Monthly Archive for April, 2010

Second and Final session of Pancha Karma in Rishikesh

Published on April 14, 2010 in Articles and India. 1 Comment

Om Namah Shivaya

It gets hotter by the day reminding me of the VA summers and it is only April. Do not want to be here in the summer. I actually plan to return to Rishikesh in Oct-Nov of this year for another visit and two weeks of PK when it is much cooler. I have already booked my flight for the return.

I began the second week of PK with more of the Sarwangdhara, continuous pouring of oil on body to eliminate Vata, the dry, light, mobile, cold qualities. The practitioner pours the oil on the body with one hand and massages the body with the other one. It is an incredible treatment especially when done with two practitioners simultaneously.

In Ayurveda there are 80 diseases of Vata origin in the Body/Mind, 40 of Pitta origin and 20 that belong to Kapha type imbalances. This is why Ayurveda uses so much more oil therapies than western massage therapy. It is imperative to heal diseases of all types but especially the abundant number of them caused by Vata. Once we pacify Vata the other type diseases are relatively easy to cure. The oil possesses the very opposite qualities of Vayu(Vata) It is, of course, oily, as well as heating, liquid, stable and heavy to offset those internal attributes that cause most disease. Ayurveda always goes to the root cause of all disease to create a true healing. It is like the diseased tree. You must go in and cut the roots out. Cutting the limbs off will not produce the cure for the tree or the human being. In PK we get to the root cause by removing the toxins from the body/mind created by Vata, Pitta, Kapha and low Agni.

We did three more Rakta Moksha treatments of blood letting with a day or so of rest in between each technique. The Dr. takes 5-10 cc of blood with the syringe which is a small amount. A pint is a great deal more quantity which I have done many times in the past years sometimes giving a donation every eight weeks. This is the minimum time period allowed. The stagnant blood becomes toxic. By removing a small amount of this blood the body is required to manufacture fresh blood to replenish itself. The body is such an intelligent organism. It knows without any conscious activity on our part how to rejuvenate itself. If, however, we suppress the symptoms rather than eliminating the cause, we also can very easily repress the body’s innate response system to heal itself.

By performing warm oil massage and steam most days, we effectively coaxed Vata from the extremities, organs and tissues into the gastro intestinal tract where we can easily remove them through the five actions of PK. We have done two so far, Rakta Moksha and Virechana. The third is Basti or enemas. I had three Basti done; two with oil and herbs, and the other with an herbal decoction of water, herbs and some oil. The former one is nutritive or more medicinal, and the latter is cleansing or purifying. We did two of the nutritive types with a day of the cleansing kind sandwiched in between. The site of Vata is the large intestine. Utilizing the warm oil and steam Vata moved back to its original site allowing us to remove it with the enemas. This is the amazing technique of Ayurveda that even though Vata is lodged in the heart, the oil enema recalls it to its home where it is pacified. The Vata type heart disease is cured through enemas along with Vata pacifying diet, herbs, and life style changes.

My reward has been that I was able to receive my favorite treatment twice. It is call Shasti Shali which is the constant pouring of a warm milk and rice decoction all over the body for 30 minutes along with the two practitioners massaging you with the bolluses (Cloth bags) containing rice and herbs that heal the skin like neem, guduchi, castor seed. It brings vitality to the body and luster to the skin. It improves the beauty of the skin and cools down Pitta. Considering the heat it was definitely a welcome relief.

We did two Nasya treatments which is the fourth Pancha Karma. The fifth one, Vaman, is not for my constitution, thank goodness, because it is self-induced vomiting therapy to clear Kapha from the lungs and stomach. Nasya is the placing of medicated oils in the nasal passages which clears Kapha from eyes, ears, nose, throat and sinuses. It is extremely good for allergies of any kind, sinusitis, migraines, headaches, jaundice, congestion, eye problems, plugged ears, sore throat and any ailment from the neck up including stiff, sore neck muscles. Medicated herbal oil is introduced into each nasal passage while lying on massage table on your back and after receiving head and neck massage, herbal medicated steam to loosen the passage ways. You then snort like a pig to remove and dislodge the Kapha from its hiding place. It is an extremely effective procedure which can be done on its own without massage and steam cabinet.

