Archive for Health Articles

Intensive Ayurvedic Clinical Skills Training Practicum

Intensive Ayurvedic Clinical Skills Training Practicum

Intensive Ayurvedic Clinical Skills Training Practicum

Friday 17  –  Sunday 26 January 2025 conducted by Health Institute Australasia

The 10-day Ayurvedic Clinical Skills Training will be conducted at Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat, 87 Binna Burra Road, Beechmont, Queensland. The intensive clinical practicum will not be conducted as one of Nirvana’s typical retreats, as we want to support you in an exciting and challenging learning experience. Everybody will be expected to contribute through seva (service) and karma yoga, which will accrue towards clinical hours.

IN 17 January 2025. Please arrive after 5 pm. The evening meal will be available at 7:00pm

OUT 26 January 2025, after lunch.

ACCOMMODATION

Should you wish to stay at Nirvana, accommodation will be in twin-share, with shared facilities.

Please inform us asap, as single rooms and/or ensuites by choice or circumstances could incur a surcharge.

MEALS

Delicious, vegetarian meals will be provided. They will be cooked according to Ayurvedic dietary principles, and eaten communally.

STUDY

This will be an intensive period of training and study, with Dr. Swapnil Daspute BAMS, from 10 am – 1pm, followed by a lunch break, and then 2-5 pm, from Saturday – Saturday, 18-25 January 2025. Sunday, 26 January will be from 10am-1pm, followed by lunch.

Please bring your laptop. Free WiFi will be available.

FEE $6990

Inclusive of single room accommodation, delicious Ayurvedic plant-based meals, tuition.

Limited availability. Book early to avoid disappointment.

For more details contact admin@healthinstitute.edu.au

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A HEALTHY HEAD OF HAIR

A HEALTHY HEAD OF HAIR

Loss of hair can be a cause of great social anxiety for both men and women. The idea of losing all of your shiny locks is probably one’s worst nightmare in a post-Instagram world. Although the thinning of hair, in some cases, has nothing to do with serious health conditions, it can result in some people feeling a loss of self-esteem and others being pushed into severe depression.

This yearning of thicker, fuller hair has galvanised many people into spending exorbitant amounts of money on trying out various medications, switching products and adopting practices that ultimately have no significant result.

CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS

  • Genetics
  • Hormonal Imbalance
  • Thyroid Problems and Other Medical Conditions
  • Side Effects of Medications and Supplements
  • Shock and Stress
  • Poor Diet

At Health Institute Australasia (HIA) we personally believe that overall health is more important than outward appearance, and the condition of hair loss or thinning hair doesn’t automatically turn an individual into a social pariah overnight. Pitta dosha types are prone to hair loss and balding. Nevertheless, hair loss or thinning hair in many cases might be the consequence of a sedentary lifestyle riddled with poor diet and lack of necessary nutrition. So, it wouldn’t hurt to explore the problem of hair loss and hair thinning at its source, in order to rejuvenate the thick, healthy and beautiful hair of your youth.

Let us shed light on some of the most obvious solutions to the problem of hair thinning that doesn’t require you to mortgage your home. One of the things you can do is to supply your body with essential nutrients and minerals that will keep your hair healthier and shinier for the long run.

 

AVOID THESE FOODS FOR STRONGER, HEALTHIER HAIR

Processed Foods

Processed foods are foods that have been altered from their natural state to extend their shelf life or improve their taste and texture. They can be found on supermarket shelves in the form of snacks, prepared meals, soft drinks and many other products. Heavy inclusion of processed foods in your diet can cause hormonal imbalances that ultimately result in hair loss. According to nutritionists, a diet that is majorly dependent on refined carbs and processed food can be a reason behind unwanted hair loss. Since these foods contain copious amounts of sugar, they are likely to stimulate androgen levels that ultimately lead to hair thinning and sometimes baldness.

