Ayurvedic Workshop

Ayurvedic Marma Massage at The Harmony Centre with Dr Swaroop Verma

Hi Friends it was a busy and exciting time here in Suffolk during August Dr. Swaroop Verma a renowned Ayurvedic Doctor from Israel paid us a special visit. He kicked off the weeks programme with a very well attended talk at The Harmony Centre, as most people were new to Ayurveda he talked more about the fundamental concepts of Vata, Pitta and Kapha and included a wonderful series of chants and meditation. It was also good for me because I got to meet local people with an interest in Ayurveda and Yoga. Then Following on from the talk, The Harmony Centre was the perfect setting for Dr Verma's Ayurvedic Marma Massage course. We had a really nice group of people from all over the country, and one participant came all the way from Scotland. The theory was on the friday evening and practical was all day Saturday & Sunday. This technique of Ayurvedic Marma Massage has been developed by Dr. Verma and his family over several generations. Dr. Verma is an amazing teacher, and there is a logical way in which the massage is taught, and the movements just seem to flow from one to the other. I have been practicing the technique since the end of the course and all my clients have commented on how much they enjoyed the treatment, and how good they feel afterwards. Giving the massage also makes you feel good. We were also treated to Wonderful Ayurvedic vegetarian food that Dr Verma cooked for us as well which was delicious. We had vegetable dal and rice and homemade coriander chutney. and lots of organic vegetables and salads that some of our students brought in. As food is considered as medicine in Ayurveda, all Ayurvedic doctors are expert in cooking and preparing food. It was an appetizing and enlightening weekend, and We look forward to Dr. Verma coming back again next year for Part two follow-up. In the mean time I am going to run a series of Sunday workshops on" Rituchariya and Dinachariya" Ayurvedic seasonal and daily routines. The changing seasons can influence our whole neuro-physiology, so in this workshop we will learn how we can adapt and balance our lifestyle and diet in accordance with the season. As we will be moving into winter, we will be looking to balance Vata dosha. Imbalanced Vata is responsible for the majority of all disease, so if we can learn to balance Vata then we are well on the way to improve our health and prevent future ill health. The first Worshop will start on Sunday the 13thNovember.

Ayurveda Tour with Dr Swaroop Verma - Suffolk August 2011

Indian Cookery Workshop with Dr. Swaroop Verma

Ayurvedic Nutrition & Cookery Workshop with Dr. Swaroop Verma 22nd August 2011

The workshop is designed for those who want to deepen their connection with their bodies and soul through the secrets of healthy ayurvedic nutrition. The workshop gives you the tools to make yourself and your loved ones a healthy balanced meal, by adapting a personal healthy life style and nutrition. Five hours of practical cooking, learning how to prepare six different healthy vegetarian dishes then enjoy sharing a delicious supper together.

This workshop is essential for Ayurvedic & Yoga practitioners, vegetarians, and all of you who are interested in and care passionately about good food.

Content:

• How to determine and balance our unique body/mind constitution.
• How to build a healthy daily and seasonal routine that will maintain health, prevent disease, and slow down the ageing process.
• “Kitchen cupboard remedies”, Understanding the medicinal values of the spices used in Ayurvedic cooking.
• Tailoring food according to your body type.

A healthy Ayurvedic meal consists of:

1. Khichri – rice, lentils and vegetables. a meal that provides essential proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals.
2. Lentil soup. - Nutritious and easy to digest, has a detoxifying affect.
3. Chapatti - Healthy Indian bread without yeast.
4. Chutney - a sauce/spread that strengthens the digestive system.
5. Raita - Yogurt with fresh vegetables, and special seasoning.

After eating this meal you will feel light, happy and satisfied!

Date & Time: 22nd August- 16.00- 21.00

Telport House

Puddingmore

Beccles

NR 34 9PL

Cost: £85.00
For more information please contact: Tanya Bradbury

m: 07779 583 123 t: 01986 798644

email: tanya@priyaspa.com

Ayurvedic Diet A Healthier Approach To Life

In India all Ayurvedic doctors know how to cook, and know intimately the different effects that foods can have on individual constitutions, pre and post digestion.This also includes a variety of cooking methods which help to transform and enhance the digestive quality of the food. A whole science revolves around this one subject, because incorrect eating and poor digestion creates ama or toxins in the body and this ama is the root cause of most diseases. Everthing begins with good digestion, absorption of nutrients and proper elimination of waste products. Only then can the body produce healthy tissues and a balanced nervous system. Good health or Svasthya predominately revolves around a diet rich in fresh unprocessed foods, mostly based around grains, pulses and vegetables and fruits.

