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Fern Walk Health and Wellness
This therapeutic head and/or full-body massage benefits the body in physical, mental, and subtle energy body. Traditionally this type of Ayurveda massage therapy, or “abhyanga,” means anointing with oil. This is done by applying high-quality organic oils to the body according to your dosha and hair/skin type.
Marma points, like acupressure points, are considered vital points in the body where the subtle energy of Prana is converted, regulated and stored for use by the body and mind. Six vital Marma points are located in the head and neck region alone. This shows how essential the head and neck region is in relation to the whole of our physio-psychological functioning.
The Benefits:
Body:
Mind:
Spirit:
***At Fern Walk Health and Wellness. Ayurvedic Massage Therapy is not an RMT service. I do not accept ICBC, WCB or any other insurance claims or injuries. I am not a replacement for your regular medical practitioners, such as a family doctor, physiotherapists, chiropractor, or counsellor.***
This service is provided in the comfort of my home, Fern Walk Sanctuary. I begin with a brief consultation, meditation to calm the breath and body, or an affirmation for health and healing. Then laying down on a massage table, I gently massage warm organic, high-quality oils over the upper chest, upper arms, shoulders, neck, face, head and throughout the hair. Ending with a few minutes to rest before integrating back into your day.
Ayurveda emphasizes prevention and encourages the maintenance of health through close attention to one’s life, mindfulness, diet, lifestyle, and herbs. The knowledge of Ayurveda enables one to understand how to create this balance of body, mind and consciousness according to one’s constitution and make lifestyle changes to bring about and maintain this balance.
Both internal and external factors act upon us to disturb this balance and are reflected as a change in one’s constitution from the balanced state. Examples of these emotional and physical stresses incone'sone’s emotional state, diet and food choices, seasons and weather, physical trauma, work and family relationships. Once these factors are understood, one can take appropriate actions to nullify or minimize their effects, eliminate the causes of imbalance, and re-establish one’s original constitution.
Ayurveda identifies three basic types of energy or functional principles. In Sanskrit words, Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These principles can be related to the basic biology of the body.
Energy is required to create movement so that fluids and nutrients get to the cells, enabling the body to function. Energy is also needed to metabolize the nutrients in the cells and is called for to lubricate and maintain the structure of the cell.
Vata is the energy of movement; Pitta is the energy of digestion or metabolism. And Kapha, the energy of lubrication and structure.
All people have the qualities of Vata, Pitta and Kapha, but one is usually primary, one secondary, and the third is usually least prominent. Learning how to balance the body, mind, and consciousness requires understanding how Vata, Pitta and Kapha work together. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the entire cosmos interplay the energies of the five great elements—Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth.
Vata is the subtle energy associated with movement — composed of Space and Air. It governs breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, and all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membranes.
In balance, Vata promotes creativity and flexibility.
Out of balance, Vata produces fear and anxiety.
Body Pitta expresses as the body’s metabolic system — made up of Fire and Water. It governs digestion, absorption, assimilation, nutrition, metabolism and body temperature.
In balance, pitta promotes understanding and intelligence.
Out of balance, pitta arouses anger, hatred and jealousy.
Kapha is the energy of the body's structure — bones, muscles, tendons — and provide's the "glue" that holds the cells together, formed from Earth and Water. Kapha supplies the water for all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin, and maintains immunity.
In balance, Kapha is expressed as love, calmness and forgiveness.
Out of balance, it leads to attachment, greed and envy.
Life presents us with many challenges and opportunities. Although there is much over which we have little control, we do have the power to decide about some things, such as diet and lifestyle.
To maintain balance and health, it is essential to pay attention to these decisions.
Diet and lifestyle are appropriate to one's constitution to strengthen the body, mind and consciousness.
The body style fundamental difference between Ayurveda and Western allopathic medicine is essential to understand. Western allopathic medicine currently focuses on symptomatology and disease and primarily uses drugs and surgery to rid the body of pathogens or diseased tissue. This approach has saved many lives. Ayurveda encompasses surgery. However, medications, because of their toxicity, often weaken the body.
Therefore, Ayurveda does not focus on disease. Instead, Ayurveda maintains that all life must be supported by energy in balance. When there is minimal stress, and the flow of energy within a person is balanced, the body’s natural defence systems will be robust and more easily defend against disease.
