In a world that is becoming more and more hectic, we need spaces to restore our power, mindfulness and tranquillity. Only in this way can we maintain our personal health over the long term. Using modern cures and treatments, Ayurveda by Giardino pursues precisely this objective. The therapeutic and non-medical health programme provides guests with holistic well-being for body and mind – well-being that can be achieved through nutrition that is appropriate for the individual’s type, physical activity and mindful relaxation.
There is no need to go without anything and no unpleasant processes – instead, the approach offers great enjoyment and a sense of ease. At home, your newly acquired knowledge can even be easily integrated into your day-to-day activities. For sustainable relaxation that you can take home with you.
The specialist team of Ayurveda by Giardino has developed a diverse programme of different cures that address various problems, such as excessive stress, an unhealthy lifestyle and age-related phenomena. Interested parties and beginners can acquaint themselves with Ayurveda at the hotel through the use of individual treatments from the programme.
The eight cures of Ayurveda by Giardino:
Last between 3 and 21 days • Differ depending on the objective and required intensity • Tailored to guests’ individual needs on site • Every guest has their own requirements • Package offers without hidden additional costs • All required services are already included • Including Ayurvedic full board • With a personal nutrition plan • Discount of 20% on room bookings at the respective Giardino hotel • Hotel services are billed separately to ensure absolute transparency and flexibility
The cures and treatments as well as the nutrition of Ayurveda by Giardino are based on the ancient knowledge of Ayurveda teachings, which have their origin in Asia. At Giardino, however, the Ayurvedic principles are implemented with Western standards and are thus adjusted in line with the local needs of guests. For example, rough cleansing practices and Asian-Indian cuisine do not play any role. On the contrary, just like the hotels themselves, Ayurveda by Giardino is based on a Mediterranean dolce vita: carefree enjoyment, intensive relaxation and a natural feeling of well-being. Easy-to-digest foods, relaxing and therapeutic massages and exercise serve to remove detrimental toxins, stimulate the body’s self-healing powers and rejuvenate the tissue.
More on this topic can be found in the Ayurveda by Giardino magazine – read online here.
GO TO CURE OFFERING GO TO INDIVIDUAL TREATMENTSClassical Ayurveda teachings are the basis for the world’s oldest holistic art of healing and have their origin in Asia. Ayurveda means “the science of life”, and its approach is timeless: According to Ayurveda teachings, every individual has their own specific mixture of three different energies, the doshas: vata, pitta and kapha – comparable to the elements air, fire and water. They shape our body and mind. Illnesses are the result of disruptions to the individual patterns in the form of an imbalance. The objective of Ayurveda is to remedy this imbalance or prevent it from arising in the first place. By balancing the body and mind, our health should be guaranteed into old age.
The connection between physical health and spiritual well-being has recently been confirmed by conventional medicine. For the Giardino hotels, this has already been self-evident for more than 30 years.
Ayurveda by Giardino offers time out for both body and spirit. Ayurvedic cures help guests to rid themselves of toxins, but also of spiritual “residues”. Eliminating metabolic toxins helps to stimulate the body’s self-healing powers and visibly rejuvenate the tissue. The body and mind find harmony. The Ayurveda by Giardino cures can help over the long term with many symptoms.
These include:
Skin problems, allergies and intolerances • Sleeping problems, nervousness and inner turmoil • Tiredness, even after prolonged rest • Lack of drive and motivation • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bloating • Heartburn and stomach ache • Flatulence and lack of energy after eating • Rheumatic diseases • Chronic pain • Overweight or a few excess kilos • Fatigue following winter or summer
“The idea behind Ayurveda by Giardino has won me over. It is very professional, but not dogmatic.”
Iris Berben, German actress
The particular strength of Ayurveda is in prevention – especially in allowing the individual to gain an awareness of body and mind. More and more people succumb to the pressures of daily life with allergies, burnout or stomach and intestinal problems. The following summary outlines what is important for successful treatment and also the particular strengths of Ayurveda by Giardino:
The team at the Giardino hotels consists of skilled and experienced Ayurveda practitioners, Ayurveda specialists and Ayurveda therapists. Dr Daniel Borer as conventional medical practitioner and our Ayurveda specialists, are in charge. All employees work in tandem with each other. This ensures that each guest is individually and comprehensively catered for.
