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.