| |
Ayurvedic
Faq's
WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
Ayurveda is a wholistic system, taking into account the
state of body, mind, emotions and spirit, as well as relationship
with the world and people; level of nourishment and life
energy or ‘prana’, coming into your life, and path of dharma,
or whether you are living your passion.
Ayurveda means “the Science of Life”, a really deep understanding
of how the Universe and everything in it works. Ayurveda
has been called ‘The Mother of All Medicines’ and it is
the oldest continuously practiced medical system in the
world. The primary goal of Ayurveda is to be healthy and
happy so that one can attain the full potentials of being
human.
Ayurveda is a sister science of yoga. They developed concurrently
and have been supportive of one another since ancient times.
As a “flexible body brings a flexible mind” - so too does
a balanced and purified system help bring about success
on the mat and access to a more ‘sattvic’ or harmonious
being.
WHY WOULD I CHOOSE AYURVEDA?
Many people are confused about what foods and supplements
are actually good for them. Large amounts of conflicting
advice and advertising only add to this. An ancient Ayurvedic
text states: “One man’s food is another man’s poison” each
person can learn what is appropriate for them and their
individual constitution.
Ayurveda is a common sense medicine which offers guidance
for daily maintenance that can assist the individual through
simple home routines, diet modifications and information
which are preventative in nature and promotes good health.
Ayurveda focuses on the root cause of problems. Ayurveda
identifies 5 levels of disharmony before a disease actually
manifests and has the ability to recognize and to correct
imbalances at their more subtle level, preventing large
medical costs.
WHEN DOES AYUREVEDA HELP THE MOST?
Ayurveda is outstanding for helping chronic conditions,
correcting digestion, rebuilding and revitalizing organ
function, strengthening immunity, harmonizing hormonal imbalances
and transforming women’s health issues; uplifting moods,
relieving stress, balancing weight and increasing energy
and vitality.
HOW DOES AYUREVEDA WORK?
Ayurveda recognizes 10 metabolic body types - and all therapies,
diet, supplements and herbal treatments are designed to
balance the individual ‘Prakruti‘ or constitutional make-up.
Ayurveda stresses the importance of cleansing the system
of ‘ama‘, or toxins. We do so by sharpening the digestive
fire or ‘agni’, as well as balancing the forces within the
body or ‘doshas’, teaching proper food combining and how
to eat and live in harmony and per your body type. Ayurveda
also has a sophisticated, comprehensive method of detoxification
called ‘Pancha karma’. Once the toxins are removed, rejuvenation
and rebuilding of tissues can take place.
Ayurveda firmly believes in gentleness in all things, and
that medicines and therapies should feel and taste as good
as possible.
WHAT ARE THE DOSHAS?
According to Ayurveda, the five elements that make up everything
in the universe are earth, water, fire, air and ether (space).
Each element is represented in the human body. For instance,
bones and teeth are earth, blood and lymph are water, the
metabolism is fire, oxygen is air, and ether is the spaces
found between matter, represented best by vibration or sound.
The elements create the 3 doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Ether and Air come together to form Vata. Fire, plus an
oily, bile type water come together as Pitta. Water and
Earth make the dosha Kapha. The various doshas govern different
functions and different attributes in the body.
Vata governs movement and neural-electrical impulses and
is responsible for such functions as the heart beat, movement
of food in digestion and the workings of the nervous system.
Too much Vata can lead to symptoms such as high blood pressure,
while too little can result in constipation.
Pitta governs transformation, perception and metabolism,
is responsible for such functions as digestion and temperature.
Too much Pitta can lead to symptoms such as ulcers and acne,
while too little can result in indigestion.
Kapha governs structure and lubrication of the body and
is responsible for such functions as immunity. Too much
Kapha can lead to symptoms such as a runny nose or productive
cough, while too little can result in dry, painful joints.
Each dosha has inherent weaknesses that must be managed,
especially when in a dominate position in the constitution.
This is an important part of Ayurvedic treatments.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST AYURVEDIC CONSULTATION?
Your first Ayurvedic consultation will take about an hour
and a half. We meet and I take a complete survey of your
health, history, and a comprehensive questionnaire is completed
to access your metabolic body type (Prakruti) and imbalances
at this time (Vikruti). My Ayurvedic tradition utilizes
a 48-point, 7 level Pulse Diagnosis analyzing dosha location
and function, organ and tissue health, and balance of body
and emotions. Other diagnostic observations are made. An
individualized Healing Plan is written up for you including
diet and lifestyle recommendations. You receive a personal
Abyangha (self) massage formula with essential oils, as
well as a custom herbal formula to meet your wellness needs.