To relax and recuperate, people need places of peace and power. The Giardino hotels are in such places: in Mediterranean Ticino, in the Engadine with its mild summers and at the foot of the Zurich Üetliberg mountain. Lakes bring people into contact with their feelings and their intuition. Mountains provide clarity and a view of the bigger picture.
The Giardino hotels offer Ayurvedic cuisine at its best. Authentic and locally sourced, it uses the power and the effects of local herbs and spices. Sometimes it is sweet, sometimes salty, occasionally bitter, sometimes spicy and sometimes sour. Above all, it is individual: during their treatments, Ayurveda guests receive a diet tailored to their personal constitution, which can in itself already help to regulate a wide range of disorders.
Quality products are not only used in the kitchen, but also in oil treatments. Oil is a secret weapon in Ayurveda, and its health-enhancing effects when used in massage, Shirodhara (pouring oil over the forehead) and other special treatments are scientifically proven.
Ayurveda cures and packages are the starting point and a basis for helping individuals to find themselves. They help towards harmony of body, mind and soul. In the Giardino hotels, guests learn to stay mindful of their own health when they return to their everyday life. They have the opportunity to continue their consultation with the Ayurveda team after their treatment has finished.
“At the Giardino hotels, we guarantee our guests safety and comfort, and close contact with medical practitioners and therapists.”
Dr Daniel Borer, Swiss conventional medical practitioner
Regardless of whether you would like a multi-day retreat or individual treatments, Ayurveda by Giardino offers a diverse programme for interested parties, beginners and experienced practitioners alike. How to make an Ayurveda booking in three steps:
Firstly
Select a cure that meets your personal needs – or seek advice by calling the Ayurveda team. All cures include the basic programme and are listed below.
Secondly
Request a quote. For cures, this quote will include your chosen cure programme plus the separate room price for your stay, depending on the season and room category (including a 20% discount).
Thirdly
Once we have received your confirmation, you will be sent a first health questionnaire. This will be treated as confidential and assessed by the Ayurveda physician as the basis for the actual analysis of your medical history and your therapy during the cure.
For non-binding advice or to make a reservation, please do not hesitate to contact the Ayurveda team via e-mail at or by calling +41 (0)800 333 313.
The basic programme is the basis of all of the following Ayurveda cures – from Ayurveda Compact to the great Giardino panchakarma cure.
It includes the following elements:
Ayurvedic full board • Medical history and pulse diagnosis with Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle consultation • Daily yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises) and Meditation • Entry to the sauna/pool and fitness area • Participation in the weekly Programme • Workshop • Information session on health-related Topics • Final consultation
It forms a foundation that is supplemented by specific treatments, depending on the cure.
Download programmeImmerse yourself in a world of warm oils and fragrant scents. A short break from everyday life to fill up on new life energy. Ideal for Ayurveda beginners.
Ayurveda Compact includes:
Basic programme • 2 tailored Ayurvedic treatments (60 minutes each) • 1 tailored facial Treatment (90 minutes)
Price
3 days • CHF 890 (including Ayurvedic full board, plus room Price)
If you have any questions about the options available or a reservation query, please contact Giardino at any time on +41 (0)800 333 313 or at
Developments in today’s society mean that we are being forced to live our lives at breakneck speed and meet high standards at all times. Nervousness, sleep problems and poor concentration, or even burnout, can be some of the consequences. Even children often suffer from increased pressure to perform. Ayurveda Restart is a package for people for whom the tempo has become a little too much, and who need to slow down and find themselves again.
