Feldenkris: The Feldenkrais Method improves posture, coordination, flexibility and suppleness. Dr. Feldenkrais’s teachings are recognized as a dynamic methodology to improve neuromuscular control and biomechanical efficiency.

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Jaundice: A condition characterized by yellowness of the skin and elevated level of bilirubin

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Mahabhuta:  Basic five elements (space, air, fire, water and earth)

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Arishta:  Symptom suggestive of death.

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AURA THERAPY

Every substance in the universe, both living and dead tissue, emits energy and has therefore a radiation pattern. This radiation, termed 'aura', thus forms distinctly different force fields in the case of each item, in the same manner as a fingerprint. The individual auras are in contact with a universal field of spiritual energy from which they draw their power.

Artists and mystics have from ancient times seen and portrayed this effect all over the world. Aura therapists say that although we are usually not aware of it consciously, auras, rather the effect of interacting auras, determine our first responses to people and situations. Developed and understood properly, it is a quicker and more sensitive gauge than more rational faculties. The unease or elation that one feels immediately on meeting another person is thus caused by the auras being in harmony or without it.

The auras of plants, animals and minerals are said to communicate and interact with one another as part of a single living system. Each person's aura is thought to be made up of the radiation from all the cells and chemicals within the body and their interaction. The visible aura, which is much in evidence in all religious texts, is said to be an oval extending from a few centimeters to a meter around the body, sometimes more at the head. The light being composed of seven coloured rays, each associated with particular organs of the body and conveying a distinct message. The variations in shape, colour & strength a reflection of each individual's uniqueness.

Therapists believe that personality and emotions too can be interpreted from auras. One with soft, fringed edges for instance is likely to indicate a person too susceptible to the influence of others. Firm but fluid boundaries would indicate openness but not vulnerability. And a hard, distinct outline belonging to one who is defensive and insecure. Similarly, lots of red within the aura would indicate anger while a predominance of blue would stand for idealism.

Treatment comes in the form of adding extra colours to improve a dull or depleted aura or using complimentary colours to offset to help balance one that is too strong. The therapists only acting as conduits for transferring the universal spiritual energy into the auras of patients, by touching the latter's auras or by using visualisation to transmit energy. However, active patient in the entire process is extremely crucial which involves their becoming more self-aware of their spiritual nature.

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ROLFING: Dr Ida Rolfe developed this treatment which considered that muscles had a ‘memory’ which could cause problems unless controlled by the patient. The Rolfer works on connective tissue of the myofascial system to break down tension and create a better balanced body. The system can be painful.

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Parpati:  medicinal preperation of sulphur and mercury

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Pancreas: Located in the abdominal cavity and secrets digestive enzymes into the small intestine and also secrets the hormones insulin and glucagon into the blood: where they regulate glucose levels. A digestive organ that produces trypsin, chymotrypsin and other enzymes as pancreatic juices, but which also has endocrine functions in the productions of the hormones somatostatin, insulin and glucagon.

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Parathyroid: Are four small pea size glands located behind the thyroid glands. The sole purpose of the parathyroid glands is to regulate the calcium levels so the nervous and muscular systems can function properly.

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Paraffin Wrap: A process of removing dead skin cells with hot oil and Japanese dry brushing techniques. Then an emollient wax is applied to the entire body for an intense hydrating treatment.

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Aikado:

self-defense system that uses twisting and throwing techniques and aims at turning an attacker = s strength and momentum against himself.

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Horoscope: A chart drawn up through the art of astrology. See Astrology.

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Analgesic: A substance that relieves pain.

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A great background to the forthcoming Venus Transit. The author, Maya White has been a student and teacher of the metaphysical world for over 25 years and her focus as an astrologer include Theosophy, mysticism, spiritual healing and natal & astrology charts.

Read more here: » Venus Transit: Global Oneness - A Celebration of Spiritual Unity June 6 – 8, 2004

Mandala

A Sanskrit word that means "circle" or "centre" - a traditional design often utilising the circle as symbol of the cosmos and the square: often seen as a symbol of the man-made world. Mandalas generally exhibit a centre, a radial symmetry, and cardinal points.

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Oelation Therapy

1. Involves saturation of the body with herbal & medicated oil via external & internal oelation to make it soft and disintegrate the doshas. Takes between three to seven days to take effect.

2. The medium used is of 4 types - vegetable oils (for external oelation), animal fat & fats from bones (for internal oelation) and clarified butter (for internal oelation).

3. Caution should be exercised in ensuring that oil used matches need of the patient.

Shirodhara

The most commonly employed pre-procedure, it means `the dripping of oil like a thread (dhara) on the head (shiro). This treatment drips warm oil in a steady stream on the forehead, particularly on the brow and in the region between the eyes. It is often added to the panchakarma regimen because it pacifies vata and calms the central system. It cleans both the mind and the senses which allows the body's natural healing mechanisms to release stress from the nervous systems. This in turn, improves mental clarity and comprehension. Usually given for twenty minutes, three to four times during a seven day treatment period, it uses oils made with special herbs (Mahanarayan Oil, Mahamash Oil etc.) that calm and nourish the nervous system. The technician administers the oil in a thin stream which flows from a copper vessel hung approximately 6-8 inches above the patient's forehead.