Drinking Alcohol

Drinking alcohol can cause extreme dehydration, which will dry out your hair follicles and, over time, cause hair thinning  Alcohol can also cause inflammation and increase liver toxicity, thus causing hair loss.

Trans Fats 

Trans fats tend to increase inflammation in the body, which can affect the health of hair follicles and lead to hair loss. In addition, trans fats can affect the production of sebum in the scalp, which can make hair oilier and more prone to dandruff. Trans Fats can cause inflammation and increase the production of DHT. Avoid vegetable, corn and soybean oils.

Sugar

When blood sugar levels rise rapidly, it can cause an inflammatory response in the body. Inflammation can damage hair follicles and lead to hair loss. In addition, sugary foods can also contribute to hormonal imbalances, which can also affect hair health. High levels of insulin in the body, which can be caused by excessive sugar consumption, can increase testosterone production. This hormone can be converted to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is known to cause hair loss in men and women.

Artificial Sweeteners

Artificial sweeteners are often used as sugar substitutes in processed foods. However, they can be even more harmful than refined sugars. Artificial sweeteners can disrupt the beneficial bacteria in the gut, which can lead to inflammation in the body. As mentioned earlier, inflammation can damage hair follicles and cause hair loss. In addition, artificial sweeteners can also disrupt insulin levels in the body, which can also cause hormonal imbalances. It increases DHT, elevates inflammation and imbalances hormones.

Caffeine

Tannins are molecules that stick to proteins and are found in tree wood and bark, unripe fruits and the leaves of plants. Ingredients in black tea and coffee can put a strain on your iron levels which could result in hair loss. Caffeine can cause dehydration, increase DHT and eventually result in hair loss.

Food Allergens

Eating food that causes allergies in the body can result in hair loss. Some possible food allergens include soy, dairy, corn, wheat (gluten) etc.

Be Mindful of Medications

Make sure you are aware of any side effects before you consume drugs. Many medications and supplements also have side effects that are directly linked to hair loss. If you are on some sort of medication, it will be important to know whether that medication is what is causing your hair loss. It would be a wise decision to seek better solutions than those harsh medications if they are available.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR THINNING HAIR AND BALDING SCALP

There are various natural remedies that people have tried over the years to overcome hair thinning, such as head and scalp massage, fenugreek, DHT-blocking shampoos (Dihydrotestosterone), rosemary and coconut oil, aloe vera…and no heat, either from hot water or hairdryers. There have also been drugs and supplements that people take to mitigate hair loss.

Favour eating nutritional food

Many conditions of hair loss are a result of a poor diet that does not offer anything to the human body in terms of nutrition and minerals. Like every other vital organ in your body, your skin, scalp and hair also need their fair share of nutrition to stay healthy. Described below are some foods that could help you by providing just what your precious hair needs to be stronger and healthier.

Food that is rich in Iron 

Iron is an essential component in an enzyme called ribonucleotide reductase that helps cell growth. According to some research, hair follicle cells can be particularly sensitive to decreasing levels of iron and may not be able to grow new cells as effectively when iron stores are low Having iron-rich food such as lentils, kale, spinach and other leafy green vegetables will keep iron and ferritin levels high enough to sustain hair follicle health.

Vitamin C 

Vitamin C is one of the most effective nutrients to help grow and strengthen hair. Vitamin C helps build collagen, which is highly important for hair growth. It not only turns your body into a powerful antioxidant but also helps the body absorb iron better. Some great sources of vitamin C are Guava, Papaya, Citrus and broccoli.

Vitamin A

Healthy hair starts from the roots, which is where new cells form at the base of the follicle. These cells then multiply and form the blocks of what becomes our hair. Vitamin A can affect cell growth, so enough vitamin A in your body can lead to stronger and thicker hair. It is also responsible for the production of sebum that conditions your hair. Foods rich in Vitamin A, such as pumpkin, sweet potato and Kale, can maintain the health of your scalp.

