Ayurvedic therapy arrives in Jakarta<\/p>\n
Joyeeta Dutta Ray, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In ancient India, wise men believed that there was more to plants
\nthan just leaves, flowers and roots, properties that went beyond
\nthe human eye. Similarly, they believed that every human
\nconsisted of more than bones, organs and tissues, an invisible
\nspirit that could only be acknowledged.<\/p>\n
The seers understood that in the universe, there exist
\nelements beyond those that are visible, a life force that needs
\nto be respected. They also discovered that between nature, humans
\nand the universe was a silent bond that must be maintained.<\/p>\n
Every time this connection was disregarded, they said, the
\ndownfall nature, humans and the universe would begin in unison.<\/p>\n
Centuries later, we still have not discovered anything new --
\nexcept that these age-old beliefs indeed had some truth to them.<\/p>\n
Today, this downfall has begun because we have chosen to
\nremain disconnected, both from our inner selves and the subtle
\nforces of nature. In an increasingly physical world with material
\ninterests, we remain trapped in a diseased, depressed, stressed-
\nout body.<\/p>\n
No cure is available for many diseases, and if modern medicine
\noffers a solution, it comes with an extra burden of suffering and
\nside effects. Alternative therapies offer some solace, but in
\nseveral cases, inept practitioners promise more than they can
\ndeliver. As a result, disease and stress are consuming us all
\ntoday. There is only one solution -- prevention.<\/p>\n
Ayurveda offers one such road toward this aim.<\/p>\n
Ayurvedic healers believe that good health stems from not just
\nexercise and vitamins but healthy living, thinking and behavior,
\na harmonious balance of body, mind and soul with the forces of
\nnature.
\n Philosophy<\/p>\n
Ayurveda, or the \"science of life\", is rooted in ancient
\nIndian scriptures called veda dating back to 1500 B.C. To
\nunderstand Ayurveda, it's important to understand the Vedic
\nphilosophy in relation to spirituality.<\/p>\n
According to the ancient Vedas, connection to the inner self
\nis as mandatory as understanding the external self. Without a
\nthorough understanding of the nature of a patient, Ayurvedic
\npractitioners would be ineffective healers. Ineffectiveness would
\nalso apply if the practitioner's main purpose rested on material
\ngain rather than spiritual elevation.<\/p>\n
As a result, authentic Ayurvedic practitioners in ancient
\nIndia are in tune with nature as Rishis or holy bards, opting for
\na simple lifestyle and healing without self-gain.<\/p>\n
Through their wisdom, these Rishis understood a beneficial
\nlink between herbs and the human world. They realized that good
\nhealth came from cultivating a harmonious balance of nature's
\nsubtle energies within the human body, called dosha. As long as
\nthese elements are in a state of equilibrium, the individual
\nremains healthy.<\/p>\n
If the equilibrium is disturbed, the body succumbs to disease
\nand decay.
\n Ayurvedic balance<\/p>\n
Ayurvedic philosophy explains that our system is composed of
\nfive elements -- the materialized form of energies that pervade
\nthe universe. Akash, or ether, is the most subtle, from which
\nwater, earth, air and fire are born. The human body, composed of
\nthese elements, is in turn nourished and maintained by them all.<\/p>\n
Within the body, these five principles assume the form of
\nthree main elements or dosha: Vata, formed by a combination of
\nether and air; Pitta, formed by air and fire; and Kapha, water
\nand earth. In simple English, they are translated as Wind, Bile
\nand Mucus.<\/p>\n
When wind, bile and mucus reside undisturbed in their proper
\norgans, they enable the smooth functioning of the human body.
\nWhen they are unbalanced through improper lifestyle, they invite
\ndisease.
\n Diet<\/p>\n
Ayurveda states that although foods contain different minerals
\nand vitamins, they produce only six distinct tastes -- sweet,
\nsour, salty, bitter, pungent, astringent. Primarily, food is
\ncomprised of two natures -- hot or Ushna and cold or Shila.<\/p>\n
Hot foods subdue bile and increase wind and mucus. Cold or
\nheavy foods subdue wind and bile and increase mucus. When food is
\nconsumed in balance with a body's individual needs, the outcome
\nis good health.<\/p>\n
The Ayurvedic text, Sushruta Samhita, states: \"Right food is
\nthe only key to good health\".
\n Ayurvedic massage<\/p>\n
Ayurveda has been reintroduced in India through a number of
\nways. While food and herbal preventives remain popular, a growing
\ndemand for Ayurvedic massages have resulted in a wave of interest
\namong local residents and foreign travelers.<\/p>\n
The definition of Ayurvedic massage stretches beyond simple
\nmassage, and revitalizes the body while reactivating all cells
\nand glands from within. Practitioners need to be masters of human
\nphysiology, psychology, herbal science and the art of
\naromatherapy for individual body types. With comprehensive
\nknowledge and application, the body is detoxified and worn cells
\nrepaired, even as one is rejuvenated and relaxed in turn.<\/p>\n
Ayurvedic massage has been revived recently in several parts
\nof India. The southern state of Kerala offers a range of herbal
\nmassages for diverse needs.<\/p>\n
Here in Jakarta, Spa Ayurveda in Menteng entices worn bodies,
\nstressed minds and tired souls with rejuvenating deep-tissue
\nmassages.
\n Spa Ayurveda<\/p>\n
Spa Ayurveda is owned and managed by three Indian sisters,
\nBina Melwani, Arti Harjani and Laxmi, who congregated from New
\nYork, Singapore and Ghana respectively to revive authentic
\nAyurvedic treatments.<\/p>\n
Under the guidance of a highly qualified Ayurvedic therapist
\nfrom Bali, Dr. Acharya Saigiananda, Spa Ayurveda offers herbal
\nhealth care through a range of intensive oil massages, hair
\ntreatments and facials based on individual dosha assessment,
\ncoupled with personalized dietary and lifestyle guidelines. The
\naim is to tune into individual needs using trusted, traditional
\nmethods.<\/p>\n
Of the many massages available, Shirodhara remains highly
\nrecommended for a unique, stress-relieving experience, involving
\na one-hour warm oil drip from a copper vessel.<\/p>\n
Abhyangam, on the other hand, is a full-body massage with
\nherbal oils conducted by two therapists simultaneously. For those
\nkeen on slimming down, Udwartanam is a coffee scrub followed by a
\ndeep-tissue herbal powder massage.<\/p>\n
All of these are followed by herbal steaming to let the oils
\nseep in to detoxify from within.<\/p>\n
Prices for these authentic treatments using home-grown herbs
\nrange between Rp. 300,000 and Rp. 450,000.<\/p>\n
For a rejuvenating lift at a lower fee, Prabhu Sana -- herbal
\noil head massage -- and Vishnu Chara, a therapeutic foot massage,
\nare worth trying, costing just Rp. 100,000 each. Special packages
\nare also designed for head-to-toe treatments at affordable
\nprices.<\/p>\n
Herbal facials are also offered using products exclusively
\ndesigned by the queen of herbal cosmetics in India, Shehnaz
\nHussain.<\/p>\n
Ayurveda may have been developed centuries ago, but its
\nscience remains unparalleled to this day. The sages of ancient
\nIndia who applied it in their daily lives were known to have
\nlived a healthy life stretching beyond 100 years.<\/p>\n
If they could, there is no reason why we can't. All we need is
\nto take the first step -- tune in to nature, both our own and
\nMother Earth's.<\/p>\n
Spa Ayurveda, Jl. Surabaya No. 47, Menteng, Central Jakarta.
\nFor appointments, call (021) 3911125.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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