Ayurvedic Massage

Massage reduces muscle-tension and relieves pain, opens the pores of the skin, thus eliminating poisons from the body through sweat. It also speeds up blood circulation.

The literal meaning of 'massage' is manipulation of the soft tissues of the body using the hands. In naturopathy, massage occupies a very important place in the treatment of diseases of all kinds. For centuries, massage has been used as a remedy in India, Greece, Rome, China, Egypt and a host of other countries.

Procedure

According to the modern system of physiotherapy, the process begins with massaging upper limbs (arms) and lower limbs (legs) followed by the chest, abdomen, back and hips, and ending with the face and the head. As far as possible, massage with the hands to derive complete benefit.
According to modern therapy, the massage strokes are directed towards the heart. According to Ayurveda, massage is known as Snehan (oleation) and should be given to a patient before Panchakarma treatment. Read the full story>>

Sonia lays foundation stone for Santhigiri Ashram Research Center

Thiruvananthapuram: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Friday said the messages of universal love and total rejection of caste-ism were more relevant at a time now when religion was being used to divide people.

Speaking on the occasion of the foundation stone laying ceremony of the building of the Santhigiri Research Foundation at nearby Pothenkode, Gandhi said the founder of Santhigiri Ashram, Navajyothi Karunakara Guru’s messages on universal love and casteism were more applicable as religion was being used to trigger trouble.

The Santhigiri Research Foundation was at present operating as an umbrella body co-ordinating initiatives in research being conducted by its various wings including those of Ayurveda and Siddha systems.

Give and Be Happy

(HealthDay News) -- Money can buy happiness, at least when you spend it on others.

That's the conclusion of a study appearing in the March 21 issue of Science. It found that spending on others brings people greater satisfaction than buying things for themselves.

What's more, most people seemed unaware of this hidden key to happiness, the researchers said.

"It's tied to 'pro-social' spending," said Elizabeth Dunn, lead author of the study and assistant professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.

"Most research has looked at the relationship of how much people make and how happy they are," Dunn said. "We examined what they did with it. It's an obvious question but it hasn't been tackled."

Hikes in income can help boost happiness, but the effect is weak, prior studies have found. Research have also found that as the average income rises within a society, people's reported levels of happiness remain relatively static.

So is there something people could be doing with their cash to boost their mental well-being? The authors looked at the question in three different ways.

First they asked a nationally representative sample of 632 Americans (roughly equivalent between genders) to rate their happiness, report their annual income and estimate how much they spend on a typical month on different items, including gifts to others and donations to charity.

Those who had more of this "pro-social" spending were also happier, the team found.

Then they asked 16 employees to rate their happiness both before and after receiving profit-sharing from the company they worked for.

Those who gave away more of their bonus in a pro-social manner were, again, happier and this was true no matter how little or how grand the bonus.

Finally, 46 participants were given an envelope containing either $5 or $20 and asked to spend it that day. Individuals were randomly assigned to spend the money on personal items, or on a gift for someone else, including a charitable donation.

Those who spent their money on others reported greater "post-windfall" happiness than those who were looking out for themselves.

Still, most people spend more money on themselves than others (partly understandable given the influx of bills most households experience), but the authors suggest that as little as $5 may be enough to reap a happiness dividend.

"Reaching out and doing things for other people allows you to kind of create a community," said Dr. Alan Manevitz, a clinical psychiatrist at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. "Social networks, we know, make people happier. It's all about creating social networks and community ties and having a sense of self that you feel is worthwhile so money therefore can be used in service of that."

And money is just one resource that can be used to that end, Dunn said. "All kinds of resources may be beneficial for our well-being," she added.

More information
There's more on happiness at the Pew Research Center.

Dalai Lama 'to resign' if violence worsens

BEIJING, China (CNN) -- The Dalai Lama will step down as leader of Tibet's government-in-exile if violence by protesters in the region worsens, the exiled spiritual leader said on Tuesday as China's premier blamed his supporters for the growing unrest.

"If things become out of control then my only option is to completely resign," the Dalai Lama told a news conference in Dharamsala, northern India, The Associated Press reported.

A spokesman for the Dalai Lama later clarified that he was refering to his political role as Tibetan leader-in-exile, rather than his spiritual role, AP said.

