Abhyanga

Abhyanga - The Ayurveda Massage

"Abhyanga" the ayurvedic oil massage is an integral part of the daily routine recommended by this healing system for overall health and well-being. "Give yourself a full body oil massage on a daily basis. It is nourishing, pacifies the doshas, relieves fatigue, provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep, enhances the complexion and the luster of the skin, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body".

Here are some of the benefits traditionally associated with regular performance of this pleasant daily ritual:

• Increased circulation, especially to nerve endings
• Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology
• Calming for the nerves
• Lubrication of the joints
• Increased mental alertness
• Improved elimination of impurities from the body
• Softer, smoother skin
• Increased levels of stamina through the day
• Better, deeper sleep at night

Abhyanga provides the means for trans-dermal absorption of the healing qualities of the material used in the massage, and it helps the skin, which is the largest organ in the body, perform its diverse functions efficiently, whether it is allowing toxins to be released from the body or nourishment to be absorbed by the tissues. It is like oiling the engine of your car -- if you do it regularly, your engine will be in peak condition, and give you years and years of trouble-free performance.

The main purpose of Abhyanga or oil massage as part of the Ayurvedic daily routine is to assist in preventing the accumulation of

physiological toxins (Āma) and to lubricate and promote flexibility of

the muscles, tissues and joints. Once applied to the skin, the oil

passes quickly through the various layers of the skin and the

underlying connective and fat tissues. The oil combines with any

toxins present there, especially those that are fat-soluble. Within

several minutes of massaging the skin, the oil becomes expelled

through the skin along with the toxins.

The classical texts of Ayurveda indicate that daily oil massage

promotes softness and luster of the skin, as well as youthfulness. The

skin is a major producer of endocrine hormones and is connected to

every part of the body through thousands of cutaneous nerves. Daily

oil massage can, therefore, balance the two master systems of the body

- the nervous system and the endocrine system. 

The ayurvedic massage is traditionally performed in the morning, before your bath or shower, to facilitate the release of toxins that may have accumulated during the previous night. You can use cured sesame oil, an herbalized massage oil, or an aroma massage oil.

 Unless specific oil has been recommended for you, cold-pressed (also called expeller-pressed) and unrefined sesame oil (not roasted sesame oil) should be the preference. Although sesame oil is suitable for all body types (for external use), if you find it irritating to the skin, you may try olive oil or coconut oil as an alternative. To purify the massage oil, 'cure' it by heating it to about 100 degrees Celsius, the boiling point of water. Add a drop of water to the oil at the beginning, and when the water begins to splutter, you will know that the proper temperature has been reached. You may prepare the entire contents of the bottle at once or do so as needed.

Of course, you should observe safety precautions when curing oil. All oils are highly flammable. Use low heat, and don't leave the oil on heat unattended. 

Herbalized massage oils contain a blend of carefully chosen herbs known for their ability to strengthen the physiology and balance the mind. So the daily massage with an herbalized massage oil has twice the beneficial power -- the benefits from the performance of the actual massage and the added healing wisdom of the herbs.  Herbal  oils aids the body's natural ability to withstand stress and helps balance the mind and emotions. 

Aroma massage oils deliver double the benefit -- the healing aromas in the massage oil blend, if properly chosen, are particularly effective in balancing the mind and emotions while the act of the massage works on both body and mind. Coconut oil, for example, is a cooling base oil. When combined with a relaxing aroma oil such as lavender, this massage oil will be effective in cooling down the mind, body and emotions. For special needs, ayurvedic vaidyas formulate even more targeted massage oils.  

How is the ayurvedic abhyanga done? 

Use comfortably warm massage oil. (Store your massage oil in a plastic flip-top and warm it by holding the container under running hot water for a few minutes or take required amount of oil in a small bowl.keep the bowl in hot water) Dip your fingertips into the warm oil and apply it lightly to the entire body. Wait for 4-5 minutes to let some of the oil be absorbed by your skin. Then massage the entire body, applying even pressure with the whole hand,palm and fingers.

Apply light pressure on sensitive areas such as the abdomen or the heart. Use more oil and spend more time where nerve endings are concentrated, such as the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and along the base of the fingernails. Circular motions over rounded areas such as your head or joints, and straight strokes on straight areas such as your arms and legs, work best.

