and the flow of the Nile was attributed to the frequency of his ejaculations. The word masturbation is believed to derive from either the Greek word mezea (penises) or the Latin manus (hand) and the Latin turbare (to disturb). It is interesting to note that in 1960, The Pocket OxfordRead MoreLiterature Review On Sexual Assault1512 Words   |  7 Pagesabsent in these articles. Sexual assault is a societal issue that impacts men and women at every age in their life, it’s much more highly reported among college aged women. The majority of women who are victims of rape are assaulted before they reach their mid twenties(CDC, 2017). Nearly half are raped for the first time before they reach the age of 18.(CDC, 2017). The articles reviewed emphasize that undergraduate women are most likely to be raped during the first month of their first year of collegeRead MoreComparing China s And India s Sexual History1161 Words   |  5 Pagesabout China s and India s sexual history I saw that they had many unique preparative on sex compared to todays. For example i n India’s famous book Kamasutra which discussed the nature of love and how to make a good family and home. This makes is seemingly normal compared to the modern day. However the thing that makes Kamasutra so unique and different is was that they categorized men by their penis sizes and women by the size of their vagina. The Kamasutra also recommended women on sexual techniquesRead MoreProstitution, Premature Ejaculation, and Abortion: Sexuality in America2729 Words   |  11 Pageslearning about sexuality in a college setting and by exploring my sexuality through personal experiences. I do not consider myself to have experienced much exposure to sexual behavior but I do have a cultural bias to what I consider a heavy amount of exposure because the North American culture is considered more promiscuous and sexually active than other cultures. In order to further understand my experiences one must acknowledge the cultural background, which constructs my opinions towards sex, sexualityRead MoreQuestions On Human Reproductive System2961 Words   |  12 PagesQuestion One In your own words describe the female reproductive system using the following subheadings (approximately one - two pages): ï‚ § General function, structure, location ï‚ § Development during puberty ï‚ § Menstrual cycle without fertilisation ï‚ § Stages of pregnancy (bodily changes after fertilisation) and stages of birth ï‚ § Menopause and changes to the reproductive system General function, structure and location The function of the external female genitals is to enable sperm to enter the bodyRead MoreGender Inequality And Its Relationship With Sexual Dysfunction Drugs1510 Words   |  7 PagesDrug Administration (FDA) approval for a sildenafil drug or â€Å"female Viagra†. The articles remain constant in the description of what this drug would provide for women. However, they differ in describing the reasons why a drug has not been approved so far. For example, Thielen believes that efforts in the past have been rejected because of concerns relating to the possible side-effects that would come with a drug that would treat female sexual dysfunction (Thielen, 2014). Sifferlin also agrees thatRead MoreThe Birth Weight Of A Newborn1261 Words   |  6 Pages Middle Childhood: The growth rates of middle childhood are generally slower than that of infancy and early childhood. On average a child will gain about 5-7 pounds and grow about 2 inches per year. During this time a child will also start to experience increased muscle strength and even an increase in lung capacity. Because of these things it is possible to children in this stage of development to engage in more intense physical activity and for longer periods of time than previously. This can

Live Show at St John-at-Hackney Church, London by Frightened Rabbit free essay sample

Following the release of their new album, there’s been some concern that Frightened Rabbit may have lost the integrity which gives their urgent, earnest songwriting its appeal. Worryingly, Pitchfork labelled the Scots’ latest effort Painting of a Panic Attack lacking in â€Å"the levity and humour† for which songwriter Scott Hutchison’s brand of self-contempt is so beloved. In the music industry flooded with guitar bands, it is easy to become semi-disposable – and it is largely Frightened Rabbit’s literary lyrical style which distinguishes them. It is true that this record feels formulaic when compared to ardent breakthrough The Midnight Organ Fight, and perhaps even a little less sincere. This could be attributed to Scott Hutchison’s romantic contentedness. The singer relocated to LA in order to live with his girlfriend in what for once in his songwriting life seems to be stable if not untroubled relationship, thus removing the artistic bedrock of heartbreak from which the previous albums have been mined. We will write a custom essay sample on Live Show at St John-at-Hackney Church, London by Frightened Rabbit or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However, Hutchison’s lyrics about this transition, from straightforward yet pleasingly morbid ballad ‘400 Bones’ to the reflective ‘Still Want to be Here’, are some of the most imaginative and mature to be found in any of their back catalogue. It seems more to be the case that, having enlisted producer Aaron Dessner of The National, the Rabbits have lost a little of the acoustic energy which underpins Hutchison’s cogent and nuanced delivery so well. However, with this slicker production, Frightened Rabbit have gained a welcome brooding, pensive texture, even if their governing formula has become