IT'S a sublime world of mystic charm and therapeutic harmony. Tucked away from the city, on a 30-acre orchard at Whitefield is Dr. Mathai's International Holistic Health Centre Called 'SOUKYA,' which is an attempt to integrate various systems of medicine like homeopathy, ayurveda and naturopathy, under one roof. Started in January this year amidst lush greenery and fruit orchards, this residential health center has a holistic approach to treatment. "This unique integrated medical facility is, probably one of its kind in the world," explains Dr, Issac Mathai, Medical Director and Chairperson, SOUKYA. "There are many other health centers that offer different systems of medicine under one roof, but they function as separate units by themselves. At SOUKYA , we have made an effort to integrate these systems as we believe multi-system of healing works better than a single programme. Treatment is designed incorporating the most appropriate medical systems and therapies through a process of consultation with specialists ",he explains. Dr Mathai

says SOUKYA which means well being in Sanskrit, is a state that can be achieved only when the mind, body and spirit are in harmony. He is of the view that the psychological, sociological, emotional, nutritional, ecological, and environmental aspects of the person should, therefore, be in balance to achieve true good health. It is the same philosophy that motivated him to establish a holistic health center for the mind -body-soul programme, which he believes is programme, which he believes is the essence of holistic healing.

Dr Mathai studied homeopathy in Kottayam, Kerala, to assist his mother who was a practicing homeopath in wayanad, he then went on to do his MD from the Hahnemann Post Graduate Institute of Homeopathy in London. followed it up with an MRCH and there has been no worked as a physician for 10 years at Europe's first and largest holistic health clinic- the Hale Clinic. He then studied Chinese Pulse

diagnosis and acupuncture at the WHO Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Nan king, China. His extensive qualifications also include the Mind-Body-Medicine training programme that he attended at the Harvard Medical School, USA.

He is presenting a visiting consultant at several clinics world wide including Hale Clinic in London, Weverly Clinic in Manhattan and Holistic Health Centre in Washington. With a rich experience of holistic health practice for over 17 years, his extensive patient network includes more than 10,000 patients across 30 countries. This list also includes celebrities like Duchess of York Sara Ferguson, Tina Turner, George Harrison of the beetles fame, Sting, Deep purple and Pandit Ravi Shankar.

Having traveled Worldwide, Dr Mathai realized that India's healing techniques were not showcased to the World community in the right way. "Many foreigners have come to India in the past due to their interest in nature cures. But they saw

these techniques being practiced in places that did not even have basic cleanliness and so, they never bothered to comeback. This made me realize the need to start a centre in keeping with international standards and thus was born SOUKYA."

Dr Mathai believes that advancements in science and technology have led to an altered sedentary life style, bringing forth ills of modern living characterized by wrong food habits, irregular sleeping patterns and lack of exercise. "At

SOUKYA you are initiated into various lifestyle patterns that lead to healthier living and can b followed even after you go back home. The emphasis is on prevention of illness, early intervention and health promotion,

"The Fundamental principle underlying holistic treatment is the natural defense and immune system of an individual when strengthened has the potential to prevent and heal diseases. The power to heal is with in you and the process is facilitated at SOUKYA through various therapies and massages." he says.

SOUKYA not only offers various health packages for stress management, weight management, rejuvenation, detoxification, smoking cessation, but has treatment for acute and chronic illnesses through integrated forms of ayurveda , allopath homeopathy, naturopathy, unani and siddha. These are complimented with various therapies like acupuncture,

aromatherapy, music therapy zero balancing, pranic healing etc. you could also refresh your system with hydrotherapy which includes circular shower spinal bath, Jacuzzi, etc. underwater massage and vegetable and mud packs are also good to release tension in your muscles. Every thing here from the water bodies to the pebbled walkway with running water (facilities flow of energy in the body) has therapeutic value the diet is also strictly vegetarian at SOUKYA. Coffee and alcohol are a taboo here. Instead herbal teas, soups and salads are preferred Meditation Deep relaxation Techniques and yogasanas are adopted to improve concentration levels.

The center also has an organic farm that grows
various medicinal plants like neem, tulsi, aloe, jasmine, peppermint, brahmi and others which are used for herbal preparations.

Everything is cultivated here without the use of chemical fertilizers. Plans are a foot to cultivate more such herbs so that they do not have to buy any herbs from outside

SOUKYA also has recreational facilitated like volleyball, badminton basketball; a gymnasium etc. one of the highlights of the center is its architecture, which is a combination of the quaint and the modern. While the exteriors are the tribute to the workman ship of artisans from Ahemadabad, the interiors are plush and cozy. The grey stone structures with sloping roofs made of Kerala style red clay tiles are an added attraction.

Other amenities include a separate dining room, yoga hall, library, lecture rooms, a travel desk and a diagnostic laboratory. The visitor also has a choice of accommodation facilities which includes

double bedrooms and suites with spacious baths, comfortable cottages and open air baths. There are private therapy rooms as well. But all at a price!" Quality doesn't come cheap. we maintain international standards for which we charge accordingly," says Dr. Mathai, hoping to open a much affordable center later if "all goes well".

