Energy Science Detoxification
When we enter a new way of doing healing it's good for us to educate ourselves about how the new discipline does its healing I have emphasized in this blog that we can't bring our matter science preconceived notions along with us when we begin looking at the energy science way of healing It just doesn't work So we need to be prepared to leave behind out old baggage and be prepared to enter a new way of healing
The Ayurvedic detoxification procedure is called panchakarma(PK) which means the 5 actions The five actions are nasya, rakta moksha(blood donation), vamana, virechana, and basti These actions can be done outside the context of a panchakarma event especially if there are complicating clinical circumstances but they are most effective when done in the context of PK
Detoxification has a very specific meaning in the energy science It means that during the process the Vata Pitta and Kapha energy patterns are brought back to the GIT for elimination AS WELL AS ama which has been peripherally spread from the GIT to the tissues and energy channels of the mindbody along with VPK
The PK Event
The event of PK is just that It is an event that occurs that brings about healing Like all the healing modalities used in the energy science it's not just one thing but a multiplicity of things done to the energy body's field that brings about healing changes So it is with the PK It's not just one thing in the PK event that brings about healing but it's how all of the modalities during the event come together to bring about a successful outcome
There are 3 components to the PK event The first is the preparatory phase in which the primary purpose is to prepare the energy field for detoxification There are several components to this phase but by far and away the most important is internal oleation which is done by taking increasing amounts of ghee orally in order to saturate the tissues so that the energy mindbody will release VPK and ama from the peripheral tissues
The second phase is the application of the five actions during a period of time During this time three other things should be done to encourage the movement of VPK and ama back to the GIT for elimination Oil massage, sweating, and oil to the forehead in a continuous stream helps support the process Other therapies can also be applied as per individual patient
The followup or third phase is to do things to support the elimination of the VPK and ama from the GIT An important aspect here is to rekindle agni that has been slowed down by the first two phases This is a very important aspect of this third and last phase of PK This phase can last as long as three months in which there is gradual release of VPK/ama
Some Clarifications about PK
One PK event in a person's incarnation is not enough for detoxification Rather it should be seen as a repetitive process that is like dipping a shirt into soapy water One dip doesn't clean the shirt It takes multiple dips to clear the accumulated toxic load As with any process the more you do the better you get at it
The PK event is special in how things get done If you take pieces out of context and use it regularly they don’t have the same effect For example, the use of basti which is the best way to eliminate Vata and ama from the energy mindbody doesn’t have the same effectiveness when done alone out of the context of the PK event as when it’s done in it
The more one oleates in the first phase the better the end result There are several tricks that can be used to make this important stage successful
It is possible to do the PK event over one week and by yourself with or without guidance But this week time frame doesn't include the first and third phases outlined above
Lastly even though it may seem foreign to you it is a way to ensure that real healing can take place if you deposited peripheral VPK/ama
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Low Back Pain: 5 Management Strategies
As the incidence of low back pain(LBP) is trending higher in the general population numerous anatomical or matter science methods are suggested Now there are new anatomical observations about the mechanical carriage of the spine that suggests that there has become too much thoracic curvature and that the back in more primitive cultures was more J shaped than the gentle S curve that is shown in spinal diagrams The reason given for this is our sedentary culture and the incorrect use of furniture
Let's look at how the energy science anatomy looks at LBP
The Anatomical Home of the Vata Energy Pattern
Vata, the energy pattern of movement, has the qualities of cold, light, mobile, dry, rough, subtle, and clear
As we have discussed before the role that Vata plays in disease labels begins in the GIT and then spreads from the colon and/or lower rectum to the pelvic nerves or to other parts of the mindbody to produce the varied presentation of Vata imblance
The anatomical home for Vata is the colon, pelvic girdle, thighs and lumbosacral(LSS) spine It is this latter involvement that leads to Vata when increased to produce symptoms of pain in the lower back
How does Vata increase its qualities? First, lifestyle choices such as lack of proper rest, lack of regimen, and foods that produce Vata aggravation This is particularly important for those with a PV type of energy constitutional makeup Secondly, when agni or digestive power is affected it can lead to a progressive buildup of Vata in the rectum that then leads to symptoms in the LSS
There is no pain without Vata This is because Vata primary functional area of the mindbody is the nervous system So when Vata accumulates and then aggravates the tissues Vata is the first to produce complaints of pain
5 Management Strategies for LBP
The qualitative reasons for LBP are cold, light, mobile, dry, rough, subtle, and clear due to the localization of the Vata energy pattern in the LLS area Another important observation already discussed is the close relationship between the pelvic and pectoral(shoulder) girdles
