Outdoor pool at Ayurveda Resort Mandira
Cuisine at Ayurveda Resort Mandira © Herbert Lehmann
Tipis at Ayurveda Resort Mandira
Ayurveda Resort Mandira, set in the serene Styrian hills of Austria, is a haven of holistic wellness that seamlessly blends traditional Ayurvedic wisdom with contemporary comforts. Guided by a team of expert practitioners dedicated to personalized health and well-being, this tranquil retreat offers an immersive escape designed to restore balance and vitality in every guest.
With a focus on detoxification, relaxation and rejuvenation, Ayurveda Resort Mandira promises a transformative experience featuring Ayurvedic treatments, yoga, meditation and nourishing cuisine. FOUR sits down with Christina Drexler, Owner and Managing Director of the resort, to find out more…
Can you share more about your experience with Ayurveda and how it led to the resort opening?
I grew up in a family of hoteliers. We had a regular hotel in Tyrol. At some point, my parents, especially my mother, decided she didn’t want to continue with normal hotel tourism. She wanted to do something fulfilling and meaningful. That’s how my mother discovered Ayurveda, almost by accident.
At first, it was just massages, but then it became more intense. She got training, and soon, we started offering Panchakarma treatments, which are Ayurvedic detox treatments. So, I was already exposed to it at a young age. I started doing yoga at 15 and was always very interested in it.
By chance, I also got involved. I was studying business administration and needed a summer job. My mother suggested, “Why don’t you do massages?” I replied, “I can’t do that, Mom.” But she taught me a massage, and I found that I really enjoyed it. It gave me so much fulfilment that I decided to study Ayurvedic medicine alongside my business studies and became more involved.
In Tyrol, I started to build the Ayurveda department in the resort. Eventually, we had 17 therapists, doctors, and other staff members. Then, my father suggested expanding because the resort was always fully booked. He found a second resort and asked if I wanted to set up the Ayurveda department again. That’s how the resort came about. We are still in the process of building it up. We’ve done a lot of renovations.
We’ve given the building a kind of “Panchakarma”, cleansing and rejuvenating it. We’ve used a lot of colours that positively influence the mind. Ayurveda has become a constant companion in my life, both personally and professionally. It really fulfils me deeply.
Hero: Wellness area at Ayurveda Resort Mandira | Above: Bedroom at Ayurveda Resort Mandira © Michael Huber
What is your vision for the resort, and how do you hope it impacts its visitors?
The key is to ask yourself what your goals are, why you’re here, and what kind of legacy you want to leave. For me, the resort is a sacred place, a place of power where every visitor has the opportunity to do something for themselves — for their body, mind, and soul — at their own pace, step by step. We actually get this feedback all the time. Miracles happen here.
These miracles are not created by us but by each visitor working on themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually, letting go, transforming, and finding peace. It’s really beautiful to see. We cover many aspects: meditation, yoga, movement, healing thermal water, and, of course, food. 85 percent of our food comes from local farmers, so it’s all regional.
There are various treatments, including therapies for the musculoskeletal system and, of course, colon cleansing — we cover many areas to help our visitors heal more quickly.
What major challenges did you face when founding the resort, and how did you overcome them?
We had quite a few challenges. We bought the resort in 2019, and in 2020, COVID hit, followed by the Ukraine crisis, the energy crisis, and so on. You could say the resort, or startup, began at a very difficult time, but it was all worth it. We get such great feedback from our customers, and we have many returning guests. Despite the difficult times, we have seen an increase in guests, and I think that’s what matters. We keep building despite the tough times and enjoy what we do.
Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health. How does the resort implement this philosophy?
As I mentioned earlier, we cover many aspects and look beyond the obvious. If someone comes in with high blood pressure, for one person, it could be due to food and toxins in the body, while for another, it might be work stress, relationship stress, or the death of a parent. We look at all aspects and create a tailored experience. We are really tailor-made, depending on where the person is at and what they need.
Sauna area at Ayurveda Resort Mandira © Michael Huber
What does a typical stay at the resort look like? What makes it different to other retreats?
We always start with an Ayurvedic consultation, and based on that, we decide on the treatments, herbal capsules, and diet. For example, during a detox, you might take ghee. The ghee penetrates the cells and dissolves old fats that carry fat-soluble toxins, which are then expelled through the digestive tract. The longer the stay, the more intensive the colon cleansing becomes.
A typical day begins with energy intake; in the morning, you have your consultation, followed by a treatment, then sauna and yoga. Lunch is always a three-course meal that supports detoxification. In the afternoon, there is another treatment, a meditation session, and in the evening, either a hearty soup or a light meal, depending on the doctor’s recommendation. During this time, you can enjoy the sauna facilities. Our thermal pool is unique because we combine Ayurveda with thermal water, and the water element plays a crucial role in the connective tissue, skeletal system, and emotional release.
