Doshas – mischievous forces of your body

As a part of my Ayurveda training many a times I come across people who want to understand the depth of this science. Learning massage is easy but to learn it scientifically is slightly difficult. The forces which are working behind the curtains can not be explained and it remains as an experience of an individual to feel them on his own. But if you understand the basic principle well, motive of massage becomes clear to you and lead you to the state where body starts talking to you.

There are three biological forces which regulate the body and ensure proper functioning of the same as long as they are in equilibrium. Which vitiate others is called as dosha. Though, it is not universal because all the times they are not playing a role of villain in the body. And when they are in equilibrium they help in sustaining the body. It is just like two sides of the same coin, head or tail they are featured on the same plane. Just because they are very sensitive in nature and easily get affected by various conditions viz. food, environment, life style etc. and easily gets imbalanced to vitiate dhatu (formulators of the body) which in turn initiate the diseases. There names and constitution are as follows:

 

Vata – Air + Space

Pitta – Fire + Water

Kapha – Water + Earth

These are biological forces and in fact behave in the body similar to the characters of their constitutive factors. By saying so I definitely intend to say that if you want to understand doshas and their functions; start observing above said elements around you. To make it simple, air is a restless entity so is vata in the body and so is your nervous system. Sympathetic and parasympathetic types of nervous system make it workaholic in nature. And it does not rest even if you are sleeping. Similarly, fire cooks food for you in real life and so is done by pitta in your body. Sun, which is the representation of fire, regulates temperature in this world and thermodynamics of your bodily world is maintained by the sun of the same i. e. Pitta. Finally water in this world is responsible for bonding, smoothness and it nourishes a seed to make it a tree; and similarly kapha does the same for the body.

To understand more of their behavior, one must go in depth and a qualitative analysis should be done of these constitutive elements. As you will start understanding the qualities of elements, it will unplug the pacific of knowledge and sitting in the ship of your wisdom you may travel places. 

Further on, doshas they represent themselves by means of their qualities. And they tend to increase or decrease by means of these qualities only. Having said that, if one indulges in too much of food having dry qualities will lead to the increase of dryness thus Vata in the body, similarly it stands true for other qualities as well.

Following are the qualities of doshas:

Vata                                        Pitta                                                     Kapha

Dryness                                   Slightly oily                                         Oily

Lightness                                 Sharp                                                   Coldness

Coldness                                 Hot                                                      Heaviness

Rough                                     Light                                                   Slow in action

Minute                                     Foul smell                                            Smoothness

Mobility                                  Spreading                                            Sticky

--                                              Liquidity                                             Static

Above qualities should be observed very minutely and then their utility for the sake of understanding should be put in to the practice. It’s all about playing with the nature and letting you flow with the same to be in harmony.

Not to let these strong forces over power you and at the same time when either of them is becoming stronger, to neutralize it with the opposite quality is the key. Because, if repetitive use of the same quality increases it, then opposite quality balances it – thus say Charaka, the master of Ayurveda and divine soul of healing.

 

 

 

Ayurveda food – an art of consumption

Ayurveda speaks about all corners of life. It stresses an over all development and enables us to understand life on a micro plane. Ancient texts states that life is held upon a tripod or three pillars as follows:

1. Aahar (food)
2. Nidra (sleep)
3. Brahmacharya (celibacy).

Among these 3 basic utilities of life food has been considered as utmost important and rules have been laid down for a proper consumption of it. Though sometimes lack of complete understanding lead us to a wrong interpretation and rules become an obligation than a discipline. Actually it’s a wrong message that has been perceived by many of us that Ayurveda implements a lot of restrictions regarding food and life style. In fact it is discipline and not restriction. Same is true in case of diet planning. It has been summarized under the topic Bhojana Krama i. e. planning of food consumption. It is divided in three sections as Poorva karma (pre operative), pradhan karma (operative) and paschat karma (post operative). Food made ready to eat should be considered as god because it nourishes are body and provides us the necessary strength and energy in order to live a good socio economic life.

Poorva karma (preparatory measures)

This explains about preparing your body for the consumption of food so as it should be digested completely and does not leave behind any debris/ toxins (ama).

 

Bhojanagre sada pathyam lavan ardraka bhakshanam!

Agni sandeepanam ruchyam jivah kantha vishodhanam!!