After you're done, relax for 10-15 minutes, letting the oil and the massage do their magic. The longer the oil is on, the deeper it penetrates. During this time you can read something relaxing. Dab excess oil off with paper towels if you like, then follow with a relaxing warm bath or shower.  

Use soap only on the genital area and under the arms. This will leave a thin film of oil on the skin that is very beneficial for toning the skin and keeping the body muscles warm throughout the day. If, however, you have applied too much oil, a mild soap made from natural ingredients can be used to wash it off. Sesame oil in particular has a disinfecting action, which helps to ward off harmful microbes. When you come out of the bath you will feel a great sense of rejuvenation and relaxation. If your schedule doesn't allow for a daily massage, try and squeeze it in at least three or four times a week. You'll find it's worth it.

Enjoy the benefits of Abhyanga and become Healthy

Tridosha

Tridosha and You

Ayurveda's concept of Tridoshas is unique to medical science. Ayurveda says the body is made up of tissues (dhatus), waste products (malas), and doshas (loosely translated to Energetic Forces). It is the Tridoshas' job to assist with the creation of all of the various tissues of the body and to remove any unnecessary waste products from the body. It is also the Tridoshas that influence all movements, all transformations, all sensory functions, and many of the other activities in the human body and mind.

Vata dosha

The Vata dosha is the most important of the three doshas. This is for two reasons. First, if Vata becomes imbalanced for long enough and sufficiently enough, it can also cause the other two doshas (Pitta or Kapha) to become imbalanced. It can even cause both Pitta and Kapha to become imbalanced; this is called a Tridoshic imbalance and is the most difficult to overcome. Secondly, Vata is the main driver or mover of the body, including the other two doshas, all the tissues (dhatus) and all of the waste products (malas).

Vata provides the following functions:

• All eliminations: fetus, semen, feces, urine, sweat, and a few others
• Assists with all the various metabolisms in the body (called Agni in Ayurveda as discussed in the previous article)
• Controls all of the various movement of body (both physical & mental),including such things as respiration, heart beat, motivation and contraction of muscles
• Relays all sensory input from the various sense organs to the brain

Pitta dosha

The Pitta dosha is associated with fire or heat. Wherever there is transformation, there is Pitta (doing its job). Whether it is in the GI tract, liver, skin, eyes or brain doesn't matter, for these are all locations where Pitta works.

Pitta provides the following functions:

• Metabolism - at all the various levels from digestion of food to transformation of all other material
• Thermogenesis - maintains the proper body temperature
• Vision - converts external images into optic nerve impulses
• Appetite - the feeling of hunger and thirst
• Comprehension - of information into knowledge, also reasoning and judgment
• Courage & Braveness - to face the situation
• Complexion - gives color and softness to skin

Kapha dosha

Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. It provides the structures and the lubrication that the body needs. These qualities help to counterbalance Vata's movement and Pitta's metabolism. A big, heavyset football play or wrestler is a person with a predominance of Kapha.

Kapha provides the following functions:

• Strength - to perform physical tasks
• Moistness & Lubrication - to prevent excessive friction from occurring between the various parts of the body
• Stability - to add the necessary grounding aspect to both mind and body
• Mass & Structure - to provide fullness to bodily tissues
• Fertility & Virility - to produce healthy offspring

Why should I care?

Because by learning how to balance the Tridoshas, the following goals can likely be achieved:

• Prevention of many diseases before they take hold
  (In other words, keep healthy folks healthy)
• In many cases, slowing down or reversing the disease process
  (particularly the case in many auto immune disorders)
• Assistance in becoming totally healthy: physically, mentally, and spiritually
  (In other words, maximize your full potential)

What is really nice about Ayurveda is that learning to balance the Tridoshas is easy. Much of Ayurveda is common sense; it is based upon the laws of nature. The tools one uses to balance the Tridoshas are lifestyle management and the proper nutritional protocols.

Ayurveda goes into great detail explaining all of these different aspects of the body, how the functioning of the body can go wrong, and what to do in order to correct the problem. Likewise, it also explains how each individual can create a customized nutritional protocol and lifestyle plan that can prevent disorders from occurring in the first place.

