Casinos are doing it. In. Colorado, Mexico, and Uttarkhand, hospitals are doing it. Now, a luxury train in South India is doing it, too!

The Golden Chariot Train offers authentic Ayurvedic treatment, that takes a leisurely 7 day sweep through history laden South India.

As Susie Ellis, President of the global spa resource SpaFinder, Inc., says in the “Top 10 Spa Trends To Watch In 2009” report “…there’s never been more breeding going on in the spa Petri dish.“

Ms. Ellis, the ultimate spa insider, notes: “In a few short years I’ve watched spas go from a narrow focus on pampering to become a vastly expanded category where dozens of wellness solutions are explored. They’ve become, in essence, our alternative ‘laboratories’ for testing new health and wellness approaches–from fitness, nutrition, acupuncture and yoga–or more recently, sleep and fertility solutions.”

Energy Medicine, Casinos & Spas, blurring lines between hospitals and spas, In-Transit Spa-Going on trains, boats and planes are just some of the things that Wellness seekers can look forward to in 2009, and this train is just one of the many unique Wellness journeys available.

Feast on the sights and the rich cultural heritage at Badami, Pattadakal, Mysore, the sunny beaches of Goa, and more. Enhance your inner journey, too, with treatments available on board.

There are 19 theme based coaches, 44 full amenity cabins (including wi-fi, plasma tv, attached bathrooms) and the interiors draw on the heritage of art and architecture from the Mysore and Belur-Halebidu regions.

Prices per person range from US$ 285 to US$ 485. Check out itineraries here and other details here.

Neo Pachisia,

D.Psych.Astrol; D.F.Astrol.S, Advanced EFT Practitioner, Shamanic Healer

“Right now”, says Neo, “the ‘global recession’ is a good donkey to hang all our miseries on. But if you think about your money issues, did they really start last year? How about the year before? Tell the truth, could you have had a poor relationship with money for as long as you remember? “

“The last year may have brought our money issues to the surface—which in my opinion, is a good thing! Now we can deal with it once for all and get it out of the way.”

Who is Neo Pachisia and what can she do for you?

The word ‘enlightened’ is overused, so I’ll say it in other words. In my own experience, I would say that Neo is a deeply thoughtful soul, mysteriously in touch with universal one-ness, and a compassionate friend.

Take a look at what Tiziana Blancato, Wealth Management, Morgan Stanley, London, says about her: “Neo is an intelligent and profound woman with whom I have shared many personal thoughts. She has great energy and psychological understanding, and her mind sees far into the soul. This is no self improvement, but a new kind of therapy which considers your past tendencies, your future possibilities and your present state of mind, your present attitude towards life. Neo is a soul investigator and she can tap right into the obscure zones of your life, bringing them back to the light, in a way that does not simply imply confrontation and understanding of the issues, but more importantly how to use negative experiences to move beyond them, and realize the existence of new alternatives in life. Neo is also a healer, a guide with the ability to combine many disciplines like EFT, astrology, psychology and mythology….”

Neo’s EFT WORKSHOP on THRIVING!

We create our own Reality through our Beliefs, Check out your beliefs in this little quiz. Which one of the following Beliefs do you hold?

* I hate rich people.
* All rich people became rich by being corrupt, greedy, exploitative..
* I feel guilty about charging a fee.
* You have to pay a price (say in health etc)for being rich.
* I feel sad that I have more money than my sister.
* I resent having to work for money.
* I hate my boss but I need the job.
* I feel ashamed that I cannot support my family as well as I want to.
* I may have to move to smaller house.
* Only rich people make money and more money
* It’s not in my destiny
* How will I last the year?
* If I have wealth I’ll be envied and I’d rather be liked
* I don’t deserve it
* There is no hope…..

Or something similar to these beliefs.

If you agree with one or more of the above statements, you need to look up Neo.

And, if you are in New Delhi this week, you’re in luck. Neo’s Workshop on Thriving is being made available at an introductory price of just Rs. 595, or US$ 12.

If you’re even thinking of not being there, listen to what a few other people have to say about her extraordinary work.