Supplements, recipes and traditional Ayurvedic therapies
may be recommended.
WHAT IS PANCHA KARMA?
Pancha karma is a purification therapy; it is the key to
rejuvenation, anti-aging and longevity. It means ‘5 actions‘
and is used to cleanse, detoxify and revitalize the organs
and bodily functions and release the stress. Traditional
treatment consists of several days of light diet or fasting,
herbal medicine, marma point massage (marma points are positions
on the body where flesh, veins, arteries, tendon, bones
and joints meet), medicated oil therapy, steam, colon cleansing
program, yoga, forgiveness ritual and meditation. The body
is prepared ahead through oleanation, and followed by rejuvenation
and tonification to strengthen and rebuild.
Your program starts with an Ayurvedic consultation and a
history of your personal health. Specific therapies are
designed according to your condition, needs and body-type.
During the week you receive daily check-ups and counseling.
A series of three consultations are usually recommended.
Follow-up consultations average 40 minutes to an hour. An
assessment is made of how the previous visit’s therapies
have balanced your Vikruti, and brought you back in harmony
with your Prakruti. Therapies are fine-tuned, and education
of how to best manage your constitution is continued. We
take small manageable steps to fully integrate positive
health and lifestyle choices without strain. Life purpose
issues are also discussed.
WHAT ARE SOME OTHER TRADITIONAL AYURVEDIC THERAPIES?
Massage - Medicated essential oil blends aware made for
you according to your constitutional body type. Marma Point
therapy balances the nervous system and the soothing massage
dissolves holding patterns which can cause aging.
Shirodhara and Medicated Oil Therapy - Focused streaming
of special oils on the forehead produce an exquisite state
of transcendence, bringing balance to the mind and emotions.
Special ear and nose drops penetrate and stimulate the nervous
system, awakening the psychic center.
Basti or Colon Cleanse - Cleansing the Intestinal tract
with herbal teas and oils removes accumulated toxins, freeing
the immune system so that rejuvenation can take place.
Medicated Steam Therapy - Svedhana - Sweating opens the
channels of elimination through your skin The herbal steam
stimulates and opens up the pores so that they can drink
up the nourishing oil. Heat is beneficial in raising the
metabolic rate and stimulating the immune system.
Netra Basti or Vision Therapy - This eye therapy will release
the inner tension and toxins from your eyes. Soothe away
wrinkles and add sparkle to your eyes.
IS AYURVEDA SIMILAR TO TRADITIONAL CHINESE OR ORIENTAL MEDICINE?
Ayurveda has several similarities to Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM). Both are based on the interactions of the
5 elements. Ayurveda may use terms more familiar to us -
Ether (space), Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Oriental Medicine
describes the elements as: Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and
Earth.
Ayurveda recognizes a meridian or energy system called the
Nadis, which are balanced through a traditional body therapy
called Marma Point Massage, where the specific points are
cleansed, pacified or stimulated. Ayurveda and TCM. both
include extensive use of herbs; both utilize pulse and other
diagnosis in their consultative observations.
Traditional Chinese Medicine does not differentiate distinct
metabolic types, although they do consider the balance of
the elements and yin and yang.
A major difference of Ayurvedic Medicine is the importance
of the following: comprehensive and sophisticated form of
detoxification called Pancha Karma.
CAN I USE AYURVEDA WHEN UNDER A DOCTORS CARE, OR UTILIZING
ANOTHER PRACTITIONER?
Ayurveda is perfectly compatible with all other healing
modalities and complimentary to allopathic medical care.
Ayurveda offers excellent follow up care to facilitate the
body’s natural healing ability after surgery or medical
problem.
WHAT KINDS OF AYURVEDIC SERVICES ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
AT CHI HEALING?
Ayurvedic Consultation
Including comprehensive dosha and health analysis; diet
and lifestyle recommendations, custom herbal formulas and
custom Abyangha massage oil.
Traditional Ayurvedic Treatments ~
Including Svedhana (steam), nasya and shirodhara (medicated
oil therapies), netra basti (vision treatments)
Classes, Workshops & Demos
WHAT IS NAMA?
The National Ayurvedic Medical Association promotes and
preserves Ayurveda in the United States and sets standards
for education, ethics and professional competency. Dr. Deepok
Chopra, Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. David Frawley, and many other
luminaries of Ayurveda are on the various boards and committees
of NAMA.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE?
www.AyurvedicBalance.com
|
 |