What is the Normal State of the Tridoshas?

When the Tridoshas are balanced, the individual experiences health on all levels: mental, physical and spiritual. This is much more than the mere absence of disease.

The following areas help to define what Ayurveda considers as health.

• Happiness - sense of well being
• Emotions - evenly balanced emotional states
• Mental Functions - good memory, comprehension, intelligence, and reasoning ability
• Senses - proper functioning of eyes, ears, nose, taste, and touch
• Energy - abundant mental & physical energy to perform
• Digestion - easy digestion of food and drink
• Elimination - normal elimination of wastes: sweat, urine, feces and others
• Physical Body - healthy bodily tissues, organs, and systems

What causes the Tridoshas to become Imbalanced?

Each of the three doshas have certain quantity, qualities, and functions. When all of these are balanced, it is called normal or balanced (Dosha Saamya). This condition is conducive to well-being, health, and wellness. However, this balanced state is not stable; it is always changing. The Doshas will become either increased (vriddhi) or decreased (kasaya). Both of these states lead to ill-health or disease. However, increased Doshas have much more power to cause problems than do decreased Doshas. The important point here is to understand that each dosha has a set of qualities (gunas) associated with it which can increase or decrease in quantity.

Qualities of Vata Dosha

Cold, Light, Dry, Rough, Hard, Mobile and the Ability to penetrate fine particles

Qualities of Pitta Dosha

Hot, Sharp, Slightly Oily, Penetrating, Liquid, Light and can be sour and foul smelling when excessively increased

Qualities of Kapha Dosha

Cool, Heavy, Dense, Stable, Oily and slimy

Two kinds of Imbalances

Natural - imbalances

Natural imbalance is due to time and age, which are mild and normally do not cause any problems. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha increase and become predominant during one's life, during a season and during certain times of day. For example, Vata is predominant during the latter part of one's life, during the fall season and during late afternoon, as well as during the last part of night and the last part of digestion. Pitta is predominant during middle age, during the summer season, at midday, at midnight and during the middle part of digestion. Kapha is predominant during childhood, during the spring season, in late morning, at the first part of evening and during the early part of digestion.

Unnatural - imbalances

Unnatural imbalances of the Doshas can be caused by such things as: inappropriate diet, inappropriate lifestyle, trauma (like a car accident), viruses, parasites, etc. While some of these items are beyond our control, the type of lifestyle we live and the foods we eat are within our control.

Like increases Like

To learn how to reduce the Tridoshas, it is first necessary to understand what causes the Tridoshas to increase. The reason, according to a simple rule in Ayurvedic principles, is: "Like increases Like, while Dislike (opposite) decreases Like." For example, if you are cold and you eat ice cream, you will become colder; or if you are hot and you eat chilli, peppers, you will become hotter. These examples, which seem so obvious, are the basis for much of what is done in Ayurveda that allows its exceptional results. Herein lies one of the true beauties of Ayurveda: its principles are so simple, so basic, that it naturally appeals to common sense.

Example of Vata increasing Lifestyle and Foods

So if we engage in either lifestyles or consumes foods that have Vata qualities one will be increasing the Vata dosha in themselves. Some examples of Vata increasing activities are the following: running outside in the fall while dressed lightly when it is cold, dry with lots of winds blowing, going to rock concert after skipping a meal and not having slept all night, eating popcorn while driving in traffic with the music blasting, never taking time to rest, relax and take it easy. Basically any activity that is nerve racking and/or highly stimulating is going to increase (aggravate) Vata. 

Example of Vata increasing foods would be things that have the above mentioned qualities and/or taste bitter, astringent or pungent like: popcorn, rice cakes, beans, pepper, coffee and sprouts.

Therefore, note that whatever one does that has the above mentioned qualities (food,lifestyle,relationship) in it will cause that dosha to increase(aggravate).

And the name of the game in preventing disease is not to aggravate any of the Tridoshas; to keep them calm and happy. So all you need is to understand what factors increase and decrease each of the three doshas; Vata, Pitta and Kapha and follow those recommendations when necessary to avoid disease and promote overall health. Most of us can follow those Lifestyle suggestions for reducing each of the three doshas, and simply follow a Tridoshic nutritional program. 