“Neo…has guided me through one of the most difficult periods in my life and allowed me to gain perspective and insight into my psychological journey. She has enriched my psyche and enabled me to take control of issues in my life which were spiralling out of control.” Lisa Lesniak-Smith, London.

“I don’t really go for astrology, but Neo’s reading—not just of my charts but of myself as a human being—stunned me.” R. Srinivasan, Resident Editor, Indian Express, India.

“Those of you that would not find Neo of great help are those that do not want to be helped, it really is that simple.” Ray Mia, Managing Director, Mainframe Television and Business Development, Director PTE, the broadcasting arm of N & S Network, London

And, finally, a word from Gary Craig, Creator of EFT: “Fortunately, the basics of EFT are quite simple…so simple, in fact, that it can be used effectively for those having only minimal educations. Neo Pachisia from the UK took EFT to India and conducted a workshop entirely in the HINDI language. As you will see, quality results ensued and it was subsequently used in a carpet factory for mostly semi-literate people.”

Coming?

Program Logistics

* DATE: SUNDAY APRIL 19 2009
* TIME: 11 AM to 1PM
* DURATION: 2 HOURS
* VENUE; C 8/8 VASANT VIHAR, 2ND FLOOR, NEW DELHI 110057, BEHIND C BLOCK MARKET ON PASCHIMI MARG
* Mob: (91)9810206962 Tel: (91)1146054109
* Email:neopachisia@gmail.com
Website:www.astrology-neo.com

*Limited Seating

REPOSTED from Aura 7

“Thailand, India and Sri Lanka are rapidly gaining popularity as non-European destinations for Germans pursuing health and wellness treatments, according to a survey by the Munich-based Institute for Leisure Economics. The survey results were discussed at the ITB 2009 Experts’ Forum on wellness. The topic was “Latest Developments of Wellness & Spa in Europe with Focus on the German market.”

The German Health and Spa tourism is one of the most booming market segments within the whole tourism sector. According to the survey, the number of prospective German customers for health, spa and beauty treatments is projected to increase from 10.2 million in 2007 to 18.6 million in 2020. Numerous demographic, social and economic factors expected to drive demand for health and spa services and products include: Availability of a wider range of products; Increased life expectancy; Low birth rate; Increasing mobility; Increasing levels of education; Increasing occupational demands; Reduced benefits of health insurance; Better, more accessible sources of information, and motivational lifestyle choices.”

Read this report here

Cord blood is a rich source of blood stem cells, which can be used to treat over 80 diseases, including leukaemia, breast cancer, thalassemia and immunodeficiency. Young Indian families are rapidly taking to cord blood banking as a concept, say pioneering companies.

“Stem cell banking, which grew to a US$ 20 million industry over the last four years in India with 25,000-35,000 clients, is poised to grow to 200,000-250,000 clients by 2012,” said Mayur Abhaya, executive-director of LifeCell International, India’s first and largest cord blood bank.

Currently, there are 10 companies in this five-year-old market. Analysts estimate Indian stem cell banks to generate US$ 540,million in revenues by 2010, accounting for 17 per cent of the world market. The current figure is about US$ 20 million.

LifeCell pioneered the concept in India in 2004, in association with US-based Cryo-Cell International, the largest and oldest stem cell bank, which began in 1992. LifeCell now has 40 collection centres across Asia and plans to open 25 more in India this year, according to Abhaya.

Early this year, Europe’s largest stem cell company, Cryo-Save, opened its first facility in Bangalore with plans to invest over two million euros in expansion. Its target is to corner over 20 per cent of the domestic market in 10-15 months.

CordLife, a leading network of private cord blood banks in the Asia-Pacific, set up shop in India about three months ago. Its facility in Kolkata is purported to be India’s largest and most advanced, with a storage capacity of up to 150,000 cord blood units. It plans to spend over US$ 6 million on expansion in India.

Chennai-based Jeevan Blood Bank and Research Centre opened a public stem cell bank in Chennai last month and tied up with NCRM (Nichi-In Centre for Regenerative Medicine), an Indo-Japanese research institute. Its target is to collect 40,000 samples in five years.