Biotin Rich Products 

Biotin is an essential B vitamin responsible for making your skin, hair and nails stronger. Biotin’s function in protein synthesis and more specifically, in keratin production, explains its contribution to healthy nail and hair growth. A lack of biotin in the body can cause hair to become brittle which makes it more vulnerable to thinning. Biotin is readily found in many foods and is also produced by normal gut flora. You can get more biotin in your body by eating egg yolks or nutritional yeast. You can also purchase a shampoo and conditioner that is rich in biotin.

Foods that are rich in Zinc 

Zinc provides the building blocks needed for healthy follicle development and helps to fortify the foundation from which hair grows. It therefore reduces the risk of hair breakage and loss. A deficiency in Zinc has been linked to hair loss, so try to include all of zinc-rich food such as chickpeas and pumpkin seeds in your diet.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids may stimulate your hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and improve the health of your scalp. Wild caught cold water fish such as salmon, sardines and herrings are loaded with anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids that are excellent for a healthy scalp..

Bone Broth

Bone broth is rich in protein, collagen, gelatin, glucosamine, chondroitin, and other minerals that are often missing from a conventional diet. Nutrients such as collagen, amino acids and hyaluronic acid found in bone broth help reduce inflammation, heal damaged skin and hair, stimulate hair roots and boost antioxidant status As such bone broth is a perfect remedy against hair loss. The nutrients in bone broth not only promote hair health but also promote the health of skin and nails.

Use Essential Oils

Essential oils are reputed to play a key role in promoting hair health. Rosemary essential oil can increase cellular metabolism and thus make hair healthy. Similarly, Spikenard oil is also shown to slow down the process of both hair loss and greying.

Take Cooler Showers

Another way to protect your brain, scalp and hair is by keeping it away from hot showers. Hot showers can make your hair brittle, dry and more prone falling out. Always favour cooler showers for the sake of your hair. Also try to avoid using hairdryers as much as possible for the same reason.

Reduce Stress

Stress is one of the major causes of hair loss. If you want to control the thinning of your hair, then you must learn how to manage your stress. Practice yoga, deep relaxation techniques, meditation, deep breathing, journaling and spending time outdoors. Get plenty of rest and do not overload yourself with work, Learn to meditate.

The Bottom Line

In cases of hereditary hair loss, there isn’t much that can be done. Remember, there is more to your beauty and charisma than just beautiful hair. Being healthy in your body and staying positive in your mind will help you exude the charm needed to stand out in a crowd, irrespective of how you perceive your appearance in the mirror.

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What you learn at an Ayurvedic Detox

What you learn at an Ayurvedic Detox

AT AN AYURVEDIC DETOX RETREAT YOU WILL LEARN by Shanti Gowans

Connections between you and nature, your constitution at birth (prakruti), current state of health (vikruti), the three keys to mastering health for you (doshas), and about a disturbance in the force (ama) and detect physical body ama on your tongue and how it impacts your health

Overview of the science of life and longevity, and how the mind-body medicine of Ayurveda can heal disease, alleviate stress and manage addictions

Learn about what Ojas is, and its role in perfect health and how to create health and harmony with healthy choices pertaining to eating, nourishment and lifestyle appropriate to you, so that you feel energised, ready to go, and to keep going.

Fun and food and perfect digestion. Embark upon a journey to cook delicious, healthy, nourishing meals.

Live, Laugh, Love and Last a Lifetime – long term strategies and self care for healthier mind-body management

Participate in the detox of different tissues in the body, such as liver, gallbladder, bowels, kidneys, lungs, heart and mind, skin though the delicious and satisfying food you eat, herbal medicine teas and Ayurvedic medicines (not so pleasant tasting).

Be well informed what your body may need in relation to supplements and herbs etc. to support your health and wellness.

Revitalise your life. Discover the connection between energy and happiness

Emotional enlightenment. Simple practices for stress release, emotional flow and deep peace.

