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