Ayurveda

The term Ayurveda is comprised of two sanskrit root words Ayur (Life) and Veda (Knowledge of or Study of) so Ayurveda translates to “knowledge of life,” and the principles of this ancient wisdom tradition, said to be as much or more that 5,000 years old, teaches us that all of life is intricately interwoven. Ayurveda is a blueprint for living in harmony with nature and emphasizes total wellness of body, mind and spirit.

What is Ayurveda?

The five great elements (Maha Gunas) of ether or space, air, fire, water, and earth blend together in the dance of creation around and within us. Ayurveda groups these five great elements into three basic types of energy referred to as the Doshas that are the functional principles present in everything and everybody.

The doshas are:

• Vata (Air and Space) responsible for movement
• Pitta (Fire and Water) responsible for digestions/transformation
• Kapha (Earth and Water) responsible for growth/cohesiveness

Everything that we experience, be it a physical substance, a thought, or emotion, has certain qualities. The ancient texts of Ayurveda classify these qualities called Gunas in Sanskrit into 10 pairs of opposites for a total of 20 qualities:

The 10 pairs of opposite qualities are:

• Heavy vs Light
• Cold vs Hot
• Oily vs Dry
• Dull vs Sharp/li>
• Smooth vs Rough
• Dense vs Liquid
• Soft vs Hard
• Stable vs Mobile
• Gross vs Subtle
• Cloudy vs Clear

Through the lens of Ayurveda we can observe that everything in the universe can be described in terms of these gunas, or 20 qualities, and the 3 doshas. The foundation of Ayurvedic treatment relies upon recognizing when gunas have become excessive or deficient, as this is known to cause imbalances in the dosha. When these imbalances or aggravations are left unattended, this will eventually lead to disease. Ayurveda applies the opposite qualities or gunas to return to balance. By observing when these qualities become excessive or deficient and then working to re-establish balance, Ayurveda guides us to maintaining health and vitality naturally and preventatively.

Agni, the universal principle of transformation that manifests as our digestive fire, mediates between the internal and external environment, transforming food into bodily tissue and waste; interpreting information into experiential knowledge; and discerning between nutritious material and waste product. Ayurveda practices combined with simple herbal spices and medicines work to kindle the agni. With strong agni, the body is able to digest and then eliminate toxins (Ama) which have manifested due to internal or external stresses, ensuring optimal functioning of the physical, mental, emotional and energetic being. Through the application of Ayurvedic knowledge and principles we approach health as preventative medicine which establishes wellness to the unique constitution of every individual. If an imbalance has not been attended to, and disease has established itself, Ayurvedic doctors develop extensive holistic treatment protocols to return balance and health.

Ayurveda offers one of the world’s most comprehensive detoxifying, cleansing protocols, known as panchakarma. This ancient practice uses five primary therapies to release and eliminate accumulated toxins from deep within the tissues, and return the doshas to their proper seats in the body (Vata's natural seat or home in the body is the colon, Pitta's natural seat of home in the body is the small intestine, Kapha's natural seat or home in the body is the stomach)

Ayurveda offers renewed access to our natural intelligence, and holds the key to resolving imbalance and dis-ease. Thus, this ancient medicine offers the promise of a more harmonious future for the people and planet.

Offerings

Ayurvedic Wellness Counseling - 2 Hours Initial Consultation (My current fee at my office is $135)

​During your Wellness Counseling Appointment you will receive an Ayurvedic Assessment. Your unique body constitution is determined as well as any imbalances. Then, recommendations will be given in diet, including specific foods and spices, lifestyle modifications, herbal supplements, yoga postures, breathing practices, meditation techniques. Some individuals may be guided to receive a variety of Ayurvedic Body Therapies to assist in the return to balance. Some of these therapies may include the following: Marma chiktsa (Ayurvedic Acupressure), Abhyanga (Oil Massage), Shirodhara (Oil Pouring over the forehead, energy healing, etc). Detoxification and purification protocols may be recommended, along with the Ayurvedic Body Treatments. All of these are designed to bring balance, health and vibrant well-being back into your life.

Ayurvedic Wellness Counseling - Follow Up 1 Hour (My current fee at my office is $90)

When we enter into an Ayurvedic relationship for your wellness, balance, and cultivation of greater health and well-being, I make a commitment to that relationship. It is as if I take your hand into mine and we are then walking down the road of your health and wellness together. Follow Up visits are an opportunity to see how your body and doshas are balancing from the adoption of the diet and lifestyle changes suggested during your initial wellness counseling visit. This is an opportunity to make any necessary changes, additions, or deletions to your program. Life is in constant dynamic change, so what may have worked for you in the past may not be appropriate for you in this new moment.

Traditional Ayurvedic Body Therapies

The traditional therapies of Ayurveda begin with a detailed consultation to determine an individual's constitution (Prakruti) and any imbalances (Vikriti) present. Many of the therapies use warm herbal infused oils and powders that are massaged into the skin that facilitate transformation and support the body's natural healing abilities. During the consultation we will determine together, which of the many modalities will best meet the issues at hand. As well, specific herbs and oils will be chosen for each individual according to their needs.

Ayurvedic Abhyanga - 2 hours (my current fee at my office is $145)

A warm herbal infused massage oil is chosen for your particular ayurvedic constitution. The copious amounts of warm oil coupled with the rhythmic strokes of the massage, warm the skin and open the pores, blood and lymph circulation which delivers the oil and the medicinal herbs through the skin and into the body. The nervous system is calmed and Vata (Air & Space) elements in the body/mind are pacified leaving you feeling deeply nourished and peaceful.