It must be emphasized that Ayurveda is not a substitute for Western allopathic medicine. There are many instances when the disease process and acute conditions can best be treated with drugs or surgery. Ayurveda can be used in conjunction with Western medicine to make a person stronger and less likely to be afflicted with disease and/or rebuild the body after being treated with drugs or surgery.
We all have times when we don't feel well and recognize that we're out of balance. Sometimes we go to the doctor only to be told there is nothing wrong. What is occurring is that this imbalance has not yet become recognizable as a disease. Yet, it is severe enough to make us notice our discomfort. We may start to wonder whether it is just our imagination. We may also begin to consider alternative measures and actively seek to create balance in our body, mind and consciousness.
Ayurveda encompasses various techniques for assessing health. The practitioner carefully evaluates vital signs and symptoms of illness, especially in relation to the origin and cause of an imbalance. They also consider the "patient's suitability for various treatments.
Basic techniques such as taking the pulse, observing the tongue, eyes and physical form, and listening to the tone of the voice are employed during an assessment.
Recommendations may include implementing lifestyle changes, starting and maintaining a suggested diet, and using herbs.
A person with Vata is blessed with a quick mind, flexibility and creativity. Mentally, they usually grasp concepts quickly but then forget them just as quickly. Alert, restless and very active, Vata people walk, talk and think fast but are easily fatigued. They tend to have less willpower, confidence, boldness and tolerance for fluctuation than other types and often feel unstable and ungrounded.
When unbalanced, vata types may become fearful, nervous and anxious. In the external world, vata types tend to earn money quickly and spend it quickly. They are not good planners and, as a consequence, may suffer economic hardship.
Vata types have variable appetite and digestion. They are often attracted to astringent foods like salad and raw vegetables, but their constitution is balanced by warm, cooked foods and sweet, sour and salty tastes. With a tendency to produce little urine, their feces are often hard, dry and small in size and quantity.
Vata resides in the colon and the brain, ears, bones, joints, skin, and thighs. Vata people are more susceptible to diseases involving the air principle, such as emphysema, pneumonia and arthritis. Other common Vata disorders include flatulence, tics, twitches, aching joints, dry skin and hair, nerve disorders, constipation, and mental confusion.
Vata in the body tends to increase with age, as is exhibited by the drying and wrinkling of the skin.
Since the attributes of Vata are dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile and clear, any of these qualities in excess can cause imbalance. Frequent travel, especially by plane, loud noises, continual stimulation, drugs, sugar and alcohol all derange vata, as does exposure to cold and cold liquids and foods.
Like the wind, Vata types have a hard time becoming and staying grounded. Routine is difficult but essential if vata is to be lowered and controlled.
Vata types should go to bed by 10 PM as they need more rest than the other types. People with excessive Vata respond most rapidly to warm, moist, slightly oily, heavy foods.
Steam baths, humidifiers and moisture are helpful.
Daily oil massage before bath or shower is also recommended.
General food guidelines for decreasing Vata include warm, well-cooked, soft foods. One should have small meals three or four times a day and snack as needed while maintaining a two-hour gap between each meal. Regularity in mealtimes is essential for Vata. Those with Vata-dominant constitutions do well with one-pot meals such as soups, stews and casseroles. They can use more oil in cooking their foods than the other two doshas and experience better digestion if they limit their intake of raw foods.
Well-cooked oats and rice are good for Vata because they are not too drying when cooked with plenty of water and butter or ghee. While cooked vegetables are best for Vata, the occasional salad with a good oily or creamy dressing is all right. Nightshades—tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants and peppers—and spinach should be avoided if the Vata person has stiff, aching joints or muscles. Sweet, ripe and juicy fruits are good for Vata. The astringent and drying fruits, such as cranberries, pomegranates and raw apples, should be avoided. Fruit should always be eaten by itself on an empty stomach.
Many Vata people can satisfy their need for protein by judicious use of dairy products, but can also use eggs, chicken, turkey, fresh fish and venison if they wish. Legumes are difficult to digest and should be consumed in limited quantity by those trying to pacify Vata. The legumes should be split type and soaked before cooking. Cooking them with a bit of oil and spices, such as turmeric, cumin, coriander, ginger, garlic and hing (asafoetida), will help prevent vata from being disturbed.
