What They Say

Hello!!! How is my Hindu family?

I wanted to write to you sooner but, to tell the truth, since I came back, I have not had a minute of rest. To arrive to Barcelona has been stressing, and moreover, I've gone trough a lot of medical checking and I was waiting for the results so I cold tell you, but they are taking to much time. There is no day in which I don't miss you and think about all of you. In this letter; (which will be so long that it will look like a love letter) I would like to explain the feelings I've lived during those three months (if that's possible), because translating this kind of memories into a paper, is a bit difficult, but I think that there are some things that we have already absorbed.

I would like to begin by talking briefly about each one of you.
I will begin by Dra Roli (who has been a friend for me), always ready to see what I needed and when I asked her for something she immediately gave it to me. In her face, as in other doctors, sometimes I saw the frustration caused by the treatment not giving the expected results; and seeing how bad I felt without being able to do nothing. In an occasion, Ester told me that maybe I had not gone to India to become cured, but to receive all that love that you have given to me (and love also cures). Roli, you are so beautiful from the inside and the outside. I have seen in you a woman full of energy, unable to stop during the whole day long (you reminded me myself when I was fine), but to me you have been all sweetness. I love you a lot, Roli.

I go on with Dr Rohit, what can I tell about him inspite of his being so handsome, and also so sweet. He has also done everything he could for me, he has been always there, and we have had our little confidences and we have laughed, but then he grassed to Roli!!! (sometimes I remember little things and I begin laughing all by my self) Rohit, I practice yoga everyday with Ester!!! Inspite of the difficultness of communication at the beginning (do you remember: it was either the dictionary or Roli?) in the end we got that kind of language in which talking is not even necessary. I think about you and I miss you.

Dra. Muley (for me Urmila, I don't know if that's the right spelling), the two months I spent with you I saw I person given in body and soul to the others. You are so especial and so kind. You didn't know which kind of oil or cream give me for my wound, but in the end it got better! The day it rained and you fell down and broke your hand, while I was holding it, I was looking at your crying eyes, those beautiful eyes, there was such a goodness in them that I wished I could share some of that pain with you (I felt as if my soul was breaking itself just to see you suffering). I'm sure your hand will be perfect because you have a great team by your side to help you. I send you my best wishes for you to get better. We have also laughed a bit, remember? A big hug!

Dra. Rashmi, hello beautiful!!! I miss you, your hugs, you cheerfulness, your liking. You know you reminded me Ester a lot. We had our little jokes: "Fatigue?:PUM!!!" All of you are so inside of me. It has been three months!!! I tell Ester: dry you hair, it is not good for you to have it wet. Do you understand, Rashmi? Take a lot of care, and learn a lot of things in order to be able to go on helping people like me who needs you. Sometimes the best medicine is your love and understanding. I could narrate a lot of things that come to my mind now, but then, I would need to write a book and not a letter. A big kiss, Rashmi!

Dra. Garima, since you were not in the facility permanently, we had not had the chance to get much in contact, but I have to thank you for being so kind to come with me and help me to buy the presents for my family. Do you remember that because of a bad interpretation we had a few misunderstandings? But it was funny, I remember it in that sense. Thank you, Garima!

Uttam, my dear friend, I haven't forgotten about you... since I arrived, we got together quite well inspite of the language barrier. Uttam, you are so valuable as a person, you are sweet, kind, cheerful, tender. Don't change, never! You do yoga as no one! It seems to me that you do everything ok, and everything you intent, you will do it perfect. You are always ready to serve, you couldn't do it better, and never a bad gesture. I love you a lot and I will never forget you. Give a kiss to Savita, tell her that I remember the flowers she set everyday, and another kiss for Nilesh, who always was so kind with me, and who flied every time I asked for something. Uttam, give kisses also to Ashok, Babita and Raju (tell him I am no madam, he knows, it will make him laugh).

Jessica, Hello! You are such a beautiful Hindu, with all those dresses that look so good on you, so full of colour. You and me couldn't talk to much. You are so nervous, there was no way, but it doesn't matter. I love you, Jessica. A hug.