                                                                                          Yogratnakar

Before the consumption of food one must take small piece of ginger smeared with salt as it is a very beneficial practice. It increases the digestive capacity, enhances taste perception, and cleanses tongue and throat.

It is indeed very effective and also eradicates minor ailments confining to gastro intestinal tract. It strengthens digestive fire. My personal opinion here is, people suffering from hypertension should check the quantity of salt and instead of normal salt they can use rock salt/ Epsom.

Pradhan karma (main course)

Following rules have been laid down for the consumption of food:

1. One should be involved in the process of eating mentally and physically.
2. Madhura rasa (sweet items) should be eaten first followed by salty taste.
3. Pungent, bitter and astringent taste should be consumed in the end.
4. One must eat all the six taste in an appropriate quantity and refrain oneself adhering too much to the consumption of one or two tastes only.
5. Hard eating stuff should be taken first, followed by soft items and then liquid preparations.

Effect of various tastes on the body:

Sweet – promotes blood tissue

Sour – promotes bone marrow

Salty – strengthens bone

Bitter – improves fat

Pungent – promotes muscles

Astringent – promotes plasma functions.

Paschat karma

Herbs that pacifies kapha and enhances digestive fire should be consumed. It must also have a flavor to combat bad/ foul smell.

Though, the complete knowledge can not be explained being subjective. One must put constant efforts to know the deepest knowledge by reading various texts.

 

Ayurveda Panchakarma – deep cleansing

Little knowledge always becomes a dangerous thing, and in the era of growing industrialization ethics of trade are missing from the society. Ayurveda – a safest science as it is understood is meant for the well being of society and use of the same must not be done to make fat cash by corporate at the cost of client’s health. At the same time an individual also must not fall prey to the monkey race. This article is meant to clarify few prevailing doubts in the society and in view of opening eyes if yet they are closed.

The word panchakarma is made up of two words Pancha + Karma. Pancha means 5 and karma is stated as action. An action for the physician is treatment, so karma refers here to the treatment. If two words are collaborated to each other it says that five treatments (Penta – bio - purificatory methods of deep cleansing). Human body is governed by three biological forces which are called as Vata, Pitta and Kapha; kinetic force, thermodynamics and cohesion force respectively. As long as they remain in balance they sustain the body, but imbalance or vitiation of them leads to the process of disease. In order to remain fit they must be kept under controlled. But as per the various changes around us in terms of food, environment etc. has a direct impact on these doshas. Whenever they increase beyond their prescribed limits to create a disease, removal of the same becomes mandatory in order to reinstate the health. And that is where utility of panchakarma comes in to the play. For the ease of your understanding following are called as panchakarma:

Kapha - after vaman

Vamana – induced vomiting.

In this procedure kapha is the target dosha and medicines are induced to enforce vomiting in order to remove sticky kapha through oral route.

Virechana – induced purgation/ loose stool.

Procedure includes induction of medicines that undergo the process of digestion in order to enforce the pitta dosha to come out of the body through anal route in form of loose stool.

Basti – enema.

Various formulations of medicines in decoction or oil form are administered in to the colon through rectal route with the help of instruments specifically meant for this procedure in order to remove increased vata.

Nasya – nasal medications.

Various different forms of medicines are inserted into the nostrils in order to remove the vata, pitta and kapha of the head. Head has been considered as the prime organ of the body and so framed the special treatment for the removal of doshas from this site. Depending upon the aggravated dosha form of medicine is selected by Ayurvedic physician.

Rakta mokshana – blood letting.

Procedure, in which blood is removed from the body by various methodologies called as Rakta mokshana. Leech application or vein puncture are the most common procedures for the same. It is specifically done in view of Rakta dushti (blood vitiation).

So next time when you visit your doctor for panchakarma, keep your self updated with this knowledge.

 

 

 

  

Ayurveda – a refined approach

Learning is an endless process. Once we complete the prescribed norms of academic standards, it must not be considered as an accomplishment. It’s a beginning in fact. Since the time immemorial, lust to succeed prevailed. Questioning the abilities of other’s and scrutinize them at every step is the nature of human being, which lead the mass towards destruction and produced nothing good. Everything that exists in this world is useful and credibility of same can not be downgraded at any cost. All the sciences are equally important and jeopardy must not be created against it. Ayurveda brings solace. It is a multi utility science. It just not confines itself explaining diseases and their treatments but goes beyond the level of academic interests and instills moral values in the life of an individual. It’s a tool which should be learnt by everyone to lead a healthy life. In fact the greatest aim of this science “ swasthasya swastha rakshanam – to maintain the health of a healthy being” , can be achieved only if we start teaching Ayurveda to our coming generations right from the beginning itself. Because, the word Ayurveda it self means – knowledge of the life; and that is what we want to share with our children, isn’t it?