All nuts and seeds are good for Vata but are best used like butter or milk. Ten almonds, soaked in water overnight with skins removed the next morning, are a satisfying early morning food. Sesame oil is warming for Vata, but all oils are good. All dairy products are suitable for Vata, with hard cheese being eaten sparingly. All spices are good but should not be overused. Vatas can have half a glass of wine, diluted with water, during or after a meal. Since Vata people tend to be prone to addiction, they should avoid sugar, caffeine and tobacco. Intensity itself can be intoxicating to vata, so one should seek relaxation and meditation to reduce Vata.
General guidelines for balancing Vata:
Pitta types have many of the qualities of fire. Fire is hot, penetrating, sharp and agitating. Similarly, pitta people have warm bodies, penetrating ideas and sharp intelligence.
When out of balance, they can become very agitated and short-tempered. The pitta body type is one of medium height and build, with ruddy or coppery skin. They may have many moles and freckles. Their skin is warm and less wrinkled than Vata's skin. Their hair tends to be silky, and they often experience premature graying or hair loss. Their eyes are of medium size, and the conjunctiva is moist. The nose is sharp, and the tip tends to be reddish.
Those with pitta-dominant constitutions have a strong metabolism, good digestion and strong appetites. They like plenty of food and liquids and tend to love hot spices and cold drinks. However, their constitution is balanced by sweet, bitter and astringent tastes. Pitta people's sleep is sound and of medium duration. They produce large quantities of urine and feces, which tend to be yellowish, soft and plentiful. They perspire easily. Pitta people have a lower tolerance for sunlight, heat and hard physical work.
Mentally, Pitta types are alert and intelligent and have good powers of comprehension. However, they are easily agitated and aggressive and tend toward hate, anger and jealousy when imbalanced. In the external world, pitta people like to be leaders and planners and seek material prosperity. The body's to exhibit their wealth and possessions. Pitta people tend to have diseases involving the fire principle such as fevers, inflammatory diseases and jaundice. Common symptoms include skin rashes, burning sensation, ulceration, fever, inflammations or irritations such as conjunctivitis, colitis or sore throats.
Since the attributes of pitta are oily, hot, light, mobile, dispersing and liquid, an excess of any of these qualities aggravates pitta. Summer is a time of heat, the pitta season. Sunburn, poison ivy, prickly heat and short tempers are common. These kinds of Pitta disorders tend to calm down as the weather gets cooler.
The diet and lifestyle changes emphasize coolness—cool foods, avoidance of chillies and spices (especially difficult for New Mexicans), and cool climates.
People with excessive Pitta need to exercise at the coolest part of the day.
General food guidelines for pacifying Pitta include avoiding sour, salty and pungent foods. Vegetarianism is best for pitta people, and they should refrain from eating meat, eggs, alcohol and salt. To help calm their natural aggressiveness and compulsiveness, it is beneficial to incorporate sweet, cooling and bitter foods and tastes into their diets.
Barley, rice, oats and wheat are good grains for dominant pitta individuals, and vegetables should form a substantial part of their diet. Tomatoes, radishes, chillies, garlic and raw onions should all be avoided. Any vegetable that is too sour or hot will aggravate pitta, but most other vegetables will help calm it. Daikon radishes are cleansing for the liver when pitta is in balance but should be avoided otherwise. Salads and raw vegetables are suitable for pitta types in the spring and summer, as are any sweet fruits. Sour fruits should be avoided, with the exception of limes, used sparingly.
Animal foods, especially seafood and eggs, should only be taken in moderation by pitta types. Chicken, turkey, rabbit and venison are all right. All legumes except red and yellow lentils are good in small amounts, with black lentils, chickpeas and mung beans being the best.
Most nuts and seeds have too much oil and are heating for pitta. However, coconut is cooling, and sunflower and pumpkin seeds are all right occasionally. Small amounts of coconut, olive and sunflower oils are also suitable for pitta.
