What's behind the viral Ayurvedic retreats and what are their actual effects? Famous Slovak women who experienced a retreat in exotic Sri Lanka and renowned gastroenterologist Ladislav Kužela shared their insights.
“I was tired of myself. Of always functioning, smiling, and handling everything.” That’s why Zuzana Vačková decided to try Ayurvedic retreats. Many people today are in the same state of exhaustion and stress. Sometimes, a good night's sleep or a standard vacation just doesn’t cut it, and it’s time for a proper reset. That’s what Ayurveda promises. It’s not just about oils and massages. It’s about a strict routine and quality diet. Actresses Zuzana Vačková and Kristína Svarinská, along with influencer Ema Fajnor, shared their experiences with Ayurvedic retreats. Their authentic insights were enriched by Karin Grófová, who has been organizing these retreats for a long time.
In recent years, the word “Ayurveda” has become a buzzword in the modern wellness industry. For some, it’s a regular part of self-care or an enhancement to traditional medicine, and for others, it’s a last resort before total burnout. What is Ayurveda really, and why are people willing to spend thousands on these retreats? The women who tried it firsthand told us.
Ayurveda is not a carefree vacation, but healing
Expert Karin Grófová, who organizes these retreats, stresses a crucial difference in understanding this concept. “For many, the biggest shock is that Ayurveda is not passive wellness, but a conscious healing process. Yes, massages are pleasant, but they are just one part of the whole. Suddenly, the pace slows down, the diet changes, coffee, alcohol, and sweets disappear—the things some have been used to for years, and external stimuli are turned off. For the first time in a long time, you really meet yourself,” she explains. So, if you’re considering Ayurveda, you should know that it’s about healing that requires your will and effort to work on your health and overall well-being.
The motivation for clients to travel halfway around the world into strict regimes varies. Karin Grófová divides clients into three groups:
Burnt Out: People tired not just physically, but especially internally. “It’s long-term stress, performance pressure, insomnia, anxiety, or loss of joy in life.”
People with Diagnoses: Chronic, autoimmune, hormonal, or metabolic disorders. “Ayurveda doesn’t just work with symptoms but seeks the cause of imbalances and supports the body in its natural ability to regenerate, always respecting the individual state and in cooperation with classical medicine.”
What does a respected gastroenterologist think about Ayurveda?
Respected gastroenterologist doc. MUDr. Ladislav Kužela, PhD. MPH answers questions about the effects of Ayurvedic retreats for Refresher.
More than just a vacation
Many people view Ayurveda as relaxation, but doc. Kužela sees clear overlaps with modern medicine: “From a modern medicine perspective, it’s increasingly clear that it’s not just a ‘vacation’, but a form of comprehensive treatment. Many lifestyle diseases have a common basis—chronic systemic inflammation. And an Ayurvedic retreat targets both inflammation and chronic stress at once.”
Why is diet an important element of Ayurveda?
A light plant-based diet and warmth mean less irritation for the mucous membranes and less fermentation.
“Our digestive tract likes rhythm. When we eat at the same time, it improves the movement of the intestine and for many, it improves the feeling of ‘stagnation’ of food, bloating, or constipation,” explains L. Kužela. Prebiotics (fiber), which our good bacteria love, play a key role. “When our bacteria are well-fed, they reward us by strengthening our immunity and improving our mood—since the gut and brain are more connected than we thought.”
He sees the combination of diet with meditation and massages as the biggest strength of the retreat. Through the vagus nerve, we send a signal to the entire body: “When we meditate and slow down, we activate the ‘rest and digest’ mode. On the contrary, under stress, the body moves blood from the digestive tract to the muscles. Calming the nervous system is not just a pleasant bonus, it’s a physiological prerequisite for the digestive tract to regenerate.”
When to be cautious?
