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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

Completion of the traditional treatment program of Pancha Karma

Published on November 28, 2009 in Articles. 0 Comments
Om Namah Shivaya

Today was our last treatment of the PK program. It was a resounding success for both of us. It far surpassed any of our expectations. In fact I have already booked myself to return on March 26 - April 19 for a shorter two week program of therapies. The best airfare was on Russian Air so I booked the flight. I will get to see Moscow with our nine hour lay over there. May never get to see Russia again.

The last five days we received more Pinda Sweda massage with the bolluses, and Kati Vasti of the donut on the spinal column. It was filled with herbal oil for 30 minutes and was very helpful for my back numbness and tingling. Those lasted for two days and then we finished with three days of massage, steam and shirodhara which is the very treatment program we started 33 days ago.

I am sure we will go into withdrawal symptoms from having so many massages. Of course, Maury and I plan to work on each other upon our return and I have a few volunteers of people who will let us practice our new found treatments on them in VA.

Maury took lots of pictures of our treatment rooms, attendants who worked on us and the doctor who helped us. We just have to figure out how to send it on email to all of you.

Tonight we go to celebrate one of the male technicians 24th birthday at a wonderful Indian restaurant. Tomorrow is a day of rest and some last minute shopping for a few items in the market place. Sunday, we leave Rishikesh at 3pm for our train to Delhi. We arrive there at 10:25pm and stay over night in a hotel. Monday, we have a driver and escort who speaks Hindi to take us all over Delhi and to our flight at 11:15pm. We stop in Singapore for 16 hours where we will do some more sightseeing as on our last stopover on the way ti India. We arrive JFK on Dec 2nd at 11:05 am.

I am looking forward to sharing information about my experience with Ayurveda and Yoga in Rishikesh upon my return to Monterey this summer probably sometime mid-June. I will notify everyone as soon as a date and time is set.

Om Shanti
Vijaya

Final Week of Traditional Pancha Karma in Rishikesh

Published on November 22, 2009 in Articles. 0 Comments

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

Third week of cleansing and detoxing in Rishikesh

Published on November 16, 2009 in Articles. 0 Comments
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

Second week on Mother Ganga in Rishikesh, India

Published on November 9, 2009 in Articles. 1 Comment

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

Pancha Karma (PK) in Rishikesh

Published on October 31, 2009 in Articles. 0 Comments
Om Namah Shivaya to All
Today we have been in India for seven days. We have almost gotten acclimated to climate and diet. We still get tired during the day but napping is contra-indicative for PK cleansing and detoxing. We went on a shopping spree yesterday at least Maury did. I bought a few trinkets for people in VA. We have bought so many books that the two of us need another suitcase to bring them back. Suitcases are very cheap here so we should be able to purchase a large one for $5-6. I am also purchasing a large amount of Ayurvedic herbal formulas and medicines that possess exceptional healing abilities but I can get them in US. We are shipping them which cost as much as the herbs themselves. It will still be worth it to have these items in my Ayurvedic medicine chest for clients and friends.
I finished my sixth day of PK treatments. It has truly been amazing for me to have these ancient therapies for longevity done in the traditional manner by practitioners and an Ayurvedic doctor. We are doing a lot of research and learning how to perform these treatments back there. They will be very valuable for healing many disorders especially back problems, insomnia, anxiety & digestion. It has been suggested by the Ayurvedic physician,Dr. Maurya, that I return for treatments twice a year for two weeks. I am planning to do that at least once a year or twice when I can and as long as the funds are there. I am hoping to come back again in March/April and maybe again in September/October. The Dr. will be training and teaching many more advanced techiniques as well as more info on herbs and herbal formulas. I have decided to invest in his new retreat center for trade of education and treatments twice a year with him. This is a dream come true since I love Rishikesh and my dharmic practice of Ayurveda.
More to come later as we move into the intense cleansing part and rejuvenative aspects of our program.
Hope all of you are well and send my love to you.
Om Shanti
Vijaya