Ayurveda is a data based knowledge. It’s a heritage, and sum total of experiences of our ancestors. It’s an out come of all the pain that they underwent during the process of development, it’s a message to the coming generations that they wanted to convey - we suffered and we want that you must not, so we are intent to carve it down on the pages of history for your ease. Unfortunately it did not reach to the mass or thanks to our we don’t want to learn approach.

How to maintain health? For the ease following steps have been explained in the classical texts:

Dina Charya – regimens to be followed on daily basis.

Ratri charya – regimens to be followed on night basis.

Ritu Charya – regimens to be followed on seasonal basis.

Actually if we observe scientifically, physical health can be maintained by above measures. But another leaf has been added in order to help people to be in the best state of their health, and that is “Sadavritta – code of conduct”. It’s all about reinstating the moral values which are an important tool for over all development of life. Its way to represent ourselves in to the society. It’s a yardstick to measure our behavior.

If one follows the advices given in the ancient texts, we can sure see the change. We can create a flawless society. We must change ourselves, and we must not bank upon some good deeds of past, but every day there must be a good deed indeed.

Everyone should learn Ayurveda, not to become a doctor; but to be a human being. It connects you to yourself; it reminds you not to be cynical but to be a part of the success story.

Ayurveda is way ahead of diseases, their diagnosis and treatment. In fact it stresses to be fit. It’s a refined approach towards the life.   

Are you Obese?

Introduction : -           

Sama mamsa pramanastu sama samhanano narah ,

Drudendriya vikaranam na balenabhibhuyate .

                                                                                                            Ch.su.21/10

Importance of a healthy body can be well understood by the person who is not in a state of well being. As per above quotation, person having proportionate musculature & compactness of body possesses very strong sensory & motor organs & as such they are not overcome by the onslaught of diseases.

On a wider scale of understanding, one can presume that being healthy just does not mean having a stout body. Whether the flesh we have over our bony cage providing us a better protection from the external biohazards, or the fat beneath the skin is doing a great job by storing tons of ATP molecules to produce energy for us in case of feminine, and what exactly the immunity means, are some questions for which either we don’t want to find out an answer at right time or most of the times skip ourselves from them. Today obesity has become a burning question with least answers from all those weight reduction clinics which have grown like rainy mushrooms in the every nook and corners. Big packages and trimming programs are not being enough and so called health keeps on going well every passing day. To get rid off the yellow yolk we have collected, understanding the same is only important factor that can lead us towards the health. One who is healthy can withstand hunger, thirst, the heat of the sun, cold, and tolerate physical exercise. They can digest and assimilate properly (1). Taking here an opportunity to go into a deeper aspect of some unanswered questions so as to find out how possible it is to get away from the deadly, and mass destructive evil of obesity.

Causes of obesity

Causes for obesity in texts are an exhaustive list. For the sake of better understanding it can be classified as food and life style related, and other factors that generate the unwanted fat to accumulate. Tabular form is given below to differentiate the causes

 

Food origin	Life style origin	Other factors
Ati sampoornat	Avyayamat	Beej swabhavat
Guru	Avyavayat
Madhur	Divaswapnat
Sheet	Achintanat
Snigddha	Harsnityatvat
Shleshmaahar sewino	Adhyayan sheela

 

Excessive corpulence is caused by over intake of food, intake of heavy (guru), sweet, cold, and unctuous food, lack of exercise, abstinence from sexual intercourse, day sleeping, uninterrupted cheerfulness, lack of mental exercise, and heredity(2).