more apparent. As for a lack of levity, this claim can be thoroughly dismissed in light of their playful approach to performance. The church setting, too, apart from being wryly appropriate for the rapturous reception, provides an extra element of humour. Midway, Hutchison kneels to apologise not only for his own sins but those of the audience, gleefully aware of the irony of singing â€Å"clutching a crisp new Testament, breathing fire/will you save me the fake benevolence, I don’t have time† in such a setting. Perhaps the most exquisite moment comes when, during set-closer Keep Yourself Warm, Hutchison takes to the pulpit amidst dry ice and lasers. Perhaps tonight’s triumphant silliness arises out of a sense of safety– as Hutchison acknowledges early on, his listeners have resisted the â€Å"pressure to move with the times†, and it takes little to persuade this audience to enjoy themselves. Accordingly, tonight’s energy is derived in part from the excite ment of a dedicated fan base who have not had the opportunity to bawl out these neglected ballads in over three years. Despite the gig being in London, far from Scotland and the US, there is a genuine sense of homecoming. That is not to say that the gig is perfect. Although irrelevant in this instance, the performance’s ability to seduce new listeners is limited. The technical production is inconsistent, with the lyrics obscured by throbbing guitars, and so what makes this band so unique is unapparent to those unfamiliar with the material. In a set saturated with anthems, the expansive choruses and earnest instrumentals would become repetitive in this hour and a half performance without sublime lines such as â€Å"How can I talk of life and warmth/When I’ve a voice like a gutter in a toxic storm?† to entice. Furthermore, by filling the set with enormous songs, the Rabbits risk becoming tedious. The gig lacks the emotional troughs which authenticate peaks – although with such convivial stage presence and the almost unconditional love the fans (who have been supporting this slow release to fame for a decade), it hardly matters. Overall, this is a celebratory concert imbued with a humour and silliness it is difficult to capture on a recording. For the British fans – whose numbers seem to be dwindling following Hutchison’s relocation – this is something of a bittersweet celebration as the gruelling American tour dates vastly overshadow the three played in the UK. Although certainly at the peak of their artistic and showmanship capabilities, the sense of Frightened Rabbit as a small band who belong to their fans is slipping slightly, for better or for worse. Perhaps, these shows may be a finale for the FRUK contingent; but a worthy one nonetheless.

Wellness Tourism Essay Example

Wellness Tourism Essay The Holistic Approach Of Ayurveda Based Wellness Tourism In Kerala RAMESH U *Assistant Professor, College of Engineering, Munnar, Kerala Tel: 04865 230606,232989 (Off), Mob: 094472 46162, Fax: 04865 232106 E Mail : [emailprotected] com ABSTRACT Wellness, in general, is used to mean a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. It is a multidimensional state of being, describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life. Health/Wellness tourism refers to trips that are taken by tourists with the principle purpose being to improve their health and/or wellbeing. The wide use of alternative medicines makes India a particularly intriguing destination, and can bill itself as a holistic health solution. Kerala has been well known for hundreds of years for its practice of Ayurveda-a system of medicine that believes not simply treating the ailment but attending to the whole person. Keralas equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants) and the cool monsoon season (June November) are best suited for curative and restorative packages. Before or after their treatment—or both—medical travelers can enjoy Kerala’s many popular tourist destinations. Whether they enjoy heritage tourism, or viewing wildlife, a beach vacation, or back water experiences, Kerala has a great deal to offer. The concept of health holiday, now better known as Wellness holiday, is based on the principles of Ayurveda, meditation, yoga, physical exercises and a balanced diet. We will write a custom essay sample on Wellness Tourism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Wellness Tourism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Wellness Tourism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It is like rejuvenation and clean up process on all levels physical, mental and emotional. Ayurveda deals elaborately with measures for healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Besides, dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to combat illness. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the reason as to why Kerala is being chosen as a preferred destination for Wellness Tourism and to explore the current opportunities and facilities offered to the Wellness seekers. Key Words: Well being, Health holiday, Ayurveda, Rejuvenation. INTRODUCTION More than 50 years ago, the World Health Organization defined health as more than freedom from illness, disease, and debilitating conditions (WHO, 1947). The suggestion by World Health Organization that health had a positive component led to the use of the term wellness—now widely used to describe the state of being representing that positive component (Corbin, Pangrazi, Franks, 2000). Halbert Dunn developed the philosophy of wellness tourism to illustrate about a special state of health comprising an overall sense of wellbeing which sees man as