Your Hosts
Kailasam is owned and run by Diana and Mohan, who have been running holidays here since 2001.
Diana grew up in Brighton, England, studied environmental science and
made her career in conservation and sustainable tourism, before her interest
in yoga and the spiritual path led her to India.
She originally trained to teach yoga with the British Wheel of Yoga, in Norfolk, England and also studied at the Sivananda Ashram in Neyyar Dam, Kerala, taking a further teaching diploma in January 2000. She has been teaching yoga for over 15 years. An experienced and well-qualified teacher, Diana has an imaginative and flexible style of teaching, and believes that yoga is not necessarily about achieving very advanced postures, but rather it is about going deeper into postures and developing awareness so that you can feel the effects on your own body and mind. She has many techniques to help you realise and experience this awareness. She is equally at home teaching experienced students and complete beginners.
The ayurvedic centre at Kailasam is run by Mohan, who was born into a traditional ayurvedic family, near Kovalam. He has studied ayurveda and Kerala martial arts (kalarippayattu) from the age of twelve.
Mohan’s teacher is his cousin, who has taught him how to use rare Indian herbs, and to make special treatment oils and decoctions. Knowledge of the subtle energy paths (nadis) and centres (chakras) and of the vital points of the body (marma) also forms part of the sacred study.
Mohan now has over 15 years’ professional experience of healing through ayurveda. His speciality is ‘foot therapy’ (chavutti thirumal), a rejuvenating full body massage using his feet and special oils.
Mohan has successfully treated people – westerners and Indians - both in Kerala and in the UK. He can often get very good results where other forms of treatment have failed.
“A wonderful introduction to India and a fantastic reintroduction to yoga.”
Rupamati, Devon“I thoroughly enjoyed your wonderful instruction and words of encouragement.”
Karen, Surrey“Phenomenal! An amazing experience with superb hosts. Many thanks.”
Emma, London