Squamish Wellness Directory

Earth, Wind, and Fire

You've heard the word dosha before—but knowing your prakriti can help you stay balanced and healthy.
By Colleen Fraser, RMT, CAP

Lately it seems as if the phrase "my dosha" is tossed around like an old shoe. We've all gotten pretty comfortable using dosha to indicate a person's Ayurvedic body type. But do we really understand what the word means?

The three doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—are principles. They can't be seen with the naked eye, but their effects in the body can't be missed. Thought to be condensed from different combinations of the primal elements earth, water, fire, air, and ether, the doshas are the life energies behind all of our bodily functions. Each of them commands a specific force in the body, and each is associated with certain sensory qualities.

Dosha is a Sanskrit word that means "fault," "defect," or "that which darkens." It comes from the root dush, meaning "to become corrupt or bad; to sin." A classical text of Ayurveda, the Charaka Samhita, employs it mainly to indicate excess that is capable of causing disease.

Prakriti means "nature," and it refers not only to the natural universe but also to a person's nature—to that distinct constellation of qualities native to an individual. Our prakriti is our own permanent biological blueprint, a snapshot of our combined doshas at our first moment of existence. Our prakriti is the template for our original, and therefore personally ideal, state of balance.

The ratio between the doshas shows us a self-referencing tool. Vata represents "movement or wind" - it is governed by the nervous system and all activities physically and mentally that give us movement. Pitta represents our "metabolism" so all metobolic processes in the body and mind. Kapha is "fluidity or phlegm" so all lubrication, liquid by products like water and mucous and in the mind it would be in the form of heaviness, sluggishness. These 3 humors constitute the vital functions of the body and everyone is unique in the combination of these. As we move through life these 3 humors can become excessive at times, and ayurveda teaches us tools to bring them back to a natural state. It is a 3 dimensional way to look at health and disease. You do have to think out of the box with this stuff, and of course, the best way to go is to have an ayurvedic practitioner do a pulse reading . The ayurvedic pulse has 7 layers to it. We can read a person's state of health in each organ system, all tissues components like blood, muscle, bone, nerves and reproductive.

Once we understand our personal profile we can find foods, activities and lifestyle choices that will best support our system for healthy immunity...and what measures to take when we are sick, injured, travelling, in wet, cold season or warm hot weather. We can also consider factors that influence us at different times of day or times of life. For example, as we age more Vata kicks in naturally because Vata is all about entrophy. Age increases entrophy and the skin becomes dry and wrinkled, the bones become weaker, the nervous system does not respond as optimally. Ayurveda truly understand this process of aging and teaches us ways to age gracefully ---

As the Charaka Samhita states, "The attributes of the doshas resemble those of the factors that vitiate [aggravate] them." When the qualities of our sensory experience cause any of the doshas to accumulate in us, the result is our vikriti, which means our "current state" or "manifest imbalance."

So keep an eye on your vikriti! And don't hesitate to see a qualified practitioner for dietary, herbal, and lifestyle guidance.


Colleen Fraser RMT,CAP

www.whistlerheaingarts.com

Yoga, Ayurveda & Thai Massage Retreat | April 30 - May 2, 2010

Expand and deepen your experience of yoga through Thai massage and Ayurveda, yoga's sister science of holistic wellness.

April 30- May 2, 2010

$480.00

Come and experience the rugged elegance of BC's coast, while you relax your body, quiet your mind and open your heart

Your 2-Night Yoga, Thai & Ayurveda Retreat Includes:

• 2 nights accommodation at The Sea to Sky Retreat Center
• West Coast Cuisine featuring fresh vegetarian fare
• Morning and afternoon daily yoga and meditation instruction
• Thai Massage simple treatment exchange
• Practical Ayurvedic principles and theory
• Hiking in a Coastal Rainforest amongst the Thai Buddhist Monastery
  

This program is suitable for:

• Anyone seeking knowledge and practical tools for a deeper integration
  

       of wellness in all aspects of daily living for yourself and your family.

• Yoga Teachers, wishing to enrich their instruction for their students.
• Health Care Providers looking to expand their knowledge of diet and
  

       lifestyle as seen through the Thai Massage Practices, Ayurveda and Yoga.
 
The Sea-to-Sky Retreat Centre
 
 The retreat will be held at the beautiful and rugged Sea-to-Sky Retreat
 Centre (SSRC) just south of Whistler, B.C. The SSRC was founded in 1993 by
 Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche. The site is secluded on 40 acres on the east
 side of Daisy Lake in the beautiful British Columbia coastal mountains. The
 centre was been hosting a range of events since 1995 including group and
 personal retreats for both Buddhists and non-Buddhists.
 
For more information regarding the Retreat and for Registration please visit our website at www.whistlerhealingarts.com
Email at info@whistlerhealingarts.com Colleen @604-905-0771 

Sacredasia Thai Herbal Compress Massage Training March 27-29

Tuition $495+gst, includes training manual & herbs for the weekend.

Join us in Squamish at The Spectacle Conference Room for a weekend learning the therapeutic herbal poultice massage of Thailand. This treatment incorporates deep heated compression massage along the energy channels with acupoint work and Thai stretches. This treatment may be done on the mat or on the table and is an easy add on to any treatment as an adjunct to an existing practice. *Massage experience is not required to take this course.

Benefits & Select Herb Properties

* reduces swelling  (turmeric)

* increases circulation & flushes lactic acid (ginger) 

* tonifies the skin (kaffir lime)

* reduces muscle pain - analgesic (camphor)

(Other herbs included are cinnamon, lemongrass & eucalyptus. Packs can be modified for allergies or sensitivities.) 