Whatever the causes may be, all above causes leads to increase in kapha content of body, which is prime factor for the body tissue formation, it is the responsible dosha which helps in dhatugata sandhibandha so as to make body stout. But in case of not being controlled by any other factor i.e. vata or pitta, it goes on adding its above qualities just to end up in sthoulaya (corpulence). Trend of consuming chocolates, pizza, and butter stuffed roti, and tongue which is always at work of tasting and experimenting has been considered as the prime factor of excessive corpulence. Adding to it is our hectic life style give origin to well ignored bodies. Late night parties with drinks and unusual time of sleeping is an adjunct to belly beast. Food related causes when associated with other factors like lack of physical and mental exercise adds onto it like petrol in fire. Day sleep is a major factor for the increase in cough and moreover reduces the body metabolic rate remarkably leading to the sluggish body movements. This simple practical can be done and results can be felt individually. One another factor which is mentioned, at last but not the least is beeja swabhavat i.e. hereditary origin. It is an important factor which should be considered by the physician at the time of assuring the patient about the weight reduction.

Some other reasons which are not directly mentioned in ancient texts but carry a great deal of importance are constitution (prakritti), place of origin (desha) etc. kapha individuals are born stout, while kapha predominance is common in anupa desha. Such obesity is a bit difficult to deal with.    

         

Ayurveda- Time to introspect ourselves

Quest of a human being to find out ultimate truth of life have taken him many a miles in life. Ability of differentiation among good and bad segregate us from the category of canines. But as it enables us to become higher class and establish us on the top of the pyramid of evolution or we can say food chain, our ability to analyse and quest of running ahead of our mates incepts instability and jealousy. Later on it becomes a bad trait of our personality and hunger to succeed makes us vampires of real world and ultimately leads us towards self destruction.

Since the time Ayurveda made a come back on the global scenario, a debate started about the efficacy of Ayurveda medicines and its procedures. Whether it is scientific or a fluke was a big question mark on this science. Inability of the folks in the field to represent this philosophy in a scientific manner and lack of knowledge has put this ageless ancient tradition of healing on the back foot. Series of allegation and cross questioning to counterparts of the medicines will lead us nowhere but it shows our lack of patience. Time never remains the same, thus changes the mode of perception time to time, and accordingly changes the methodologies of our learning and teaching. So adoption of same laws does not hold significance. In the era of evidence based medicine practice to treat patients by old law will never earn a good name for the science. My statement is not contradictory, but if you go into the mode of self introspection, you will realize the relevance of my words. During the period when world was  not having a potent system of medicines, ancient intellectual entities of the world created a system of absolute healing, basic principles were drawn from the daily life. Ayurveda was built on the foundation of strong observational skills, and till date principles hold the truth. That was the time when various Samhita were written. But, if you observe centuries AD, none out us emerged with a work which can be compared to the Samhita. This is not an understatement but establishes our lack of application and intellect as well. How can we blame counter parts not to question us? Over the period of times, texts books have been published in view of passing exams and CCIM norms for syllabus books does not hold any relevance. I don’t know how many will agree to my opinion but I know 80% will come in opposition. Quality of the matter present in text books leads us to more and more confusion and tendency to translate or reiterate the books in the classroom shows the lack of innovation and teaching methodologies.

One can build many number of premium institute of technology, but if it does not produce any kind of innovative research and keeps on teaching older version of knowledge, I doubt the credibility of the Institution. Same is true for the premium institutes of Ayurveda. Knowledge that does not reaches to the mass, is as good as non existence of the same.

There is a big question whether Ayurveda Medicines have side effects or not? I say, they do have. And people who do not believe the same, for them answer is, go through ayoga, atiyoga and mithya yog lakshani. Sages were very clear of effects and efficacies, and it is mentioned that any subject becomes Siddhant only after a strong scrutiny and practice of the same over thousand times. So I insist on evidence based medicines. Though, if you plunge deeper into the texts you will realize that everything is there, but it needs to be sorted out. Only lack of application among us is there. What is the protocol of research in Ayurveda in leading PG Institutes? I remember one of my friends XYZ needed a PG thesis work for submission as deadline was nearing and requested me to offer the same, I was amazed and disappointed with the way he was going ahead and as per Sheshvat anumaana I can guess the condition of his mates. I don’t intend to take away the credit from real researchers and do respect them from the core of my heart. There is a lot of work which is yet to be done in this field and my article is not meant to hurt anyone but I wanted to appeal everyone to raise the bar of their practice and share the knowledge with everyone. Ayurveda need not to prove anything to anyone, but the torch bearers of the same need to prove their credentials and I am also one of them.

Something else to discuss.....