Although doc. Kužela is a fan of this approach, he emphasizes that Ayurveda does not replace conventional treatment: “A stay is not a substitute for cancer treatment or therapy for Crohn’s disease, and people should not postpone planned examinations because of it. However, it is a very effective tool for stabilizing the patient.” He advises caution in acute infections, pregnancy, or eating disorders.
If someone is to take something away from the retreat, it shouldn’t be a list of forbidden foods, but how to expand their diet and maintain the ability to slow down.
Kristína Svarinská regularly attends Ayurveda for seven years
For Ema Fajnor, Ayurveda was a long-held dream. She had been interested in the topic since her teenage years when she was vegan. “I knew such healing retreats existed, but given that they’re quite expensive, I didn’t hope I’d ever get to experience such a vacation. When a friend invited me with her family, I was thrilled because I didn’t want to venture into the wild on the other side of the world alone.”
For actress Zuzana Vačková, the impulse was much more urgent and personal. She describes a state many busy and overwhelmed people can relate to. “For me, it wasn’t about a trend, more about a silent voice of the body that could no longer be ignored. It wasn’t one specific health issue. Honestly, I was just tired of myself. Of constantly functioning, smiling, handling everything. On the outside, everything seems okay, but inside I felt a deep exhaustion that couldn’t be slept away. I realized that if I wanted to keep giving energy to others at work, with family, to the audience, I first needed to replenish it within myself.”
Actress Kristína Svarinská had her first retreat in 2018 during personal changes, and since then, she has been going regularly. Today, she has completed seven retreats and enjoys each one to the fullest. “I needed to sort myself out mentally and physically. For me, it wasn’t even a choice to ‘lock myself away’ somewhere. I saw it as an opportunity for rest. I try to attend Ayurveda regularly once a year and see it as a huge reward.”
Ema Fajnor was surprised by the strict daily routine
One of the things that surprise participants the most is the sudden change in their daily routine. Staying up late doesn’t exist in Ayurveda. Bedtime is before midnight, and the first procedures are at eight in the morning. “The strictness of the routine is really challenging. Suddenly, the temperature changes, you have jetlag, and many things change. If the change were more gradual, it would be less of a shock to the body. It’s not just a ‘lazy-beach’ thing. You’re tired because you have to go to sleep at ten to wake up at seven and be at your first massage at eight. Given that you have two to three procedures daily, plus yoga, it’s really demanding,” describes Ema Fajnor, who found the change in routine particularly tough.
You’ll either love or hate Ayurvedic cuisine
The stumbling block for many Europeans in Ayurveda is the cuisine. Ayurveda emphasizes Agni—the digestive fire. Everything is warm, cooked, and easily digestible. Studies confirm that the state of our microbiome directly affects our mood and immunity. For the body to heal, it must not waste energy warming cold food in the stomach.
“Regarding the temperature of the food, it’s something I really struggled with. I like cold fresh vegetables, and it was hard for me to be there without salads. Everything is cooked, plus during the day you drink only warm water or tea. I didn’t really vibe with this warm element, and often I ate less than I should because I didn’t like it much.”
Kristína Svarinská, on the other hand, loves Ayurvedic food. “It’s vegetarian, all vegetables and fruits, no meat, alcohol, or coffee. For me, it’s no problem, I always look forward to it. But I can imagine for someone else it could be a huge change,” she explains.
Zuzana Vačková was worried about hunger, but reality surprised her. “I thought I’d always be hungry, tired, and that it would be mostly about the body. However, I was surprised by how much energy emerged when the body stopped digesting ‘nonsense’.”
The cleanse will bring up emotions and thoughts people have long suppressed
The core of the retreats is a process called Panchakarma—deep cleanse. The body gets rid of toxins, and Karin Grófová calls it the phase “taking out the trash.” “The first days are tough, with fatigue, weird body sensations, mood swings. It’s a moment when the body throws out what it’s been carrying for a long time. Then the breakthrough comes—an influx of energy and lightness,” she explains how the cleanse works.