consisting of body, spirit, mind and being dependent on his environment (Dunn, H. L, 1965). It is a concept that is attractive to visitors who love combining wellbeing and lifestyle healthcare services with the strong desire to travel overseas. The global advancement in medical research and technologies, increased facililities of transportation and demand of immediate quality healthcare have provided the patients worldwide to travel abroad for treatments. The Indian healthcare industry has realized the potential of this niche market and has begun to tailor their services for international visitors (Ilyas, 2008). Government and private sector studies in India estimate that medical tourism could bring between $1 billion and $2 billion US into the country by 2012. The reports estimate that medical tourism to India is growing by 30 per cent a year. In order to qualify as a contemporary wellness tourism experience, we would contend that some deliberate contribution has to be made to psychological, spiritual or emotional well-being in addition to physical. This takes wellness tourism from the realm of being merely a passive form of tourism with a focus on escapism to one where tourists are purposefully driven by the desire to actively seek enhanced wellness. Arguably, however, there had been an unprecedented intensification in the pursuit of wellness in the history of Tourism in the recent years (Smith Kelly, 2006). The present trend, however, is for western tourists to seek solace in Eastern philosophies and therapies (e. g. , Chinese medicine, Buddhist meditation, Indian Ayurveda, Thai massage). With more people in the west realizing the effectiveness of traditional and natural medicines in treating chronic diseases over modern medicines using chemical drugs, the scopes provided by Kerala is getting an upper hand in the Modern world. The Ayurvedic system of medicine has become very popular among tourists in the recent times. Ayurveda has its own comprehensive way of understanding the body, of what causes diseases, how to prevent them, how to relieve and cure them, methods of preparing therapeutic medicines using herbs and oils, rejuvenation and methods of surgery. Kerala is the only place where Ayurveda is practiced in its true and authentic form. Wellness related tourism services provided by Kerala are now the most debated topic among the tourists and health care tourism providers’ world wide. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the holistic approach offered to the wellness seekers visiting Kerala through the traditional therapies and the factors that sustain this unique tourism product. DISCUSSION Health is god given and a natural phenomenon. It is a law of the nature to protect the human beings from diseases. The fast paced lifestyle and stressful job coupled with lack of exercise and excessive eating habits have made the modern executive human to a variety of ailments. Even though the technological advancement of modern medicine is tremendous, its capacity for controlling and preventing diseases has gone down considerably. People are taking a lot more of drugs than they used to, and drug costs are inflating at a higher rate than any other component of health care (Angel, 2004). There have been some attempts to classify specific measures of Wellness, such factors as personal energy, ability to enjoy leisure, better self-image and self-confidence, to name but a few(Cooper, 1982). Medical tourism can be broadly defined as provision of cost effective private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of specialized treatment. Tourism in its initial stages was directly aimed at increasing health and well being of people. In the present decade, the attempt to achieve better health while on a holiday through relaxation, exercise or visits to spas has been taken into a new level, with the emergence of a distinct niche in the tourism industry, â€Å"Wellness Tourism†, where tourism is deliberately linked to direct health interventions and the outcomes are expected to be substantial. The growing world wide focus on health and well being has led to an enormous increase in the wellness facilities in India. The country’s National Health Policy declares that treatment of foreign patients is legally an export nd deemed eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to export earnings. The increasing attractiveness and economic significance of health and Wellness tourism is further apparent in the growth of both domestic and international visitors since the beginning of this decade. India is the most touted healthcare destination for countries like South-East Asia, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius, Ta nzania, Bangladesh and Yemen with 12 per cent patient inflow from developing countries. An estimated 150,000 medical tourists visited India during 2007, representing a 20% jump over the previous year and reports reveal that the earnings from Ayurveda Tourism alone amounted to Rs 60 billion. Table 1 indicates the foreign tourist arrivals and the foreign exchange earnings from 1996 to 2006. India has a huge diversity of holiday options ranging from the beaches of Goa, the mighty Himalayas, thousands of years of culture, diverse wildlife and of course the Ayurveda based wellness facilities offered by Kerala. The added attractions to patients who wish to avail treatment in India is medical visa, it will now be easier to travel to India as the visa could be extended without any problem. Apart from the competitive pricing and specialized Medicare facililities, the Ayurveda based traditional treatments offered by Kerala has now emerged as the