Dr Mathai is assisted by his wife Ms Suja Issac, MSc, MPhil ( Food and Nutrition) who is the executive director of the center and also supervises the diet modules. Dr Mathais team consists of consultants and doctors from different systems of medicine, therapists and visiting national and international therapists. He is backed by an impressive international advisory board which is headed by the eminent neuro surgeon Dr R M Verma.
SOUKYA is at SOUKYA road, Samethanahalli, Whitefield. Tel: 7945001. E-mail: infodayatsoukya.com.

Inaugurating the first International conference on holistic health and medicine, organised by the Indian Academy of Holistic Medicine here, he said the practice of medicine was one of the most positive contributions to the human race.
He hoped that the conference would help evolve a new approach to medicine where by diseases would be treated not in isolation , but after taking into account all physical and psychological factors

involved. Stating that holistic system of medicine provided a deep concept, he said he was happy that people from different countries had come together to achieve healthier and clean environment. There should be enthusiasm among the people to do something for the future generations to keep them healthy, he stressed.
WORKING MODEL: Eminent neuro surgeon R.M Varma, one of the organisers of the conference, said the holistic approach

would see the emergence of a working model for an intra-system and multi-system approach to the human body. A healthier society could be developed if the holistic concept was imbibed in medical practices, he said.
Governor P. Venkatsubbiah, who presided said the conference was a historic event, where experts of traditional systems from the east and the west were meeting with the objective of achieving

a better system of medicine.
Chief patron of the conference Paulose Mer Gregorios said besides a healthy state, mind and body, the physical, social and life force environment should be brought together for holistic medicine.
Some 500 delegates from 30 countries are participating in the five day conference which is a precursor to the launching of an international holistic medical association to be based in Geneva.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is identifying alternative systems of medicine on a country wide basis for incorporation into its New Global Health Policy, WHO representative Dr. Roberta Ritson said here today.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying of the International Holistic Health Centre (IHHC)

here today, Dr.Ritson said the WHO policy, currently under preparation, would be presented at the World Health Assembly at its 50th anniversary in 1998.

Appreciating the initiative taken to establish the IHHC, she said WHO viewed Holistic Medicine as the model for health care for the 21st century. Its strength lay in that it

combined modern medicines with traditional systems.

In his presidential address health and Family Welfare minister H.C.Mahadevappa pointed out that Holistic Medicine is not new but part and parcel of traditional medicine. However it had been relegated to the background by advances in modern medicine.

Mental and spiritual well being was one aspect modern medicine had neglected, Mr. Mahadevappa said. Modern medicine need not feel threatened by holistic medicine which was essentially a synergy of modern advances and the traditional holistic approach.

As the world gets older, it also gets wiser. Why else would its new plans, grandiosely called The New Global Health Policy of the World Health Organisation (WHO) lay a major trust in on holistic medicine, viewed now as a model of health care? On October 10, even Bangalore went one step, at least, towards promoting this unique concept of holistic health, with an International Holistic Health Center (IHHC).
It was a decade ago that a Bangalore based homeopathic

physician travelled all over Europe and Asia to explore the different systems of medicine practiced in various parts of the world and realised that the new thinking among medical practitioners was all about a holistic approach.
So Dr. Issac Mathai Nooranal founded the International Holistic Health Association (IHHA) in 1987. Two years later, Bangalore hosted the First International Conference on Holistic Health and Medicine.

The first of its kind in the world, the centre will provide treatment, train professionals and conduct research on Holistic health care. It will be managed by a team of doctors, specialists and therapists from different systems of medicine.
To be fully operational by 2000, the IHHC centre will come up in Whitefield on 40 acres of landscaped gardens which includes an organic vegetable farm and recreational facilities. The centre

aims at fostering the natural healing process with the help of safe traditional and non-traditional therapies and modern medicine. It will also have a department of Integrated Medicine which consists of modern medical facilities, more than 40 major effective complimentary therapies like acupuncture to zero balancing have been identified and a unique department of nature farming.

Practitioners of holistic medicine try to cure the patient rather than the disease through therapies which could belong to any system of medicine, says Dr. Issac Mathai, who recently brought his celebrity patient Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, to Bangalore. Mahalakshmi Jayaraman spoke to the man about his medical philosophy and the International Holistic Health Centre he is going to start on the outskirts of the city.


"It is not actually traditional medicine at all. I would say it is the most modern medicine." is how Issac Mathai Noornal describes the concept of holistic medicine. Infectious conviction and deep commitment to this apparently modern

comes into its own , as it were, in looking at the various cures offered by the diverse systems of medicine - ayurveda, unani, siddha, yoga, acupuncture, aroma therapy, naturopathy - to name but a few. Once the best therapy has been selected, the patient undergoes treatment. All this, however under careful trained medical supervision. Conceding that one doctor may not be well versed in all systems of medicine , Dr. Mathai points out that under Holistic medicine, the patient will be referred to the best medicine available for his condition, just as a general physician would refer a patient to an ENT specialist or a cardiologist.

concept of health. which is spreading across the globe, are very obvious as he explains that his is an approach that treats the patient in mind, body an spirit.
"A holistic doctor aims to restore the patients to perfect health no matter what therapy is used. The patient`s health is the supreme goal. Thus the sociological, psychological and environmental factors affecting the

patients will be thoroughly analysed before a doctor decides on a course of treatment which is appropriate for him/her specifically.
According to Dr. Mathai, when a patient approaches a doctor in all faith, it would be foolish for a doctor to rely only on his limited knowledge of medicine and perhaps not offer a proper cure. It is here that holistic medicine