Democracy Fails

For last seven or eight months, India has been continuously under the terror attacks, not only foreign but sometimes Indian terrorist (a la Local parties who spread terrorism on the basis of regionalism). This time when all the political parties keeping the National Interest at a bay and fighting hard for their much sought political power, India have been attacked at a place which recently made a news for the attacks on North Indians (so called job eaters of the local people), it would have been much better if they could have come out now to answer the terrorism. Where are they? And where is their patriotism? After a few days we will see all such branded leaders issuing the statements in the leading news papers and extending their grief over the issue.

Time is ripe for the change, to rethink, to rebuild and above everything to do a self interrogation and introspection. Why repeated security lapses occur in India only, I said repeated. They say, “To error is human.” To commit mistake is a step forward to the learning, but to repeat the same mistake is called as to be fool. And right now we have been considered as fool. Anybody come, shoot people and go away, you all are welcome in India, because our weakest link is the political foolishness. This time they targeted the industry, which have been India’s greatest asset, Tourism. This is an attack on the economy and by the time top honchos will be evaluating the affect of the attacks many people might have already lost the money like hair from the head and India would be most hated place to be visited. Because nobody wants to buy death in the name of leisurely vacation, that too spending from their pocket.

How an unidentified ship storms in Indian sea? Isn’t it a security lapse? How heavy ammunition reaches inside the hotel? No security check? What Indian intelligence is doing? Above everything, what common man should do?

What strategy was adopted to fight terror after the serial blasts in Malegaon? And what was the review of strategy after the serial bomb blasts in Delhi are two big questions stranded in front of general public. Why parties have to make fake promises? Thanks to our literate illiterate public, sleeping youth who only wake up at call centres or shopping malls, and rest attributed to “not my duty” culture. In this process, most disappointing department have been so far is Police. Why don’t they get tired of accepting bribes and ill behaving with general public? The image they have created for themselves is not of a saviour but a termite that eats the wood with in itself and wood appears to be standing straight but by the time you touch it- it collapses without making a noise even. Same have been the condition of this country. Then politicos, making strategies in their board rooms to fight out the opposition. Bringing money in the parliament would be a way to defame the same in front of the mass. We, the people are not bothered what are you doing out there, because we are fed up of you the parties. You just have created wealth by entering the politics and played the dirty politics every time. None of the party is clean; every one has their feet deeply sunk in the filth. Even if they intend to walk out of it, they leave their pangs of the past. Disgusting is all this, no words are sufficed to portray the dirty image of Indian polity and strategy. America gets a 9/11, and eventually security becomes so stiff that not even a single bird can enter the premises back, but Indian security lapses time and again, not once but several times. Unfortunately can’t even blame any one, because we have elected these irresponsible entities, who can’t think beyond their self interests.

Hats off to the Indian army and NSG who are fighting hard to destroy the plot strongly knit my antisocial evils. They are the only saviours. We must regard their sacrifices made for the country and to safeguard its integrity. But the question is yet unanswered, who should be held responsible for these attacks, Pakistan, Al queda, Deccan Mujahidin or Indian Politics or police? Answer is very clear, crystal clear. Why to blame any external factors, when I leave my door wide opened before going to bed at night, definitely I am inviting evils to bust in and bare me.

In the name of all those innocent people who fell prey to this massive security lapse and praying for the secured future of people who are yet safe but prone to be the next. May this incident allows us to introspect ourselves and a question arises in every one’s mind, where are we going? Whether these politicians can promise us the security back in our own country? Are they ready to remove their Z security when they face public next time? Why can’t they do this, because they are not sure of their lives because they know their evil past is following them every time, everywhere? You need to come clean, if you want to face the public.

Get up and get ready to fight out the terror on individual level. Be vigilant, and be prepared to fight the worst on individual level, because I have lost faith from Politics and Police. For me they are good for nothing. They are just termites who can even dare to eat the roots of the tree where they were born from.

Without any prejudice, all these are emotions that came out after hearing, viewing and reading the scenario after the The Taj invasion in Mumbai. Can we repeat the agitation in Mumbai similar to the task which was done for North Indians few weeks back? Shame India, Shame Indian politics, Shame Security services.

Swedana Therapy - The fomentation..