USP for India to develop as the most sought after healthcare destination in the World. Ayurveda based Wellness facilities Offered by Kerala Kerala – The mesmerizing land located in the south of India enjoys geographical features that are unique and rich. Kerala is one of the few blessed lands in the world that is networked by forty four rivers. These rivers are also known as the â€Å"backwaters of Kerala† and it stretches up to almost 1900 kilometers. Kerala has some of the amazing, most charming beaches of the world. The colourful beaches always remain bathed in the golden rays of the sun and the tourists who spent their time here gets captivated by the ever glowing beauty of this picturesque land. It has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with coconut groves, natural harbors, lagoons and sheltered coves. Kerala has some of the finest hill stations in India with the entire Western Ghats studded with evergreens, rolling grasslands, sholas and stretches of rejuvenating fragrance of tea and coffee plantations. Table 2 indicates the arrival rate of foreign tourists to India and the state wise break up highlighting the position of Kerala during the years 2005 and 2006. This state is also the only place in India which practices Ayurveda in its purest form. Ayurveda is the traditional Indian system of medicine that has brought true health, happiness and wellbeing to millions of individuals throughout the ages. This ancient art of healing has been in practice for over 5000years, and was also the mainstream medicine in the ancient times. Derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots – â€Å"ayus† (life) and â€Å"ved† (knowledge) – and offering a rich, comprehensive outlook to a healthy life, it is the only medical science in this universe which is useful even when one is not ill. Ayurveda is a complete science of health that is being applicable in all stages of life starting from birth, neonates, infants, childhood, youth, old age and even life before and after death. For many people, the image of Ayurveda is limited to the use of herbal or home/kitchen remedies and a traditional way of treatment. But in reality, Ayurveda is a much serious medical science, which strongly emphasizes on the diagnosis, examination, analysis of the disease, diet, medicinal properties, dose, frequency of the medicine and the medium with which it should be consumed (Kulkarni, 2008). These factors are highly crucial in achieving a complete cure and restore the balance and harmony of an individual, resulting in self-healing, good health and longevity. The Medicare in Ayurveda has broadly two parts: one is preservation of health and prevention of diseases and the second, diseases and their treatment. In Ayurvedic terminology, the first is â€Å"Swasthavritha† and the later is â€Å"Athuravritha†. Ayurveda follows a totally different way of treating diseases known as â€Å"Panchakarma†, which means literally â€Å"Five Therapies† which are the subtly harmonizing purification procedures that dissolve metabolic waste products and toxins generated from the environmental ill effects, in a gentle and effective way from the tissues and eliminate them from the body. The five therapies are namely:- Vamana- emetic and administration of drugs to produce vomiting, Virechana- administration of drugs for purgation, Nasyam- administration of drugs through nasal cavities, Anuvasana- rectal administration of medicated oil preparation and Nirooha- rectal administration of herbal decoctions. This treatment is advisable to the diseased as well as the healthy. In healthy persons, it is performed as a measure for health preservation. Ayurveda also has a comprehensive system of massages and body treatments that gives relief from a wide range of illnesses, from migraine and sinus to arthritis and paralysis; that detoxify and cleans the body through controlled emesis, purgation, making the individual sweat; and that makes the body receptive to further treatment. Apart from the above mentioned therapies, Ayurveda offers something special for the middle aged tourists – â€Å"Rasayana† Treatment. The Rasayana method of treatment is considered to be a measure to check and prevent the process of natural degeneration and decay by maintaining the strength of tissues (Varier, 1986). Ayurveda also claims that surgery may always be the last option in case of the treatment of an ailment. Natural medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicine as such, since their composition is all natural. These therapies are more effective in Kerala due to the almost year around humid climate of the state. Even though our country is facing stiff competitions from other Wellness facilitation destinations in Asia – Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines, the traditional and natural medical practices offered by Kerala Ayurveda is helping in attracting medical tourists from US, Europe and other Middle Eastern countries, increasingly, to seek solace as to their belief and reality, as Ayurveda extends excellent treatments for ailments like Osteo-Arthritis, Rheumatic Arthritis, Tennis Elbow and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Spondylosis, Intervertibular disc prolapse, Frozen Shoulder, Insomnia, Migraine, Skin Diseases and of course Weight management. Table 3 indicates the variety of Ayurvedic treatments offered for different ailments. Kerala is now considered as one of the best places for alternative healthcare treatments and because of this popularity, the number of Ayurvedic centers opening up across the state is also substantially increasing. With a view to facilitate the wellness tourism