Ayurveda Restart includes:
Basic programme • 1 shirodhara (pouring oil over the forehead) • 2 abhyanga whole-body massages (90 minutes each) • 1 sound massage • 1 synchronised massage • Private lesson in meditation and pranayama for deep relaxation
Price
6 days • CHF 1,750 (including Ayurvedic full board, plus room Price)
If you have any questions about the options available or a reservation query, please contact Giardino at any time on +41 (0)800 333 313 or at
The Ayurvedic detox programme is based on the theory that the body contains an acid-base balance that can be disrupted by stress, an inappropriate diet and an unhealthy lifestyle. This cure is geared specifically at resolving this balance. An individually tailored diet helps the body to deacidify. Massages, heat treatments and baths, as well as exercise through yoga, activate the circulation and hence the metabolic processes. The detox programme is particularly suitable for skin problems, food intolerances, digestive disorders, a lack of energy or overweight.
Ayurveda Detox includes:
Basic programme • 3 or 6 alkaline baths • 2 or 4 lepas body Treatments • 2 or 3 abhyanga massages including head, face and foot massage (90 minutes each) • 2 pinda sveda herbal compress or udvartana herbal powder massages • 1 or 2 tailored facial Treatments (90 minutes each) • 3 or 6 alkaline facial masks
Price
6/12 days • CHF 1,990/3,490 (including Ayurvedic full board, plus room price)
If you have any questions about the options available or a reservation query, please contact Giardino at any time on +41 (0)800 333 313 or at
Age is not a disease. There are, however, certain risks and impairments to health that can accompany the aging process and make life challenging. This cure, also known as rasayana, is geared towards regenerating the body and staying fit into old age. It is a rejuvenating cure, in which inner detoxification also leads to outer beauty. The skin glows, and is firm and toned once again.
Ayurveda Pro-Aging includes:
Basic programme • 2 abhyanga whole-body massages (90 minutes each) • 1 pinda sveda herbal compress or udvartana herbal powder massage • 1 tailored facial treatment (90 minutes) • 1 shirodhara (pouring oil over the forehead) • 2 padabhyanga massages (leg and foot massage) • 1 hairdresser visit (including advice, washing and drying)
Price
7 days – CHF 1,990 including Ayurvedic full board, plus room price
If you have any questions about the options available or a reservation query, please contact Giardino at any time on +41 (0)800 333 313 or at
Depending on the severity of the complaint, Ayurvedic measures can have a positive effect and help to relieve joint problems. In the case of degenerative and inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal System (osteoarthritis and arthritis), Ayurveda achieves great success by means of a holistic approach (manual therapies, nutrition advice, regulative therapy and yoga). This package is also ideal for golfers.
Ayurveda for the Musculoskeletal System includes:
Basic programme • 1 kalari marma massage (60 minutes) • 1 pinda sveda herbal compress massage • 3 kati basti (oil bath for the spine) • 2 pristabhyanga back massages with lepa herbal compress (45 minutes each)
Price
5 days • CHF 1,590 (including Ayurvedic full board, plus room price)
If you have any questions about the options available or a reservation query, please contact Giardino at any time on +41 (0)800 333 313 or at
A new phase of life in our mid-forties. Hormones change, as does our metabolism. Muscle mass deteriorates, while fat stores increase. This applies to men as well as women. Ayurveda began studying female and male physiology some 2,000 years ago, and highlighted unique opportunities for leading a healthy, joyful and meaningful life – at 40 and beyond. A suitable diet, mental training and yoga also
help to prevent arteriosclerosis, which in turn is a risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.
Ayurveda in Midlife includes:
Basic programme • 5 Ayurvedic treatments (90 minutes each) • 1 tailored facial treatment (90 minutes)
Price
7 days • CHF 1,990 (including Ayurvedic full board, plus room Price)
If you have any questions about the options available or a reservation query, please contact Giardino at any time on +41 (0)800 333 313 or at
Organising work, school and free time in an optimal way demands a great deal of energy from both adults and children, and is often accompanied by an unhealthy diet and a lifestyle that is stressful for all family members. This cure is intended to help the whole family to achieve concentration, patience and balance in a long-term approach. The aim is to enable parents to work out what is right for them and
their children in everyday life, and put it into practice.
