What to Expect 

Yoga Classes

In a lovely private home studio upstairs loft – small groups – specialising in Satyananda style yoga practises – for general yoga classes – a class consists of shavasana, postures, breathing, mudras (usually hand positions) and bandhas (physical locks such as perineum lift or abdominal lock etc) lying down relaxations called Yoga Nidra (guided creative visualisation and breathing practises) meditation practises such as chanting (om chanting, so-ham breath meditation or inner silence practises).  The classes range from 1 hour to 90 minutes.  Classes are inclusive/welcoming and friendly.

 

Constitutions/Prakruti

Most people are a dual doshic eg.., vata/pitta, kapha/vata and kapha/pitta and sometimes tridoshic vata/pitta/kapha. This means that each person will have the qualities of the doshas in different proportions.  

Utilising ayurvedic principals to keep all the doshas in balance.

Vata 

The space and air elements combine to form the vata dosha.  Vata means it moves things.  Vata rules movements, sensory functions, circulation, respiration and nerve conduction.  It is the moving force behind pitta and kapha.

Vatas’ qualities are mobile, cold, dry, light, subtle and rough. 

The person with predominately Vata in their constitution has lots of enthusiasm, many interests and a quick mind.  Vata types are always on the go – physically and mentally.

Common signs of Vata imbalance include dryness such as constipation and dry skin and they are prone to anxiety and exhaustion.

It is important for Vata types to express their creativity and artistic inclinations.

Pitta

Fire and water elements combine to form the Pitta dosha and represent transformation.  It means to digest things.  Pitta is the energy that responsible for metabolic activities and digestion.

Pittas’ qualities are hot, unpleasant/peculiar odour, liquid/fluidity, slightly oily/unctuous, sharp/intense, light, free flowing and mobile.

The balanced Pitta person is often a joyful character, charismatic, confident, sharp intellect, courageous and drive. Pitta types are often high achievers and ambitious. 

They can be of fiery temperament. When the Pitta dosha is out of balance, they can have problems such as infections in the body, fevers, ulcers, heartburn, inflammation and rashes.  

Kapha

Kaphas’ qualities are water and earth elements combined. Kapha is solid holds things together. It lubricates, responsible for growth and it protects.

Kaphas’ qualities are sticky/slimy stable/firm, cold, wet, smooth/soft, slow/dull in action and heavy.  

The balanced Kapha person has good health and mental peace.  Kapha types are gentle, warm and loving people. Kapha types are patient, forgiving, good listeners and have strong stamina.

When they are out of balance they can overeat and often suffer from obesity, sinus congestion and mucus type conditions.

Ayurvedic Initial Consults

Conducted in office in the yoga studio.  Ayurvedic consultations involve, asking questions, observing the person – such as skin, nails, hair, the temperature of the skin. Physical examinations of the eyes the markings, similar to iridology and feeling the pulse to determine the rhythm, pace, strength of the pulse to get a deeper understanding of the persons constitution and examining the body when there is a need to.  The whole consultation is to find out what the persons’ constitutions (prakriti) is and what imbalances (vikruti) the person has.  

Finding out if there is Ama (toxins) and the state of the Agni (digestive fire).
Once the the persons’ constitution and imbalances are determined then ayurvedic treatments, diet, routines and herbal medicines (if needed) can be recommended.  These are very simple and easy to do but effective. Recommendations that can help to improve and manage all kinds of health conditions and also for people who are healthy to keep improving the health, ayurveda is suitable for everyone in these modern difficult times.  The practises can be applied to everyone slowly introducing things that are easy/doable and in harmony with the persons lifestyle.
The consultation takes 1 to 1.5 hours.  Then 30 minutes for a treatment plan which is then emailed to the person after their consultation.  If there are any questions after the consultation welcome to call and discuss.

Ayurvedic Follow-up 

Usually 2 weeks later following up treatment plan and making adjustments to treatment, long term support and prescribing more herbs if needed and recommending ayurvedic therapy treatments that will help the persons condition improve.

 

Herbal Medicine Initial 

Similar to Ayurvedic initial consultation, the focus is on herbal medicine choosing herbs that will bring back balance. Utilising similar diagnostic techniques and also using western iridology.

Diet and lifestyle recommendations are given and specific herbal mixtures and recommendations are simple and practical and are more western (Naturopathic) treatments, for example vitamins and supplements and nutritional aspect of diet.
Consultation is for 1 to 1.5 hours and 30 minutes for diet, lifestyle and recommendations then to be emailed after the consultation. If there are any questions after the consultation welcome to call and discuss.

Herbal Medicine Follow-up 

Usually 2 weeks later following up treatment plan and making adjustments to treatment and prescribing more herbs if needed and making any changes to treatment plan.  Support to continue on making the necessary changes over time.

 

Mini Herbal Medicine Consult

& Repeat Herbals

Similar to Initial consultations but focussing on herbal medicine only without the diet, lifestyle and treatment recommendations.  
The consult is for 30 minutes.

Repeat herbal medicines that don’t need to be changed. Just for the time it takes to make the herbal.

 

Ayurvedic Body Therapies

Ayurvedic Massage

Techniques used are – marma therapy massaging specific points on the body, this is incorporated in a deeply relaxing nurturing massage flow that is nourishing and healing for the whole being.  In ayurvedic massage we massage the head, face, back, front (including the abdomen, sides, flanks, feet and hands.  Each individual can chose areas they do or don’t want massaged. Each massage is designed to suit the constitution of the person and different flows and sequences are done to balance the constitution of the person – for kapha constitution – usually vigorous, for pitta and vata constitutions usually calming flow.  Meridian massage is included also if it is needed.  Ayurvedic massage is also included with the body therapy treatments.

 

 

Heat Treatments

Pinda, Patra and Ruksha Sweda 

 

Pinda, patra and ruksha sweda poultice treatments are incorporated into a ayurveda marma massage therapeutically.  They can also be done as a stand alone treatment.  Usually the treatment is applied for 20-30 minutes to affected areas.

30 minute to 1 hour massage is chosen with the treatment.

 

 

Oil Treatments

Kati basti (lower back) – Dough ball in shape of donut over the sacrum – hot oil poured into donut over the sacrum area, when it cools the oil is removed and heated and poured in again – this is done for around 20-30 minutes doing massage after this.

 

Hridaya basti  (heart area) – dough ball shaped into a donut and placed over heart area, filling with warm oil.  This is done for around 20-30 minutes doing massage after this.

 

Janu basti  (knees) – dough ball shaped into a donut over both knees filling with warm oil.  For around 20-40 minutes.

Griva basti (neck) – cotton clothe pads covered in hot oil placed over back of neck area. Can be applied for long periods during massage and hot stones can be applied to the oiled clothe as a oil heat treatment.

                          

Netra basti (eyes) – dough ball made into a donut over each eye and bathing eyes in ghee.  Takes about 20-30 minutes.

All oil treatments include ayurvedic massage.