Maharishi Ayurveda is the most ancient and comprehensive system of natural medicine. Formally recognized by the World Health Organization, ayurveda originated in ancient India more than 5,000 years ago. The word "Ayurveda" is made from two Sanskrit roots "Ayu" which means life and "Veda" which means knowledge, the knowledge or science of life.
Maharishi Ayurveda contains programs for all areas of life: mind, body, behaviour and environment, it focuses on preventing disease and promoting optimal health and longevity.
In recent years, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the Transcendental Meditation program, who worked closely with leading ayurvedic physicians and scholars, has revised ayurveda in its completeness. The result is Maharishi Ayurveda, which despite its ancient roots is remarkably modern in its scientific approach.
The goal of Maharishi Ayurveda is to prevent and treat disease, preserve health and promote longevity. Thousands of people throughout the world are now enjoying its effective and scientifically verified treatments. These include individualized programs for stress management, proper diet, exercise routines, herbal supplements and balancing biological rhythms.
WHY IS THE PROGRAM SO VITAL FOR POST PARTUM WOMEN?
“Abhyanga is essential for everyone, but especially so for the first 12 days following the birthing process because the abhyanga increases circulation, giving every cell more oxygen and nutritive blood. This quickly aids in balancing the physiology, developing immunity, and strengthening the new mother.” Dr. P.D. Subedhar
Pregnancy and delivery drastically alter the mother’s nature
doshic balance. The resulting imbalances affect her both physically and mentally. Her recovery depends on restoring her natural balance and bringing her physiology back to normal. The dietary guidelines, herbal preparations, and herbalized oil massage of the program combine to actively restore the mother’s nature balance, returning her rapidly to health.
WHAT IS ABHYANGA?
"Abhyanga" -- the ayurvedic oil massage -- is an integral part of the daily routine recommended by this healing system for overall health and well-being. Traditional ayurvedic texts speak extensively about the benefits of this unique system of massage.
"Give yourself a full body oil massage on a daily basis. It is nourishing, pacifies the doshas, relieves fatigue, provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep, enhances the complexion and the luster of the skin, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body" Sushruta Sutrashthanam
Abhyanga provides the means for trans-dermal absorption of the healing qualities of the materials used in the massage, and it helps the skin, which is the largest organ in the body, perform its diverse functions efficiently, whether it is allowing toxins to be released from the body or nourishment to be absorbed by the tissues. It is like oiling the engine of your car -- if you do it regularly, your engine will be in peak condition, and give you years and years of trouble-free performance.
The ayurvedic oil massage is an essential part of your daily routine as a new mother. This is because the warm, smooth, and oily properties of sesame oil (the best oil for post-partum care) are ideally suited to pacifying
Vata dosha, which is cold, rough and dry.
WHAT ARE THE DOSHAS?
Ayurveda depicts all creation as being composed of five elements: air, space, fire, water, and earth. In the human body the elements combine in varying proportions to create differing bodily tendencies. The constitutional tendencies or doshas are called
Vata, composed of air and space:
Pitta, from fire and
Kapha, from earth and water.
Vata Dosha
represents bodily functions concerned with movement.
Pitta Dosha
Represents bodily functions concerned with heat and metabolism.
Kapha Dosha
Represents bodily functions concerned with fluid, balance, and structure.
Most people have a predominance of one or two of the three doshas in their bodies. This natural balance is due to heredity, but can be affected by the foods we eat, the climate we live in, and our activities. Once you know which doshas predominate naturally in the body, then its easier to make informed decisions about what to eat, what to avoid and how best to maintain and enhance your own health.
WHY IS VATA DOSHA THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM?
Vata dosha governs all movement in the mind and body. It controls the flow of blood, the elimination of wastes, how our food moves through the digestive tract, breathing, and even the movement of thoughts across the mind. That is why Vata dosha is considered to be “king” of the doshas. Vata dosha is the metabolic principle responsible for the process of labor and delivery.
According to Maharishi Ayurveda, postpartum fatigue and depression are caused primarily by an imbalance of Vata dosha, which can become "aggrevated" during labor and delivery. Many women are able to trace their chronic health problems back to the time they gave birth. Often women tell me, "This whole condition -- feeling unhappy and tired all the time, never feeling well--started with the birth of my child". Maharishi Vedic Medicine prevents these types of imbalances from developing in the physiology. In fact, many women who have followed these simple procedures say that they feel even better than before they became pregnant.
Every aspect of the mother baby program is designed specifically to nourish and re-establish Vata dosha back to its “home” in the mind/body. Once seated there, Vata dosha is naturally able to function fully, producing the experience of exhilaration, joy, and the sense of getting your “bounce” back.
I HAVE ALREADY DELIVERED, CAN I STILL HAVE THE PROGRAM?
Yes. You can begin treatment anytime with in the first 6 weeks after delivery. The ayurvedic view and recommendation would be to start your treatment as soon as possible after delivery. The orientation meeting and home walk through can be done remotely if need be, and we will work to accomodate your treatment dates and times in a timely fashion.