"If the Tibetans were to choose the path of violence he would have to resign because he is completely committed to nonviolence," Tenzin Takhla told reporters.

"He would resign as the political leader and head of state, but not as the Dalai Lama. He will always be the Dalai Lama."

Earlier, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao had blamed supporters of the Dalai Lama for the wave of deadly violence which exploded in Tibet on Friday.

He also said Chinese forces exercised restraint in confronting unrest there.

"There is ample fact and we also have plenty of evidence proving that this incident was organized, premeditated, masterminded and incited by the Dalai clique," Wen said in a televised news conference.

The precise number of victims -- and which side they were on -- remained in dispute, but James Miles, a reporter for The Economist, said it appeared that the dead included Tibetans as well as Han Chinese who live and operate businesses in Tibet. Watch Chinese police on the streets »

Additional clashes have been reported in other parts of China with significant ethnic Tibetan populations.

Some Tibetans have long advocated independence for Tibet, which is formally an autonomous region of China. The Dalai Lama stopped short of a call for independence this week but argued that the Chinese treat Tibetans as second-class citizens in their own land. He said Tibetans need a full and genuine autonomy to protect their cultural heritage.

The Tibetan government-in-exile said at least 80 people were killed by police in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, while local authorities placed the number far lower. Watch riot police search homes »

"There are 13 common people who died in the beating, burning and smashing in the riots," said Champa Phuntsok, the head of Tibet's regional government.

"They died of fire, asphyxiation and beating. Some of them were set on fire by rioters and died in the burning."

The Dalai Lama accused China on Monday of "cultural genocide" in Tibet -- something Wen dismissed.

"Those claims that the Chinese government is engaged in so-called cultural genocide are lies," he said, pledging that Beijing will continue to "protect the culture ... in Tibet."

"We will continue to help Tibet improve the livelihood of people of all ethnic groups," Wen said. "We will never waver in this position."

Washington has encouraged China's leaders to reach out to the Dalai Lama.

"We have really urged the Chinese over several years to find a way to talk with the Dalai Lama, who is a figure of authority, who is not a separatist, and to find a way to engage him and bring his moral weight to a more sustainable and better solution of the Tibet issue," Rice said from Moscow on Monday.

The U.S. State Department urged restraint as the Chinese government responds to the Tibetan protesters.

Meanwhile, CNN's John Vause witnessed the movement of Chinese military convoys near Tibet on Tuesday. Watch troop movements in Sichuan »

"We saw a convoy of military vehicles heading north on the road to Nwaga County here in Sichuan province," Vause reported. "That's where exiled Tibetan groups claim there have been deadly clashes over the last couple of days with more than 30 protesters, including monks, women and children, killed by Chinese security forces."

There are also claims of violence by Tibetans against ethnic Chinese.

Watch the generational divide among independence activists »

China's Xinhua news agency reported Monday that rioters set fires at more than 300 locations in Lhasa on Friday, including residences and more than 200 shops. Xinhua also said they smashed and burned dozens of vehicles, attacked schools, banks, hospitals, shops, government offices, utilities and state media offices.

A CNN crew tried to travel to Tibet or Nwaga to investigate the reported clashes, but Chinese security forces turned them back while they were several hundred miles away, Vause reported.

During his news conference, Wen made it clear that government forces would maintain control.

"We are fully capable of maintaining stability and normal public order in Tibet," he said.

Tibet The Story Of A Tragedy

FREE TIBET NOW ~ LONG LIVE THE DALAI LAMA

Ayurveda- A Complete Science of Life

Welcome to read about the most ancient and traditional science on one of the most modern systems, the Internet. How can this ancient system of health care be relevant to people of today, when technological advances have radically altered our lifestyles, our environment and our medicine?

The principles of Ayurveda are an invaluable link to understanding, in detail, naturally healthy living. People everywhere are realizing the importance and benefits of taking personal responsibility for one's own well being, making Ayurveda the perfect system of health knowledge for today's world.

Ayurveda is a science of life so to know more about it, we must know what is life? Life according to Ayurveda is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. So it is clear from this definition of life that Ayurveda is not only limited to body or physical symptoms but also gives a comprehensive knowledge about spiritual, mental and social health.

