Tagiru.’s Story

How Ayurveda saved and changed my life.

In 2014, at the age of 29, I was devoted to my work in Tokyo, one of the biggest cities in the world. However, all of a sudden, I felt strong numbness in my body and became unable to move at all, and was immediately sent to the hospital.
After several days of inspection, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune disease considered incurable in Japan. In recent years MS diagnoses have been increasing at an alarming rate not only in Japan, but also in Europe etc. At one point, my body became so numb that I was hardly able to speak and walk, had to stop my job and in the end spent four years in and out of the hospital. I was hopeless and deeply depressed and even now, I still do not forget those hard days.

With rehabilitation and other efforts, I learned to walk again and returned to work. But I still had some difficulties living my life like before. For example, as it was a bit dangerous for me to use stairs, finding elevators in Tokyo was tough! Also the daily self-injections prescribed by my doctor took a mental toll on me, and I continued to suffer from the major side effects of drugs like steroids (headaches, chills, fogginess, mental instability, etc.).

Three years have passed since I was diagnosed with MS. In 2017, at the age of 33, a business trip took me to Sri Lanka where I had my first and ultimately life-changing encounter with Ayurveda.

At that time, I was not satisfied with the western treatments and medicines since I was severely suffering from its side effects. I was thinking I should change something dramatically though I believe in the potency and advantage of western medicines and treatments as I once dreamed of being a doctor and studied in the University. (Although I don't mention much about this in here, you can ask me if you are interested in listening to this story more.)

Let me get back to the story of my beautiful encounter with Ayurveda.
Ayurveda, as you may already know, looks at not only the problem itself or the symptom itself, but also looks at the whole YOU. I was amazed with this idea. In a leap of faith, I took a month and a half off to be treated at an Ayurvedic Resort in Sri Lanka. That Resort was the Hiru Mudra Ayurveda Resort, currently the Tagiru Ayurveda Resort which I am running right now! I am thrilled to share you more about this story later below.

After studying my constitution and disorder, my Ayurvedic doctor helped to ensure that I follow the right well-balanced diet, took appropriate treatments, practised the yoga my body needed, and pursued a life that was right for me. All the programs were tailored to my specific body, mind and soul. It was like being in a long meditation, and little by little I could see that the deepest part of me was being healed. By the end of my 1 month stay, I had greatly recovered from my long-standing deep numbness and fatigue. (Even my western doctor in Japan was surprised by my dramatic recovery when I went to see him for the check-up after coming back from Sri Lanka!)

For the first time in my life, I felt a gentle yet life-affirming energy slowly fill my body. As my body and mind became more balanced, I discovered a bigger change in me. I used to be a person who thrived on challenges. But after spending a hectic life and in the end suffering from my disease, I had lost the "Original Me" who had more courage and had vitality to pursue my dream. Gazing out at the beautiful sea of Sri Lanka that spread in front of me, I became ready to thrive on challenges again.

"I will run and manage an Ayurveda Resort by myself." This desire emerged deep inside from my heart. After dozens of discussions with the owner of Hiru Mudra (now we became good business partners and friends), even though we experienced several times of Covid lockdowns and countless other difficulties, we came to the conclusion that I would take over Hiru Mudra. So here I am in Sri Lanka, took my wife and our baby with me from Japan and opened Tagiru. Ayurveda Resort in January 2022. I am blessed to be able to take over and run this place which cured my disease thanks to the staff and friends who have been supporting and believing in me.

The meaning of “Tagiru”

The name of the Resort, "Tagiru," means "feeling a renewed energy emerging from inside your body" in Japanese. “Tagiru” is exactly what I almost lost when I was fighting my illness – it is the feeling of “regaining the sense of life,” which I believe is the goal of Ayurveda. It is the sense of being alive that I regained through Ayurveda.

Everyone’s Ayurvedic journey is unique. Our mission is to help you get the most out of your personal Ayurvedic experience at Tagiru, so that you are able to regain or refine your true sense of self. Here you will have the freedom to balance body, mind, and soul so that during your time with us you begin to perceive feelings and memories that may currently be hidden from you.

What only “Small Private Villa” can do

Each guest has their own story and history. Our fundamental Ayurvedic treatments start with learning and studying the individual. After that you are ready to immerse yourself in the Ayurvedic journey.

As a small, 12-room private villa we can provide Ayurvedic treatments tailored to your constitution, situation, desires, and concerns. This custom-designed program means we are able to see and know you at a deeply personal level. Our sincerest wish is that you become so comfortable talking to me and Tagiru’s staff that this place feels like home to you, now and in the future.

Well, I think I have written quite a lot, so let me spare some of our adventure stories for the time when you come here. I am thrilled to see you soon on this beautiful island.

Shuji Ito
Director of Tagiru. Ayurveda Resort