However Ayurvedic diet is not bland or boring, it is something which gets the digestive juices flowing and is so delicious that it leaves the individual happy and content and well nourished. So even before you see the food you can smell it, and it's this first sense that helps to stimulate the appetite, we even say something smells "Mouth watering". It should also look appetising and contain different textures, some liquid, like a soup and other vegetable and rice dishes. Flat bread like Chappati also adds to the texture and nutritional content.

The balance of flavor and variety of tastes in Indian cooking leave us feeling satisfied. This is because they contain a balance of the six tastes. When all the six tastes are present in a meal, then we can say it's truly balanced and this balance of flavors helps us to enjoy our food and at the same time it helps us digest the food more easily.

• Sweet - Milk, fruits , grains, sweet fruits, sweet potato
• Sour - fruits, Yoghurt, sour cream, mature cheese, pickles
• Salty - salt, sea fish, seaweed, asafoetida
• Bitter - Radichio, bitter gourd, green leafy veg
• Astringent - pulses, lentils, beans
• Pungent - ginger, pepper, mustard, tender radish

The importance of the six tastes in each meal is something we tend to overlook in the western diet. Our diet in the west is mostly made up of "Sweet, Sour and Salty" If you look at fast food like a big mac or fish & Chips these are the main flavors. The trouble is too many of these flavors leaves our diet wanting, and often these tastes are high in sugars, salts and fats.

They can also aggrevate some of the doshic types like Pitta and Kapha. And something that we tend to eat more of here is chocolate, I've noticed in India that people really don't eat that much of it if at all. They do like sweet without a doubt! but often that tatse will be within the meal and balanced by the others. Once you get to knows your own constitution better, you can eat more of the foods that are good for you, and eat less or avoid the ones which upset you.

In the Workshop that Dr. Verma is presenting, you will not only learn how to cook six delicious vegetarian dishes, but you will also gain much insight into the ritual and methodology of Ayurvedic cookery and nutrition. It is something that everyone here in the west should know about. After all "You are what you eat"

By Tanya Bradbury.

Ayurveda, Yoga and Tantra- The Ultimate diagnosis and treatment of Human suffering By Dr. Swaroop Verma

Ayurveda, Yoga and Tantra , these three allied mountains of knowledge reveal themselves at the same time, from the same stream of eternal wisdom, Sanatan Dharma, through the same group of seers in the same Himalayan region of India.

They all follow the four fold fundamentals of Sanatan Dharma: which subscribes that there is an eternal problem of disease, decay and death. Proper diagnosis of this fundamental problem is needed to find out the real cause. When the cause has been diagnosed then, there is way to cure it. Budha describe them as four noble truths.

Yoga and Ayurveda both have the same complementary approach towards Swastha (health) and Cikitsa (healing) on a very deep level. According to Yoga, a Moodh- Kchipta(Disturbed state of mind) or any negative internal or external stimuli (Klesha) creates a Psycho-physiological disturbance (Vikchepa). This leads to a state of miserable distress (Dukha-Daurmanasya) of the organism and affects the flow of Prana (Swasa-Praswasa) which manifests as Vyadhi (via-a dha-out of track).This phenomenal fact described beautifully in the thirty-first sutra of first section of Yoga-Sutra of Patanjajali. By practicing different steps of yoga a practitioner creates a Nirudhi (Transcendental state of mind) which leads to Samadhi (Sama-a-dha- to put together as one whole). Samadhi is the state of being, integrated functioning homeostasis, a psycho-somatic balance, where the person returns to his own original form (Swaroop), only then is he really Swastha (healthy).

My grandfather Late Dr. Munnalal Verma a celebrated Yogi and dedicated Physician, successfully used these Yogic-Ayurvedic approaches in his clinical practice for years and it has been an fundamental source of my further understanding on the subject.

