August 2005

Imagine yourself lying on a soft surface in a warm room listening to the sound of the wind in the trees or soothing music. Warm sesame oil is lovingly and tenderly applied by four hands simultaneously. The waves of thought start to subside into gentle ripples and then you sink deep into the silent, still and timeless lake of the Self. You feel safe and cared for. Time extends endlessly into a realm where self-healing takes place naturally and spontaneously.

Contents

One of the keys to good health is having a body that circulates nutrients and other vital life fluids properly and expels toxins efficiently. Appropriate exercise and massage enhance circulation and promote cleansing.
Mentally, massage helps the mind to relax and stop wandering, especially when one has good feelings towards the practitioner, and when the right amount of pressure is used. Through slowing down the breath, mental activity is also slowed.
The recipient's attention is naturally and easily drawn to the part of the body being massaged. By transmitting positive life-giving energy to him or herself, massage becomes a powerful tool for self-healing for the recipient.
Warm oil is used for most Ayurvedic Massages to give the maximum benefit. Oil nourishes the skin and via the skin, the nerves are strengthened. Oil prevents dryness, increases suppleness and prevents many of the effects of premature aging. It softens the skin, eliminates friction, disperses heat evenly throughout the body and leaves the skin glowing with a healthy lustre. The small amount of oil remaining on the skin after massage provides protection from extremes of temperature and pressure in the environment.
Self-massage has all the above-mentioned benefits, except the soothing touch of another, which can be incredibly healing.

 

Warm sesame oil can safely be applied to all parts of the body, here are some examples:
to the nasal passages to avoid dryness and give greater resistance to disease
to the anus, to prevent itching
to the genitals, to discourage fungal infections
to the eyes, to clean and strengthen them
to the navel, to cure dryness of the body and weak digestive fire
foot massage, which is good for the entire system, is recommended for those suffering from fatigue
head massage is especially beneficial for insomnia sufferers

For all the above benefits, regularity is the key in obtaining the maximum benefit. We are currently offering a number of massages at a special price of R180 per hour, for this winter season. Click here to see our June newsletter for more details.
 

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Shop
We would love you to visit us and see what we have in our little shop but please give us a call to make sure that one of us is available to assist you. Please click here for a complete list of everything we have available.

A few words on Jaggery or "Gur" or whole sugar is a pure, wholesome, traditional, unrefined, whole sugar. Jaggery is created by boiling sugar cane juice which makes it more concentrated and thus, heavier. It contains the natural goodness of minerals and vitamins inherently present in sugarcane juice & this makes  it one of the most wholesome and healthy sugars.
Manufacture of refined sugar from cane juice employs a potpourri of chemicals such as sulphur dioxide, lime, phosphoric acid, bleaching agents & viscosity reducers. Jaggery is processed the natural way & no chemicals are added at any stage of its processing. Jaggery is often called the 'medicinal sugar. It is also very useful in health problems like coughs, indigestion and constipation. Being sweet, it balances air/ether and fire doshas but increases water/earth.

Ancient medical scriptures dating back to 2500 years state how it purifies the blood, prevents rheumatic afflictions and disorders of bile and possesses nutritive properties of high order.

(Sushruta Samhita, Chapter 45, sloka 146)

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Tasty tamarindTamarind paste or pulp is derived from the pod of the tamarind tree, native to India. It is sour, cooling, cold and dry in nature. It is often used in chutneys and currys to provide a sweet and sour effect. It has a high vitamin C content and increases digestive fire. As a medicine, it is mildly laxative, relieves gastritis or colic pain and heals liver complaints. Gargling with tamarind water is recommended for a sore throat. Excessive use of tamarind may cause spasms. Interestingly, tamarind is also an excellent brass polisher.
We sell tamarind in a pressed fibrous slab. To make the concentrate, simply break off as much as you need, soak it in warm water until mushy, and then pass it through a sieve, thus extracting the pulp and juice. Tamarind is inexpensive and adds an interesting and exotic flavour to your dish.

Upcoming activities

Vegetarian cooking

for a healthy body, mind & planet

Saturday 10 September 2005, from 10 am to 4 pm

 Learn to create tasty and well-balanced meals which are quick and easy to prepare

We will be making paneer (curd cheese) together and using this, as well as the healthy whey as a basis for a complete meal.

 

About the workshop:

o       practical and hands-on

o       introduces basic concepts of Ayurvedic cooking

o       warm & friendly environment

o       meet like-minded people

o       enjoy sharing the meal together

o       receive recipes and notes to keep you inspired 

Please bring: your own apron, peeler, a sharp knife and container for leftovers. Wear comfortable and warm clothing
Cost:  R180, including a meal and recipes to take home
Place: Nalanda Ayurvedic Centre, 26 Marais Rd, Hout Bay. Tel. 021 790 4200