Treatment Duration – 14 to 28 days
This Ayurvedic treatment for weight management works by increasing metabolism, which will help in utilizing the fat and increasing the body’s vitality so that less fat is accumulated in the body. It is essentially about purification of the body by eliminating excess cellulite deposits and preventing the body from disease.
Treatment Process
1. Diagnosis
Any treatment offered at CGH Earth Ayurveda begins with the three kinds of diagnostic procedures in keeping with the pure Ayurveda trreatments. These are: 1 . Darshana — Observing 2. Sparshana – Palpating and 3. Prasna – Interrogating. The Vaidya determines your Doshas or body constitution through extensive examination of your body using these methods of diagnosis and accordingly arrive at a course of treatment
2. Treatment Course
1. Rookshana- Pre-preparatory stage
During the first stage, the patient undergoes a treatment called Rookshana which means drying. This process helps to improve the metabolism, reduce heaviness and prepares the body for the next stage of Snehanam (oleation).
2. Poorvakarma- Preparatory stage
Here the body is prepared for removal of toxins through two methods namely Snehanam, where the body is oleated internally and externally, and Swedanam, where the body undergoes therapeutic sweating. Depending on the medical condition and Doshas, the Vaidya will determine the course of cleansing processes.
1. Snehanam:
Internal Oleation – The body is made unctuous internally through drinking of medicated ghee (clarified butter). This helps to loosen and move the toxins towards the gastrointestinal tract. Medicated ghee consumed over 3-7 days with increasing dosage according to doctor’s prescription with restricted diet is called Achapanam. The intake of medicated ghee with the normal diet is called Vicharana.
External Oleation of the body- The body is massaged with medicated oil to make it unctuous or oily externally. This too aids in the removal of toxins. The different methods of oil application used are:
External Oleation of the body
1. Uzhichil
Therapeutic oil application on the body
2. Dadhupushtiuzhichil
Therapeutic massage done to nourish the body with medicated oil
3. Chavituuzhichil
The therapists perform deep tissue oil massage using their feet
4. Pizhichil
Oil pouring treatment
External Oleation of the head
1. Sirodhara
Medicated oil is poured
over the head
2. Sirovasthi
Medicated oils contained within a column are kept on the head over a prescribed time.
Swedanam
The body undergoes therapeutic sweating based on each individual’s dominant dosha or body constitution and medical condition. There are different classifications for Swedana therapies according to different texts. The commonly used Swedanam is Drava and Ushama classified under Agnikruth (therapeutic sweating with direct heat.)
• Drava
1. Parishekam – Pizhichil (pouring of lukewarm oil), Dhanyamla dhara (pouring of special fermented medicated water), Kashaya dhara – Pouring of decoction on the body
2. Avagaham – Sitting in a tub with hot medicated water
• Ushama
1. Pinda Swedam
a. Podikizhi – Therapeuticmassaging with warm pouches containing herbal powders
b. Elakizhi – Therapeuti massaging with warm pouches containing different herbs and medicinal leaves
c. Narangakizhi – Therapeutic massaging with warm pouches
containing lemon, leaves and herbs
d. Dhanyamla kizhi – Therapeutic massaging using herbal pouches dipped in special herbal decoction called dhanymla
e. Njavarkizhi – Therapeutic massaging using pouches containing medicinal rice, milk and decoction
• Kumbhi swedam
1. Steam bath
2. Nadi swedam – Local steam application through a hose etc.
3. Shodana
Shodana means elimination. In Sthoulyaghna Chikitsa, Shodana involves a remedial system to cure chronic pathology and long-term ailments through cleansing of the body. Through Shodana the cellulite deposits are utilized and hormonal imbalances are corrected. The doctor will prescribe one or more of the following treatments, depending on the patient’s condition, for Sthoulyaghana chikitsa:
1. Virechana – Therapeutic purging2. Nasyam – Nasal cleansing
3. Vamana – Therapeutic vomiting
4. Kashayavasthi – Medicated enema
5. Snehavasthi – Medicated enema with oil
4. Samana or Paschatkarma
Corrective and Rejuvenation stage
This is the third and final stage of the Sthoulyaghana Chikitsa.
Moderate intensity treatments are given to the patient to maintain the
beneficial effects of the whole cleansing procedure. The right diet
and lifestyle is also prescribed by the physician in order to maintain the
benefits of the treatment. Lifestyle correction is the most important
part of weight management. The doctor’s prescribed course of action is
designed to suit each body’s unique needs and make-up and following
the instructions in its entirety is mandatory to the healing process.
Depending on each individual’s condition, the treatments
mentioned below may be prescribed:
Fermented herbal water is poured repeatedly over the body. This helps to reduce the fat deposits in the body and also uses the joint and muscular pains in the body2. Dhanyamal Kizhi
Therapeutic sweating induced by using herbal pouches dipped in fermented herbal water and massaged over the body3. Udwarthana
Dry powder massage to
reduce cellulite deposits
a. Thakradhara – Pouring of medicated butter milk which is used to correct hormonal imbalances
b. Elakizhi – Treatment to reduce inflammation in the body and to strengthen muscles. This help to reduce the damage caused to the muscles and connective tissue caused by bearing excessive weightc. Lekhaneeyam – Herbal paste application to reduce cellulite deposits
d. Chavitty Uzhichil – Deep massaging the body with the feet of the therapist; this helps stimulate the body
—Doctor’s note—
The treatment procedures are determined according to each person’s medical condition and doshas. All of the above mentioned treatments are not given to a person at one time. Additional treatments for other ailments are given to the patient based on the doctor’s diagnosis.
