02.11.08
Posted in Articles, Diet & Nutrition, Healing, Spiritual, Yoga at 1:00 am by Administrator
– By Richard A Masla ND
Ayurvedic therapy is a truly holistic approach to achieving and maintaining wellness based on thousands of years of scientific study.
Ayurveda is a 5,000-year-old healing tradition from India that teaches us how to enrich our lives by staying in harmony with nature.
Here is a very brief introduction into Ayurvedic theory.
All matter (including the body) is composed of 5 elements which are the building blocks of existence. Living matter has three forces comprised of these 5 elements which govern all psychophysiological processes. These three forces are called doshas.
The term dosha means ‘that which causes things to decay’, reflecting the fact that when out of balance (with our constitutional nature or our environment), the doshas are the causative forces in the disease process. The names of the doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The doshas are the 3 primary energetic principles which regulate every physiological and psychological process in the bodymind. A harmonious state of the 3 doshas creates balance in the body, mind, and emotions, ~homeostasis~ and is the foundation of good health. Any longstanding imbalance in the doshas manifests as disease.
Vata means ‘that which moves things’; it is sometimes translated as wind. Vata is comprised of primarily air with ether being a secondary element. It is the moving force behind the other 2 doshas, which are considered incapable of movement without it. It is responsible for all of the body’s activities and sensations. It is responsible for the movement of air in and out of the lungs, blood through the circulatory system, and thoughts through the mind. It promotes mental balance and comprehension.
Pitta means ‘that which digests things’. It is primarily fire with water as a secondary element. It is responsible for all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body, as well as for heat production. It also governs our ability to digest ideas and impressions and to perceive the nature of reality. It stimulates the intellect and kindles the capacity for enthusiasm.
Kapha provides support and substance to the body. It comes from a word which means that which holds things together. It’s primary element is water with earth as a secondary element. It gives strength and stability, both physical and psychological, and governs human emotions such as love, compassion, forgiveness, loyalty and patience. Kapha can bestow resistance against disease and can support the healing process. Where Vata and Pitta effects are active on the body, Kapha acts to restrict these 2 forces and prevent their excessive manifestation.
Together the 3 doshas govern all the activities of life: catabolism, (vata), metabolism (pitta), and anabolism (kapha). When vata is excessive, there will be therefore excess catabolism, resulting in a breakdown or deterioration of the body’s natural defenses. Excess pitta dosha results in disturbances of metabolism and heat production including infection. Increases in kapha dosha results in increased tissue growth and weight gain.
Another fundamental idea in Ayurveda is that of ama. Ama is the result of all undigested foods (and experiences; even thoughts!). It begins (usually in the mind, then) to accumulate in the GI tract, then overflows into other channels in the body such as blood vessels, capillaries, and lymphatics where it can cause obstruction. In addition to grossly physical effects on the body, ama also has subtler consequences on the vital energies, mental clarity, and emotions. If allowed to remain, it eventually becomes toxic and accumulates in tissues of the body where an individual has a predilection for disease. As a consequence a disease condition manifests and we give it a name: Arthritis, high blood pressure, gallstone, bronchitis, cancer, depression etc.
Disease manifests as the result of excess accumulation of any of the 3 doshas or ama. Pancha karma is the therapeutic means by which excess doshas and ama are eliminated from the physiology.
About the Author
The Ayurveda Health Retreat contains a group of dedicated health professionals seeking to combine the best of conventional and ayurvedic medicine. We have an Ayurvedic Practitioner, a Doctor of Naturopathy, an Acupuncture Physician and several Massage, yoga and meditation teachers and Reiki therapists. They have studied Traditional Ayurveda under such great teachers as Dr. Vasant Lad, Dr. Pankaj Naram, and Dr. Syama. They have been taught the ancient art of Kerala ayurvedic massage and pancha karma.Their main center is in north central Florida in the small historic town of Alachua (20 minutes north of Gainesville and 2 hours north of Orlando). Its Main Street has gift shops, restaurants and many other shops to browse through. There is an abundance of natural beauty in the area. The beautiful wooded parks, crystal clear waters of natural springs, rivers and lakes are only 20 minutes away and are a wonderful place to walk, swim, and connect with nature. The center offers 5-8 and 12 day retreats. Stay from 3-21 days is permitted. For more information visit their site at www.ayurvedahealthretreat.com .
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Posted in Articles, Healing, Self Help, Spiritual, Uncategorized at 12:54 am by Administrator
– Suhn Ki Energy Center
What is it that makes our hearts beat and lungs breathe in and out? What is the power that creates and moves the billions of cells that form and sustain our bodies?