To bring real Samadhi and Swastha I found a beautiful and profound integrated Ayurvedic and yogic approach, consisting of four comprehensive steps.

1. Understanding the human psyche on a deep level through right knowledge (vidhya), in order to cultivate the correct psychological attitudes. This Vedic knowledge reveals that we are not only a physical machine of biochemical processes or only a psychological victims of socio-religious conditioning, but we are a conscious being which can be aware and rise from our narrow, egoistic, limited personality to on that level where we can experience unlimited vastness of our true being, which is beyond the suffering and the pain. To give a complete and comprehensive picture of human psyche and to take us out from physicality of Maya, this Vedic knowledge describes how every human being made up of seven different bodies including our physical and mental body and how these different body functions together in order to sustain the organism. When we can peel all covering of different bodily layer of our soul then we can realize that Raga ( wrong attachment with Maya) is one of the main cause of Roga ( disease) and can be dealt with by Abhyas (constant de-conditioning practice) and Vairagya (conscious living).

2. Reconditioning of the neuro-muscular and neuro-glandular system through different practice of Yoga which enhances physical and mental immunity.

Now it has been established in the medical community that Ayurveda, yoga and Tantra all these eastern sciences are the first and the best mind-body medicine ever known to human mind. They described beautifully how every mental or emotional trauma accumulate as a complex node on the different vital organ and Neuro-musculo-skelaton system, which greatly influence on our posture and how we hold our body.. And when posture is distorted then Prana can not move freely in the Nadi (Pranic Chenal). This distortion in posture can be corrected through Asana and other Yogic practices.

3. Swastha-Vrata- Ayurvedic health regimen of a healthy lifestyle, wholesome satvic diet, encouraging the natural process of elimination, the avoidance of the suppression of natural urges. All this Ayurvedic healthy regimen and life style is understanding and following one's natural bio-rhythms tailoring it to the cosmic- rhythms. Because, ultimately our personality is made up of four things; what and how we eat (Ahar), how we spend our time (Vihar), what we think (Vichar) and how we relate to each other (Achar).

4. Special Yogic practices to regulate the Pancha Vayu (five kinds of main vital energy or SubVata Dosa). All Yogic practices of Asana, Pranayama, bandha, mudra, kriya, connect to one or two specific Pancha Vayu and regulate the flow of Prana. According to Ayurveda, any disease or discomfort is the result of the flow of one or other Pancha Vayu going out of track (Vyadhi). Ayurveda is the detective tool for tracing the imbalanced Vayu and Yoga and Tantra are excellent therapeutic means to balance it.

While I was living and studying at a well known scientific and literary research institute of Yoga, Kaivalyadhama, India, I realized this integrated and very practical diagnostic and therapeutic fact of Ayurveda and Yoga about Pancha-Vayu.

Ayurveda elegantly describes these Pancha Vayu as Sub Vata Dosha and there is a detailed description of how to diagnose their Dusti (Disturbed state) but the treatment is mainly on a physical and gross level. On other hand in Yoga there is not that much clear description about Diagnosis of these Pancha-Vayu but whole Hatha Yoga is the play of these five life energies on a very deep and subtle level. In fact, in yoga any desired movement or transformation, either kundilini awakening or opening of Chakra or performing a simple Asana (posture), can not be established without involving the Pancha Vayu.

For example, disturbed Udan Vayu Or Udana Vata can create coughing, vomiting, reflex problem on a physical level and psychological or emotional level it can create lack of self-expression, lack of enthusiasm or arrogance, throat and heart chakra related problems etc. This disturbed Udana can be diagnosed by Ayurvedic diagnostic methods and can be managed by those Yogic practices where the emphasis is given to Udan Vayu, posture likeBhujangasana, bandha like Uddiyana bandha, mudra like Viparit karani and kriya likeKapalbhati etc.

Ayurveda is the detective tool for tracing the imbalanced Prana; Yoga and Tantra, being an excellent therapeutic means for balance it.

Yogic and Tantric practices require a healthy and well-balanced body.