Reliance Life Sciences repository has 5,000 cord blood samples.

Abhaya said 10 stored cord blood samples, including the first sample with LifeCell, have been used by their clients. The procedures were done in hospitals of Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and in the US.

For stem cell therapy, bio-ethical guidelines have been developed by the Indian Council for Medical Research. Based on this, the Union health ministry is planning a law to regulate this sector.

Dutch Patient

“I am 33 years old. I am from the Netherlands.

I have a very bad knee, a post traumatic arthritis knee.

Doctors in the Netherlands say that they could not give me the total knee replacement that I wanted and needed because they said I was young … I was sick and tired of the orthopedic surgeons (that I consulted) in Europe.

No longer did I want to be treated like a number and told to wait.

So I looked on the Internet and came across the website of Dr. Venkatachalam…he was the right surgeon for me…. he treats me like a person … I’m very glad I came here all the way to Chennai. I’ll get a better life and can walk better, work better again.”

“Its been one of the most effective and interesting healing modules that I have come across recently, and in my enthusiasm to share this with all of you I persuaded the gorgeous Ashaman Gray to give us some of his precious time to create a small and intimate retreat for Mystic-Asia”, says Mala.

Mala conducts small retreats in a sacred space where participants get a taste of being in touch with themselves. Her teachers are carefully selected so that the teachings are substantially based on ancient wisdom and yet modified for a modern audience. Retreats are organized in premium spas and resorts, which are designed to be conducive to meditative pursuits.

She is involved in spa consultancy work with emphasis on healing centers. She is also an artist and has helped people with Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation.

Healing Dance is a derivation of Watsu (Water Shiatsu) that requires a special pool, of which there are only two in India. This opportunity is also special because, of the very few teachers in the world, who are certified instructors of WABA (Worldwide Aquatic Bodywork Association), not many live and work in India. Ashaman, himself, lives in Hawaii.

Quiet Spa, Auroville, Pondicherry

Quiet, is a center for alternate therapies and a healing space in the tradition of spas as they are meant to be. Set by the beach, there are acres of land with lush foliage and villas connected through cobbled pathways. Come and share some quiet time doing yoga in the morning (optional), healing in the water, lying on the hammocks and detoxifying with their amazingly delicious vegan feast.

Program Logistics

Dates – 15th to 19th April

Availability - 12 Seats, by invitation only

Your investment will include

• Twin share rooms at Rs 7,000 per night for 5 nights
• Full board and lodging including breakfast lunch and dinner
• Healing Dance introduction course fees
• ½ hour individual healing dance session with Ashaman
• Course materials

Your investment will not include

• Flights to Chennai
• Airport transfers to Pondicherry
• Trips to Auroville
• Other personal expenses

Economic growth and prosperity have created a population reaching out eagerly for hard earned benefits. A recent survey in New Delhi shows that 65% of the Capital’s adult population is overweight, and that children are increasingly vulnerable to the problems of obesity. Dr. (Desmond) Wai Chun Tao, Transplant Hepatologist and Gastroenterologist from Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore (Parkway Group), spells out the dangers to your body’s most important organ, the liver, for HEAL-India Editor, Shahid Akhter.

Dr. (Desmond) Wai Chun Tao

HEALINDIA The Indian heart is genetically prone to short circuits, how about the Indian liver ?
WCT You are lucky and healthy by way of liver and diseases associated with liver. Where 10 % Asians are suffering from Hepatitis B, only 2 % Indians are victim of Hepatitis B and only 1 % Indians are affected by Hepatitis C.

HEALINDIA How about the Indian Fatty Liver and the junk food we are getting so used to ?
WCT That’s a matter of concern. 25 to 30 % of urban India is a victim of this lifestyle condition. Termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), it is gaining prevalence due to rise in junk food. It is an important marker for diabetes and other metabolic diseases. Earlier it was associated only with excessive alcohol but today the situation is alarming as the liver inflammation is due to accumulation of fat in people who do not drink alcohol. Initially it is called ‘steatosis’ and the fat may not affect liver functions but if left untreated and the fat stores are allowed to reach its peak and there is more fat pouring in then it strikes the liver. It can end up as fibrosis and then finally cirrhosis of the liver, which is an extreme form of NAFLD.

