What is Panchakarma ?
In ancient times, legend spoke of life extension therapies whereby an elderly man
or woman could engage in certain kinds of therapies that would transform and rejuvenate
every cell in the body from old and toxic to youthful and vital. The result, says
the legend: an 80 or 90 year old with newly grown hair, teeth and skin. Panchakarma
treatments have shown to create measurable brain wave coherence and to lower metabolic
activity.
They allow the body and mind to drop into a profound level of peacefulness. In this
state of relaxation, it is possible to cleanse toxins from tissues as well as to
release deeply held emotional tensions. You will experience a calm and clarity resembling
the crystal water of a still mountain lake. Treatments The descriptions that follow
cover the variety of therapies that may be performed during a Panchakarma series
and represent the actual treatments used in the ancient art of life extension.
Many of them are performed by two Ayurvedic therapists working in synchrony. Two,
Three or sometimes four of these therapies are linked together during the course
of one day’s treatments. Garshana treatments consist of dry lymphatic skin brushing
with either a wool or silk glove. This enhances circulation and cleans the skin
so that subsequent oil and herbal treatments can penetrate deeply into freshly cleansed
pores of the skin.
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Abhyanga is an individually prepared herbal-oil massage designed to deeply
penetrate the skin, relax the mind-body, break up impurities, and stimulate both
arterial and lymphatic circulation It enhances the ability of nutrients to reach
starved cells and allows for the removal of stagnant waste. The desired result is
a heightened state of awareness that will direct the internal healing system of
the body.
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Swedana is an individually herbalized steam bath, during which the head and
the heart are kept cool while the body is heated to remove mental, emotional and
physical toxins lodged deeply within the tissues. The cool head and provide a sense
of calm and openness while the therapeutic steam over the entire body can penetrate
and cleanse deeply, without the body becoming overheated and stressed.
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Shirodhara is administered by gently and methodically pouring warm herbalized
oil over the forehead, synchronizing brain waves and profoundly coordinating and
calming the mind, body and the spirit.
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Pizichili is a continuous stream of warm herbalized oil soothingly poured
over the body by two Ayurvedic therapists as they massage the body in perfect unison.The
warmth of the oil and synchronicity of the massage combine for a deep tissue cleansing
while supporting a heightened state of awareness that transcends description – it
must be experienced to be fully understood.
Udvartana is a deeply penetrating herbal paste lymphatic massage. This powerful
exfoliating treatment magically conditions the skin while pressing stagnant lymphatic
toxins out of the body.
Five Sense Therapy treatment combines the therapeutic effect of all five
senses working in concert. Sound therapies are specific Vedic hymns and mantras
recommended for each imbalance. Touch therapy enlivens specific vital points on
the body called marma points. Taste therapy uses certain herbal medicines. Sight
uses Ayurvedic color therapy, and smell is accessed with combinations of rare aromatics.
This effect is harmonizing of all the senses to bring one’s awareness to the source
of thought and feeling within the heart.
Bastiis an herbal enema specially prepared to pull out toxins out of the
colon. This is the final stage of each daily Panchakarma treatment. The freshly
loosened impurities from each day of the treatment are flushed out of the body via
the effects of the basti. The basti also transports Ayurvedic medicines into the
blood and tissues in order to transform the memory of damaged and toxic cells. It
is considered one of the most important and most powerful aspects of the Panchakarma
treatment.
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Nasya consists of individually prescribed herbs and oil drops, inhaled through
the nose, which clear the sinuses of excessive mucus. It is also an important therapy
while medicating the central nervous system. This system combats the deep dryness
that exists at the root of many respiratory and allergic conditions
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Vamana which is emesis therapy, and Rakta Mokshana, blood letting, are traditional
aspects of Panchakarma, but seem rarely to be used as a part of the Kaya-Kalpa or
life extension treatments.
Shiro-Abhyanga-Nasya is luxurious combination of a deep head/neck/shoulder massage,
followed by deep inhalation of therapeutic aromatic steam, and a nasal and sinus
nasya with herbalized nose drops. This popular treatment is an invaluable tool balancing
most head, neck and respiratory disorders.
Vishesh is a deep muscular Ayurvedic massage that breaks up adhesions and
compromised circulation deep within the muscle spindles. When certain channels are
blocked, neither awareness nor blood can access deeply seated tissues. certain body
types and imbalances, Vishesh is an essential therapeutic
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Pinda Swedana is a deep cleansing treatment where rice boiled in milk and
herbs is massaged deeply into tissues and joints. The treatment is deeply relaxing
and rejuvenating as well as powerfully detoxifying.
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