The words like soul and spirituality might sound outdated or create a negative thinking in some of you as they have no place in modern science. As soon as we hear about these topics, we become uncomfortable. Actually, I don't feel that it is our fault. No one has ever spoken about these things to us. We are always trapped in the attractions of outer material world to become happy and peaceful.

The modern society, education, culture and the television- everything speaks about materialism. If this was everything why is it so that most us are unhappy. There is unrest, anxiety, mental tension, fighting and terror every where despite best efforts being made to stop them. This is because some part of our body is not being nourished properly.

Kama Rani

Studies suggest that almost half of women in the United States suffer from one or more of four types of sexual dysfunction: low libido (hypoactive sexual desire), sexual arousal disorder, orgasmic disorder, and sexual pain disorder. Low libido is the most prevalent.

According to the Female Sexual Medicine Center at UCLA Medical Center, low not allowed drive may stem from emotional issues, relationship problems, inability to orgasm, decreased vaginal and clitoral sensitivity, lack of lubrication, hormonal imbalance, stress, lack of sleep, and many other reasons. The consequences of not treating this problem can be severe.

Ongoing friction in relationships due to sexual problems can lead to separation, unfaithfulness, and prolonged emotional duress for both partners. Many women fear sexual intercourse so much that they avoid male companionship and possible relationships. As the problem becomes ingrained in the psyche, possibilities for love and satisfying not allowed life are lost and replaced by loneliness, low self-esteem, and depression.

Thus far, Western medicine has not offered successful treatments for female sexual dysfunction. The psychological symptoms are being treated with aggressive prescription drugs. Unfortunately, this does not solve the problem and often results in unwanted and even dangerous side effects.

Ayurveda, the science of life, prevention and longevity, is the oldest and most holistic and comprehensive medical system available. Its fundamentals can be found in Hindu scriptures called the Vedas - the ancient Indian books of wisdom written over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda uses the inherent principles of nature to help maintain health in a person by keeping the individual's body, mind, and spirit in perfect equilibrium with nature.

India Herbs has a seasoned group of Ayurvedic doctors specialized in Vajikarana, one of the eight major specialties of Ayurveda. Vajikarana is "a process or a drug, which make a woman sexually as strong as a horse and able to copulate for long and frequently with many husbands and partners." Vajikarana prescribes the therapeutic use of various aphrodisiacs and tonic preparations for enhancing the reproductive capabilities and vigor of women while strengthening the body and overall well-being.

India Herbs' Vajikarana doctors combine a proprietary herbal formula based on centuries' old wisdom with advice on diet, exercise, mental training, and relaxation to help women reach their peak and overcome sexual concerns through safe, natural means.

more information:
http://www.kamarani.com/index.htm?aff=dreddyclinic
http://www.india-herbs.com/index.php?aff=dreddyclinic

Aromatherapy Falls Short, Study Finds

(HealthDay News) -- Aromatherapy: It may smell good, but is it actually good for you?
Researchers are reporting that two of the most commonly used scents in aromatherapy do nothing to heal wounds, relieve pain or enhance immune status, although one did briefly improve mood.

In fact, in some cases, distilled water showed more of a salutary effect, the study found.
"Keep it in mind before spending a lot of money" on aromatherapy, said study lead author Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, director of the Division of Health Psychology at Ohio State University. "I buy perfume, because I like the smell. If you enjoy the smell, that's one thing, but don't buy perfume because you expect to change your physiology or to really influence your health."

The study results are published online in the April issue of the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology.

Used for thousands of years in countries such as India and Egypt, aromatherapy has many adherents who say the concentrated oils extracted from flowers improve health and emotional well-being, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Despite its widespread use, there's little scientific data on the effectiveness of the therapy, the study authors stated.

"This is by far the largest and most comprehensive study of actual physiological outcomes," Kiecolt-Glaser said. "There are different perspectives on why odors should work in terms of changing physiology, if they do. A lot of aromatherapy literature thinks of it as a drug-specific mechanism." In other words, that scents work much like drugs work, with very specific effects.

Using this point of view as a starting point, Kiecolt-Glaser and her colleagues, who included husband Dr. Ronald Glaser, looked at the two odors that have been most researched: lemon, which is purported to be stimulating and a mood enhancer, and lavender, which is supposed to be relaxing and is used as a sleep aid. Distilled water was used as a control.