How do you ensure the resort’s Ayurvedic treatments are authentic and true to tradition?
I am an Ayurveda specialist myself, and I document and write down all treatments. They are learned according to our treatments and regularly reviewed and checked. Quality assurance is very important to us. Of course, we also do “Ayurveda and beyond”. We don’t have the same background as in India, nor the same climate and food, so we adapt to the conditions here. I constantly observe trends, see where things are going, and what our guests need. We are always observing and adapting.
What are some of the special treatments and therapies at the Ayurveda Resort Mandira?
I am a big fan of all oil treatments. I love oil treatments that are a bit stronger and go deeper. Deep tissue massage, Marma point therapy, and Shirodhara (forehead oil pouring) are the best in Ayurveda for letting go and absolutely enjoying the experience.
Shirodhara treatment at Ayurveda Resort Mandira © Michael Huber
How do you customize Ayurvedic treatments for different guests?
As I mentioned, at the beginning of any cure treatment — be it a detox, Panchakarma, Rasayana (rejuvenation), or longevity cure — we have consultations, and then the treatments are tailored to the specific needs. Someone with back problems gets more back treatments. Someone wanting to conceive might get a Kati Vasti, a dough ring placed on the lower back for nourishment and building. Someone with sleep disorders receives appropriate treatment.
What role does diet play in the treatments at the resort?
Diet plays an absolutely important role. 40% of health is based on diet. Our food is 95% regional, and we place great importance on that. Nutrition is vital to us because you are what you eat. At the end of the day, food is metabolized and is the energy source and foundation for cells and mitochondria. It’s important to think about what and how you eat and how much priority it has in your daily life.
Tell us about the team of Ayurvedic therapists and their qualifications/experience…
Most of our therapists come from India and Sri Lanka, and all have completed massage training. Local therapists are, of course, either healing or medical massage therapists and receive additional training from us. Our Ayurveda specialist has completed Ayurvedic studies in India. A good education is the foundation for quality assurance.
How do you ensure that your staff constantly learns and develops in Ayurveda?
I’m on-site myself, and Ayurveda is my life. I developed the therapies and am proud that all employees share the vision and are interested in Ayurveda. Interest is the most important thing. You need to be interested in life and open to new things; that’s how you constantly learn. Learning is part of life.
Infusion at Ayurveda Resort Mandira © Michael Huber
What are your future plans for the Ayurveda Resort Mandira?
Life is all about constant development and learning, and that’s what we’ll continue to do. We have developed “Ayurveda and Beyond” from regular Ayurveda treatments. We have added the medical aspect and introduced infusions. I think it’s great because I can work much faster with infusions.
For example, if there’s a vitamin C deficiency and gut problems, it’s hard to absorb vitamin C orally. An infusion goes directly into the blood, resulting in much better and quicker positive changes. We introduced this three years ago. We have also added Global Diagnostics, vital field and frequency therapy. A lot will also happen in the area of frequencies and sounds in the future. We are always open to new things and will certainly continue to develop because that’s my mission.
How do you see the future of wellness tourism, and what role will your resort play in it?
What I’m observing is that health is becoming much more important in people’s lives. People realize that they get out of balance more quickly and need and want to do something for their health. So, I would say, yes, wellness tourism, or rather, health tourism, definitely has a future and will gain more importance.
So our resort will play a big role in the future because people want to inform themselves about alternatives. What else can they do besides the country’s healthcare system, which is sometimes good and sometimes not so good? What else can they do on their own? And, of course, this requires a certain amount of personal responsibility.
What do you enjoy most about running the Ayurveda Resort Mandira?
What I personally enjoy the most is the feedback from the guests. I see the guest’s progress when they arrive. I see how their faces change, their attitudes change, how the sparkle returns to their eyes, and how joy, vitality, and satisfaction return. That’s actually what I enjoy the most and what nourishes me the most.
What advice would you give to someone new to Ayurveda planning a stay at your resort?
I would say, “Go for it.” With a colon cleanse, a health vacation, or a wellness stay that’s just for you, you’re always doing something right. It’s always the first step to something positive. Whether it’s seven days, ten days, or maybe just four days, it definitely makes a difference. Our motto is “Out of love for myself – because I love myself.” I think it’s the first step.
Ayurveda Doctor © Michael Huber
Cuisine at Ayurveda Resort Mandira © Herbert Lehmann
Reception of Ayurveda Resort Mandira
To find out more about Ayurveda Resort Mandira and book, visit the links below…
AYURVEDA RESORT MANDIRA
Wagerberg 120
8271 Bad Waltersdorf
Styria, Austria
Web: mandira-ayurveda.at
Tel: +43 3333 2801
Email: info@mandira-ayurveda.at
Instagram: @ayurvedaresort_mandira
Facebook: @ayurvedaresortmandira