HEALINDIA What are the symptoms of NAFLD and who is more prone to it?
WCT To begin with there are no specific or significant symptoms. There may be lethargy, fatigue or simply dull ache around abdomen. As the condition progresses, there may be lack of appetite, weight loss, nausea and the eyes and skin may turn yellow. Earlier it was linked to alcoholics, but today, it is a lifestyle problem that occurs mostly in middle ages but it can also strike earlier if the lifestyle is faulty. However, alarm bells are ringing for children as well. A dangerous pattern is emerging as children too are found to be victims of NAFLD.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is on the rise. 30% of the Urban Indians have fatty liver and 1/3 of them may develop inflammation.

HEALINDIA Any cure or medication for NAFLD?
WCT Other than a shift to healthy lifestyle, there are no medications to check fatty liver. The good thing about NAFLD is that it is reversible. The trouble with fatty liver is that there are no early symptoms and when they do arrive it is late and the consequences may be serious.

HEALINDIA How about Living Donor Liver Transplant?
WCT For patients with end stage liver disease, liver transplantation can be a life saving treatment that can restore liver function and grant a new lease of life. However, many patients die due to non availability of donor liver. I advocate living donor liver transplant, because it quite safe for the donor where the risk to his life is less than 0.5 % and the morbidity rate is 25 to 30 % which can be managed within the hospitalization period. However, the benefit to the recipient is immense because the surgery can be conducted with a planned schedule and covering all the risks. As the efficacy of newer drugs has led to better survival of transplanted liver, the survival rate post transplant has gone up and has considerably less complications.

HEALINDIA How does this compare with cadaveric transplant?
WCT Living Donor Liver Transplant scores over cadaveric transplant because of the advantage that the donor liver is in good condition, as it is mostly taken from a young person and the surgical team has enough time and expertise to assess the donor. Most people do not volunteer for cadaver donations due to religious belief hence even after so many brain deaths, the cadaveric transplantation has not picked up any momentum. Kidney transplants have been carried out in Singapore for more than 35 years, with the first cadaveric kidney transplant operation performed on 8 July 1970. The Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA) in Singapore was amended in 2004 to allow healthy organs to be taken from all brain-dead patients, not just accident victims. Now efforts are being made to remove the 60-year age limit on cadaveric kidneys. Unlike India, Singapore allows donors who can be emotionally related to the recipient. Moreover, many patients with end stage liver disease prefer The Asian Centre For Liver Disease & Transplantation at Gleneagles Hospital, Singapore, which is the first private medical centre in Asia dedicated to the treatment of all types of liver disease.

Spotlight on Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver. Anything like toxins, drugs, diseases, alcohol, bacterial or simply viral infections can cause hepatitis. Hepatitis also refers to a family of viral infections that affect the liver.

Hepatitis A is caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV) which lasts from a few weeks to several months. It does not lead to chronic infection. The transmission is through ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts, from close person-to-person contact or ingestion of contaminated food or drinks. Hepatitis A vaccination is recommended for all, including children who are at least one year old.

Hepatitis B is caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). It ranges in severity from a mild illness, lasting a few weeks (acute), to a serious long-term (chronic) illness that can lead to liver cancer or other conditions.
The transmission is via infectious blood, semen, and other body fluids from having sex with an infected person, sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs, or from an infected mother to her newborn. Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all infants, older children and adolescents who were not vaccinated previously, and adults at risk for HBV infection.

Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV infection sometimes results in an acute illness, but most often becomes a chronic condition that can lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Transmission is through the blood of an infected person, primarily through sharing contaminated needles to inject drugs. So far there is no vaccine for hepatitis C.

Hepatitis D is caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV) and relies on HBV to replicate. It is transmitted through infectious blood, similar to how HBV is spread. So far there is no vaccine for hepatitis D.