Herewith I intend to discuss the topic sweda, the fomentation. A topic which comes under the shadavidha upkrama as mentioned in Ashtanga Sangrah, sootra sathan, chapter number 24, and Ashtanga Hridya, sootra sathan, chapter number 14, where Acharya says, that there are two therapies as Laghana(which induces lightness in the body), and Brinhana(which induces stoutness to the body). As per his statement there, all the treatments finally fall under this classification, and same implies for the shadavidha upakrama(six fold therapeutic treatments). As per his classification of treatments, he states that depending upon mahabhoota involvement and their functioning on the body and end product of the treatment, either they will be increasing or decreasing in nature. And as per the basic principle of the treatment, that says, to reduce the increased dosha/ element and to increase the reduced dosha/ element is the law for maintaining a balance among vitiated factors, above rule of classification holds the truth.

To be more precise and objective Upakrama can be divided as under. 

Upakrama(Therapies)

Langhana                                                                                                          Brinhana

Space/ Air/ Fire predominant                                            Water/ Earth predominant

As per above classification, it is very clear that Sweda therapy falls under the category of langhana i.e. it helps in the reduction and induces lightness in the body.

Definition of Sweda

Stambha Gaurav Sheetaghanam, swedanam sweda karkam!!

As per above definition of sweda, ghanam word have been added in the end of word sheeta, and being a sanskrita word, it is a single word. So when we read, it has to be

Stabhaghana

Gauravaghana

Sheetaghana

And Ghana word stands for reduction/ removal. As per this, procedure that removes/ reduces Stambha (stiffness), Gaurava (heavyness), Sheeta (coldness) and produces sweat (sweda karkam), is called as swedan (fomentation/ sudation).

Steam Chamber - Lying type

Utility of Sweda therapy

Sweda sadhya prashamyanti gada vata kaphatmka!!

                                                                        Charaka, sootra, 14/ 3.

As per above classical quote from charaka, he says that sweda therapy pacifies the diseases created by vata, and kapha. If we go by definition of sweda karma, it is evident that signs, like stambha, gaurava, sheeta belong either to kapha or vata. Stambha (stiffness), and Gaurava (heavyness) belongs to kapha, while sheeta is integral part of Vata. So this therapy effectively can manage Vata and Kapha disorders. To be more precise, one can practice sweda in Vata, Kapha, and Vatakapha diseases.

Benefits of Sweda

Agne Deeptim Mardvam Twaka prasadam Bhaktashradham Srotsam Nirmalatvam!

Kuryat Swedo Jadya Tandra Aphartaram Stabdhan Sandhin cheshtayati Ashu chasya!!

                                                                                                Ash. San. Su. 26/ 33

In above verse, acharya Vagabhatta describes the benefits of sweda therapy, they are as following:

• Agne deeptim- It increases digestive capacity/ strength.

Being similar to the Agni (fire element).

• Mardava- this effect is seen on the skin i.e. softness.

Fomentation induces sweat, which helps in the irrigation of the skin making it more soft.

• Twaka Prasad karam- Enhances the nutrition to the skin.

It helps in activation of the Bhrajaka pitta, which is responsible for the complexion, lustre of the skin.

• Bhakta shradham- increases the desire of the food.

By increased digestive capacity, and it’s cleansing effect increases the desire of the food. As sweda sweeps away the ama.

• Srotasam nirmalatvam- cleanses orifices/ channels.

By heat, sweat is produced which results in the cleaning of the channels, sticky doshas are liquefied and clears the blockages.

• Jadya Apaharta- removes lazyness,
• Tandra Apaharta- removes sleepiness/ stupor.

Both above signs belong to kapha increase, as said earlier it removes the same.

• Stabdhan sandhin cheshtayati ashu- removes stiffness from the joints quickly.

As already been explained, stiffness is a sign of Kapha increase and a little artefact of vata involvement, hence by removal of the same helps in the restoration of movements quickly.

Steam Chamber- Sitting type

Types of sweda

Depending upon various factors, utility, mode of action etc, sweda therapy have been classified in different types.

A)    On the basis of Methodology:

1.      Agneya (with the use of direct heat/ fire)

2.      Anagneya (without the use of direct heat)

In agneya sweda, direct heat/ fire is used to provide the fomentation, for example steam/ sauna. Fire being a strong source of heat generation, this kind of fomentation automatically becomes a stronger choice. So sweat production will also be more, so would be the utility as well. Under this classification, different types of sweat producing measures have been mentioned as Jentaka sweda, Kuti sweda, Patra panda sweda etc.