For upcoming retreats please visit Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat website – nirvanawellbeingretreat.com.au

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Reclaim your life

The most profound thing we can offer the world is our own healing.

Life is about more than work, obligations and to-do lists

Let us show you how to live a happier, richer, more fulfilling Life.

Knowing that we have all that we need to live a healthy, abundant life, at Nirvana Wellbeing Retreats, we help overwhelmed professionals transform the way they approach their well-being and self-care, helping them achieve a better work-life balance and create long-term, sustainable, healthier habits.

We work within an integrated and lifestyle natural medicine framework, where nutrition, stress management, sleep, a sense of purpose and social connections all play a part. We help you reconnect with your mind, body and natural rhythms, with simple, do-able and effective lifestyle changes. This results in you achieving more energy, better health and less stress.

Being healthier is easier than you think, when you work on the foundations for your  health, namely diet, sleep, gut health, toxicity, your mind, to name a few. These are the fundamentals. Without these in place, clinical approaches, supplements, or drugs won’t do anything sustainable. The root imbalance is still present.

It is critical to have a solid foundation if you want real results in your health. And I want you to know that it is NEVER too late to start. It is never too late to start building a stronger health foundation.

We have worked with many types of clients, helping them put their diabetes into remission, reduce their hypertension, lose menopausal weight, manage stress and burnout; all with simple but effective lifestyle changes. We cut through the contradictory health information that is out there, streamline your wellness regime, and find something that you can easily fit into your lifestyle, and most importantly, that you enjoy.

So whether you’re just starting your health journey, or just looking for your next best step, take action NOW while it’s on your mind. This is your opportunity to empower yourself to transform your health and reclaim your life. Don’t let it pass you by.

Nirvana honours you through gentle practices such as yoga breathing and stretching, Ayurveda, Meditation and forest walks in nature, which bring you closer to the simple peace in your heart and mind, together with feeling the peace and sacredness of this ancient hilltop.

This is not just another expense such as a new TV or AirPods. This is an investment in yourself, your future and the stability you deserve, even with the economy heading in such a scary direction. What you will experience from a Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat, is a complete set of tools, tips, and practices for better sleep, relieving stress, restoring vibrancy, boosting energy, strengthening immunity… and much more.

Wishing you health, wealth (well-th) and happiness.

Let’s create a sustainable future.

Reclaim your life this Easter

Radical peace retreat

Thursday 28 March – Monday 1 April 2024

Spiritual practice and meditation

5 days-4 nights in-depth. Easter silent meditation retreat

Mindful living, mindful being

Thursday, 28 March – Sunday, 7 April 2024

Easter 11 days -10 nights retreat. Detox available.

The art of joyful living

Monday, 1 April – Sunday, 7 April 2024

7 Days / 6 nights | Detox available.

Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat

Nirvana is the home for Shanti Yoga Residential Retreats offering accessible mind-body solutions which
boost the individual’s capacity to restore health. Find yourself amidst all that is serene and spiritual.
A tranquil eco haven, set in 70 acres in the hills behind the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, in the beautiful Scenic Rim of the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

With the turmoil going on all around us, many of us find our minds brimming with greater uncertainty, stress, and anxiety. Here, at Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat we offer the essentials – helping you get free from debilitating pain, improve your breathing, recover from injuries and dysfunction, and increase your energy, wellbeing and happiness.

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Be empowered, inside and out

I trust that this Newsletter finds you well and that the beginning of the new year has brought you positivity and inspiration.

Health Institute Australasia (HIA) incorporates a holistic trifecta which I have created combining Ayurvedic wellness with the pure, mindful, healing paths of Meditation and ShantiYoga.

This solid, foundational tripod delivers an inexhaustible source of resources for health, balance, energy, silence, the joy of life, reflection, personal development, caring for nature in ourselves and around us, building relationships and so much more.