Sweet dairy products are good and include milk, unsalted butter, ghee and soft, unsalted cheeses. Yogurt can be used if it is blended with spices, a little sweetener and water. In fact, pitta people can use a sweetener better than the other two doshas because it relieves pitta. However, they should avoid hot spices, using cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, fennel and turmeric predominantly, with small amounts of cumin and black pepper.
Coffee, alcohol and tobacco should be completely avoided, although the occasional beer may relax a pitta person. Black tea may also be used occasionally with a little milk and a pinch of cardamom.
General guidelines for balancing pitta:
Kapha types are blessed with strength, endurance and stamina. In balance, they tend to have sweet, loving dispositions and be stable and grounded. Their skin is oily and smooth.
Physically, Kapha people may gain weight easily and have a slow metabolism. As a result, they tend to shun exercise.
However, they have thick skin, and their bodies and muscles are well developed. Their eyes are large and attractive with thick, long lashes and brows. Kapha people evacuate slowly, and feces tend to be soft, pale and oily. Perspiration is moderate. Sleep is deep and prolonged.
Kapha types are attracted to sweet, salty and oily foods, but bitter, astringent and pungent tastes most balance their constitutions.
Psychologically, Kapha people tend to be calm, tolerant and forgiving. However, they may become lethargic. While they may be slow to comprehend, their long-term memory is excellent. When out of balance, kaphas tend to experience greed, envy, attachment and possessiveness.
In the external world, Kapha's tendencies toward groundedness, stability, and attachment help them earn and hold onto money.
They are more likely to have diseases connected to the water principle, such as flu, sinus congestion, and other diseases involving mucous. Sluggishness, excess weight, diabetes, water retention, and headaches are also common. Kapha can become more aggravated as the moon gets full because there is a tendency for water retention at that time.
Winter is the time of greatest Kapha accumulation, and following the Kapha-balancing dietary and lifestyle changes are most important during that season.
Dietary guidelines for Kapha people stress bitter, astringent and pungent tastes. They need foods that will invigorate their minds while limiting their overall consumption of food. They should avoid dairy products and fats of any kind, especially fried or greasy foods.
Those with Kapha dominant constitutions need less grain than pitta or Vata constitutions, with buckwheat and millet (more heating) being optimal grains followed by barley, rice and corn. Roasted or dry cooked grains are best.
All vegetables are good for Kapha, but one should emphasize leafy greens and vegetables grown above ground more than root vegetables while avoiding very sweet, sour or juicy vegetables. Generally, Kapha people can eat raw vegetables, although steamed or stir-fried are easier to digest. Very sweet or sour fruits should be avoided, with the more astringent and drying fruits being preferable, such as apples, apricots, cranberries, mangoes, peaches and pears.
Only rarely do Kapha people need animal foods and, when they do, it should be dry cooked—baked, roasted, broiled—never fried.
They could eat chicken, eggs, rabbit, seafood and venison. As their bodies do not require large amounts of protein, they should not overeat legumes, although they are better than meat because of the lack of fat. Black beans, mung beans, pinto beans and red lentils are best for Kapha types.
The heavy qualities of nuts and seeds aggravate Kapha, as does the oil in them. Occasional sunflower and pumpkin seeds are all right. Almond, corn, safflower or sunflower oils can be used in small amounts as well. The same holds for dairy products: in general, Kapha people should avoid the heavy, cooling, sweet qualities of dairy. A little ghee for cooking and some consumption of goat's milk is suitable for Kapha types.
Since Kapha people should avoid sweets, the only sweetener they should use is raw honey, heating. However, they can use all spices, except salt, with ginger and garlic best for them.
A person whose dominant dosha is Kapha and who has very little influence from the other two doshas can benefit from the occasional use of stimulants such as coffee and tea.
They are also not as harmed by tobacco and hard liquor.
However, they do not need alcohol at all. If they elect to use alcohol, wine is their best choice.
General guidelines for balancing Kapha:
Credit to The Ayurvedic Institute
YOU ARE IN CHARGE
OF YOUR RATE
OF CHANGE.
Remember that your progress toward balance and health is proportional to how well you stick to diet and lifestyle guidelines.
Old habits sometimes die hard,
and your changes may be very gradual, but the changes need to be made to achieve progress.
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