 Utility of Agneya sweda

• Agneya sweda can be used in people with strong physical and mental strength.
• It is useful in the state of severe aggravation of kapha (force of cohesion), Vata (force of propulsion), and Kaphavata collective aggravation.
• It can well be practiced in the winter season, atmosphere being cold during this period.
• It is used as a poorva karma (preparatory measure) for the Vamana (emesis), Virechana (purgation). As doshas have to be liquefied well before the execution of the same, thus used.
• It can be used in both forms i.e. local as well as general.

Precautions for Agneya sweda

While executing the agneya type of sweda, following points should be kept in mind:

• It should not be practiced in Pitta personalities, if not mentioned otherwise specifically, and given the condition of Strong dosha aggravation, an extra care should be taken while doing so, for example vitals should be monitered time to time, and duration should be reduced.
• Agneya sweda or fomentation therapy is completely contraindicated in case of Pitta diseases, thus not to be practiced in same.
• It should not be practiced in the summer season/ hot weather.
• People suffering from Hypertension, Cardiac diseases, Dehydration etc. should be excluded for the treatment, if required other methods of sweat production should be adopted in these cases.

Ayurveda Training

Ayurveda Training

We offer various refresher courses for people who want to learn Ayurveda and Ayurveda massage training is provided by professionals at our Kerala Ayurveda Institute. Ayurveda courses have been framed judiciously keeping in mind various needs of different individuals. Ayurveda training courses in modules of 7 days, 14 days and 1 month are available.

 

Details for 7 days Massage course

7 days massage course comprises of Ayurveda Theory session and separate practical sessions are arranged. As 7 days Ayurveda training is intense practical course, various massages like Ayurveda Head massage, Ayurveda face Massage, Ayurvedic Abhyangam, Udwartanam etc. are practiced in length. Course have been divided as follows:

Theory            -           1 hour/ day.

Practical         -           2 hours/ day.

In theory sessions, Ayurvedic basic principles are taught in detail with relevant details for the practical are provided. 7 days Ayurveda Massage Training course starts on every Monday.

Certificate is issued at the end of Course.

Total Cost of the 7 days Ayurveda Massage training course is Rs. 10,000/- INR.

Details for 14 days Ayurveda Training Course

14 days Ayurveda Training Course comprises of Ayurveda Theory session and separate practical sessions are arranged. 14 days Ayurveda Training is intense practical course with a through study of Ayurveda Basic principles, various massages like Ayurveda Head massage, Ayurveda face Massage, Ayurvedic Abhyangam, Udwartanam etc. are practiced in length. Special treatments for lower back ache and Beauty treatments are additional which are not a part of 7 days curriculum. 14 days Ayurveda Training Course have been divided as follows:

Theory            -           1 hour/ day.

Practical         -           2 hours/ day.

In theory sessions, Ayurvedic basic principles are taught in detail with relevant details for the practical are provided. 14 days Ayurveda Massage Training course starts on every 1^st and 15^th day of each month.

Certificate is issued at the end of Course.

Total Cost of the 14 days Ayurveda Massage training course is Rs. 18,000/- INR.

Details for 1 month Ayurveda Training Course

1Month Ayurveda Training Course comprises of Thorough Ayurveda Theory session and separate practical sessions are arranged. 1 Month Ayurveda Training is intense practical course with a deep study of Ayurveda Basic principles, Almost every Upakarma that is performed in Ayurveda have been included in 1 Month Ayurveda Training Course. A detailed study of Ayurvedic Panchakarma is taken for discussion and tools for their practice are provided to the students. The practical utility of Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya and RaktaMokshana is taught in 1 Month Ayurveda Training Course.1Month Ayurveda Training Course has been divided as follows:

Theory            -           2 hours/ day.

Practical         -           3 hours/ day.

In theory sessions, Ayurvedic basic principles are taught in detail with relevant details for the practical are provided. 1 Month Ayurveda Training course starts on every 1^st of the month.

Certificate is issued at the end of Course.

Total Cost of the 1 Month Ayurveda  training course is Rs. 30,000/- INR.

Details regarding these Courses can be had in person or telephonically from given address

Kerala Ayurvedic Health Care

C- 102, Basement.

Near C Block Park,

Kalka Ji,

New Delhi.

19

9999779197, 011- 65142962, 40502417, 9810219363

E- mail - ashu_ayurveda@hotmail.com

ashu_ayurveda@yahoo.co.in

Centre is open all seven days.