Ayurveda Family includes:
Basic programme • 1 abhyanga massage for adults (60 minutes each) • 1 sound massage for each family member (50 minutes each) • Analysis of medical history for children (60 minutes each) • 1 tailored facial treatment for each family member (60 minutes each) • 1 oil massage for children (45 minutes each) • Kids Club with childcare
Price
5 days – CHF 990 (per parent) CHF 760 (per child up to 16 years) including Ayurvedic full board, plus room price
If you have any questions about the options available or a reservation query, please contact Giardino at any time on +41 (0)800 333 313 or at
This is the centrepiece of Ayurvedic medicine, and the health cure par excellence. Disorders and disharmonies are a result of the overburdening of the body and/or mind. It is based on acidosis in the body, strain caused by toxins or excessive psychological pressure. The cleansing cure helps us to reduce stress, find our way back to ourselves and detoxify the body. Its healing effect creates physical and mental stability, and the immune system is strengthened in a sustainable manner. Each guest is treated individually according to the principles of classical Ayurvedic medicine. Exclusively at Giardino Ascona, and during the summer season at Giardino Mountain.
The Giardino panchakarma cure includes:
Basic programme • 2 individual consultations • Therapeutic supervision and advice • Daily snehana (ghee intake or alternatives) • Virechana (cleansing day) • Daily Ayurvedic treatments based on medical history • Svedana (steam therapy) • Baths • Tea and hot water drinking cure • Dietary supplements • Workshops and cookery classes • Guided walks
Price
14/21 days • CHF 4,450/6,590 (including Ayurvedic full board, plus room price)
Exclusively at Giardino Ascona, and during the summer season at Giardino Mountain.
If you have any questions about the options available or a reservation query, please contact Giardino at any time on +41 (0)800 333 313 or at
The modular treatments of Ayurveda by Giardino are perfect for beginners and interested parties. Be won over by the special effect of an Ayurveda massage, request a pulse diagnosis or test out a yoga session – you do not need to book the great panchakarma cure straight away. However, the cures themselves can also be supplemented by additional massages and treatments. Here’s a summary:
Medical history and pulse diagnosis
90 minutes • CHF 190, subsequent appointments: from 30 minutes • from CHF 80
The Ayurveda physician and specialist uses your medical history and pulse and tongue diagnoses to determine the current state of your body, mind and emotions. The two elements provide information about disharmonies such as digestive problems and intolerances, inflammation, concentration problems and lack of energy. This approach also involves determining the individual’s personal constitution (dosha), which is then used to provide individualised advice on nutrition and lifestyle. A programme for everyday nutrition and sport is put together on the basis of the individual’s type, and then supervised. Also available as a weight-loss programme if required.
Nutrition advice
60 minutes • CHF 160, subsequent consultations: 30 minutes • CHF 75
Ayurveda is based on the principle that food is medicine for the body and the mind. Our specialists work together with you to devise a nutritional programme that is tailored to meet your individual needs and constitution. Particularly suitable for digestive problems such as heartburn, reflux, flatulence, bloating after eating and a lack of energy. An individual programme, accompanied by lessons via video conference, will help you reach your target weight.
Abhyanga whole-body oil massage • Pristabhyanga back massage • Shiroabhyanga neck massage • Kalari Marma whole-body massage • Mukabhyanga head massage • Padabhyanga foot and leg massage • Pinda Sveda herbal compress massage • Udvartana herbal powder massage • Rasayana whole-body massage • Ayurveda Natalis for expectant mothers • Synchronised massage, four-handed abhyanga • Sound massage • Kati basti oil treatment • Shirodhara (pouring oil over the forehead) • Lepas body peeling and exfoliation
Balancing and revitalising Yoga lessons can be booked on an individual or group basis. The yoga courses offered by the Giardino yoga therapists include:
Vinyasa Flows • Yin Yang Yoga • Therapeutic Yoga • Children‘s Yoga
Group lesson 60/90 minutes – CHF 25/35
(10-lesson card – CHF 200/300)
Private lesson 60/90 minutes – CHF 150/210
(10-lesson card – CHF 900/1,200)
Private lesson in meditation 60/90 minutes – CHF 150/210
(10-lesson card – CHF 900/1,200)
The Atlantis by Giardino is an alpine retreat for body and mind. The mind is especially required in one’s everyday life and needs to be relieved to keep its calmness. The weekly yoga sessions or frequent retreats help to relax, let go and save time to be completely with itself. For more peace and well-being – even if you are not staying at the urban retreat. Namaste!