My great passion has been in exploring the human potential, through the interplay between the mind, consciousness (the spiritual) and the physical body. I have a great curiosity about human nature, health and the cause of disease at the cellular, molecular, and energetic levels as well as that of the mind. I am passionate about peace of mind, natural health, helping people, and working extensively with the breath in the present. I am deeply fascinated by the subtle, spiritual world, yet at the same time, I also acknowledge my solid, scientific approach which my extensive scientific training has given me.

HIA considers the whole person, combining all three aspects, namely, mental, physical and spiritual into a meaningful whole with the aim of creating balance, wellbeing and wellness. We pursue comprehensive knowledge of how to naturally activate the mind-body’s built-in self-repair mechanisms, and strengthen its natural resistance to disease.

Ayurveda is a holistic healthcare system which originated in India. It aims to help create balance within the body, mind and consciousness.

Ayurveda is based on 100% documented, natural methods for the promotion of health.  It also contains deep knowledge about curing and preventing disease, which is based on natural methods that support the body’s own ability to heal itself.  It is no coincidence that the Sanskrit word ‘Ayurveda’ means ‘the science of life’.

The mind, the soul and the body, these three form the tripod of life. 

This is the subject matter of Ayurveda. It is for this Ayurveda is brought to light.

Charaka Samhita.1.46

Ayurveda, the health tradition and sister discipline of yoga, is one of the world’s oldest health systems. Ayurvedic knowledge, which has a documented history of over 3,000 years, originated from ancient Indian sages, scientists and seers, who had an intuitive insight into human health regarding how to synchronise both the external as well as the internal aspects of the body, with nature. Today, ayurveda is experiencing a true renaissance the world over.

The thousands of years’ old content in the classical Ayurvedic texts, is currently being supported by numerous scientific studies in Universities and research centers around the world. The many positive results from these Ayurvedic studies have been documented in well over a thousand scientific articles, published in recognised journals such as Science, The Lancet, Scientific American, Clinical Cancer Research, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, and BioMed Research International, to name a few. For me, it is like a circle that has been completed when the Ayurvedic knowledge, which emerged thousands of years ago, can not only be substantiated today, but has also been substantiated by modern scientific research around the world.

“It is more important to prevent disease from occurring than to seek a cure.”  is a quote from, Charaka, author of one of the seminal Ayurvedic compendiums of all time, known as The Charaka Samhita.

Ayurvedic prevention and treatment methods cover a wide range of health areas, such as general medicine, physiology, anatomy, surgery, pathology, pharmacology, psychiatry, rejuvenation, paediatrics, obstetrics and nutrition. The forms of treatment and therapy are many, and varied, and include, for example, diet, herbs, sound therapy, oils, massage, yoga and meditation – all without negative side effects, if used correctly.

Yet, Ayurveda is much more than just a system for treating and preventing disease. Ayurveda is the “science of life” (Ayur = life, veda = science / knowledge), which in addition to providing advice and guidance on health and treatment, contains knowledge about how to develop yourself in order to achieve your highest potential as a human being.

The brain produces over 100,000 chemical reactions per second. Your entire body is like a finely tuned orchestra, and your own unique intelligence and consciousness is the conductor of this entire show.

Imbalances arise and grow from stress and tension, poor sleep, dietary imbalances, and so on, whereby the symphony falls out of sync. The way to bring it back into harmony, is to restore balance at the level of consciousness. Ayurvedic treatments, formulas, recipes and protocols help enliven pure consciousness, so that your body can restore and heal itself.

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Ayurvedic Remedies for the Cold & Flu Season

Ayurvedic Remedies for the Cold & Flu Season

By Shanti Gowans

ayurvedic remedies for cold and flu season, woman with cold under a blanket on couch

With the cold and flu season upon us, there are quite a few things in the Ayurvedic medicine toolkit that help, such as:

Tribhuvan kirti – the traditional and effective Ayurvedic formulation that provides immediate relief from coughs, body aches, colds and fevers. It is traditionally administered with honey, fresh ginger and tulsi juice. It addresses the problem at its root and fortifies the system from viruses. Buy it here.

