Published on
November 22, 2009 in
Articles.
Om Namah Shivaya
We continued on the path of releasing toxins from the channels and tissues of the body/mind this week. There were days when each of felt tired or low energy as the process unfolded. At other times, however, we will filled with abundant grace and energy. The Ayurvedic doctor told us at the beginning that we would go through swings of energy and emotional releases. We have been able to watch the mind go through its usual gymnastics as well. The thing that helps us the most is we retire early in the evening. Usually we are asleep by 8-9pm and arise between 4-5am to do our individual spiritual practices. This is the key to maintaining balance along the way. Without the spiritual opening the cleanse is just like any other western style cleansing program which only works at the physical level. Ayurveda requires that we go deeper into consciousness which is where all dis-ease in the body/mind originates.
The male practitioners who are performing the therapies on us have prepared themselves spiritual for thie program. They begin each treatments with prayers, chanting and a puja. This sets the whole mood for our opening to the healing center that is within each of us.
This week included three days of receiving the massage with warm bolluses of grains, medicinal leaves and herbs soaked in herbal oils. It was followed by Kadi Vasti which involves making a donut of various grains placed on the vertebrae at the spot of our pain, tension or blockage of energy. The Vasti is filled with hot herbal oil for 30 minutes. After this we sometimes sat in the steam cabinet but not everyday. I also was given Karna Purana or warm medicinal oil in the ears and Nasya which is the herbal oil in the nasal passages for cleansing the head and sinuses. There is a Five Sense Therapy which the doctor offers including these two plus treatments for mouth, skin and eyes. The next three days we received massage, shirodhara and steam. It was glorious and seemed to get better each time they worked on me. Some times it actually felt ecstatic when they were massaging certain places like the scalp, feet, the back of my legs and my low back.
Today we had a day of rest from therapy. We still had a type of therapy by traveling to a city in the hills near our city. It was originally established as a hill camp by the British soldiers in 1827. It was so beautiful there because it overlooks the higher Himalayas that a city was built. We found a Tibetan village there called Happy Valley. The temple had been visited by the Dali Lama. We were both overwhelmed with the beauty and energy of the temple and stupa. For lunch we discovered a little Tibetan restaurant that served unbelievable food including momos, noodles, fried rice and chai tea. It was a wonderful way for us to spend our day off.
We have only four more days of PK with more Kadi Vasti for me and the Netra Vasti for the eyes. Of course, we receive more massage with the herbal bolluses, and steam. Will erport to everyone one more time before leaving India on Nov 30th.
OM Shanti
Vijaya
Published on
November 16, 2009 in
Articles.
Greetings to all from Uttarakhand region of India
We had six more glorious days of PK detoxing. The first five days we received snehana(warm herbal oil massage) and Swedana(herbal steam cabinet). This was the time to cleanse the toxins out of the colon through Vasti(enemas) using medicative oils and herbal decoctions. Ayurveda says that 75% of all dis-ease of the body/mind originates in the large intestine, small intestine and stomach. It is especially helpful for digestion, metabolism, insomnia, migraine headaches, liver and gall bladder disorders as well as the spleen, any kind of anxiety, insecurity and fear, or toxic blood.
On Saturday, we received Pinda Swedana with the bolluses of cloth filled with herbal leaves and herbs massaged all over the back, legs and arms. The bolluses are warmed in hot herbal oil before being applied to the body. After this we had Kati Vasti which is a donut of grain flour that is placed on the spine. It is filled with hot herbal oils that loosen the spaces between the vertebrae It is good for any type of back pain, spinal problems including herniated disks, and tension and stress along the spine. We receive 5 more of these treatments starting tomorrow. Next I had the steam cabinet, followed by warm herbal oil in each ear and another treatment of Nasya. This is the nasal oil that I need to clear all the Kapha(mucus and phlegm) out of the head. I will be getting several more of these. I think it is because of the Ben & Jerry’s, and chocolate syndrome. It is a well known disease for some of my family, clients and friends as well.