Understand Tridosha, Balance them, Balance your life

Agni

Agni-The fire in You

Everything absorbed by five senses like Mouth (food, water), Nose (Breath), Ear (Chanting, sweet music), Skin (Sunlight), Eyes (Nature) is Food. When we consume food in adequate amount, it gives us long life and youthfulness.  Having right food is the initial step towards achieving healthy life. But just having right food is not enough. Right combination and proportion of food is also important for an individual.

Most of the diseases are a result of inadequate foods or not having food in a proper manner. This leads to indigestion.

The word “Indigestion” is commonly used to describe the discomfort in one’s belly mostly caused after food consumption. Fullness, bloating, nausea, heart burn are other symptoms of Indigestion.

Before discussing Indigestion, understanding the process of digestion is very essential. The Ayurveda approach of explaining digestion is very simple and effective. The food we eat is digested by Agni or body fire which is present in our body. It is very much similar to the way we cook the food. The Agni or body fire helps to digest the food which is consumed, much like the fire of a stove cooks the food kept on it. The Agni is mainly situated in Jatara or in upper part of digestive system and is called as Jataragni. The Agni is further categorized as Bhootagni (which digests the 5 pancha mahabhoota factors present in food), Dhatwagni (The agni present in tissues which help them to absorb required nutrients), Malagni ( the agni which helps in formation of body wastes like stools, sweat and urine) . The Jataragni controls bhootagni, dhatwagni and malagni. Through this it is evident that ayurveda approach of digestion explains cellular metabolism too.

When all these factors are normal and well balanced, an optimum condition is created to digest the food completely.

When food is completely digested by all the agnis, the body tissues will be well nourished and one is blessed with attractive complexion, glow, longevity, strength, good health, growth, enthusiasm, vitality and overall healthy development of body and mind.

Ajeerna or Indigestion occurs when agni is imbalanced by the factors ( tridoshas ) which help agni to digest food. The variations of agni due to tridoshas are of 4 types.

Samagni ( balanced agni ) :The agni which is well balanced due to balanced tridoshas indicate the condition called Samagni . Samagni digests the food completely and nourishes the body tissues very well.

Vishamaagni ( varying agni ):- When vata is predominant this condition surfaces. The regular food gets digested normally on some occasions and poorly on others. Vata increasing foods and lifestyles lead to this condition. This variation of agni causes constipation, flatulence, pain in abdomen and other vata predominant diseases. The indigestion caused by this type of agni is called Vistabdhajeerna

Teekshnagni ( increased agni ) : This variation of agni occurs due to predominance of pitta. Pitta increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. This variation of agni causes increased hunger, thirst, acidity, heart burn and loose motions. The indigestion thus caused is called as Vidagdajeerna.

Mandagni ( decreased agni ): As increased moistness reduces the intensity of fire, the increased kapha reduces the intensity of agni. Kapha increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. Feeling Heaviness of body, swelling of eyelids (lower), belching which emit the smell of food consumed and water brash are few symptoms which of indigestion caused by mandagni. The indigestion caused by mandagni is called as amajeerna.

The decreased agni improperly digests the food and this indigested food is sticky in nature and improperly nourishes tissues, causing weakness of body. This sticky improperly digested food is called ama. Ama due to its sticky nature blocks the channels of body, vitiate doshas , contaminates tissues, imbalance body functions and cause diseases.

Causes of imbalance of agni which lead to Ajeerna(indigestion)

1. Spicy foods, chilly, oily foods, medicines, milk and milk products, tobacco and alcohol.
2. .Irregular food habits and sleeping patterns.
3. Medications like pain killers, antibiotics, oral contraceptives and steroids.
4. Intestinal parasites.
5. Diseases of pancreas, liver, gall bladder, intestinal infections etc.
6. During pregnancy, premenstrual period, menopausal period in women.
7. Emotional upset like anxiety, stress, examination, family tensions, etc.