Zuzana Vačková described a very strong, psychological form of this cleanse. “Of course, I had a crisis. And it was very quiet. I think without it, it wouldn’t even be genuine. The hardest part for me wasn’t the diet, but slowing down. Suddenly, there’s nowhere to run, you limit the phone, and you're without noise. And then emotions, thoughts, fatigue come. When you stop like this, you start hearing things you’ve suppressed for a long time,” she describes her feelings.
Kristína Svarinská experiences a cleanse on every retreat. “It’s either physical or internal. Whether you want it or not, it always happens on some level. By slowing down, you process things you didn’t know you had to process,” she explains.
Is the strict Ayurvedic retreat worth it?
Ema, Zuzana, and Kristína agree that it is, although each took away something different.
“You’ll definitely lose weight and detox. It’s a reset for the mind, disconnecting from the system. You’ll experience a zen moment. But it can be a burden on your hair because they constantly oil it with a type of oil you can’t wash out.”
“People tell me I look calmer, more rested. My skin is clearer, movement lighter. Weight wasn’t the main thing, but the body found balance. The most important changes happened inside—the feeling that I don’t have to constantly run away. And that’s enough.”
“Sure, all the great changes like skin and weight happen. But what’s more important is the internal stuff. Absolute rest and the filling of energy reserves. Each of the seven retreats brought me something different. The current experience is always specific, and that’s what I love about it.”
Even Karin Grófová notices physical changes in people. “I see how the energy of clients changes, their facial expressions, the way they move. Many say they finally sleep well and feel joy,” she explains.
Can Ayurvedic habits be maintained during everyday work life?
The biggest challenge is returning to the European pace. Not everyone manages to bring new Ayurvedic habits back to Slovakia, often falling back into old habits after returning. Zuzana Vačková took away a new approach to stress. “I used to feel like I had to handle everything right away. Today, I allow myself to say ‘not now.’ Stress doesn’t disappear completely, but I can manage it better. I breathe more and push myself less.” She admits that she doesn’t follow Ayurvedic principles every day, but she’s more mindful of what and when she eats. At home in Slovakia, she also occasionally indulges in oil massages, a staple of Ayurvedic procedures.
Kristína Svarinská admits that the return to reality can be quick. “At first, the experience was felt longer, now I draw more energy in the moment. Returning to reality is pretty fast, but I’ve set up rituals—warm breakfasts and yoga. I’ve realized that following all the rules in everyday life is impossible. You shouldn’t go crazy over it.”
Karin Grófová recommends the 80:20 principle. “When someone follows most of the simple recommendations (boiled water on an empty stomach, daily rhythm) and leaves room for life, the body will thank them.” Individual recommendations from the Ayurvedic doctor are given at the end of the retreat. “What to eat, what to avoid, and a complete consultation for daily routine. It’s not about extremes, but small changes,” she mentions.
According to the expert, there’s no frequency of Ayurvedic retreats that ensures sustainable and noticeable results. It’s important to listen to your body, and of course, it depends on your health and life pace. Those who come with serious health issues often opt for maintenance retreats, visiting once or twice a year. They alternate longer stays in Asia with shorter ones in Europe, like in Hungary. “People who see Ayurveda more as prevention often go once every 1 to 3 years as a conscious reset that helps keep them in balance before problems arise,” she explains.
If everyone at a healing retreat has the same procedures, it’s not authentic Ayurveda
There are countless offers for Ayurvedic retreats online today. These treatments aren’t the cheapest, so it’s crucial to choose a responsible provider. Unfortunately, many have turned Ayurveda into a business, profiting from clients’ trust. Karin Grófová warns particularly against commercial imitations of these retreats. “Often, it’s not a healing retreat but a wellness version where all clients have the same therapies. True Ayurveda is individual. It’s based on an experienced doctor, quality therapists, and a good chef. I recommend consulting an expert who knows the resorts personally.”