industry to achieve the targets and to give a greater momentum for this growth, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Kerala, in association with the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine has identified an urgent need to evaluate the safety and service standards of the prevailing and newly establishing Ayurveda centers and classify them accordingly. Standards have been set in terms of Personnel – Qualified physicians and masseurs having sufficient degree and training from recognized Ayurveda institutions, Quality of medicines and Health programmes – Prior approval by the advisory committee for the levels of treatments, clear exhibition of the treatment programmes offered and usage of medicines manufactured by approved firms with proper labeling, Equipments Standards are fixed for the size and make of massage tables, facilities for medicated hot water , sterilization, electric/ gas stove and the hygiene , Facilities in terms of number of treatment rooms with prescribed size , proper ventilation and attached bathrooms, quality and finishing of floors and walls, consultation room with proper equipments, separate rest rooms, locality , ambience and the cleanliness of surroundings. Ayurvedic centers fulfilling all the mentioned essential conditions are awarded a certification named Olive Leaf. Apart from the same, Government has also set some optional conditions in terms of the construction and architectural features of the building, adequate parking space, facilities for steam bath, separate hall for yoga and meditation, herbal garden attached to the center and the picturesque location. The Ayurveda centers also fulfilling these optional conditions will awarded Green Leaf. The district wise distribution of classified Ayurvedic health centers in Kerala is shown in Table 4. From the past two decades, the necessity for a holistic approach in the treatment of diseases had been an active topic for discussion among the scholars of modern medical sciences (Mohanlal, 2008). As a system of medicine that completely eliminates the disease from the body without causing any side effects, and which ultimately promotes the basic health, Ayurveda stands atop the alternative systems of treatments recognized by the World Health Organization. Many foreign countries have already started Kerala Ayurveda treatment centers and the export of Ayurvedic medicines to international market is increasing in a faster pace day by day. But, to the surprise, foreign tourists are often just as keen to visit the origin of the practice to avail treatments and body purification processes. The basic principles emerging from a holistic outlook, the peculiar and unique techniques of treatments, and the health promoting and non reactive herbal drugs used are the main elements which differentiate Ayurveda from the other prevailing medical systems. CONCLUSION India is one of the countries that have deliberately set out to be a dominant medical tourism destination. A recent trend has shown that people from developed countries are seeking treatment from the health professionals of developing countries. The Indian medical tourism industry is growing at an annual rate of 30 percent and with international traveling becoming easier and affordable and with improvements in healthcare technology and infrastructure across the world, medical tourism is fast becoming a preferable way to mingle leisure with health and wellness. Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine and health science, is an integral part of Kerala’s culture. In all branches of medicine and health care, Ayurveda has its own, peculiar contributions and tourists from all over the world are seeking healing in numerous Ayurveda Centers in Kerala. In the long run, Wellness tourism can become the niche for foreign revenue generation as there is an increasing trend in the number of visitors to Kerala as wellness seekers. Varsity of the Wellness phenomenon coupled with the mind blowing tourism potential offers a well set choice for international tourists to visit this land better known to the world as ‘Gods Own Country’. Wellness Tourism Essay Example Wellness Tourism Essay The Holistic Approach Of Ayurveda Based Wellness Tourism In Kerala RAMESH U *Assistant Professor, College of Engineering, Munnar, Kerala Tel: 04865 230606,232989 (Off), Mob: 094472 46162, Fax: 04865 232106 E Mail : [emailprotected] com ABSTRACT Wellness, in general, is used to mean a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that results in an overall feeling of well-being. It is a multidimensional state of being, describing the existence of positive health in an individual as exemplified by quality of life. Health/Wellness tourism refers to trips that are taken by tourists with the principle purpose being to improve their health and/or wellbeing. The wide use of alternative medicines makes India a particularly intriguing destination, and can bill itself as a holistic health solution. Kerala has been well known for hundreds of years for its practice of Ayurveda-a system of medicine that believes not simply treating the ailment but attending to the whole person. Keralas equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a wealth of herbs and medicinal plants) and the cool monsoon season (June November) are best suited for curative and restorative packages. Before or after their treatment—or both—medical travelers can enjoy Kerala’s many popular tourist destinations. Whether they enjoy heritage tourism, or viewing wildlife, a beach vacation, or back water experiences, Kerala has a great deal to offer. The concept of health holiday, now better known as Wellness holiday, is based on the principles of Ayurveda, meditation, yoga, physical exercises and a balanced diet. We will write a custom essay sample on Wellness Tourism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Wellness Tourism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Wellness Tourism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It is like rejuvenation and clean up process on all levels physical, mental and emotional. Ayurveda deals elaborately with measures for healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Besides, dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to combat illness. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the reason as to why Kerala is being chosen as a preferred destination for Wellness Tourism and to explore the current opportunities and facilities offered to the Wellness seekers. Key Words: Well being, Health holiday, Ayurveda, Rejuvenation. INTRODUCTION More than 50 years ago, the World Health Organization defined health as more than freedom from illness, disease, and debilitating conditions (WHO, 1947). The suggestion by World Health Organization that health had a positive component led to the use of the term wellness—now widely used to describe the state of being representing that positive component (Corbin, Pangrazi, Franks, 2000). Halbert Dunn developed the philosophy of wellness tourism to illustrate about a special state of health comprising an overall sense of wellbeing which sees man as consisting of body, spirit, mind and being dependent on his environment (Dunn, H. L, 1965). It is a concept that is attractive to visitors who love combining wellbeing and lifestyle healthcare services with the strong desire to travel overseas. The global advancement in medical research and technologies, increased facililities of transportation and demand of immediate quality healthcare have provided the patients worldwide to travel abroad for treatments. The Indian healthcare industry has realized the potential of this niche market and has begun to tailor their services for international visitors (Ilyas, 2008). Government and private sector studies in India estimate that medical tourism could bring between $1 billion and $2 billion US into the country by 2012. The reports estimate that medical tourism to India is growing by 30 per cent a year. In order to qualify as a contemporary wellness tourism experience, we would contend that some deliberate contribution has to be made to psychological, spiritual or emotional well-being in addition to physical. This takes wellness tourism from the realm of being merely a passive form of tourism with a focus on escapism to one where tourists are purposefully driven by the desire to actively seek enhanced wellness. Arguably, however, there had been an unprecedented intensification in the pursuit of wellness in the history of Tourism in the recent years (Smith Kelly, 2006). The present trend, however, is for western tourists to seek solace in Eastern philosophies and therapies (e. g. , Chinese medicine, Buddhist meditation, Indian Ayurveda, Thai massage). With more people in the west realizing the effectiveness of traditional and natural medicines in treating chronic diseases over modern medicines using chemical drugs, the scopes provided by Kerala is getting an upper hand in the Modern world. The Ayurvedic system of medicine has become very popular among tourists in the recent times. Ayurveda has its own comprehensive way of understanding the body, of what causes diseases, how to prevent them, how to relieve and cure them, methods of preparing therapeutic medicines using herbs and oils, rejuvenation and methods of surgery. Kerala is the only place where Ayurveda is practiced in its true and authentic form. Wellness related tourism services provided by Kerala are now the most debated topic among the tourists and health care tourism providers’ world wide. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the holistic approach offered to the wellness seekers visiting Kerala through the traditional therapies and the factors that sustain this unique tourism product. DISCUSSION Health is god given and a natural phenomenon. It is a law of the nature to protect the human beings from diseases. The fast paced lifestyle and stressful job coupled with lack of exercise and excessive eating habits have made the modern executive human to a variety of ailments. Even though the technological advancement of modern medicine is tremendous, its capacity for controlling and preventing diseases has gone down considerably. People are taking a lot more of drugs than they used to, and drug costs are inflating at a higher rate than any other component of health care (Angel, 2004). There have been some attempts to classify specific measures of Wellness, such factors as personal energy, ability to enjoy leisure, better self-image and self-confidence, to name but a few(Cooper, 1982). Medical tourism can be broadly defined as provision of cost effective private medical care in collaboration with the tourism industry for patients needing surgical and other forms of specialized treatment. Tourism in its initial stages was directly aimed at increasing health and well being of people. In the present decade, the attempt to achieve better health while on a holiday through relaxation, exercise or visits to spas has been taken into a new level, with the emergence of a distinct niche in the tourism industry, â€Å"Wellness Tourism†, where tourism is deliberately linked to direct health interventions and the outcomes are expected to be substantial. The growing world wide focus on health