Ayurveda provides this necessary tool for achieving the goal of Tantra and Yoga through right nutrition and wholesome lifestyle.

As we see Ayurveda, Yoga and Tantra with their allied application leads to ultimate diagnosis and healing of Human suffering.. They are not only dealt with disease but they are also an comprehensive means to Sadhaka for self realization and achieve the ultimate balance (Swastha).

Coming soon in August Ayurveda Marma Massage Course with Dr Swaroop Verma

This is a unique opportunity to learn Ayurvedic Marma Massage and Ayurvrdic Nutrition and Cookery with a Master Practitioner. Dr. Swaroop Verma is taking time out fro his busy European tour to spend a long weekend with us here during August.

Prior to the weekend course Dr. Verma will give a free and open talk on Ayurveda, Yoga And Tantra "A Journey From Physical To Consciousness."

"Mamas" are the energetic cross-roads of the body, junction points between matter and consciousness. "Ayurveda Marma Massage" is an excellent way to work on marmas and regulate the Prana (Vital Energy) in the Nadis (Energy Chanel), stimulate the Kundalini and balance the Chakras.This practical technique has been passed down from generation to generation in the Ayurvedic and Yogic families in India, for thousands of years.

This type of massage has many healing benefits. Beside the mental and emotional releases, Ayurvedic massage increases immunity, flexibility and strength, it reduces toxins, stress and fatigue while slowing down the ageing process and improving general well-being.

This course is for professional body-workers, Healers, Yoga and Tantra practitioners and Yoga teachers and also for all those who want a deeper understanding of authentic Ayurvedic massage. It is also suitable for the lay person who wants to experience their healing energy and explore the power of physical touch.

The subjects covered

• Fundamentals of Ayurveda-tri doshic theory;
• Prakriti – How to know your body type;
• Practical Whole-Body oil Massage with emphasis on Marma Points;
• Oil Preparation for Ayurvedic Massage;
• Aromatherapy- Use of Essential oils on Marma , according to Body-Type;
• Introduction to Pancha-Karma, a therapeutic programme for cleansing
• the body from toxins.

Every session will begin with meditation and chanting.

This is a certified course, and after completing it successfuly the participant can practice Ayurveda Marma Massage professionally.

Venue: The Harmony Centre, Walpole, Nr Halesworth, Suffolk, UK. IP 19 9BB

Dates: Free Talk, Thursday 18th August 7.30 – 9.30 pm.

Massage Course Dates:

Friday 19th August 6.pm- 9pm

Saturday 20th 9.30 am -5.30 pm

Sunday 21st 9.30 am- 5.30 pm

Course fee: £350 Couples: £650 includes comprehensive course notes, and delicious vegetarian lunch on both days and refreshments.

Bed and breakfast accommodation is available locally and there is a full list on The Harmony Centre website

Train connections from London Liverpool Street Station to Halesworth (10mins by taxi to Centre) and London Liverpool Street to Diss (20mins to Centre)

Ayurvedic Cookery and Nutrition Workshop with Dr. Verma

Date: 22nd August, 4pm- 9pm.

Venue: Telport House, Puddingmore, Beccles. NR34

Cost: £85

Talk Date: Thursday 18th August 7.30 – 9.30 pm.

Prior to the course Dr Verma will be giving a free and open talk on "Ayurveda, Yoga And Tantra; A Journey From Physical To Consciousness."

Ayurvedic Consultation

Dr. Verma will be available for Ayurvedic consultations which include: pulse diagnosis, nutritional advice according to the individual constitution, herbal prescription etc. An Ayurvedic consultation is a thorough check-up of physical and emotional root causes of disease and health problems. It can help many kinds of chronic and incurable diseases like asthma; bronchitis, allergy, skin problems, fatigue, diabetes, obesity, digestion problems, stress; memory-disorders, arthritis, gout, insomnia, sexual-problems, impotency, sterility, menstrual and menopausal problems etc. As his schedule is very tight, please pre-book an appointment to avoid disappointment.

Time: 30 minutes,

Cost: £75.

About Dr. Swaroop Verma.