Pranayama(PY) Since the breath ties together the pelvis(apana vayu) and the shoulders(udana vayu) together it is no surprise that breath exercises can facilitate over time back rehabilitation This strategy improves the flexibility of the musculofascial planes surrounding the LSS and the strength of the supporting muscles of the entire back PY is the best way over time to make this happen Loss of flexibility is related to the cold, dry, and rough qualities The loss of strength is related to the light, dry, rough and subtle changes
Mahanaryan oil This is an excellent penetrating oil that quiets the Vata qualities of dry, rough, and subtle There are energy science methods of oil application that are ingenious and highly effective in improving ability to loosen the tissue rigidity occurring due to cold quality
Heat The cold quality is always present in any pain complex so the liberal use of the hot quality, preferably moist heat
Become a floor dweller This may seem rather radical but even laying on the floor for brief periods of time can be very therapeutic for LBP This is because when the back's foundation(LSS) becomes impaired all aspects of the back become involved Using the floor helps provide support to the upper thoracic back which becomes problematic due to the LSS Vata effect
Become conscious of your posture As we started in this discussion being aware of our posture becomes an important part of rehabilitation of the lower back by targeting how we carry the upper back particularly the thoracic curve This is done by paying attention to the shoulders keeping them drawn back and down This action improves the lordotic J hook of the LSS and reduces the prominence of the thoracic spine PY helps improve the overall strength of the back so that this action on the thoracic spine can be held for long periods of time
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A perfect snack should be nutritious and digest easily even in those with poor digestive strength(agni) This can be really important for those with poor agni which is almost always the case
Fresh fruit fits this category and is the primo snack food, hands down It beats anything in the middle of the grocery store
The Universal Fruits
Energetically we are not created equally Some are PV others PK while others VK(unusual) so we don't resonate the same to foods and fruits are no exception Perhaps some of you already know that a granny Smith apple due to its sourness can provoke your IC
But there are some fruits that can be used all the time....the universal fruits Notice that they are all sweet because the sour taste will provoke Pitta
Fruit that can be used all the time: Sweet apples(apple a day keeps...), applesauce, sweet berries, sweet cherries, sweet cherries, soaked prunes, soaked raisins
Particularly during the summer when central agni is low, fruits make an excellent way to protect an already compromised agni Try to use locally grown fruits when you can and support the organic growers
Remember the general rule to not mix other foods with fruit If you eat fruit before or after a meal allow 30minutes as a separating time interval Fruits and yogurt is a particularly nauseating combination
Fruits and Improving Digestive Fire(Agni)
Consider using fresh fruit for the below to charge up your agni berries
Fruit fast (PV every 2w...PK evergy week)
Fruit juice fast
Fruit as meal subsititutes
Fruit as snacks
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Medicinal Energetic Effect of Sprouted Grains
Grains are an interesting food group energetically but the one use of grains that is universally safe for all energy constitutional makeups is sprouted grains
Grains vary in terms of the types that can be used For example, Pitta Vata can use cooked oats, rice, and pancakes all the time whereas PK would use these in moderation Typically it's recommended to avoid yeasted bread products so flatbreads become the best way to use grains as a form of "bread"
Use of Sprouted Grains
In general the husk of the grain is difficult to digest and requires strong agni Since most people's agni is not up to par it makes the digestion of husked grains difficult to digest For example, brown rice is not balancing for any of the energy patterns due to the husk
White basmati rice is a classic grain without the husk Other grains are usually husked Here's a video demo demonstrating the dehusking process
Another way to deal with the tough husk of a grain is to soak the grain and that stimulates the grain to begin to sprout Sprouting grains is a time honored way of releasing nourishing aspects of any grain The benefits of sprouting are three fundamental aspects: 1) sprouting activates food enzymes; 2) sprouting increases vitamin content, and 3) sprouting neutralizes antinutrients like phytic acid which bind up minerals preventing your ability to fully absorb them
It is the last aspect that is of most interest for those with IC since phytic acid would be irritating and provoking energetically But all three of these benefits are important in terms of improving the nutrition of the foods we eat
So another way to take advantage of sprouted grains is to access available products commercially The best is a nonyeasted sprouted grain product, tortillas Nonyeasted products are superior to yeasted grain products because yeast produces gas and heat in the small intestine
The most affordable and commonly commercially available bread source of sprouted grains is sprouted wheat bread
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Strategies to Eat Well on a Budget
Ultimately, it is up to us to take control of our kitchens and our lives. The most radical message we can send the food industry – which considers money, not our health in regard to its bottom line – is to prepare our own meals, make the best food selections within our budgets, and reclaim our health.