Promila, my angel of massages. Because when she did them to me there was such a love in her hands and I could feel it. Sometimes, it was as if she wanted to tell me that she wished to so something more to help me, when she saw my hands so stiff. Tell her that Ester is giving massages to me everyday, and she is quite good at it. She will become in competence in ayurveda massages. Tell her that I haven't forgotten about her, and that when Ester gives me a massage I think about her "little hands". Tell her to take a lot of care and give her a big hug from her friend Maxima. Promila, give a big hug to Lalita and to my Indu teacher (Lama), and by the way give also a hug to Sunanda and ask her about her beautiful nephews. A big hug also for her family and sister who were so kind to let mi visit them, it made me really happy.

Well, to finish with, I would like to congratulate Dr. Kalmadi for his "small paradise". That's the way I call it. It's perfect, but I think he would agree with me, when I say that it would not be so good if it wasn't for that marvelous group of people that work in it. I must tell him that they overdo their job obligations, because some things cannot be paid with money. I have been in places where the treatment has been excellent because of the money you pay, but it cannot be compared. I've felt the most loved person, looked for, etc., and with this I don't want to diminish my family, but precisely for this, you are not my family, and inspite of this, you have given me so much care. I observed that the others got the same treatment, but, since I have been so much time, and I was not feeling ok, I have received it much more tenderly. To you I have to thank you kindness at taking me to the Iyengar Institute to see if they could improve the yoga exercises based on my treatment. At "that moment", it was an honor for me to meet the guruji. Thank you also for allowing me to take Dra. Garima in order for her to help me with my family presents. Moreover, just to tell that I've realized that the house in which I was staying was one of the most nice, and I guess that you have worried all the time for my having a pleasurable staying. Thank you for everything.

To sum up, I follow the prescripted medication.
I practice yoga everyday.
I take sesame's oil massages everyday.
So, I think I am a good patient, am I not?
Well, I hope not to have tired you with this long letter, even though I still have a lot of things to tell, all of them nice, of course!!

Farewell, with a big hug from your: Maxima.

Assumptious Cowley

There are defining moments in one's life that evolve into an indescribable joy. Making the decision to come to KARE and undertake their holistic is one such defining moment. Eighteen months ago, I underwent Open Heart By-pass Surgery at the age of 47. At the same time, doctors diagnosed me with chronic Kidney Failure. I was advised Dialysis and eventual kidney transplant.

However, my son discovered KARE website thru BKS Iyengar's website just one day before my wife was flying into Pune for a holiday. My wife made investigations, talked to Dr. Rohit Rangappa and finalized my stay for 35 days beginning 26th Feb to March 31st.

Before coming into KARE, I undertook renal tests and my Creatinine level were 300 or 3.0 and my Uric acid levels were 19.5.

Here at KARE, I undertook a vigorous campaign in holistic care viz Ayurbeda, Yoga (Iyengar) and diet.

Ayurveda consisted of internal medication and various types of Panchkarma with a view to unblock my renal arteries.

Iyengar Yoga under Mr. Ratan Shah brought my Blood Pressure to normal from 170/ 110 to 140/ 88 and stabilized it. Diet played its own role in assisting me. After 3 weeks, a blood test was carried out and my Creatinin levels came down to 270 or 2.7 and Uric Acid levels were normal.

Finally I want to say that at the end of my 35 days stay, I have got the confidence back in myself to take control of my problems and lead a happy long life. And be responsible for the same. Another thing is that everyone in KARE is so good and helpful including our cook who cooks us a delicious fare each day, our waiters, our therapists, the girls who clean my room, the watchman and finally the doctors Rohit & his beautiful wife Roli.

To all of you, I salute you and complement you and thank you so very much for taking good care of me during this long stay of mine.

A special thank you to Dr. Prakash Kalmadi and his effervescent wife Ragini Kalmadi for KARE of me.

Thank you all and God Bless.
Assumptious Cowley

Judith St. George

[Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada]

KARE is the perfect place to relax- a most beautiful setting with spectacular views of Mulshi Lake. The staff are wonderful, friendly and helpful. I learnt a tremendous amount about Iyengar Yoga and very much enjoyed the relaxing treatments. I would recommend KARE to anyone wishing to relax, and get away from the stresses of modern life.

RajKumar Hirani : is best known as the creator of the Munna Bhai series. He is a writer, director and producer of Bollywood movies. Mr. Hirani enjoyed the therapies and yoga sessions at KARE.