3. Medicines
The therapeutic treatments are supported by special internal herbal medicines. Following the traditional Ayurvedic principles, medicines, both for external and internal use, are prepared at the CGH Earth Ayurveda’s healthcare facilities from organically grown local herbs at the herbal garden. These are freshly picked for use by the gardeners who care for them with love and attention. This enhances their effectiveness. The medicines are prepared at the Ayurveda kitchen based on hygienic and traditional practices. In fact, a well thought-out scientific principle is applied to the use of all these medicines which are prepared using intensive and lengthy
procedures using select ingredients and with a lot of spiritual dedication. Their consumption as per the physician’s instructions is very important and mandatory to the healing process. Specific medicines are also sourced from other reputed Ayurveda Pharmacies in Kerala.
Internal medicines
used in Ayurvedic treatments
typically include:
Kashayam – A herbal decoction
Choornam – A powdered medicine
Gulika – Tablets
Lehyam – Herbal Paste
Gritham – Medicated ghee
Arishtam/ Asavam – Fermented decoction
External medicine —
Oils or Thailas:
Oils used as part of Panchakarma and other procedures are prepared with herbal decoction or fresh herbal juice. They are mixed with a medicinal herbal paste and sesame oil as the base and cooked together. This process is a long procedure taking up to 2-5 days to prepare ensuring the whole mix reaches a non-sticky stage after continuous stirring. The therapist massages this oil onto the skin making sure it is completely absorbed. This oil nourishes and regenerates the cells, stimulates the lymphatic system, releases the toxins and carries them to the surface of the skin. After treatment, the skin is washed with a paste made of chicken pea and lentil flour.
4. Food
Diet and lifestyle being core aspects of the Ayurvedic healing process, are integral to the treatment. There are many specific guidelines to be followed while consuming food as Ayurveda distinguishes six different tastes or Rasas which interact with the five elements in the body. Food is an intrinsic factor in balancing the bio-energies according to each individual’s body constitution and the balance of five elements. Ayurveda also strongly recommends the consumption of fresh and organic food and encourages mindful or meditative eating by which the full essence of food can be assimilated by the body in an aware, fully engaged and respectful manner. At CGH Earth Ayurveda these basic principles are strictly followed with the doctor prescribing a specific diet for each person with the focus being on a Sattvic diet that has a corrective and revitalizing effect. The chef at the kitchen on his part closely follows the doctor’s instructions for each individual’s diet and accordingly prepares his meals using freshly plucked vegetable organically grown at the herb garden, which in turn is tended to with care by a staff tuned to the healing ethos. The essential focus of this treatment is on low calorie filling food and discouraging dramatic fasting, eating and weight loss.
5. Yoga & Meditation
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian physical, mental and spiritual practice with the origins dating back to the 5th or 6th century BC. It means to ‘integrate’ ‘combine’ or ‘unite’ and it addresses ways of integrating the body, senses, life force, the mind and the consciousness. Yoga is thus used to complement the whole healing process of this treatment with the Hatha style which concentrates mainly on the practice of physical postures (Aasanás) with an emphasis on meditation and Pranayama breathing techniques and no excessive or strenuous exercise or aasanas. The focus is on the slow building up of physical capacity. This complete body and mind experience is aimed at improving your health and total well-being. This kind of yoga is accessible to all and is light so as to support the treatment process. There is no age limit and no previous knowledge or experience required. Each one is initially supported on an individual basis until he or she is ready to partake in the group exercises. This complete body and mind experience is aimed at improving your health and total well-being.
Meditation
With Ayurveda’s thrust on internal healing, meditation as a practice in disciplining the mind and the thinking process is made a core part of the treatment at CGH Earth Ayurveda. Meditation techniques are used to calm and relax both the mind and the body since both the mind and the body are closely tuned to each other. One of the effective techniques of meditation used here is the Candlelight Meditation in which a group sits around a burning candle and gazes at the flame for several minutes focusing on it as long as possible and praying together. This helps in gaining clarity, peace and positive energy.
6. Satsang
Satsang which can be translated as ‘true company’ (sat- true, sang- company) has always been one of the fundamental elements of Indian philosophy and it means: 1.Company of the highest truth, 2. The company of a Guru 3. An assembly of people which listens to, talks about and assimilates the truth. This involves listening to or reading the scriptures, reflecting on them, absorbing their meaning, understanding and discussing the meaning of certain words and integrating their significance into one’s daily life. The idea of Satsang may be traced back to Rishis or ancient Indian spiritual masters such as Vedavyasa and Valmiki who explained their value in numerous ways. Satsangs are thus a significant aspect of the CGH Earth Ayurvedic treatments as they add the necessary uplifting edge to the whole recovery process by enhancing positive energy. Patients are therefore encouraged to partake of a rich cultural and spiritual offering including discourses, classical music and dance performances, Mantra chanting, candlelight meditation, Yoga discourses , Kalaripayattu demonstrations and doctors’ talks during the treatment course .
Testimonials
“Dear all, congratulations and many thanks again to all for the treatment and hospitality. I shall be looking forward to my 10th visit to Kalari Kovilakom! With my warmest regards!”
– Ms Florence
“ I have come to Kalari six times with more or less the same enthusiasm each time and every time I leave in top shape, all perked up and full of energy to face the life of everyday. In addition, this year the company of guest was very nice which added to the quality of treatment. Thanks to Sir Cherry, Dr Jouhar and the beautiful team that surrounds them. With warm regards.”
– Richar Ambrosetti