Let’s look at the perfect conduit for the massage and steam treatments of Ayurveda, the skin. It is the largest organ of the body. When any substance is placed on the skin, it must be able to digest it just like other organs. These substances are absorbed into the blood stream and circulated to the tissues and other organs for their nourishment and nutrition. This is why we should not put anything on the skin that is not organic and free of chemicals. These toxins are immediately absorbed into the entire system including the brain. In Ayurveda, we use only what can also be eaten or drunk on our skin. We only use all natural oils in any of the treatments. Ayurveda says to not use soap on the skin because of its drying nature unless we have been digging in the dirt and it is all over the body. Deoderants should be organic as well as all of our shampoos. We see many older people with very dry, cracking and wrinkled skin. It is a result of not taking proper care of the skin and the body as a whole. Vata time of life begins at 55-60 years of age. The entire body becomes drier especially the skin for all of us regardless of our constitutional make-up. We recommend an Abhyanga which is a self-massage with oil at least 2 -3 times a week. This should be warm oil massage followed by a warm shower or bath with sesame oil for Vata types, coconut for Pitta and mustard oil for Kapha. This will make the skin very beautiful and pervents the aging process.

Since I finished my treatments a few days ago, I have been observing the pratitioners in the administering of the therapies on my friend Maury.In this way I will be learning to use these methods of treatment on clients and to teach others in the US how to perform massage treatments in the true Ayurvedic tradition.

Today was the last bathing day for Maha Kumbh Mela. This is the largest and most popular spiritual event in INdia. It is also the largest gathering of people in one place in the world. It is reported that there were 300 million people at the last Kumbh Mela. In celebration of this historic event which occurs every 12 years, you take a shower or bath in the Ganga (Ganges River). One of the young practitioners took me to the Ganga in Rishikesh and taught me the proper way to observe this holy ceremony. Maury took some pictures of this happening. For more information on Maha Kumbh Mela go to www.kumbh.com

and click on the one which says Kumbh 2010 Haridwar.

I return to the States on the 19th and return to VA on the 21st when I start seeing clients and teaching until May 7th. I leave that day for Montana and the west coast until the first of August. Let me know if you need herbs so that I can prepare them in advance of my leaving.

NOTE: If any of you need a quick follow-up or someone needs a short pulse diagnosis, THEY WILL BE $10 FOR 15 MINUTES. Longer 1 - 1 1/2 hour full consultations are still available for a donation basis.

Om Shanti

First session in Rishikesh - The birthplace of Yoga and Ayurveda

Published on April 4, 2010 in Articles and India. 0 Comments

Om Namah Shivaya

I arrived here on the evening of the 28th and began my Ayurvedic treatments on the morning of the 29th. Let me mention again the purpose of Pancha Karma(PK) It is to remove the toxins blocking the body’s natural healing powers and to rejuvenate the body/mind’s innate vital essence. The nutritional cleanses of the Western brand work only on the physical level whereas Ayurveda PK focuses on all three bodies - physical, emotional/mental and the spiritual.

The treatments vary as to individual needs and constitutional make-up. It is not one program for all. My needs center around my muscular skeletal system primarily sciatica and a bulging disc which is pressing on the nerves causing numbness in both legs and lumbar area. I also have some weak kidney energy and Vata imbalance due to Vata stage of life and traveling all over the world and US.

Since AMA, the Ayurvedic word for toxins in the channels, tissues and organs of the body/mind, possesses qualities of cold, dry, hard, heavy, dense and thick, we introduce hot, oily, light, subtle, soft and penetrating procedures. The first 4 days I received warm herbal oil massage with herbs for my constitutional imbalance, steam, Shirodhara and Kati Basti. The purpose of the oil massage is to loosen the toxins residing in the body’s channels. The oil has the opposite qualities of AMA so it penetrates and begins to soften them up so they can easily be removed from their lodging places. The massage is conducted with a variety of vigorous strokes all over the body and ample application of oil. The stimulating effect of the massage excites the toxins to leave their resting place. They have become very lazy and complacent in their hiding places all over the physical terrain but when agitated they start to look for another place to inhabit. The steam heat, of course, creates more stimulation and liquifies the hard, cold qualities of AMA. The toxins and poisons rush from the extremeties to the inner core, the gastrointestinal tract, to seek refuge. But alas, they will not find a home there either.