Vasosin cough syrup –  an effective herbal expectorant helpful in treating bronchitis, bronchiectasis, emphysema, and productive coughs. Buy it here.

Shwas Kuthar (shwaskuthar) – is used in the treatment of coughs, colds, asthma, bronchitis, anorexia, indigestion. Comes in three sizes: 60 tablets80 tablets100 tablets.

Sitopaladi churna (or choorna) – is helpful in conditions such as fever related to flu, colds, chest congestion, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchitis, and other respiratory illnesses. Comes in 50g and 100g sizes.

Sukshma Trifala (Sookshma Triphala)–  is useful in the treatment of follicular tonsillitis, septic tonsillitis, uvulitis, stomatitis, painful caries, toothache, conjuctavitis. This herbal preparation may help control respiratory infections due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.and then to help build immunity.

Praval Pishti – is used in the Ayurvedic treatment of coughs, colds, excessive burning sensations. It is useful in decreasing nausea and dizziness associated with migraines arising from heightened Pitta and Vata doshas in the system. It is also prescribed to help alleviate the side effects (gastritis, excess burning sensations etc) of heating medicines.

Chavyanprash (or Chyawanprash or Chyavanaprasam)  – holds high significance in bolstering immunity, enhancing heart functioning, treating loss of libido, improves fertility, promotes hair growth and is helpful in various skin conditions. Chyawanprash helps with better absorption of calcium and protein synthesis, thereby strengthening bones and teeth, and improving muscle tone.

Trikatu Churna (Trikatu Choorna) – helps manage coughs and asthma. It is thermogenic, restores cellular metabolism, detoxifies deep tissues, and body composition reconditioning. Helpful in managing sinusitis and chronic rhinitis. In Ayurveda, it is suggested that Trikatu may help manage agni (digestive fire) and may help in the digestion and removal of aama (toxins) from the body. It may help in weight loss and management of obesity. Buy it here.

This information is provided for the use of Ayurvedic practitioners only. These are all currently in stock. Both face-to-face as well as teleconsultations are available. Some of these remedies are very powerful, and self medication and over dosage may prove dangerous. They should only be taken under strict medical supervision, in precise dosage for a limited period of time, as advised. Please consult with your Ayurvedic practitioner before using any Ayurvedic or herbal products, for dosage, appropriateness for your body type, contraindications with current medications, pregnancy, lactation, and children, side effects, and take good care of yourself.

We sincerely wish you the best of health and happiness.

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LIVING HEALTHIER LONGER The Nirvana Wellbeing Experience

LIVING HEALTHIER LONGER The Nirvana Wellbeing Experience

HEALTH ARISES FROM BEING CENTRED WITHIN ONE’S OWN SELF
by Shanti Gowans

In Sanskrit, the language of Ayurveda and Yoga, the word for health is ‘Swasthya’, which has a profound meaning.

It is made of two root Sanskrit words, namely ‘Swa’, or the Self, and ‘Stha’ meaning stabilised, rooted or centered. Thus Swasthya can be translated as ‘stablised, rooted or centered within one’s own Self’.

Ayurveda is a person-centred medical and health system that has a personalised approach to health care and self care, with detailed guidance about food, nutrition, diet and lifestyle, as per your unique mind-body nature or Prakruti, and in accordance with the seasons.

Ayurveda aims at assisting you in ‘swasthya’ , so that you become a healthy being, ‘swastha’, whereby your physical, mental, and emotional health will enable your body, mind, and spirit to function in perfect harmony.

Human life, in Ayurvedic terms, comprises four basic aspects: the Self, (Atma), the mind (Manas), the senses (Indriyas) and the body (Sharira). All four of these components participate in the creation and maintenance of health and happiness, and all four of them play a role in the generation of disease.