**This program is eligible for Continued Competency Credits with The NHPC & Thai Healing Alliance International.

CONTACT: Kristin at Sacredasia : 604.905.9452 or info@ancientthaimassage.ca

Sacredasia Thai Massage Practitioner Training, April 29- May 29

^{Photo by Jimmy Martinello}

~Recognized Program with Natural Health Practitioners of Canada & The Thai Healing Alliance International~

Tuition: $2225+gst, $325 deposit required to hold your space.

Nestled under the mountainous backdrops, we will spend 5 weeks studying the foundations of Nuad Thai Paen Boran, which translates from Thai language as 'ancient revered touch with the intention of imparting healing'. There is daily morning practice of either Mediation, Ruesi Dut Ton (Thai Hermit Self Stretching Exercises), Yoga or Qi Gong. A strong emphasis is placed on self care and balanced practitioner development through intake, assessment, anatomical highlights & physiological conditions, ethics and more. Learn 225 positions in the Northern lineage. Graduates are given skills for practice management and experience in a professional setting through our practicum clinic. New and experienced students welcome! See website for more details.

* This program will be held at Earth-Wisdom Yoga Studio, Pemberton BC with a delectable Raw food cuisine lunch bar...

Contact: info@ancientthaimassage.ca or 604.905.9452     
www.ancientthaimassage.ca
 

AYURVEDA to the rescue

Ayurveda (“the science of life” in Sanskrit) has been restoring balance and harmony to bodies and minds in India for thousands of years.
 What the heck is it? Ayurvedic specialist Colleen Fraser breaks the magical mystery treatment down for us.



Ayurveda consists of therapeutic treatments that include herbal medicine, yoga, deep massage, reflexology, lifestyle adaptations and detoxification programs.

First, it’s important to know your doshas — the ayurvedic aspects that govern the body:




Vata is the energy associated with movement. Like air, it controls breathing, muscle and tissue movement, and the heart. A strong vata means having a creative mind, a tendency to be cold, drier skin and a general quickness.

 

Pitta  is the fire fueling your body’s metabolic system. It governs digestion, absorption and assimilation. Primarily pitta means having a sharp intellect, a strong appetite, a tendency to stay warm and oily skin. And if your pitta’s off, you might be a hot head.

Kapha regulates water for the body. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin and maintains immunity. A kapha constitution has strong stamina and a calm, tolerant, forgiving disposition. Lethargy sets in when your kapha’s out of whack.


View this photo


 

A trained therapist assesses your pulse to diagnose imbalances in your doshas and recommends appropriate therapies (think herbalized steam

baths , deep tissue massage or meditation with organic oil infusions) to strengthen the body’s healing ability.

Read more articles on Ayurveda

STAYING BALANCED IN THE WINTER MONTHS

Ordinarily, in winter there may be more arthritis, sinus congestion and bronchitis. If people have an imbalance or disease, they must follow a diet and lifestyle regimen according to their doshic problem. Cold weather constricts the skin pores and superficial connective tissue to prevent heat loss. Hence the heat from the outer tissues is pushed inside to the stomach, so therefore more congestion can accumulate in the digestive tract. Nowadays, people in the West are very health conscious, so they go to health-food stores and buy vitamins and multi-minerals. However, their bodies’ systems are not clean: they have toxins in the gastrointestinal tract and their tongues are coated. Although these people are taking calcium, zinc, iron, and vitamin B12 their body can still show deficiency of these nutrients.  Ayurveda says do panchakarma or a similar detoxification program for at least 5 days in the Spring and Fall. You will enjoy every moment of your life with great awareness, joy, and clarity in your relationships. Even a relationship gets clogged, congested and stagnant. Why is this? Toxins in  the mind, bring judgment, conclusion, criticism, hurt, insult and flattery. Overall in winter, keep calm, keep warm, be happy with good company, do indoor exercise such as yoga and poses that open the chest, throat and sinuses are great to remove any congestion in the respiratory tract. After the yoga and breathing exercises, meditate for a while. Winter is a season of passivity; so don’t be in a rush. Just follow nature and practice a passive form of meditation. Dress appropriately for the outdoor climate and you will make your life happy and healthy.

Things to Avoid in Winter

• Avoid foods that increase kapha and vata
• Avoid cold or iced drinks
• Avoid skipping meals or fasting
• Avoid late nights
• Avoid exposure to cold drafts and wind
• Avoid complete inactivity

Things to do in Winter

• Do regular, gentle exercise
• Undertake regular exercise to keep circulation going
• Get exposure to sunlight whenever possible
• Daily oil massage of sesame oil
• Keep warm and dry and stay out of strong winds
• Drink warming herbal teas, such as ginger and cinnamon
• Eat primarily sweet , salty and sour foods
• Eat warming soothing, easily digested meals such as soups and stews
• Regular nasya( nasal cleansing)

Your On-line Directory to Wellness!

Welcome to the Squamish Wellness Directory, your online resource for practitioners, education and information about all things healthy. You can find practitioners and learn more about what they do and what events they are hosting. Read articles about how you can make your life healthier in body, mind and spirit.

Learn about wellness and how the diverse, gifted and inspiring practitioners of Squamish and the Sea to Sky corridor can help you on your path to greater health and happiness.

Get started by discovering who the practitioners are and what they do with the Find Practitioners and Articles column. Each category lists people and has a link to informative articles.

Click on the Events category to find out what exciting, informative and fun wellness workshops and practitioner trainings are happening.

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Enjoy good health,

The Squamish Wellness Practitioners