The Pancha (5) Karmas (Actions) are specifically designed to remove the toxins from the nearest orifice. On the 4th day, I was given the first PK treatment called Virechana which means purgative. In other words, substances are ingested that will remove the toxins from the small and large intestines. Since I am a Pitta predominant constitution, the primary site of my imbalances tend to be the small intestine. The large intestine/colon is the site of Vata. I am at Vata stage of life, 55-60 years of age until the end of life, so some of my discomfort is due to toxins lodged in the colon. The oil massage and steam are merely preparatory measures to loosen and dislodge AMA but cannot remove them out of the body. This is the job of PK.
The Purgation technique eliminates old toxins hiding in these places and news ones who have recently sought refuge there. Once the Purgative substance is ingested, after about three hours or so, the toxins literally RUSH out of the body for about the next 8 hours screaming “Let my people GO”. What a relief to be rid of these vagabonds that are the cause of ill health.

There is more to be done, however, as the AMA takes on various attributes and leave in stages according to their individual qualities. Some are more difficult to deal with than others especially if they have been there for 66 years. Another daily treatment has been Shirodhara. This application involves a steady stream of warm oil on the third eye and all across the forehead. The technique is designed to remove the subtle toxins residing in the nervous system and brain. The nerve endings located on the forehead lead to the pituitary and pineal areas of the brain. The nervous system relaxes and lets go of unwanted baggage. Stress that builds up in our life seeks refuge as emotional AMA. Anytime we suppress and do not resolve emotions, they hang out in the cells until we consciously remove them. One of the more effective ways to do this is through Shirodhara. These pent up mental blockages to healing impede our efforts to heal and to remove the undesirable AMA. Keep in mind that from a holistic perspective physical/emotional/mental AMA are all combined together.

Another treatment that I will receive for the entire period that I am here is Kati Basti This means to infuse oil to the back or spine. It is done by the construction of a Yantra made of dough that is shaped like a donut and is placed on the spine area of impaction of AMA. In my case it is the low back area. The Yantra is filled with hot herbal concoction designed to eliminate blockages and obstructions of energy along the spinal column. This is an especially good treatment for sciatica, herniated discs, spondilosis and other spinal abnormalities.

On the 6th day of treatment i received Pizhichill/Sarwangdhara or warm herbal oil poured all over the body for half an hour. Keep in mind that in India they are not as modest about the body as we are especially during a massage done by same the sex. Men only work on men and women on women. You wear only a small g-string covering the genitals. Since Vata is one of the most difficult aspects or Doshas to return to balance, we need to introduce oil all over the body to reduce the dry, light, cold qualities of Vata. The oil, of course, is oily, hot and heavy. It is penetrating to remove the blockages of energy and toxins in the body/mind.

In addition, I received the second PK treatment which was Rakta Moksha. Rakta means red blood cells and Moksha is liberation, in other words, blood letting. Only a small amount, less than a pint, is needed to be released. Since i am Pitta predominant the heat in the blood causes stagnation. The excess fire in the body causes it to move faster throughout the blood seeking an outlet for the pent up energy. Since it has nowhere to go, unless there is internal or external bleeding disorders which are a result of an excessive derangement of Pitta, it eventually stagnates in certain channels. The Ayurvedic doctor released some of this stagnation with a needle by removing the blood from just above my ankle bone where a lot of my energy is blocked and the lowest point in the body where veins are accessible. The blood stagnates by rushing around all the time too busy to find time to relax and let go. This type of life style will stagnate our energy resulting in dis-ease. Ayurveda has many ways, just like Rakta Moksha process of PK, to relax the body/mind and to let go of toxicity in our life.

Today is a day of rest from treatments even though we originally planned to continue because the Dalai Lama came to stay in the ashram where I am doing PK. The tight security around his visit would not allow us in the building where he was staying. It just happened to be in the same place where the Ayurvedic center is located. Yes, I did get to see the Dalai Lama last night at a ceremony for the Special Preview and Blessings of the Encyclopedia of Hinduism. Even though he is Buddhist, he embraces all religions. He along with many saints and sages in India and from all over the world will be here to participate in this literary achievement.

Why you might be wondering would the publishing of an Encyclopedia on Hinduism be celebrated in such an elaborate and expensive manner? In Hinduism there is not a main central controlling headquarters advising everyone what to think and do. This concept in the Indian culture extends to many other aspects of life as well. Finally, many have joined minds and energies to develop one set of ideas that might represent the entire understanding of Hindu thought and history. NOTE: As my friend Dr. Dilip Sarkar says “Hinduism is not a religion but a philosophy of life”.

More to come next week.

Jai Ma
Vijaya