Udwartanam

A good response is welcome and the very fact made me humble that people came up with very positive feedback. Suggestions to add up the pictures of procedure will be taken care of and will soon be added.

In present discussion I will be discussing another Upakarma called as Udwartanam, popularly known as dry powder massage.

Meaning and definition of udwartanam

The word Udwartanam is made up of two words

Ud + Wartan

Ud, means upward. While meaning of wartan is to perform. So, performing upward movement is called as Udwartanam.

Udwartanam is a procedure, in which dry powder of a medicine is rubbed on the body in a rigorous manner in order to create friction and increase body temperature. It’s one of the treatment effectively used in the weight management programmes. It gives an ample opportunity to work over the local area of fat deposition and at the same time can well be executed as a general treatment all over the body too. Though classics explain it as a very versatile treatment and with a little amendment in the material of the treatment it can well be used to put on the weight as well. As the spectrum of this treatment is quite wide, with a judicious use of different powders, it enables a physician to experiment this treatment in various diseases.

Types of Udwartanam

As I said earlier, Udwartanam as per the use of material has been divided in two types.

1. Ruksha Udwartanam - Dry friction type.

2. Snigdha Udwartanam - Wet friction type.

Though, as per the utility they differentiate from each other, but commonly udwartanam being used for weight management programmes, ruksha Udwartana is one which is most practiced.

Indications of Udwartanam

As Acharaya Vagabhatta mentions, indications of Udwartanam are as folloes:

Udawrtanam kaphaharam medaso pravilaayanam!

Sthirikaranam angaanaam, twak prasaad karam param!!

1. Kapha haram- it pacifies kapha.

As a general understanding, the constitution of kapha is Water + Earth. Nature of udwartanam is dry and hence being opposite it works on kapha well depending upon the law of “Hras Hetu Visheshashcha”, i. e. for the reduction, opposite quality should be used.

2. Medsah Pravilayanam- It melts down the Medo dhatu i. e. The fat.

As increased mobility of the skin due to the vigorous friction it tends to mobilise the fat deposition by working it out.

3. Sathirikarnam anganam- Stabilises the body parts.

It corresponds to the excessive shakiness of fatty body parts in an obese person which is pretty visible in them. By reducing the fat over the specific body parts it firms and tones that area.

4. Twaka prasaadkara- It provides nutrition to the skin.

Rubbing over the skin invites an increased blood supply to the local skin, which carries a lot of vital nutrients for the area with increased oxygenation to the part, giving the skin a better texture.

Contraindications of Udwartanam

Udwartanam should not be executed in following conditions:

§         Vata prakriti.

§         Vata diseases, specially in shuddha vata vikar i.e. nirupstambhita vata.

§         Lean and thin people.

§         Fatigue, dryness, dehydration.

§         Infectious skin disorders.

§         Hypersensitive skin.

§         Asthma patients.

§         Clients with pollen allergy.

P.S.- This procedure includes continuous rubbing of dry powder over the skin, it may produce some rashes over the skin, if not otherwise they are normal. In such a case treatment can be held for sometime and local application of coconut oil can be done for symptomatic relief.

Materials required

1. Room sizing 10× 10 feet.
2. Abhyanga table, same can be utilised for the Udwartanam.
3. Dry powder as decided by the physician- 200 Gm.
4. Expert masseurs – 3 for a better execution.
5. Gas stove or a coil heater.
6. Towel – 1.
7. Changing dress for the client.
8. Apron – 2 for masseurs.
9. Soaking tissues – 4.
10. Face mask- 4.
11. Utensils for heating purpose.
12. Temperature of the room should be optimum, neither too hot, nor too cold.
13. A changing room.

Method of execution

Step1

• Client should be briefed up with the procedure.
• Dress should be provided for the change.
• Face mask with nose clip should be given to the client and also be worn by the therapists.
• Powder should be heated but not too hot.

Step 2

• Client should be asked to lie over the back.
• Rubbing of powder should be done in the opposite direction to the body hair. Excessive friction and pressure should be avoided. And client should be asked for his/ her comfort level.
• Movements like hacking, squeezing, wringing, pinching can be added.
• Can be executed in all seven different positions.
• Procedure should be executed for the duration prescribed by the physician.

Step 3

• Powder should be well cleaned and if prescribed should be subjected to the steam, if otherwise, hot water bath should be given.
• Instruction chart should be handed over