Within each of us lie dormant abilities and extraordinary potential, far beyond what was believed to be possible in the past. New discoveries add to a growing body of evidence confirming that we are a highly advanced, highly sophisticated ‘living’ technology with the ability to self-heal, self-regulate, self-regenerate and rejuvenate every organ, each gland and all of the tissues in our bodies.

We are the technology we’ve been waiting for! Within each of us is our personal code for unlocking our Pure Human technology of neural networks, cell membranes and emotional intelligence, that allows us to excel in everyday life and thrive in times of uncertainty.

Vedic wisdom teachings have provided a blueprint for pure human thinking, and living, that awakens our extraordinary potential. This is currently being validated by the scientific discoveries of today. 

LIVING HEALTHIER LONGER

The Nirvana Wellbeing Experience

22nd September – 1st October 2023

Join us for a compelling 10 day retreat to experience the discoveries that catapult us beyond conventional thinking in relation to ourselves….our origins, limits and, most importantly, the extraordinary capabilities available to us for our everyday lives.

You will learn how to access and program your body’s multiple operating systems, to self-regulate your biology, up-regulate your genes, and awaken a powerful immune response by accessing your innate epigenetic triggers.

A stay at Nirvana immerses you in an experiential curriculum designed to bring vitality to your life from the inside out. You will enjoy optional daily meditation and yoga classes, scrumptious Ayurvedic meals, great lectures, discussions, conversations and extraordinary views.

In between program sessions and other activities, integrate your Nirvana Wellbeing experience with a personalised Ayurvedic consultation with Dr. Manish Patwardhan. Please book your appointments before your arrival to ensure availability

7:30 am                           Meditation and Discourse

8:30 am                           Breakfast 
Personal Time

 10:00 am – 1:00 pm       Ayurvedic Lectures with Dr. Patwardhan

1:15 pm                            Lunch, the main meal of the day

2:30 pm                           Yoga Nidra
Personal Time

6:00 pm                           Gentle, Healing Yoga

7:15 pm                           Light Dinner
Detox medicines (optional)

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Reclaim your Life

Reclaim your Life

The most profound thing we can offer the world is our own healing.

Life is about more than work, obligations and to-do lists

Let us show you how to live a happier, richer, more fulfilling Life.

Knowing that we have all that we need to live a healthy, abundant life, at Nirvana Wellbeing Retreats, we help overwhelmed professionals transform the way they approach their well-being and self-care, helping them achieve a better work-life balance and create long-term, sustainable, healthier habits.

We work within an integrated and lifestyle natural medicine framework, where nutrition, stress management, sleep, a sense of purpose and social connections all play a part. We help you reconnect with your mind, body and natural rhythms, with simple, do-able and effective lifestyle changes. This results in you achieving more energy, better health and less stress.

Being healthier is easier than you think, when you work on the foundations for your  health, namely diet, sleep, gut health, toxicity, your mind, to name a few. These are the fundamentals. Without these in place, clinical approaches, supplements, or drugs won’t do anything sustainable. The root imbalance is still present.

It is critical to have a solid foundation if you want real results in your health. And I want you to know that it is NEVER too late to start. It is never too late to start building a stronger health foundation.

We have worked with many types of clients, helping them put their diabetes into remission, reduce their hypertension, lose menopausal weight, manage stress and burnout; all with simple but effective lifestyle changes. We cut through the contradictory health information that is out there, streamline your wellness regime, and find something that you can easily fit into your lifestyle, and most importantly, that you enjoy.

So whether you’re just starting your health journey, or just looking for your next best step, take action NOW while it’s on your mind. This is your opportunity to empower yourself to transform your health and reclaim your life. Don’t let it pass you by.

Nirvana honours you through gentle practices such as yoga breathing and stretching, Ayurveda, Meditation and forest walks in nature, which bring you closer to the simple peace in your heart and mind, together with feeling the peace and sacredness of this ancient hilltop.