Hepatitis E is caused by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) that usually results in an acute infection. It does not lead to a chronic infection and is rare. It is transmitted via ingestion of fecal matter, even in microscopic amounts; outbreaks are usually associated with contaminated water supply in places with poor sanitation. So far there is no vaccine for hepatitis E.

“Presently, 3,000 pancreas transplantations are being done annually worldwide. While, about 75% of pancreas transplantations are performed with kidney transplantation (both organs from the same donor) in patients with renal failure who are diabetic, 15% of pancreas transplantations are performed after previously successful kidney transplantation and the remaining 10% of cases are performed as pancreas transplantation alone in patients with very labile and problematic diabetes.

Pancreas transplantation along with the kidney is more likely to survive than a pancreas transplanted alone. Of the total people who receive simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant, 85% have a functioning pancreas after 1 year and 70 % after 5 years, according to the Organ Procurement and transplantation network.

In contrast, about 78% and 56% of the total people who receive a pancreas-after-kidney transplant have a functioning pancreas after 1 year and 5 years respectively. In case of pancreas-only transplant survival is further low. It is only 73% after 1 year and just 53 % after 5 years.

An alternative new therapy that may also ameliorate diabetes is islet transplantation, but is experimental and not yet as efficient as pancreas transplantation. In this transplantation, only the insulin producing cells from a donor pancreas, not the entire organ, is transplanted into a body.”

(Vikesh Khetarpal, in conversation with Dr Ravi S Diddapur, multiorgan transplant surgeon, Singapore.)

Stem Cell Therapy: Hope & Life

For 22 year old S. Vigneshwaran blood cancer could have spelt the end. “We had lost all almost everything in five years of treatment. But my classmates took up the matter with my department head and they started raising funds.” The students of Anna University’s Guindy Engineering College raised a massive US$ 90,000, halfway to the estimated

US$1,800,000 needed for stem cell therapy.

That’s when a philanthropic South Indian businessman stepped in to fill the gap.

Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia went through agonizing times. When they stumbled across possible treatments in stem cell therapy, they looked for options in India but ran across stumbling blocks:stem cell samples from from blood relatives did not match; and there was no cord blood bank in the country.

That’s when an unknown Australian donor stepped in to fill in the other gap. Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Singapore, a Parkway hospital stepped in, and within a week, located the donor.

The end of the road for Vigneshwaran’s AML was when Singaporean Dr. Patrick Tan, Mount Elizabeth Hospital performed the transplant. Two years later, this week, he has been declared cured of a disease where once, untimely and tragic death was considered inevitable.

Cross Border Health is much more than medical tourism.

The engine that drives it is international co-operation, co-ordination and collaboration in the interests of patients. Vigneshwaran’s case also brings into focus the need for active government participation in encouraging stem cell research and therapy in India, support for patients in the face of astronomical costs, and the need to allow foreign donor participation in the country.

Vigneshwaran’s Dream

Vigneshwaran hopes that his story of successfully fighting the disease will encourage hundreds of blood cancer patients and their family members to opt vigorously for stem cell therapy.

The End of the Superstitious approach to Stem Cell Therapy – the start of a worldwide political and scientific movement

Stem Cell research and therapy has been shadowed by skewed opinions and religious undertones. The issues are too wide to discuss in a blog. Suffice it to say that there is movement on the issues.

For example, recently, Indian Union Minister for Science and Technology, Kapil Sibal, said the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) will invest approximately US$ 5 million over a period of two months for strengthening stem cell research in the country.

And sometime,as we go to press – WordPress, that is – today, President Obama will begin the process of dismantling barriers to research in the US in this vital area that promises effective treatments for grave diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diabetes.

We will be putting in a Polling Widget shortly into this blog, but until we do, here are just two questions. You can write your responses in the comments section if you’re inclined.

treatments for grave diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and diabetes

POLL

Do you think governments should subsidize stem cell treatments

• Not if it comes out of my tax money
• Yes, and they should work on making it cheaper,too

Teeming with colonial history, a wide range of hotels, resorts, stadiums, restaurants and football stadium-sized casinos, Macao is all set to prove Spafinder Inc right.

