Massages, body wraps, floral baths and herbs have their place on a typical Indian spa menu- yet many Ayurveda and holistic therapies may be less familiar to visitors to an Ayurveda health center. Here is a primer on some of the more traditional treatments that await spa adventurers in America and India.

Abhyanga: In this 60-minute or 90 minute full body massage, traditionally performed by two therapist, guests are anointed with body-specific herbal oils, then relaxed with rhythmic, push-pull massage movements.

Njavarakizhi: A treatment for sports injuries, joint pain and certain skin disorders, this massage is done with small linen bags filled with cooked Njavara rice, which stimulates circulation and detoxification. This procedure is highly rejuvenating and nourishing and prepares the body to tackle stress.

Pizhichil: In this combination of two classic Ayurveda treatments, lukewarm herbal oil is applied all over the body with fresh linens, while trained masseurs work together in a rhythmic pattern for one to two hours. This is considered to be a natural way to purify the body and build up immunity.

Shirodhara: Popular in many Western spas, this treatment for headaches, insomnia and tension involves pouring lukewarm herbal oils in a slow, steady stream on the forehead, while a gentle head massage helps to revitalize the body and mind.

Intuition is not a “voice from the heavens,” it is more likely to manifest itself as a feeling, a loose thought, or a mental picture. It is the subconscious part of ourselves that is signaling that it knows something the conscious self does not. Everyone has some level of intuition, but if you fail to use your intuitive skills, they atrophy and weaken. You must be willing to start paying attention to your hunches and respecting them for the value they contain. Become aware of the feelings associated with intuition and learn to trust those feelings. They never steer you wrong.

This is an article by Alexis L. who works for Acacia. I think it is very infomative and you will enjoy it.

I’ve worked for Acacia for 4 years. I’ve been on DVD production shoots and done many Acacia programs personally. So yoga isn’t new to me. I’ve done it, yes, but am far from good at it nor am I a regular practitioner. Then I got a coupon for 5 sessions of “hot yoga” (official name: Bikram) near my apartment. The website was absolutely glowing with the benefits of this trendy—albeit intimidating—form of exercise: restored balance, detoxification, alleviated pain, increased strength and lung capacity, massaging of internal organs (um, ok?!), inner peace (sounds good!), weight loss (yes, please!), and on and on.  I wanted to share with you the low-down on Bikram from a total newbie.

At the core, Bikram yoga is a series of 26 poses performed over 90 minutes in a room heated to 105 degrees. You heard right, 105 degrees. I’m not a fan of heat and humidity, at all. I’m never sad to see winter come. BUT I do love a good sweat when I’m working out. After 45 minutes in spin class if my face isn’t dripping onto the handlebars, I’ve done something wrong. And who can argue the benefits of yoga in general, right? So let’s do it, I say!

My experience so far has been pretty good—good enough that I will continue going but not so great that I am oblivious to the challenges people have in that 105 degree room. The warnings of nausea and light-headedness are no joke so if you are prone to those feelings, take extra care. If you feel “off” at any point in the class, take a knee and breathe it out. Don’t let your mind panic and take over. You can get through it! In my (yes, limited) experience, there is always someone in need of a break so don’t be worried about standing out in a room full of experts.

Next warning: you will be s w e a t y. But so is everyone else! You just have to resign yourself to the dripping and soaking. Some poses are easier than others, of course; there were only a couple that I could barely attempt. The best part though (at least in my studio) is that everyone is struggling with one pose or another. There’s so much wobbling and slipping in the room that I never felt like I didn’t belong. Beginners unite! The room does have a bit of funky smell when you arrive but you grow accustomed to and it’s not a bother (really!). The heat seeps into your muscles and you can get deeper into each stretch. After 90 minutes there is definitely a “body buzz” yoga high left behind. It’s like coming from a massage that expended 500+ calories! I fully recommend Bikram for the yoga fans out there and anyone, like me, who wants a good sweat…combined with a bit of inner peace.

My tips for a beginner:

1. Fill your water bottle with ice or freeze it for several hours before class. After 90 minutes, warm water isn’t all that satisfying!

2. There is no talking in the studio before, during, or after class. You will be shushed!

3. Bring very little (especially valuables) with you. You can’t take anything into the studio besides a yoga mat, (big) towel, and water bottle – but make sure you have those 3 necessities!

4. Toweling off during a pose is frowned upon since it can be distracting to those around you.

5. The teacher should prompt you for water breaks…and may reprimand you if you take one during a pose!

6. The instructor does not practice with the class. He/she stands at the front of the room giving oral instruction on poses. The instruction comes fast and furious so pick a neighbor who looks like they know what they’re doing…and soon, so will you!