Home Remedies for Indigestion

1. Fasting completely for one day helps to normalize imbalanced agni and digest ama.This is called as langhana in Ayurveda.
2. Consuming liquid foods, boiled vegetables or fruit juices for 2- 3 days also improves agni and relieves indigestion.
3. Avoid the factors (mentioned above) which cause indigestion.
4. Mix a ½ tea spoon of lemon juice, ½ tea spoon ginger juice and little Rock salt in a cup of water and consume thrice daily.
5. Drinking ½ glass of warm water once in 2 hours increases agni and digests ama.
6. Cook ½ cup of rice with 4 cups of water with crushed ginger and Rock salt. Powder long pepper (2 or 3)and fry it in a spoon of cow’s ghee and add it to gruel. Consume this when it is hot. This is very light to digest and relieves colic pain.
7. Abdominal Massage also helps to relieve indigestion. It loosens the tight muscles and increases the blood supply to digestive system. American Journal of aphysical medicine and rehabilitation mentions that “Abdominal massage has positive effects on some clinical aspects of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury. “

Consuming well balanced food balances doshas and agni and hence keeps the body healthy and free from diseases. 

Balance your Agni, Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy

  

Rasayana Chikitsa

Rasāyana Chikitsa

Āyurveda, "the complete knowledge for long life" is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words āyu, meaning "longevity", and veda, meaning "related to knowledge" or "science". Ayurveda has eight branches. Rasayana chikitsa (rejuvenation) is one of them. Rasa has different meanings like "taste“, “essence", "flavor”, ”juice”, or “emotion", but is not limited to any of these. In therapeutic process Rasa is concerned with the conservation, transformation, and revitalization of energy.

Rasa nourishes our body, boosts immunity and helps to keep the body and mind in best of health. Rasayana describes herbal, herbo-mineral preparations that promotes a youthful state of physical and mental health and expands happiness. Rasayana herbs have high levels of both safety for daily use and effectiveness. They are given to small children as tonics, and are also taken by the middle-aged and elderly to increase longevity. 

Need for Rejuvenation -

Our life style has become very hectic. This is due to over exertion – physical as well as mental. Day by day people are feeling in secured which increase stress. The diet has also become faulty as many people are using fast food items. The timing of eating has become irregular due to change in the duties and more and more persons are using stale foods with preservatives.

Due to availability of various gadgets in the kitchen, use of television, mobile phones and computers has resulted in lack of exercise. More and more people are becoming addicted to Alcohol, smoking, excessive sex, too much sleep and drugs. This all leads to low dhatu bala, low ojas, vitiation of all doshas; resulting in – premature aging, fatigue, debility, inability to adopt to stress, recurrent illness and depression. 

Anti-oxidants – Rasayana foods, herbs and regimens helps to reestablish this balance. 

Purpose of Rasayana -

Rasayana should be used for three fold purpose - 1. Maintaining health, 2. Prevention of diseases and old age and 3. To avoid the recurrence of diseases. Sharangadhara has advised that in each group of age, every person should take specific rasayana for keeping healthy and fit. It should be kept in mind that Rasayana has a more preventive aspect than a curative one. Hence it is done after the treatment of disease to prevent recurrence of that disease or to nourish the tissues that have been damaged by the disease. It can also be done in absence of a disease to prevent the occurrence of diseases. 

Rasayanas are nontoxic in normal doses and are amphoteric (can act as both acid and base), in that way they won't over-tonify the body. Tonics will build up or stimulate the body towards normal health but can be over-tonifying. Rasayanas will help normalize physiology, but do it through gentle eliminative functions that tend to focus on one or more organs, so are quite different. Amphoteric herbs seem to have a built in buffer that will help the body achieve homeostatic  balance, building or eliminating to achieve physiological equilibrium.

Rasayana therapy enriches rasa with nutrients to help one attain longevity, memory, intelligence, health, youthfulness, excellence of luster, complexion and voice, optimum development of physique and sense organs, mastery over phonetics, respectability and brilliance. 

According to the method of use of Rasayanas, they are classified into-

1. Kamya Rasayanas- They are promoters of normal health. They boost body energy levels, immunity and general health.

• Pranakamya – Promoter of vitality and longevity
• Medhakamya – Promoter of intelligence.
• Srikamya – Promoter of complexion.