Today, Sunday has been a day a rest and relaxing from cleansing. Of course, the body still continues to cleanse even on these days. This process will continue even after we have completed the 30 days of PK. The body with it’s incredible wisdom knows the natural rhythm and cycle to release the toxins without depleting the body’s energy all at once. This is where the rejuvenation part of PK comes into play We must replenish the energy as well as releasing toxicity. That is why we must eat sweet things in our diet The sweet taste is the most rejuvenating of any food. Maury and I have found some amazing Ayurvedic sweets, of course. We are consuming many herbal teas and herbal jams called Lehyam or Chywan Prash. We found a new one, well it is actually one I have read about for years in the books but there is no source in the US, called Brahma Rasayana. Rasayana means rejuvenative. The ancient text and modern Ayurvedic doctors have reported it’s efficiency for those with cancer and AIDS. Maury and I have neither but we are interested in prevention as well as longevity. The Dr. attending us says we should return with 35 year old bodies at the end of our treatment program. We shall see. At least I have lost a lot of weight. I am on the next belt buckle on my belt so far.
In this process of cleansing we also go through numerous swings in energy and emotional releasing as well as the physical. Sometimes we have amazing energy and other times we just want to sleep. We are usually in bed before 9pm and are awake between 4-5am doing spiritual practice until time for our treatments at 8am. We sleep deeper and for longer periods of time. The mind is more focused and alert. Our body’s feel lighter and our appetites are immense. These are all signs that the program is working well.
More to follow.
Om Shanti
Vijaya
Published on
November 9, 2009 in
Articles.
Om to all
We finished our second week of Pancha Karma (PK). This was the week of continued massage and steam in many different ways than done normally in the US. Most of the massages are done with two or three PK therapists. Maury and I both had allergy symptoms followed by coughs and mine moved into the lungs. This was partially a result of getting accustomed to the many new, strange smells and pollution in India. The other part is merely a manifestation of our detoxing and cleansing. My lung line on my tongue is the clearest it has been in some time which is very good.
We did the first two days of the week with more warm herbal oil massage along with hot herbal packs heated with medicated oils. This was followed by herbal steam and Netra Vasti. Netra means eyes. A gram flour mask was built around both eyes to hold medicated Ghee(clarified butter with triphala). You look through the ghee for several minutes during three applications of the ghee. This is extremely wonderful for the vision, ocular pressure, glaucoma and cataracts.
The next two days we received Savangadhara/PizhuChil which was the process of literally pouring warm medicated oil for an hour all over the body front, back and while sitting on a wooden table with a trough that collects the oil at the bottom and underneath the table. The oil is warmed and recycled during each person’s treatment. In India they use almost 2 gallons of oil for each treatment. It is very effective for Vata imbalances such as dryness, insomnia, wasting of tissues, poor memory and concentration, improper digestion and elimination.
This was followed each day with Nasya, which means nasal, that involved putting medicated oil in each nostril. We received steam, a facial massage and breathing in eucalyptus steam infused with herbs Then several droppers of the medicated oil are put in each nostril. The oil activates the cavities in the sinuses eliminating toxins from the head.
The final two days of the week we received an amazing treatment for Pitta which reduces heat and softens the skin. The two sometimes three PK therapists. They cooked rice in raw milk until soft then poured that warm substance all over the body with intermittently massaging us with bolluses (Cloth bundles) filled with herbal leaves, ginger, & ajwan spice. Then the male attendants wipe you down while you stand under a hot shower. This has been the most incredible treatment for me yet. After the treatment, of course, your skin becomes milky smooth and the body is cooled.
Sunday was a day of rest but we actually went White Water rafting which could have been a mistake since we were soaking wet with the cold water from Mother Ganga(Ganges). Cold water is contra-indicative for PK. We were stiff and sore from paddling which we had not been used to of course. Today we have recovered and continue with our third week of the amazing program of cleansing and rejuvenation. By the way to help in rejuvenating we found a German Bakery and restaurant which allowed us to sample some delicious sweets. Sweet is excellent for the mind and recuperating from the intense part of the detoxing. No, that’s really true.
Om Shanti
Vijaya