Shirovasti

Shirovasti is administered on the head through the use of a specialized leather container resembling a hat. This type of vasti improves the sensory functions. It also promotes kaphagenic secretions in the para-nasal sinus zone which reduce vascular congestion in the brain. Shirovasti is extremely useful in vascular headaches, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorders, memory loss, disorientation, glaucoma and sinus headaches.

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photoestrogens:

plant compounds that exert estrogen-like effects.

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Algotherapy: The use of seaweed in facials, body wraps, and baths for detoxification and rejuvenation (See also Thalassotherapy).

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THERAPEUTIC TOUCH

Developed through the collaboration of a nursing professor and a spiritual healer, Therapeutic Touch is based on ancient energy healing methods.

Practitioners, primarily nurses, are trained to feel or sense energy imbalances in the client and to use “laying on” of hands to disperse blocks and channel healing forces to the client’s body.

The therapist uses a light touch or holds the hand above the body, with the client generally seated. Meditation is used by the therapist to center herself and strengthen her connection to the client’s energy system.

Therapeutic Touch has been applied in an assortment of medical situations, including the care of premature infants and emergency room patients. It is known to induce a state of relaxation within minutes.

Therapeutic Touch is considered safe because of its gentle, noninvasive approach. Developers of this technique affirm that everyone has the potential to heal with Therapeutic Touch and may be taught the methodology in one day.

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Marma:  A junction point between consciousness and matter or weak Vital points.

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Sex & Ayurveda

Sex has always been an issue of dichotomy. An integral part of our lives and essential for the continuation of the species, it is far more than just a technical necessity. While social structures in India are quite strict on this, the study of

 sex - from both its physical and psychological perspectives - has been practiced here from ancient times. Unlike in the west, where this is a fairly recent phenomenon and they are yet to find the proper line of distinction between sex

 in general and pornography in particular.

On the other hand Maharishi Vatsayan's Kamasutra is yet unparalleled as the  most comprehensive documentation ever on the practice of sex. Unfortunately,  its classic treatment of the act and the art has often been misrepresented. The ancient Ayurvedic text of Charaka Samhita provided complete sexual solutions over 3000 years ago And the time-frozen, stone-carved, erotic sculptures in the temples at Khajuraho and Konarak leave millions of visitors utterly awe-struck by their sheer beauty, elegance and variety. An undying testimony to how intrinsic sex was to the daily lives of people in ancient India.

The importance of sex in our lives has remained quite unchanged. The crucial points to be kept in mind in relation to the same being:

·      Sex is an integral part of our daily habits (Dinacharya).

·      Night and after two hours of dinner is the ideal time for intimacy, as it is kapha time.

·      An absolutely satisfying sexual union, when developed over time, bestows you and your partner with health and vitality.

·      For best results, each of the partners should be physically, emotionally and spiritually involved with the other.

·      Touch, smell, food, music and ambience play a vital role in developing, increasing and prolonging intimacy.

·      Perverted or unsatisfying sex has adverse effects on your mental and physical health, as it aggravates your vital energies (doshas) and reduces immunity. An aggravated vata will make you more emotionally vulnerable and fear-prone, increased pitta will move you to anger and even frustration and enhanced kapha will make you more possessive.

·      The frequency of sex depends on your constitution and seasons - kapha types indulge in sex more frequently than your vata & pitta types thanks to the extra stamina they possess.

·      Vata types might find satisfaction in changing partners. While the difficult-to-quench-their-desires pitta types are usually in quest for more intensity.

For more and better sex therefore, one can practice Vajikaran therapy (virlification) - that part of Ayurveda which enhances male fertility and potency. However, any misuse of the same may open up a deluge of emotional and psychological complications. Use of similar medication (aphrodisiac supplements) instantly induces sexual pleasure and excitement, increases sexual stamina and promotes fertile seminal secretions.

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Body Characteristics - double dosha body types

PITTA-KAPHA

Pitta-Kapha people probably adjust best of any constitution to the confusions,irregularityand constant change which characterizes today’s world because they combine kapha’s stability and pitta's adaptability. many of the people who achieve all – round success in life are pitta-kapha. Pitta’s active metabolism balances kapha’s powerful physique to promote good health, and pitta’s anger is well tempered, by kapha’s cautiousness to encourage good mental balance.

The ease with which they succeed in the world promotes pitta’s arrogance and overconfidence and kapha’s smug self satisfaction which can insulate the personality totally and efficiently from all realisties other than the real

Bitter and Astringent are their best tastes.

(See also: Double dosha body types   , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

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