Inside beachside retreat loved by England boss Thomas Tuchel with treatments like herbal enemas and therapeutic vomiting
WHEN Thomas Tuchel was unceremoniously sacked by Chelsea he looked for a factory reset.
The England boss, 51, found it in India and embarked a remarkable spiritual journey in 2022.
He spent three weeks at the incredible Sitaram Beach Retreat, where he took on the practices of Ayurveda – an ancient Indian system of medicine that prioritises holistic wellness and healing.
There, Tuchel put all his focuses on yoga, meditation, and personal reflection
The German tactician had a difficult year professionally and personally.
Not only was he sacked by the Blues, his marriage to long-time partner, Sissi was dissolved in court.
He then faced scrutiny over his love life – moving on with a Brazilian beauty 13-years his junior.
Tuchel sat down with guru Dr Vignesh Devraj to discuss how the experience changed him.
He said in a video clip: “I trained myself not to read about myself because the more I thought about it the more I got affected by it, also by praise, not also by critique.
“Critique sticks with you, if you want it or not, and I don’t want it. In the end, I asked myself, ‘Why would I read something about my team or my match and who should know better than me?’
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“For a long time, I’ve been getting closer to Ayurveda through meditation and got familiar with the lifestyle – with the routine that is attached – to this philosophy.
“I always had a good feeling about it. I had a very demanding year, and a very demanding year privately and personally.”
Health benefits
A beautiful serene setting, Sitaram Beach Retreat overlooks the shores of the Arabian sea.
Luxurious rooms include stone or wooden cottages, as well as premium villas.
Prices start at around the £3,000 mark for a 14-day package, but rise with the different treatments you may want.
Sitaram Ayurveda offers Panchakarma treatment which is an ayurvedic treatment methodology which specialises in intensive waste elimination from our body at a cellular level.
Panchakarma treatment is said to help in rejuvenating the body by detoxifying and purifying at cellular level, thereby enhancing the immunity of the body.
It is also believed to heal pains due to inflammation, like joint pain, arthritis, gout, knee pain, back pain, and helps in losing excess weight from your body.
In short, it cleanses the impurities of the human body to restore the balance of the body, mind, heart, and soul.
There are some more extreme Panchakarma procedure measures, of course.
Guests stay in peaceful rooms like these as they restore the balance of the body, mind, heart, and soul.[/caption]
Several ancient medical treatments linked to Panchakarma are carried out at the retreat[/caption]
One, called Vamanam, is an induced vomiting procedure that is performed to release the toxins present in the upper part of the body.
There’s also TWO different enemas called Kashayavasti and Metravasti – designed to eliminate and normalise the deranged Vata in the lower part of the body.
The reason for that is to promote strength and restore general well-being.
Tuchel’s own experience
It is not known what procedures Tuchel chose to do.
However, during his 21-day stay he was able to leave the pressures of the football world behind him.
He embraced a minimalist lifestyle and engaged in local culture.
It all guided him to find a sense of peace and introspection, where he reflected on his career, his coaching methods, and what he wanted moving forward.
In his interview with Dr Vignesh Devraj, he revealed his struggles.
Soon after his arrival, Tuchel went six days without sugar.
That meant giving up sweet treats, including his favourite, chocolate as he came to terms with a new diet.
Admittedly, the first 72 hours were a challenge.
He confessed feeling “irritable” and “restless”, which could have been likened the last months of his Chelsea tenure when he was frustrated with the Todd Boehly regime.
But, by the end of the stay, he appeared in the 41-minute clip at ease with the world.
However he does admit he did drink some warm ghee as part of his therapy.
Dressed in an unbuttoned shirt, he told Dr Vignesh Devraj: “I got a bit grumpy. There was zero sugar and the ghee drinking was not very pleasant.
“I was not in the best mood but I wanted to be here. Now I feel a difference. And when I look in the mirror I see I lost some kilos.
“It was my wish to come here for a long time, one of my assistants did it five or six years ago, and we still keep on talking about it.
“So now is the moment for a little break and a new start in my life. I am very happy I did it.
“It’s nice to be hear, the butterflies are so big, the view to the sea… to hear the sound of it.
“How the place is set up, the memories, the temperature, the location, having this kind of routine, having this limited amount of distraction, and being with yourself.
“It actually gives me a lot of self-confidence in the basic meaning of me.
“After three weeks, I am very aware of myself and I am happy with myself.
Southgate vs Tuchel records compared
THOMAS TUCHEL
Augsburg II 2007-2008
P34 W 20 D8 L6 Win percentage: 58.82%
Mainz 05 2009-2014
P184 W72 D46 L66 Win percentage: 39.13%
Borussia Dortmund 2015-2017
P107 W67 D23 L17 Win percentage: 62.62%
Honours: DFB Pokal
Paris Saint Germain 2018-2020
P127 W95 D13 L16 Win percentage: 74.8%
Honours: Ligue 1 X2, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, Trophee des Champions x2
Chelsea 2021-2022
P100 W60 D24 L16 Win percentage: 60%
Honours: Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup
Bayern Munich 2023-2024
P61 W37 D8 L16 Win percentage: 60.66%
Honours: Bundesliga
GARETH SOUTHGATE
Middlesbrough 2006-2009
P151 W54 D43 Win percentage: 35.76%
England U21 2013-2016
P37 W27 D5 L5 Win percentage: 72.97%
Honours: Toulon tournament
England 2016-2024
P102 W61 D24 L17 Win percentage: 59.8%
Honours: Euros runners up, 2020, 2024
Tuchel admitted the retreat helped him find some clarity in his life[/caption]
Tuchel left the resort happier, more relaxed, before he took on the Bayern Munich role[/caption]
“I allow myself to be happy and not to force things.
“I feel healthy and it was kind of a ceremony to close things, but also restart things.”
That sounds similar to what England need after Gareth Southgate’s successful tenure.