Potential study participants were first screened to see if they had an adequate sense of smell. Fifty-six people were then admitted into the study. During three half-day sessions, half the group was handed an envelope that explained the scent they were about to smell and what to expect. The other participants were simply told they'd be smelling a variety of fruit and floral odors.

Then the researchers taped cotton balls laced with either lemon oil, lavender oil or distilled water below the volunteers' noses for the duration of the tests. The participants were monitored for blood pressure and heart rate, and the researchers took regular blood samples from each volunteer. The samples were analyzed for changes in different biochemical markers, including Interleukin-6 and Interleukin10, as well as the stress hormones cortisol and norepinephrine.

The researchers then tested the volunteers' ability to heal by using a standard test in which tape is applied and removed repeatedly on a specific site on the skin. The scientists also tested the volunteers' reaction to pain by placing their feet in 32-degree water. Finally, the participants filled out three standard psychological tests to assess mood and stress during each session.

While lemon oil showed a clear mood enhancement, lavender oil did not, the researchers said. Neither smell had any positive impact on any of the biochemical markers for stress, pain control or wound healing.

More information
The National Cancer Institute has more on aromatherapy and essential oils.

Ayurvedic Diet and Diet Consultations

We offer also per email a diet consultation, feel free to contact us for more details. Thank you.

Ghee
Ginger
Food combining
Food guidelines

General Principles
Eat to about 3/4 your capacity. Do not leave the table very hungry or very full.
Avoid taking a meal until the previous meal has been digested. Allow approximately 3 - 6 hours between meals.

Eat in a settled and quiet atmosphere. Do NOT do work, read or watch TV during meal times.
In general, the diet should be balanced so as to include all six tastes. Specific recommendations may be found according to your constitutional type (see accompanying sheet).

Yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese and buttermilk should be avoided at night.

Milk is generally not recommended to be taken along with a meal involving mixed tastes (i.e., vegetables, meats, fish, etc.). It may be taken with toast, cereals, or sweet tasting foods, or separated from the meal by about 20 minutes.

It is best not to cook with honey.

Take a few minutes to sit quietly after a meal before returning to your activity.

Ghee (Ghee Flyer)

Ghee is one of the most valuable foods and medicines known. Ghee may be used in place of butter (it does not cause cholesterol unless there is already a history of high cholesterol).

It is an ideal cooking oil as it does not burn unless heated excessively. I makes a wonderful oil for massage and can serve as a base for herbal ointments (for burns, skin rashes, etc.). Ghee is good for all doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and is a specific for Pitta. Ghee can even be used for lamps (make wicks from a cotton ball).

Vata
Pitta
Kapha

Ghee keeps indefinitely without refrigeration, as the elements which cause butter to spoil have been removed. Just remember to keep it covered and free from water or other contaminants.

Ghee is mad by cooking butter. It is important to use unsalted butter, available at most supermarkets. Raw unsalted butter (made from unpasteurized cream) is best, but this is difficult to obtain. Ghee is often called clarified butter, but this may be a misnomer.

Ghee requires a longer cooking time and the foam which rises to the surface during the cooking process is not skimmed off as may be done when clarifying butter.

It is convenient to make two pounds at one time, but in the beginning, you may wish to start with just one pound. Place the butter in a heavy saucepan, preferably one of stainless steel or glass. Melt the butter and continue cooking over moderate heat so that the butter just boils gently. Foam will rise to the surface, but this should not be skimmed off.

After fifteen or twenty minutes, the foam will have settled to the bottom where it will begin to form a sticky "cake". At this point, the Ghee must be watched carefully to avoid burning. It may be stirred occasionally with a clean, dry spoon, preferably of stainless steel.

When the Ghee begins to boil silently, with only a trace of air bubbles on the surface, it is done. Allow it to cool and then pour it carefully into clean containers (making sure that the sediment remains on the bottom of the saucepan).

Commercial Ghee is available at most Indian grocery stores, but the cost is greater than making your own and the quality may be uncertain. Many consider Ghee making to be a nice ritual, and while making it, pay careful attention to the process. Whether you add a "mantra" to your Ghee, making it mindfully will enhance its value for you.