Gaining self-awareness is just one of the goals of yoga. If you prefer things a little more interactive, you will love the regular yoga retreats at Atlantis by Giardino. Regular one-day and multi-day sessions in collaboration with selected partner studios and yoga professionals offer the perfect atmosphere to communicate with others and simply have a good time together. Ready for a collective Om?
For questions and/or to register, please follow the link to the organiser’s website.
12. June to 15. June 2019 at Giardino Ascona
Ayurvedic inspired Workshop with Isabel Häusler and Luise Pfluger
You can find all details and reservation here.
Free of charge for hotel guests
Mondays at 6.30 p.m. Pilates yoga
Wednesdays at 6.30 p.m. Hata flow yoga
Participation with pre-registration until 12.00 p.m. the same day.
Prices
CHF 25 per person
CHF 20 per person (booking 10 sessions)
Registration at the Spa reception or at +41 44 456 55 90.
Ayurvedic cuisine is based on respect. Respect for what our digestive system has to deal with every day – processing everything we take in. And respect for the natural environment and the food itself. It is not an approach that restricts our enjoyment and imposes a ban on specific foods – but rather one that focuses on determining what is good for the constitution of the individual. Ayurvedic cuisine combines regional and seasonal foods with the beneficial effects of local herbs and spices. Whether you would like to try out Ayurvedic cuisine for the first time or deepen your knowledge on the subject, these cookery courses and workshops from Ayurveda by Giardino will teach you the principles of Ayurveda, as well as plenty of recipes. Easy to cook – even at home.
For beginners and curious types – a step-by-step guide to Ayurvedic cuisine and the background of how to select ingredients. The following questions will be answered: How can you eat following the principles of Ayurveda without severely restricting your habits? How can you cook Ayurvedic food using regional ingredients? And which food combinations are best avoided?
The cookery course comprises:
A theoretical introduction to Ayurvedic cuisine
Ayurvedic welcome drink
Joint preparation of an Ayurvedic meal
Meal featuring the dishes prepared during the workshop
Ayurvedic recipes to take home
Dates:
Monday, 12. November 2018, 6 pm to 10 pm
Price:CHF 160 per person
Register by e-mailing
or calling +41 (0)800 333 313. This cookery course can also be reserved as a private group booking.
For advanced students – learn more about Ayurveda and uncover more of the secrets of Ayurvedic cuisine. This cookery course follows on from what is taught in the Basic Ayurveda cookery class (basic knowledge is required). We will delve deeper into the range of opportunities that unfold through the six different tastes that characterise the art of cuisine. Special local and regional herbs and ingredients are used. You learn something new every day!
The cookery course comprises:
Theoretical insights on the topic of Ayurvedic cuisine
Ayurvedic welcome drink
Joint preparation of an Ayurvedic meal
Meal featuring the dishes prepared during the workshop
Ayurvedic recipes to take home
Date:
Monday, 5. November 2018, 6 pm to 10 pm
Price:
CHF 160 per person
Register by e-mailing
or calling +41 (0)800 333 313. This cookery course can also be reserved as a private group booking.
For beginners and advanced students alike – an Ayurvedic breakfast is predominantly warm and is flavoured using spices that stimulate the digestion. In this workshop, we will cover all the principles of Ayurvedic breakfast before preparing a range of Ayurvedic breakfast dishes, from classic porridge to stewed fruit, gluten-free pancakes and vegan breakfast omelettes. For a successful start to your day.
The cookery workshop comprises:
An introduction to the concept of Ayurvedic breakfast
Ayurvedic chai
Joint preparation of a range of breakfast options
Meal featuring the dishes prepared during the workshop
Ayurvedic recipes to take home
Price:
CHF 120 per person
Register by e-mailing
or calling +41 (0)800 333 313. This cookery workshop can also be reserved as a private group booking.