“Casinos & Spas: A Good Bet“, said Spafinder in its top trends report, released earler this year.

In Macao, one of the richest cities in the world, the gaming, tourism and hospitality industry is estimated to contribute more than 50% of Macau’s GDP, and 70% of Macao government revenue.

Spafinder’s report said, “The trend is exploding in Asia” and here’s how they’re right – MaloClinicSPA is opening what they say is the world’s largest integrative one-stop wellness centre in the world, right here.

Lucky Number Seven

When it opens this May, the MaloClinicSPA will offer a comprehensive array of world-class services covering seven professional areas, says Dr. Paulo Malo. Why seven? “The number seven carries a symbolic connotation in Hebrew meaning “complete” and “full”, says Malo.

Numerology or not, Dr. Malo is medical professional with an international reputation, credentials and publications – and a succesful international corporate group that operates in many parts of the world.

The seven professional areas that the MaloClinicSPA will offer are

• oral rehabilitation & dental cosmetic
• preventive & curative medical care
• spa
• total beauty
• cosmetic anti-ageing
• leisure & fitness
• life long wellness

The medical team at the MaloClinicSPA will be distinctive in Asia, as it will be comprised of an extensive, cross-disciplinary fleet of healthcare professionals, numbering up to 50 specialists by the year 2010. All will be licensed, registered practitioners from Asia, Europe and America. Led by Dr. Paulo Malo, Dr. José Sousa, Dr. António Gomes da Silva, and Teresa Jenna MPH MA, this team of experts will include clinicians (medical doctors, dentists, traditional medicine doctors, pharmacists, lab specialists), aesthetic (dermatologists and beauty therapists), and wellness specialists (spa therapists, physiotherapists, public health specialists, psychologists, nutrition counsellors, sports & fitness specialists).

MaloClinicSPA Takes Spas to Next Level

Dr. Malo says, “The MaloClinicSPA takes the traditional concept of spa to the next level. By adding diagnostic and clinical medicine, traditional medicine, wellness, beauty, leisure and fitness, the MaloClinicSPA introduces an integrative, all-inclusive approach to complete wellness.

MaloClinicSPA Fast Facts

OPENING SCHEDULE: Spa and Beauty Salon May 2009
Clinic June/July 2009

LOCATION: Level 5, Grand Canal Shoppers
The Venetian® Macao-Resort-Hotel
Estrada da Baía de N. Senhora da Esperança, s/n,
Taipa, Macao SAR, P.R. China

TOTAL AREA: Approximately 85,000 square feet, equally divided between the major areas of the Clinic and the Spa.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Unique in Asia with its multi-disciplinary team of medical doctors, licensed healthcare professionals and wellness therapists recruited from Asia, Europe and America.
• Advanced dental medicine and services, under the guidance of founder Dr. Paulo Malo, a world renowned dental surgeon known for pioneering revolutionary surgical techniques in dentistry.
• Cutting edge medical equipment and the most sophisticated diagnostic technologies available to date.
• Spa experience powerfully combines clinical, traditional, dental, and healing therapies for a genuine wellness experience. Select treatments specially designed to complement rehabilitation and recovery for guests.
• Complimentary automated body assessment Wellness Screening available for all guests of the Spa.

SIGNATURE TREATMENTS:
• Total Body Assessments, the signature health screening programmes, combine Eastern and Western diagnostic procedures, including a compulsory dental check up service.
• Total Body Treatments are spa programmes bringing together clinical, traditional, and healing therapies in one experience, plus dental check up service.
• Life Long Wellness Programmes are designed to address prevailing urban syndromes and lifestyle diseases, common health concerns, and chronic illnesses through information, education, and treatment.

FACILITIES:
• 6 operating theatres
• 58 spa treatment suites (single, couple, deluxe, super deluxe and group treatment suites)
• Hydro suites with Vichy showers, dry floatation, hydro tubs and salt floatation services; heat and wet facilities feature experience steam showers, saunas, hammams, and vitality pools in different temperatures
• Beauty salon
• Leisure & fitness facilities measuring 7,500 square feet