30+ Treatments. Five Thousand Years of Wisdom.
All treatments use organically sourced ingredients. Every protocol is supervised by our resident Ayurvedic physician.
“At River View Villas, we practice Ayurveda as it was intended — not as a spa menu, but as a medical system. Every treatment is prescribed after pulse diagnosis (Nadi Pariksha).”
Shirodhara
The most iconic of all Ayurvedic treatments. A gentle, continuous stream of warm medicated oil flows onto the forehead at the "third eye" point for an extended period. The effect on the nervous system is extraordinary — guests frequently enter a state of profound calm that resembles meditation.
Benefits: Calms the mind, alleviates chronic stress, treats insomnia, relieves anxiety and depression, enhances mental clarity.
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Shirovasti
A cap-like structure is placed on the head, filled with warm medicated oil that remains in contact with the scalp for a therapeutic period. Treats neurological conditions, facial paralysis, and severe headaches.
Benefits: Treats neural ailments, enhances mental clarity.
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Panchakarma
The supreme purification therapy of Ayurveda — a systematic five-fold detoxification process that eliminates deep-seated toxins (Ama) from the body's tissues. Always conducted under physician supervision. The five classical procedures include Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasyam, and Raktamokshana.
Benefits: Detoxifies body at cellular level, enhances vitality, treats chronic disease, resets constitution, profound rejuvenation.
Duration: Programme-based (minimum 7 nights)
Abhyanga (Full Body Massage)
The cornerstone of Ayurvedic bodywork. Two therapists work in synchronised strokes, applying warm herbal oils chosen for your dosha. Penetrates deep into muscle tissue, lubricates joints, stimulates lymphatic drainage, and induces profound relaxation.
Benefits: Relieves deep tissue tension, aids physical recovery, improves circulation, reduces Vata imbalance.
Duration: 60–90 minutes
Intensive Massage
A deep-pressure therapeutic massage targeting chronic muscular tension, adhesions, and deep-seated stress. Stronger pressure than Abhyanga — ideal for physically active guests or those with significant muscle tension.
Benefits: Relieves deep tissue tension, aids physical recovery.
Duration: 60–90 minutes
Powder Massage (Udwarthanam)
A unique dry massage using herbal powders rubbed vigorously against the grain of body hair. Stimulates fat metabolism, reduces Kapha accumulation, exfoliates skin, and improves texture. A key component of weight management programmes.
Benefits: Stimulates skin, reduces fat deposits, improves texture.
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Thermo Massage (Kizhi)
Warm herbal poultices (bundles of medicinal herbs tied in cloth and heated) are rhythmically applied to the body. Deep heat penetrates joints and muscles to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.
Benefits: Uses heat to soothe and relax muscles, relieves joint pain.
Duration: 60–75 minutes
Sincone Massage
A therapeutic massage technique that combines modern and traditional elements to rejuvenate the body, stimulate circulatory function, and promote lymphatic detoxification.
Benefits: Rejuvenates body, stimulates circulation, detoxifies.
Duration: 60 minutes
Sharwanga Dhara
Warm medicated oil or herbal decoction is poured rhythmically over the entire body in a continuous stream, combined with gentle massage. Profoundly relieves joint pain, reduces stress, and deeply rejuvenates.
Benefits: Relieves joint pain, reduces stress, rejuvenates deeply.
Duration: 60–75 minutes
Head Massage
Targeted massage of the scalp, neck, and upper shoulders using medicated herbal oils. Stimulates hair follicles, improves scalp circulation, relieves tension headaches, and promotes hair growth.
Benefits: Eases headaches, stimulates scalp, fosters hair growth.
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Face Massage
A gentle, rejuvenating facial massage using Ayurvedic herbal face oils. Stimulates facial circulation, reduces puffiness, relieves sinus congestion, and enhances natural radiance.
Benefits: Enhances beauty, reduces stress and sinus congestion.
Duration: 30 minutes
Foot Massage (Pada Abhyanga)
In Ayurveda, the feet are considered a map of the entire body. Medicated oil massage of the feet and lower legs promotes relaxation, relieves foot pain, boosts circulation, and supports restful sleep.
Benefits: Promotes relaxation, relieves pain, boosts circulation.
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Herbal Inhalation (Nasyam)
Medicated herbal oils or herbal steam are administered through the nasal passages — the "gateway to the head." Treats chronic sinusitis, migraines, nasal congestion, and boosts mental alertness and sensory clarity.
Benefits: Treats respiratory conditions, boosts mental alertness.
Duration: 20–30 minutes
Steam Bath (Swedana)
Full-body herbal steam bath using a medicated herbal decoction. Opens pores, promotes sweating to expel toxins, deeply cleanses the skin, relaxes muscles, and prepares the body for subsequent oil treatments.
Benefits: Cleanses skin, relaxes muscles, detoxifies the body.
Duration: 20–30 minutes
Herbal Bath
A full immersion bath prepared with a therapeutic blend of Ayurvedic herbs, flowers, and medicated ingredients. Cleanses the body energetically and physically, relieves stress, and enhances skin health.
Benefits: Cleanses body, relieves stress, enhances skin health.
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Special Herbals
Tailored internal herbal formulations — decoctions, churnas, medicated ghees, and herbal tablets — prescribed by Dr. Nalaka based on your diagnosis to support long-term health and longevity.
Benefits: Tailored herbal remedies for health and longevity.
Duration: Ongoing (as prescribed)
Body Scrub
A therapeutic full-body exfoliation using natural Ayurvedic scrub ingredients including herbal powders, turmeric, sandalwood, and nourishing oils. Removes dead skin cells, improves circulation, and reveals radiant skin.
Benefits: Exfoliates, rejuvenates skin, improves circulation.
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Flower Bath
A luxurious bath drawn with fresh tropical flowers and aromatic Ayurvedic herbs. Uplifts the spirit, nourishes and beautifies the skin, and promotes deep relaxation.
Benefits: Uplifts spirits, beautifies skin, promotes relaxation.
Duration: 30–45 minutes
Yoga
Daily yoga sessions conducted in our open-air yoga pavilion overlooking the Bentota River. Suitable for all levels — from complete beginners to advanced practitioners. Combines Hatha and Vinyasa approaches with pranayama (breathwork).
Benefits: Improves health, enhances flexibility and mental peace.
Duration: 60–90 minutes (daily)
Meditation
Guided meditation sessions using classical techniques including mindfulness, trataka (candle gazing), nada yoga (sound meditation), and yoga nidra (yogic sleep). Conducive to the deep stillness that the riverbank naturally invites.
Benefits: Achieves clarity, calms emotions, enhances well-being.
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Monk Horoscope (Jyotish Consultation)
A traditional Vedic astrology consultation using your birth chart to provide guidance on life decisions, timing, health tendencies, and spiritual path. Offered as a unique complement to the healing experience.
Benefits: Guides life decisions through astrological wisdom.
Duration: 45–60 minutes
Ready to Begin Your Treatment Journey?
All treatments are prescribed after consultation with Dr. Nalaka. The easiest way to experience our treatments is through one of our all-inclusive packages.