and well being has led to an enormous increase in the wellness facilities in India. The country’s National Health Policy declares that treatment of foreign patients is legally an export nd deemed eligible for all fiscal incentives extended to export earnings. The increasing attractiveness and economic significance of health and Wellness tourism is further apparent in the growth of both domestic and international visitors since the beginning of this decade. India is the most touted healthcare destination for countries like South-East Asia, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius, Ta nzania, Bangladesh and Yemen with 12 per cent patient inflow from developing countries. An estimated 150,000 medical tourists visited India during 2007, representing a 20% jump over the previous year and reports reveal that the earnings from Ayurveda Tourism alone amounted to Rs 60 billion. Table 1 indicates the foreign tourist arrivals and the foreign exchange earnings from 1996 to 2006. India has a huge diversity of holiday options ranging from the beaches of Goa, the mighty Himalayas, thousands of years of culture, diverse wildlife and of course the Ayurveda based wellness facilities offered by Kerala. The added attractions to patients who wish to avail treatment in India is medical visa, it will now be easier to travel to India as the visa could be extended without any problem. Apart from the competitive pricing and specialized Medicare facililities, the Ayurveda based traditional treatments offered by Kerala has now emerged as the USP for India to develop as the most sought after healthcare destination in the World. Ayurveda based Wellness facilities Offered by Kerala Kerala – The mesmerizing land located in the south of India enjoys geographical features that are unique and rich. Kerala is one of the few blessed lands in the world that is networked by forty four rivers. These rivers are also known as the â€Å"backwaters of Kerala† and it stretches up to almost 1900 kilometers. Kerala has some of the amazing, most charming beaches of the world. The colourful beaches always remain bathed in the golden rays of the sun and the tourists who spent their time here gets captivated by the ever glowing beauty of this picturesque land. It has a 600 km long shoreline dotted with coconut groves, natural harbors, lagoons and sheltered coves. Kerala has some of the finest hill stations in India with the entire Western Ghats studded with evergreens, rolling grasslands, sholas and stretches of rejuvenating fragrance of tea and coffee plantations. Table 2 indicates the arrival rate of foreign tourists to India and the state wise break up highlighting the position of Kerala during the years 2005 and 2006. This state is also the only place in India which practices Ayurveda in its purest form. Ayurveda is the traditional Indian system of medicine that has brought true health, happiness and wellbeing to millions of individuals throughout the ages. This ancient art of healing has been in practice for over 5000years, and was also the mainstream medicine in the ancient times. Derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots – â€Å"ayus† (life) and â€Å"ved† (knowledge) – and offering a rich, comprehensive outlook to a healthy life, it is the only medical science in this universe which is useful even when one is not ill. Ayurveda is a complete science of health that is being applicable in all stages of life starting from birth, neonates, infants, childhood, youth, old age and even life before and after death. For many people, the image of Ayurveda is limited to the use of herbal or home/kitchen remedies and a traditional way of treatment. But in reality, Ayurveda is a much serious medical science, which strongly emphasizes on the diagnosis, examination, analysis of the disease, diet, medicinal properties, dose, frequency of the medicine and the medium with which it should be consumed (Kulkarni, 2008). These factors are highly crucial in achieving a complete cure and restore the balance and harmony of an individual, resulting in self-healing, good health and longevity. The Medicare in Ayurveda has broadly two parts: one is preservation of health and prevention of diseases and the second, diseases and their treatment. In Ayurvedic terminology, the first is â€Å"Swasthavritha† and the later is â€Å"Athuravritha†. Ayurveda follows a totally different way of treating diseases known as â€Å"Panchakarma†, which means literally â€Å"Five Therapies† which are the subtly harmonizing purification procedures that dissolve metabolic waste products and toxins generated from the environmental ill effects, in a gentle and effective way from the tissues and eliminate them from the body. The five therapies are namely:- Vamana- emetic and administration of drugs to produce vomiting, Virechana- administration of drugs for purgation, Nasyam- administration of drugs through nasal cavities, Anuvasana- rectal administration of medicated oil preparation and Nirooha- rectal administration of herbal decoctions. This treatment is advisable to the diseased as well as the healthy. In healthy persons, it is performed as a measure for health preservation. Ayurveda also has a comprehensive system of massages and body treatments that gives relief from a wide range of illnesses, from migraine and sinus to arthritis and paralysis; that detoxify and cleans the body through controlled emesis, purgation, making the individual sweat; and that makes the body receptive to further treatment. Apart from the above mentioned therapies, Ayurveda offers something special for the middle aged tourists – â€Å"Rasayana† Treatment. The Rasayana