Swaroop Verma, director of “Shri Ayurveda & Yoga Center”, was born and brought up in northern India in a traditional Ayurvedic and Yogic family. His grandfather, late Munnalal Verma was a well-known Ayurveda Practitioner and Yogi from Agra. Swaroop received initiation in Ayurveda, Yoga and Shri Vidhya Tantra at the early age from his grandfather and worked in his family clinics from Childhood. After completing his first degree in Science from Agra University, he further studied Ayurveda and received DAMS and “Vaidya Wisharad” (Ayurvedic Doctor). To understand the relation between Ayurveda, Marma and Chinese acupuncture, Dr. Verma learned Chinese medicine receiving an M.D in acupuncture from “Indian Acupuncture Society“. Dr. Verma joined “Kaivalyadhama”, a well reputed institute of scientific research in Yoga. Upon graduation, he developed a unique therapy for Mind-Body called "Shri Yoga Therapy" Dr. Verma is specialist in Ayurvedic detoxification-rejuvenation program, Panchakarma, Kaya-Kalpa Chikitsa, Marma Puncture etc. Since 1993, Verma has been running a wellness Center in Israel, practicing and teaching Ayurveda, yoga & Tantra in Israel and abroad.

For further details contact: Tanya Bradbury

m: 07779 583 123

e-mail:tanya@priyaspa.com

email:www.theharmonycentre.com

Stop the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive Petition

Online Petition: We call on the European Commission to stop the Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products Directive (THMPD), Directive 2004/24/EC, which is set to remove access to the vast majority of...

Everyone has the right to choose a natural medicine if they prefer, and that also means they should be easy to obtain and reasonably priced. Natural medicine is still used by 85% of the worlds population, staggering isn't it! Which means modern medicines account for a tiny proportion of overall usage worldwide. So you have too say to yourself, if the Pharmaceuticals companies are this powerful and influential now, do you really want them to take a bigger share and say in how you live your life. Because this regulation isn't just about protecting your health and safety, and protecting plants in the wild, which is very important; it's about restrictions, control and money. And the big boys out there want to get their hands on more of that share. As a final thought over a third of people in hospital today in the UK are there as a result of taking Allopathic medicines!

Sayings of Guru Dev Shankaracharya Swami Brahmanand Saraswati

To get a human body is a rare thing thing. Make use of it. There are four million kinds of lives a soul can gather. After that one gets a chance to be human, to get a human body. Therefore, one should not waste this chance. Every second in human life is very valuable. If you don't value this, then you will have nothing in hand and you will weep in the end. Because you are human, God has given you the power to think and decide what is good and bad. Therefore you can do the best possible action.

You should never consider yourself weak or a fallen creature. Whatever may have happened up to now may be because you didn't know, but now be careful. After getting a human body if you don't find God, then you have sold a diamond for the price of spinach.

Sayings from Guru Dev

I have stepped down from the Himalyas and therefore I perhaps deserve a Himalayan welcome. That welcome you can give me by giving your most valuable possession; What is your most valuable possession? Welcome me with that. My experience is that human beings value their vices above everything else. They are not prepared to part with them at any cost. Expense one does not consider. One is even prepared to suffer insult and injury for the satisfaction of one's most prized vice. So make offerings of those vices to me. That is my service. That is my worship. That offering I willingly accept.

In Kapur there is a custom to make offerings in bags. But I am not one to be satisfied with offerings of rupees and pasisas which are like dust and pebbles. Offer me bagfuls of your vices.

Traditional Hatha Yoga Classes with Tanya Bradbury.

Summer Classes At The Harmony Centre

Through June, July & August Drop in Classes Are Available at £12.00

Tuesday 9.30-11.am The Harmony Centre, Walpole.

The classes last for 1.5 hours and include, mantra chanting, loosening asana, classical asana, pranayama, relaxation and meditation. They are suitable for beginners and improvers. Before you first class you will need to fill in a short medical questionare, so please arrive a bit earlier.

Please bring a Yoga mat and blanket with you, and wear suitable clothing, something comfortable that you can stretch in and socks to keep your feet warm.

The classes are sold in courses of six and cost £65.00.The courses are on- going so you can start at any time.

Please call me or e-mail me if you would like to attend.

tanya@priyaspa.com

m 07779 583 123