We call this invisible force Ki or Vital Energy and it manifests itself as electrical fields and currents circulating all around our bodies. This energy moves through a network of channels that carry it to every cell and organ. It is the fundamental force that controls to perfection every function of our body. When our Ki is strong, balanced and flowing well we are healthy, and furthermore have strong resilience and self-healing power to overcome adverse external influence such as injury, infection or a polluted environment.
Understanding Disease
The root cause of disease is an imbalanced or weakened state of Ki. We call this situation an energy blockage. Accumulations of negative energies or environmental toxins will modify, slow down or stop the invisible circulation of Ki. Just imagine a dam that stops the flow of a river and changes the life support system of all animals living in its vicinity. With blocked energy our body’s systems become unbalanced and our vital organs and immune system weaken. As a result we are more likely to become sick and are vulnerable to viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
The Causes of Energy Blockages
1) Emotions
Emotions have a very powerful effect on the body, more than most people are willing to acknowledge. Our mind controls our energy system, which in turn controls the physical body. Intense negative emotions are linked to various organs. Chronic anger will affect the liver, worry creates stomach problems, grief and melancholy influence the lungs and large intestine and fear the kidneys. Mind and body are inseparable. For every emotional state there is a physical response in the body.
2) Family inheritance – Ancestral Energy Blockages
Chronic and genetic illnesses are often rooted in weaknesses inherited from ancestral family energy patterns. Such patterns of blocked energy can be transmitted from generation to generation and influence descendants both physically and mentally. These blockages often manifest themselves in conditions that prevail in the family. Ancestral blockages take longer to open but when they do tremendous healing can be achieved.
3) Environmental Toxins
Excess accumulation of toxins absorbed into the body from pollution in the air, water and food can create energy imbalance and blockage and cause the body to spend its energy dealing with the contamination. This keeps the body’s vital energy from flowing properly and as a result all bodily functions weaken and the body is also less able to eliminate toxins.
The Solution
Every person is born with self-healing power. When mind & body are in balance this healing power can be maintained. But if we lose the equilibrium, this natural power can be disrupted. Being able to take control of our minds as well as our bodies is the most reasonable and effective way to restore our immune system to keep good health. Most people have depended upon passive treatment through external intervention to restore their health. However our body’s system like nature can regulate itself to perfect health if given the proper environment. Suhn Ki Energy provides a unique healing system that directly addresses the root cause of disease and allows for a fundamental restoration of ones self-healing power and basic mental and physical health.
About the Author
The Chun Do Sun Bup method has offered its students around the world profound techniques for healing body, mind and spirit. To learn more about the Ki Center’s Training and Treatment programs or to receive an assessment of your energy condition and a demonstration of the healing power of vital Ki, please contact Suhn Ki Energy Center, 4 West 22nd Street, 3rd Fl. New York, NY 10010, suhnki@kienergy.info 212-604-9595.
Website: www.kienergy.info
You can also contact the International Chun Do Sun Bup Ki Energy Wellness Center. Telephone 617-669-6996. E-mail: boston@cdsb.org
Website: www.cdsb.org
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Posted in Alternative Medicine, Articles, Healing, Stress Relief at 12:50 am by Administrator
– By Irene Tamaras
What Are ESSENTIAL OILS?
Therapeutic-grade Essential Oils are special medicinal healing substances that are extracted from various healing plants. Essential oils were used by ancient cultures including Ancient Egyptians for the treatment of illnesses and for religious rituals.
At first look, essential oils appear so simple, but they are not. They contain hundreds to thousands of different chemical constituents, many occurring in minute quantities, but all working together to produce therapeutic effects. Essential Oils are distilled from shrubs, flowers, trees, roots, bushes, and seeds. Essential Oils are oxygenated and assist in delivering nutrients to the cells in our body. The oils are highly concentrated containing profound healing properties so only a few drops are necessary per application (1 to 3 drops). The oils diffuse very quickly (within minutes) throughout the blood and tissues by penetrating the pores of the skin and the cell membranes.