method of treatment is considered to be a measure to check and prevent the process of natural degeneration and decay by maintaining the strength of tissues (Varier, 1986). Ayurveda also claims that surgery may always be the last option in case of the treatment of an ailment. Natural medicines like herbs and minerals can all be partaken as food and not medicine as such, since their composition is all natural. These therapies are more effective in Kerala due to the almost year around humid climate of the state. Even though our country is facing stiff competitions from other Wellness facilitation destinations in Asia – Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines, the traditional and natural medical practices offered by Kerala Ayurveda is helping in attracting medical tourists from US, Europe and other Middle Eastern countries, increasingly, to seek solace as to their belief and reality, as Ayurveda extends excellent treatments for ailments like Osteo-Arthritis, Rheumatic Arthritis, Tennis Elbow and Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, Spondylosis, Intervertibular disc prolapse, Frozen Shoulder, Insomnia, Migraine, Skin Diseases and of course Weight management. Table 3 indicates the variety of Ayurvedic treatments offered for different ailments. Kerala is now considered as one of the best places for alternative healthcare treatments and because of this popularity, the number of Ayurvedic centers opening up across the state is also substantially increasing. With a view to facilitate the wellness tourism industry to achieve the targets and to give a greater momentum for this growth, the Ministry of Tourism, Government of Kerala, in association with the Department of Indian Systems of Medicine has identified an urgent need to evaluate the safety and service standards of the prevailing and newly establishing Ayurveda centers and classify them accordingly. Standards have been set in terms of Personnel – Qualified physicians and masseurs having sufficient degree and training from recognized Ayurveda institutions, Quality of medicines and Health programmes – Prior approval by the advisory committee for the levels of treatments, clear exhibition of the treatment programmes offered and usage of medicines manufactured by approved firms with proper labeling, Equipments Standards are fixed for the size and make of massage tables, facilities for medicated hot water , sterilization, electric/ gas stove and the hygiene , Facilities in terms of number of treatment rooms with prescribed size , proper ventilation and attached bathrooms, quality and finishing of floors and walls, consultation room with proper equipments, separate rest rooms, locality , ambience and the cleanliness of surroundings. Ayurvedic centers fulfilling all the mentioned essential conditions are awarded a certification named Olive Leaf. Apart from the same, Government has also set some optional conditions in terms of the construction and architectural features of the building, adequate parking space, facilities for steam bath, separate hall for yoga and meditation, herbal garden attached to the center and the picturesque location. The Ayurveda centers also fulfilling these optional conditions will awarded Green Leaf. The district wise distribution of classified Ayurvedic health centers in Kerala is shown in Table 4. From the past two decades, the necessity for a holistic approach in the treatment of diseases had been an active topic for discussion among the scholars of modern medical sciences (Mohanlal, 2008). As a system of medicine that completely eliminates the disease from the body without causing any side effects, and which ultimately promotes the basic health, Ayurveda stands atop the alternative systems of treatments recognized by the World Health Organization. Many foreign countries have already started Kerala Ayurveda treatment centers and the export of Ayurvedic medicines to international market is increasing in a faster pace day by day. But, to the surprise, foreign tourists are often just as keen to visit the origin of the practice to avail treatments and body purification processes. The basic principles emerging from a holistic outlook, the peculiar and unique techniques of treatments, and the health promoting and non reactive herbal drugs used are the main elements which differentiate Ayurveda from the other prevailing medical systems. CONCLUSION India is one of the countries that have deliberately set out to be a dominant medical tourism destination. A recent trend has shown that people from developed countries are seeking treatment from the health professionals of developing countries. The Indian medical tourism industry is growing at an annual rate of 30 percent and with international traveling becoming easier and affordable and with improvements in healthcare technology and infrastructure across the world, medical tourism is fast becoming a preferable way to mingle leisure with health and wellness. Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine and health science, is an integral part of Kerala’s culture. In all branches of medicine and health care, Ayurveda has its own, peculiar contributions and tourists from all over the world are seeking healing in numerous Ayurveda Centers in Kerala. In the long run, Wellness tourism can become the niche for foreign revenue generation as there is an increasing trend in the number of visitors to Kerala as wellness seekers. Varsity of the Wellness phenomenon coupled with the mind blowing tourism potential offers a well set choice for international tourists to visit this land better known to the world as ‘Gods Own Country’.