7. Bikram asks that you focus on yourself in the mirror during class. This ensures you’re doing the poses correctly but also provides a stable focal point for balance and concentration. Depending on the studio, they may prefer first-timers be in the back row (so you can watch the people in front of you) but either way, make sure you have a clear-ish shot of yourself in the mirror.

8. It’s recommended that a beginner does his/her first 2 sessions on 2 consecutive days. It reduces soreness and helps you reap the most reward.

9. It’s definitely a challenge to hold onto your feet, elbows, or hands when you’re so sweaty and slippery, but there’s no shame in falling out of a pose and coming back into it!

10. If you want to enjoy the shavasana (meditation/quiet time) at the end of class, make sure you don’t sit by the door. If you do, there will be lots of feet trampling around your peaceful mind!

Have you tried Bikram? What did you think?

Come join us for a Sunrise Urban Yoga Session. This upbeat yoga class will begin on July 30th, 2011 from 7am to 8am and is a 3 week class. This class will get your body energized, your mind awakened and your spirit flowing. This class is unlike any other yoga class. It is upbeat but very relaxing bring attention to the mind, body and spirit.

This class is for beginners as well as more advanced students.

For more information or to register for the class go to: www.healthhealingwellness.com

You may also phone us at: 209-640-3154.

We are pleased to introduce a holistic skincare program coming to our wellness center soon. This skincare program is called Dosha Care.  It our belief that health radiates from the inside out, and beautiful skin is a reflection of that and this philosophy is the cornerstone of DoshaCare.

This skincare program is specifically designed with the individual person in mind and the needs of their skin. It is organically based and founded on the Principles of Ayurveda.

DoshaCare employs the ancient wisdom of India’s centuries-old Ayurvedic tradition and combines it with the latest progress in Western science to bring you an approach to beauty that inspires healthy lifestyle choices and overall well-being.

Stay tuned for more details.

For more information please visit www.healthhealingwellness.com or give us a call at

(209) 640-3154

Namaste,

Plenty of detox diets claim they’ll help you rid your body of toxins and shed pounds. But do they work and are they safe? Be leary of any diet that eliminates and entire food group and you should not let your calories fall below 1200 calories per day. Cleansing or juice diets just do not give you all the nutrients that you need. To properly detox you should opt for a detox diet that emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein and eliminates foods that are processed or high in fat, sugar or salt. These foods can be hard on your body and make you feel energy deprived and sluggish. If you eat the right foods including plenty of fiber, which can eliminate toxins,you will feel great and this will be extremely beneficial to your body’s health and wellness.

For more information on healthy detox diets contact us at: info@healthhealingwellness.com or visit http://www.healthhealingwellness.com

While scientists continue to study laughter’s precise health effects, to some people the benefits are self evident. Laughter shifts your mood within minutes and opens up your lungs encouraging deeper breathing. This in effects increase the oxygen in the blood thereby increasing the amount of oxygen traveling throughout the body and the brain.
The term laughter meditation has been circulating for a quite a few years. There are various forms of Laughter Meditation and some include specific laughing exercises as part of the mediation to maintain focus.
This is a form of breathwork much like pranayama. One of the many benefits of laughter meditation is that laughter overrides the negative scripts you have stuck in your head. You can not feel miserable, angry or anxious and be laughing at the same time. Laughter is good for the mind, body and spirit.

Is your mind a streaming dialogue? Does the mental chatter leave you exhausted and anxious? maybe you need meditation to restore calm and balance.

Too busy to sit still? Here are some on the spot tips to practice mindfulness during the daily grind:

At the office: Before checking emails and voice messages in the morning, sit at your desk, close your eyes for a few minutes and let yourself arrive. A daily meditation such as this helps break the cycle of constantly leaning into the future with thoughts like , Will I make my deadline? or What does my co-worker think of me?

At the Supermarket: When you get stuck in a slow checkout line and think why does this always happen to me? breathe and notice the anxiety and self-judgement. You’ll notice that the situation is happening, but not happening to you. This will decrease your anxiety.

Washing Dishes: Connect to the sensory elements of the water, soap and dishes to help reframe what might be a dull chore into a pleasant ritual. Give thanks for your sense of touch, smell, sight, taste and hearing and fill yourself with appreciation for being able to do the chore. This keeps the mind from drifting to negative thoughts that occur while doing something boring.

For more tips on meditation on the go contact us at: info@healthhealingwellness.com or visit www.healthhealingwellness.com

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