The center is just a perfectly furnished cozy place with a classic Indian and contemporary feel situated in Al-Hamra District. Staffed by seven friendly experts from four countries, RCMC is providing yoga classes as well as Ayurvedic, Thai, Chinese and Japanese treatments. Some good news for women is that the center also provides herbal massages that enhance beauty.
Al-Marwaai is not only a yoga and Ayurveda expert, but is also a clinical psychologist and lifestyle counselor there. Dr. Sunil Francis, Dr. Dip Varghese and Dr. Sunil Kumar are Indian Ayurvedic experts at the center. Dr. Situ and Dr. Wang Dwan are acupuncturists and have master’s degrees in Chinese medicine. Japanese-born Mika Yoshikawa is a Thai massage master and an Ayurvedic medicine therapist.
Ayurveda is an ancient natural medical system that originated in India, which is fast gaining popularity as a source of alternative medicine throughout the world now. It provides a holistic approach to health, healing and longevity. It is supposed to be the oldest health care system on earth.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also certified Ayurvedam as a complementary and alternative medicine system. “Ayurveda is more than a system of medicine, it is a way of life that aims at physical, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. Ayurveda recommends the means of prevention and treatment of various ailments, and also the preservation of health. Ayurved views man and nature as complementary elements, unlike allopathy, which is based on functional and field oriented studies,” said Dr. Francis.
So, is Ayurveda a smarter choice?
“It depends on cases. At times we refer patients to allopathic but in some cases, like nervous system disorders, back problems, slipped or prolapsed disks and joints, Ayurveda is the best choice,” said Al-Marwaai.
“In some cases we advise Chinese acupuncture with Ayurvedic treatment or without. Also, sometimes it depends on the desire of patients who want only Ayurvedic or only Chinese treatments according to their preferences or experience.”
Yoga is known for its medical benefits, especially with regard to stress release, back and neck pain, tummy control, joint problems, anger management and the digestive, circulatory and nervous systems. It is also known for enhancing the beauty of a person.
“Yoga is a mental, emotional and body toner. Its practitioners have balanced personality and experience less anger because of their high endurance level and respond well to changes in life because yoga helps the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and balances both of them, so yogis are active, alert and calm at the same time,” she said.
She added that yoga has age defying effects. “Aging is a process that occurs in the endocrine system first, where changes and deterioration take place in the function of endocrine and central nervous system. Practicing yoga and breathing techniques with some meditation at any age helps to enhance and protects the central nervous system and endocrine system. That’s why yoga practitioners and teachers look younger than their actual age,” she said.
She continued that yoga enhances the production and function of collagen and elasticity of the skin, while the breathing techniques purifies the blood and removes toxins, while skin looks younger and healthier. It helps the flexibility and function of the joints and muscles and shapes the body. It helps to stabilize melatonin production so yogis do not experience sleeping disorders and depression. It reduces cholesterol and waistline fat by reducing stress because it strengthens the nerves, lowering emotional and physical sensitivity. Yoga reduces the effects of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) so women stay active and experience fewer changes before menstruation, as well as boosting their energy and helping them have a balanced menstrual cycle. Also, it reduces menopause symptoms by protecting and activating the endocrine and nervous systems, which are very important during this time.
She teaches yoga for kids too as she believes it helps children in their physical, psychological and physiological development. Kids’ yoga has three stages. It starts for children aged three to five, then six to eight and lastly from nine to 12.
“Children have soft and flexible bones and tissues but don’t know how to use them properly,” she said.
“Yoga provides them with more control over their body systems, including the nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory and muscular and skeletal systems. It develops a balanced personality in a child. Yoga helps in the growth of their body, develops the functions of connective tissues and reduces the effects of the injuries easily. It enhances muscles coordination and lubrication of joints,” she said.
The center is also providing traditional Ayurvedic treatments and massages, herbal face massages, spinal neck care programs and other therapies.
It also offers Chinese medicine and treatments including acupuncture and Thai massages.
Among the prominent treatments offered at RCMC are herbal massages that stimulate and rejuvenates various body systems, lubricates the joints, relieves muscular pains, improves sleep, brightens skin complexion, harmonizes the body, mind and spirit and helps to eliminate toxins.
More popular are powder massages, which improves circulation and enhances the skin’s texture and appearance, making it blemish-free and perfectly smooth. It is also the best choice for body slimming and weight loss.
The best option for people with lower back pain is Kateevasti. This treatment is useful for chronic and acute backaches, a prolapsed disc, lumbar spondylosis, osteoporosis and gynecological problems.
Sirodhara is more appropriate for depressed people. It relieves stresses and strains, anxiety, chronic headaches, hypertension, improves blood circulation to the brain and slows aging, improves memory and eyesight, prevents and cures paralysis, insomnia, nervous disorders and certain psychiatric diseases as well as increasing sexual potential. According to scientific research, allopathic anti-depressants can produce suicidal instincts, while yoga and Ayurvedic treatments are free from side-effects.
Prices range between SR70 to SR2,500 depending upon the treatment and package.
Al-Marwaai is extremely satisfied from the feedback from her clients.
“I have American, European, Asian, African and Arab clients. Saudis are very happy to have a center here as a lot of them travel to India or China for these treatments,” she says.
RCMC has another five-year-old branch in Riyadh that does not provide yoga and Ayurvedic treatments currently, although it will be offered soon.
Open everyday except Fridays,
from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 to 10 p.m.
Phone: 02 6653885