This does not mean turning bargain food shopping into a second hobby. We are all overworked, overstressed, and overtaxed. Most of us don’t have time to scrupulously compare store prices or cut coupons.
Even so, there are ways of making choices that work within our resources. Here are 10 ideas based on how I save time and money AND create better health for myself.
1 Keep a journal. This might be the most eye-opening experience you will encounter to better budget your time, resources, and money. For just one week, keep a journal of every cent you spend and how you spend every hour of the day. Think of money as your life energy. It represents your time in physical form. How do you want to spend this life energy?
2 Choose three things that give you more money. For example, don’t buy that $2.00 coffee every day — that’s $730.00 a year! Likewise, you might find yourself gravitating to the vending machine daily. You can put that money towards much better use.
3 Buy in season. You will almost always get fresher produce, probably locally grown, for less money, when it is in season.
4 Learn the Dirty Dozen. Not everyone has the budget to buy 100 percent organic, but the more you can, the more you will avoid GMOs and have better health. To learn the most and least pesticide-ridden foods, visit this link....goo.gl/t9TZdh
5 Frequent discount grocery stores. Search out cheaper sources of fresh, whole foods in your neighborhood. My top choices are stores like Trader Joe’s and shopping clubs like Costco or Sam’s Club, where you can buy vegetables, olive oil, fruits, nuts, canned beans, sardines, and salmon at much lower prices than regular supermarkets or other retail chains.
6 Think about joining your local food co-op. Co-ops are community-based organizations that support local farmers and businesses and allow you to order foods and products in bulk at just slightly over the wholesale price. This takes a bit of advance planning but will save you money.
7 Join a community-supported agriculture program. Buy direct and cut out the middleman. We get organic, mostly seasonal, local vegetables delivered to our house for $55 a week, or a little more than $10 a person for a family of four per week. We don’t always get to choose what we get, but it makes us more creative cooks.
8 Keep some basics on hand. Develop a repertoire of cheap, easy-to-prepare meals. Have the ingredients available at home at all times so you don’t get stuck eating food that doesn’t make you feel well or help you create the health you want. This takes planning but is well worth it.
9 Create a “potluck club”. Have coworkers share the responsibility of making lunch for the group once a week or every two weeks. No more buying lunch out, and you get to eat real, whole fresh food and only have to cook a few times a month. Or create a “supper club” with a group of friends; rather than go out to dinner, once a week or once a month rotate dinner parties at one another’s homes. You will build community and health at the same time.
10 Order staples online. Why pay retail for healthy kitchen staples like turmeric, coconut oil, and almond butter?
Many products can be found on Amazon.com simply putting in what you're searching for in the search bar. Even with shipping the prices are excellent.
This is in part courtesy of Dr Mark Hyman
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Energy Science 8 Natural Remedies for Constipation
In general Vata due to the elements of Space and Air presents when imbalanced as gas Gas or air when present has the capability of drying This dry quality tends to be most prominent in the colon and so colonic contents and the lubricating element of the colon get dried out The contents don't slide along leading to further drying The result is a slow down of the normal transit time through the colon leading to constipation
Constipation and Natural Remedies
The energy science of Ayurveda offers a guideline that a healthy functioning state of the colon is a bowel movement first thing in the morning and then a stool 2h after eating From this definition most of us are constipated to some degree or another
Constipation is a Vata issue and it may be that due to the PV nutritional format(nf)Pitta has risen and is blocking Vata leading to an increase in the Vata energy The nf is never ever the problem....it's the shifts, releases, and the imbalances that lead to changes in patterns I would do one or all of the following:
1 Begin using soaked overnight prunes or raisins(can use them as snacks not with meals) or apples bananas peaches pineapple juice based on the nf 
2 Eat more fiber....oatmeal wheat bran oat bran
3 Use triphala(T3) on a every night basis...you can make a decoction(5min boil of the herb in cup of water) at night or straight up powder(churna) and wash it down with warm water....link http://goo.gl/RMD8ny....I think the churna is superior to tablets(vati)
4 If you get loose with the T3 switch to bhumyamalaki at the same link 3 There is a T3 tincture if your agni is poor at the same link
5 2t of ghee with warm milk at bedtime is a gentle way to help with constipation
6 Castor oil can be used if the constipation is obstinate but not for long period of time as it can cause dependency One way to prevent this dependency is using castor with warm milk at night
7 Boil 1T of flaxseed in 1c of water for 3minutes then drink including the seeds
8 If there is absolute constipation for 3 days, don't use purgatives The better approach is to use basti(medicated herbal enema) to initiate steps of regulating the system You can use T3 tea as described above just more volume with more T3
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