Consultation Procedures And The Ayurvedic Healing Process

Published on March 9, 2009 in Articles. 1 Comment

Consultation Procedures And The Ayurvedic Healing Process

Ayurveda is the most comprehensive system of medicine in the world. This means that consultations especially the initial sessions require a commitment of time and energy to receive all of the information necessary to participate personally in the healing process which is very difficult for most westerners to wrap their minds around. The keys to Ayurvedic healing or any holistic system is Awareness and Balance. The initial session normally lasting 1 1/2 to two hours covers dietary considerations, herbal supplements, life-style habits and behaviors. The diagnostic methods of examining the pulse and tongue are used to determine the actual Ayurvedic body constitution, health of the organs, and the digestive and assimilation process. The Ayurvedic practitioner is primarily an educator who educates the client in ways to create balance through Ayurverdic diet, nutrition, herbology and life-style variations for promoting wellness. I recommend the second session usually within close proximity to the first session. To give all the information necessary to understand the ancient concepts of Ayurveda in one, two or numerous sessions is like playing a musical instrument after a few classes. If we attempt to digest too much information in short period of time the mind and entire system becomes overwhelmed much like eating a huge meal with no digestive fire. Monthly follow-ups or as frequent as possible are recommended to read the changes in the pulse and tongue. As soon as we undertake a natural method of healing, the body goes through subtle changes which require modifications in diet, herbs and the treatment plan on a regular basis according to seasonal variations, age, life-style and the constantly shifting energy of the stressors of life. It is recommended that each person on the Ayurvedic path take at least an introductory course on the subject to receive a better knowledge of the integral and internal healing process.

Ayurvedic massage and the Pancha Karma detoxification and rejuvenation program is also a part of bringing body/mind into balance. When requested yoga and spiritual practices are recommended based on each person’s Ayurvedic constitution. Yoga and Ayurvedic psychology is utilized for those desiring to address emotional and mental imbalances. My Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology with a Holistic Specialization has provided me with an excellent background to work with clients in all their various healing needs.

For an Ayurvedic practitioner, our work becomes a spiritual practice. This holistic system originated some 5000 years ago by rishis or seers of Truth who received their inspirations through meditation, dreams, intuition and visions. The divinely inspired system of medicine incorporates six basic philosophies that embraces rational thinking, logic, Yoga, the evolution of consciousness, loving kindness, the five element theory of the universe, atomic theory, holism (the microcosm equals the macrocosm) and Vedanta (the end of knowledge). The foundations are based on the oldest spiritual text in the world, “The Vedas”. The application of Ayurveda is universal as a result of the principles that already exist in Nature and the cosmic order of the universe. We discover with the help of the client which natural qualities or internal attributes needed for healing are lacking or missing. It then becomes a process of reintroducing those qualities into the body/mind through non-invasive methods, substances and therapies to restore the balance to health.

I have based my fee structure on the ancient Eastern practice of giving a donation to the medical practitioner for his/her services. This method of payment is based on the individual’s ability to pay rather than a fixed amount. Someone of limited means should not be required to pay for consulting with anyone about their disease. The premise is that money should never be the determining factor for someone’s health and healing. This has been a difficult concept for most westerners to grasp since many believe that if you don’t spend a substantial amount of money for some personal service then it is not very worthwhile. In India, most Ayurvedic doctors see as many as 100 or more people per week without taking money for those services. The primary concern becomes health and never monetary gains as a result of someone’s illness. The issue here is one of spirituality and loving kindness not financial rewards.

The essential element to any healing, no matter how insignificant or incurable it may seem, is our subjective experience of the dis-ease. Through an internal process of awareness, we discover for ourselves what is out of balance and why we are not at ease with our life. This exploration must involve the emotional, mental and spiritual components to our deeply personal and unique experience of our internal and external worlds. The cause of our dis-ease is multi-dimensional and the road to a successful recovery is just as multifaceted in its approach.