Ayurvedic Shirodhara - 2 hours (my current fee at my office is $130)

After a short abhyanga (Oil massage) to your head, face, hands and feet, a steady stream of warm Dosha pacifying herbalized oil is gently poured across the forehead while you are lying on the massage table. Deeply nourishing and calming to the central nervous system, along with activation of the Ajna chakra (third eye) or intuitive center. This is the perfect therapy to reduce stress.

Garshana (Silk Glove Massage) 1 Hour (my current fee at my office is $95)

Dry lymphatic, skin-exfoliating vigorous full body massage with raw silk gloves. The friction of this massage creates static electricity supporting lymph flow and balance to the blood pH. Excellent therapy for moving stagnancy in the tissues and balancing Kapha Dosha

Ayurvedic Abhyanga, Shirodhara Bliss Combo - 3 hours

Full Abhyanga & Shirodhara - A 60 minute whole body Abhyanga with dosha balancing herbalized oil followed by 45 minute Shirodhara with dosha pacifying herbalized oil. Deeply soothing to body and mind that will leave you in a blissful state of peace.

Ayurvedic Seasonal Detox Cleanse

Ayurveda offers one of the world’s most comprehensive cleansing protocols. Traditionally this ancient practice used five pAyurveda offers one of the world’s most comprehensive cleansing protocols. Traditionally this ancient practice used five primary therapies to release and eliminate accumulated toxins called ama from deep within the tissues, and to cleanse and purify the mind of toxic thoughts and unresolved mental emotional issues. This aspect is likely the most important aspect of the cleanse as these toxic thoughts and emotions are often the driving force leading to unhealthy diet and lifestyle choices. The Ayurvedic Cleanse assists the "return the doshas" (elements) to their proper seats in the body thus establishing balance and health.

The Detox involves a simplified whole foods plant based diet, herbs & ghee, daily cleansing rituals, yoga asana, pranayama (breathing practice), and meditation.

The herbs combined with the ghee work synergistically to saturate toxins in the body tissues, lift them out of the tissues, melt and then release them from the body during the purgation phase of the cleanse.

Yoga asana offers a gentle but effective exercise program to help tone, and stretch, as well as move the lymphatic system.

Pranayama calms the nervous system as well as assures ample oxygen and life force energy in the body coupled with consistent release of the Co2 from the body with each exhale.

Meditation practice provides quiet reflective time to observe life habits and the emotional drivers of those habits. Meditation assists us in resolving long held issues that are likely at the root of behaviors that contribute to poor habits leading to toxicity and illness.

Ayurveda suggests completing a detox twice yearly, usually during the major seasonal transitions Traditionally these are done in both the Spring and Autumn Season. However these cleanses can be done at other times of the year.

You have two options of Detoxification

Cleanse Packages which include the following:

• Pre and Post Detox Consultations
• Customized and Detailed Cleanse Diet Protocols
• Customized Herbal Formulations designed for your particular detox (separate cost)
• Ayurvedic Bodywork Sessions (either 3 or 5 sessions of Abhyanga Oil Massages)
• 1 Shirodhara

3 Abhyanga Detox Package $720

5 Abhyanga Detox Package $850

Private Yoga Therapy - 2 hour Initial Consultation (My current fee at my office is $155)

The initial consultation for Yoga Therapy is an in-depth session designed to bring the practices of yoga, pranayama, meditation and more to address specific imbalances, injuries, or illness in your body, mind, and/or spirit. Therapeutic yoga involves a comprehensive history to discuss any pertinent issues, as well as current or past injuries that are affecting your overall health and well-being. I will observe you in several beginning yoga poses and after careful review of how these poses are expressed in your body along with reviewing your health history, I develop a specialized yoga program designed specifically for you to practice at home for your particular healing goals.

Private Yoga Therapy Follow Up 1 Hour (My current fee at my office is $100)

We will then meet again for a follow up visit to guide you through your individualized yoga program. At that time any adjustments that need to be made in the plan will be discussed and outlined. Periodic meetings to follow up and either add more, or modify your home practice will be established as you progress.

I look forward to assisting you toward your optimal health through yoga

Trauma Integration/Stress Reduction - Yoga Nidra 1 Hour (my current fee for this service is $100)

Yoga offers one of the best forms of deep relaxation techniques in the form of Yoga Nidra Meditation. This meditation is done in the yoga posture, Savasana (Corpse Pose). Laying down on the back with eyes closed. Step by step guidance into a deep state of physical and mental relaxation is provided. Once established in this relaxed state, guidance is offered to objectively explore physical, mental or emotional stressors or traumatic events to open the consciousness to deeper understanding, integration of these experiences and transformation from victimhood to wisdom and liberation. Guidance of exploration of the subtle layers of the human experience are utilized to clear, open and activate healthier flow through the subtle layers of mind, emotion and energy. The Yoga Nidra Session will leave you feeling calm, centered, deeply relaxed with new insights and release emotional trauma and stress. It has been said that if one can establish themselves in a deep state of Yoga Nidra that the rejuvenating quality of this mediation is equivalent to the full night's sleep.

I think offering package deals with a reduction in the individual service fees could be a great benefit, and could possibly stimulate onboarding of patients into my services.

For Example:

• 10% Discount for the purchase of a package
• 1 Initial Ayurvedic Wellness Consultation
• 1 Ayurvedic Wellness Follow Up
• 1 or 2 sessions of Ayurvedic body therapies or 1 Ayurvedic body therapy and 1 session of yoga therapy