September 2009
Ayurveda
Yoga, San Diego Sponsors SDNARI Theatre
Panchakarma – Ayurvedic Five Step Detox
March 8, 2010
By Monica Groover, PHD, CMT
Although, still in a nascent stage, Ayurveda Panchakarma Detoxification Therapies are gaining relevance, recognition, and popularity all over the world. Although, a panchakarma detox therapy can only be done properly under a supervision of an Ayurvedic Practitioner, some pre panchakarma preparation for your detox can be started at home, before, you check into your local Ayurveda center!
Udvartana means to elevate or to promote. In India, this treatment was done on brides before the wedding. Excellent for reducing edema, lymph drainage, rosacea, eczema, or any pitta skin conditions like adult acne..where ‘oil’ cannot be put on the body.
Benefits of Meditation
By Toongi Miller
Meditation is a practice that one should schedule some time for each day. The benefits of meditation are vast and one wanting to live their life to its fullest will find that meditation is the key to unlock their hidden potential. The practice is not difficult and with as little as fifteen minutes per day one can see results. It is best done after rising in the morning. Performed at this time it will supercharge your day and you will feel more vibrant and productive than you ever imagined.
If you are concerned with the physical aspect of your life and want improve your health, meditation is the way to go. The benefits of meditation on physical health include, reduction of free radicals, lowering your cholesterol, and correction of blood pressure to name a few.
In the stress filled lives many of us live these days, the benefits of meditation on the psychological aspects of our lives is astonishing. Decreased anxiety and depression, heightened mental clarity and creativity, and increased happiness and emotional balance can all be achieved through a little daily practice of meditation.
The most important and generally most overlooked aspect of our lives is the spiritual one. The benefits of meditation we will receive on this part of our lives are by far the most satisfying and profound. In meditation you come in contact with the eternal, unchanging constant that is within you. You will become cleansed of all impurities and unwanted things in the heart. Your mind and nervous system will undergo immense changes through the illuminating power and energy of meditation practice. You will find real and lasting peace and a sense of oneness with the universe and discover real meaning in your life.
As we can now see the benefits of meditation will have a huge impact on our healthy and overall lifestyle. In should not procrastinate but begin the practice of meditation now live to see the change you can be!
Toongi is a Yoga practitioner and a meditation teacher in Florida, USA.
Definition:
Nadi- Literally, a river, a channel or passageway; the pulse; there are innumerable nadis in the human body, from the very subtle to the very gross, carrying substances into, out of, or throughout the body.
(Lad, M.A.Sc, Vasant, 2002)
In many eastern health sciences, nadis are considered channels or tubes in the human body that carry prana. Prana is also known as energy or life force. These energy channels, or nadis, can be found in both the physical and the subtle body (Kripalu, 2008). In Chinese medicine, nadis are known as the meridians. “Although unlike meridians, nadis are not defined in the limbs” (McAllister, 1998). According to yogic philosophy there are said to be 72,000 nadis in the human body (Johari, 2010).
Our life experience is the flow of substances and energies through these tubes, or nadis. In order to remain healthy, these tubes must remain freely open and unblocked. Painful life experiences can cause restriction in nadis, often leading to survival mechanisms such as “numbness” and “disassociation” (Kripalu, 2008). These blockages can ultimately lead to health problems. Coming back in touch with our true selves through opening these channels, or nadis is important for our health and wellbeing
(Kripalu, 2008).
There are nadis found within the physical body. These nadis make up the nervous system, the circulatory system, the digestive system, the respiratory system, the lymphatic systems, etc. Any blockages in these nadis can result in physical health conditions (Kripalu, 2008).
Additionally, nadis can also be found in the subtle body. These nadis carry thoughts, feelings, and nerve impulses. When these nadis are blocked, we loose our ability to feel, to truly connect with others, to connect with our environment, and to even connect even ourselves. Various pramayama techniques aid in helping to keep these nadi channels open (Kripalu, 2008).
The chakras are also closely related to the nadis. According to website, Human Spiritual Structure: The Nadis, McAllister states, “the petals of the manipura chakra all correspond to nadis. The lotus aspect of the chakras is due to the nadis connecting to them. The seven chakras play a very important role in governing the energetic body, and the nadis are closely linked to them. Nadis are said to be subtle bodies of energies that connect to the chakras or special points of energy. They start from the central chakras and move outward where they become thinner.
Posted by CR BEAN
Panchakarma literally means ‘Five Karmas’ or FIVE THERAPIES. These therapies eliminate Ama or toxins from the body. These therapies are
Vamana
Virechana,
Nasya,
Basti
Raktamoskshana.
Originating thousands of years ago in India, Panchakarma is both a healing and preventive process.Panchakarma is an excellent way to PREVENT disease because by following the five fold practices recommended in Caraka Samhita, or Astanga Vagbhatta, the ancient treatise for Ayurveda, people can detoxify their system, strengthen their immunity and lymphatic system, remove impurities and and balance their bodily imbalance, mind and body.