1. Naimittika Rasayans help to fight a specific disease.

In pursuit of these matters, herbal prescriptions with many herbal substances, preserved in ghee and honey are given. Chyawanaprasha is one of the traditional rasayanas. Specific adaptogenic herbs are also included in Rasayanas including Amalaki, Shilajit, Ashwaganda,Tulasi,Guduchi and Shatavari.

The classical Rasayana formulas, contain a large number of ingredients, including minerals, pearl, coral and gems, and include a specific process (samskara). Because of negative publicity and cost factor, the use of the classical rasayana formulas has declined considerably, and most of the preparations available now have herbal ingredients with a couple of mineral and animal products. The non-availability and wild life protection act has made the use of musk, amber and parts of wild-life animals, nearly impossible.

The current Rasayana formulas are based on such ingredients as Amlaki (Emblica officinalis) which has very high stable Vitamin C, Vibhitaki (Terminalia belerica), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Shilajit (a mineral exudate high in fulvic acid), Long pepper, Black pepper, Ginger, processed Guggulu, Guduchi, Ashwaganda, Shatavari and similar ingredients.

Here is list of herbs used for rasayana therapy and their actions - 

• Bala (Sida-condifolia), Kashmari (Gmelina arborea), and Varahi (Withania somnifera) - act as dietary adjuvants and are good for increasing the strength of tissues and organs (Balya). 
• Pippali (Piper longum) acts as 'Respiratory Rasayana' 

• Lahsuna (Garlic -Alhum sativum) - increase the tissue enzymes. 

• Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) - acts as 'Digestive Rasayana' by eliminating the waste products from the tissues/organs, particularly G.I.tract. 

• Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Vacha (Acorus calamus), Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis), Mandukaparni (Centella asiatica) - helps to increase intellect and memory thereby acting as 'Medhya Rasayana' (Brain Tonic). 

• Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) - helps further digestion of waste products (Aama). 
• Amlaki (Embelica officinalis) and Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) - decrease the catabolic process and thus postpones ageing. Therefore they are known as 'Vayasthapaka Rasayana' (Adaptogenic tonics). 
• Bhallataka (Semicarpus anacardium) - have a powerful immune promoting substance which overcomes many conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and some stages and types of malignancies (cancer). 
• Punarnava (Boerrhevia diffusa) - promotes the functions of the kidney and improves the regenerating capacity of the nephrons (functional unit of the kidneys). 
• Shatavari (Asparagus recemosus) - is perhaps best known as a female rejuvenative. It is useful for infertility, decreased libido, threatened miscarriage, menopause, leucorrhea. Shatavari promotes lactation in lactating mothers.

• Pravala (coral-corralium rubrum), kukkutandatwak bhasama (calcination of external covering of hen's egg) - provide calcium essential for bone growth and development. 

• Kapikachhu (Mucuna pruriens) and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) - promote generative activities in the tissues, restore senile sexual dysfunctions and cure impotency. 
• Suvarna (Gold) and Hiraka (diamond) - increase the 'ojas' (the essence of the body) 
• 'Vardhaman pippali rasayana' is the Rasayana chikitsa is advocated for 'Pranavaha shrotas'(Respiratory system). 
• Chyavanaprasha: is an ancient and most popular rejuvenator tonic of Ayurveda.
  Maharshi Chyavana first prepared this medicine and that is why it is known as "Chyavana-Prasha". Chyavana-Prasha enhances body metabolism and immunity and considered to be one of the most health promoting product of Ayurveda. It is said that Sage Chyavana made it to bring back youth in an old and fragile body. 

The benefits of Rasayana Chikitsa (rejuvenation therapy) are manifold. It improves the overall health of the person undergoing the treatment. Apart from promoting good health, it is beneficial to increase the concentration and memory power. The skin looks youthful and radiates its natural glow after the person undergoes the rejuvenation therapy. It brings calmness and de-stresses the mind, relieving it from anxiety, depression and stress related problems. 

A higher resistance to diseases is built into the body when the person opts for rejuvenation therapy. Optimum strength of the body is assured by the Rasayana therapy. It is the need of the hour that this method of therapy has to be propagated and practiced by all and benefits reaped. 

Adopt Rasayana and Add life to years