Benefits of ESSENTIAL OILS
Containing enormously valuable medicinal healing properties, Essential Oils provide dramatic results when used therapeutically. Essential Oils deliver subtle energetic rebalancing effects that work on the physical body, chakras, meridians, and higher spiritual bodies, as well as the emotions. Essential Oils penetrate the pores of the skin and cell membranes and diffuse throughout the blood and tissues. Essential Oils can enhance circulation and immune function. There are so many wonderful benefits that occur when using the oils such as:
• Pain Relief
• Anti-inflammation
• Antiseptic
• Stimulate Immune Function
• Regenerate Damaged Tissue
• Relieve Stress and Promote Relaxation
• For Minor Burns
• To Kill Viruses and Bacteria
• Calming and Sedative Effects
• Improve Concentration and Mental Clarity
• Menstrual Cramps and Premenstrual Syndrome Relief (PMS)
• Back Injuries
• Improve Human Nervous Conditions
• Headaches, Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks
• Clearing Emotional Patterns and Improving Emotional Condition (refer to next section for further information)
CLEARING EMOTIONAL PATTERNS
Essential Oils have the ability to clear and release emotional patterns and to improve your emotional condition at any given moment. These are truly remarkable benefits for two reasons: (1) there is a significant relationship between mental and bodily processes and (2) emotions are stored in cells of the body and an emotional pattern is established.
A great instructional guide to use is the book Releasing Emotional Patterns with Essential Oils by Carolyn L. Mein, DC. This brilliant book explains how to use Essential Oils to access the parts of the brain where emotions are stored and learn how to move through blocked emotional patterns. Mein identifies specific essential oils that correspond to specific emotions and explains how to apply the oils to acupuncture alarm points to release the emotion from cellular memory.
As humans, it is important to be able to express both positive and negative emotions. If negative emotions are not expressed safely, an unhealthy build-up form in our body that can lead to illness and an emotional pattern is established.
Learning the opposite side of an emotion (i.e. laughter is the opposite of anger, encouragement the opposite of disappointment, joy the opposite of sadness) and having the ability to ‘release’ this negative emotion in a healthy way creates positive feelings and the energy involved can be used constructively. Emotional energy, if not released, enters the body and gets stored in organs or glands and the memory of the physical or emotional pain or trauma gets stored in the part of the brain known as the limbic system. Even without us knowing it, the body then holds on to an emotional pattern.
It is very important to note that even if we recognize an emotional pattern and try hard to modify our behavior/thought process, change cannot fully occur since emotions are stored in our cells. Using the Essential Oils as directed in Mein’s book can and will remove this stored negative energy from cellular memory. If emotions are deep-seated, then it will be necessary to repeat the process again and again until the emotion is fully released.
To those reading about this for the very first time, until you read Mein’s book and try it for yourself, it may be a little difficult to fully comprehend how this clearing process works, but know that the emotional clearing process can really produce profound life-altering benefits.
How To Use Essential Oils & Choosing Essential Oils
Some of the best instruction on how to use Essential Oils can be found in the following books: Essential Oils Pocket Reference and the Essential Oils Desk Reference, Essential Science Publishing, July 2001).
Essential Oils can be used in the following ways (some pure oils may need to be applied with a mixing oil for some because of possible sensitivities; it’s best to test a small area of your skin):
• Applied directly on location, site of pain or problem area
• Used in a compress to penetrate skin
• Used as a massage oil by mixing with a massage oil base
• Applied to the hands and feet at Reflexology points which are areas that correspond to the part of the body you wish to support
• Through direct inhalation or dispersed in the air with a humidifier/vaporizer/diffuser/sprayer
• Taken orally (only some essential oils can be taken orally, consult with the Recommended Reading books to learn about specific oils and their uses)
• Applied to acupuncture alarm points to clear emotional patterns
• Worn as a perfume or cologne
When choosing Essential Oils, it is very important to note that not all Essential Oils sold in the marketplace are pure, therefore, unable to produce therapeutic results. Many Essential Oils are adulterated, synthetically produced, or diluted oftentimes to be sold cheaper. Be mindful of the company you purchase your Essential Oils because these oils can be harmful to consumers and can also cause rashes, burns, or other irritations and not produce any therapeutic benefits. Although there is no current organization that regulates the purity of Essential Oils sold in the US, there is an indicator called the ISO (International Standards Organization) certification or the AFNOR (Association French Normalization Organization Regulation) standard established in France and these European standards have been introduced in the US.
About the Author
Irene Tamaras is CEO of Dynamic Pain Relief, www.dynamicpainrelief.com, a provider of alternative self-help treatments, products, and information for people seeking solution for physical, emotional, and mental challenges. She lives in the Washington Metropolitan Area and graduated from the University of Maryland with a BS in Business Administration and a double major in Transportation and Economics. From her own personal battle with chronic pain and mobility challenges from a severe fall, she has spent a decade seeking out natural and effective ways to manage chronic pain and stress. Irene is a leading expert on Reiki (she holds a 2nd degree Reiki), Reflexology and Reflexotherapy, Qi Gong, Meditation, and Essential Oils. For more information you can contact Irene Tamaras at info@dynamicpainrelief.com or 240-476-4307.
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