This is not just another expense such as a new TV or AirPods. This is an investment in yourself, your future and the stability you deserve, even with the economy heading in such a scary direction. What you will experience from a Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat, is a complete set of tools, tips, and practices for better sleep, relieving stress, restoring vibrancy, boosting energy, strengthening immunity… and much more.

Wishing you health, wealth (well-th) and happiness.

Let’s create a sustainable future.

Reclaim your life this Easter 6-16 April 2023.

Thursday 6 April 2023 – Monday, 10 April 2023
5 days, 4 nights
Mindfulness Meditation & Healing Retreats Radical Peace.

Thursday, 6 April 2023 – Sunday, 16 April 2023
11 days, 10 nights
Mindfulness Meditation & Healing Retreats Mindful Living, Mindful Being.
Easter Retreat. (7 day detox available) from $3,500 (+ DETOX)

Monday, 10 April 2023 – Sunday, 16 April 2023
7 days, 6 nights
Mindfulness Meditation & Healing Retreats Love, Light and Healing
Detox Available. from $2,100 (+ DETOX)

Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat
Nirvana is the home for Shanti Yoga Residential Retreats offering accessible mind-body solutions which
boost the individual’s capacity to restore health. Find yourself amidst all that is serene and spiritual.
A tranquil eco haven, set in 70 acres in the hills behind the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach, in the beautiful Scenic Rim of the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia.

With the turmoil going on all around us, many of us find our minds brimming with greater uncertainty, stress, and anxiety. Here, at Nirvana Wellbeing Retreat we offer the essentials – helping you get free from debilitating pain, improve your breathing, recover from injuries and dysfunction, and increase your energy, wellbeing and happiness.

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Gandhavahasthadi Thalam

Gandhavahasthadi Thalam

Product Highlight: Gandhavahasthadi Thalam

Gandhavahasthadi Thalam is an Ayurvedic oil used for internal administration in the treatment of bloating, abdominal pain, etc. Its base is Castor oil with the roots of castor, as well as barley, ginger, cow’s milk, castor oil etc.

Herbs are infused in the medium of sesame oil, along with a herbal water decoction. Then the solid waste herbal materials are filtered out. Thus the oil contains oil soluble and water soluble photo-active principles of medicinal herbs.

This medicine should only be taken under strict medical supervision. The decision for its usage is exclusively taken by an Ayurvedic doctor. This product is not to be used for self-medication. It is best avoided in children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Uses

It is used in the treatment of abscess, splenic disorders, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, constipation, gastritis, Amlapitta, oedema, inflammatory conditions of the abdomen and ascites. It can even be used as basti karma, for weightloss and to relieve pain.

It is best applied before steam therapy.

In large doses, it is used in Virechana, the Panchakarma purgative therapy.

Dosage

5-10 drops once or twice a day, before food, depending upon the severity of the condition, the body weight, etc. of the patient, and other factors. In low doses, it can be administered for a period of one month.

In chronic conditions, under medical supervision, for longer-term use, to be taken on alternate days.

Side Effects

In higher doses, or in cases where it is incorrectly administered, it may cause loose stools and diarrhoea. In such circumstances, change the medication to the kshayam.

It’s manufacture is referenced from Ashtangahrudayam Chikitsa sthana 15/21. Sahasrayogam.

The information provided is for the use of Ayurvedic practitioners only. If you are not an Ayurvedic practitioner, please consult your Ayurvedic practitioner before using any Ayurvedic or herbal products.

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Patient and Disease Examination, Rogi and Roga Pariksha

Patient and Disease Examination, Rogi and Roga Pariksha

by Shanti Gowans © 2021

Ayurvedic assessment methodologies include several assessments and protocols to detect an individual’s mind-body constitution and their state of imbalance. Ayurvedic classical texts clearly explain how to identify subtle disease conditions, which a physical examination or other assessment techniques are unable to recognise.

There are 9 different ways to examine a disease,
Five sense organs to examine a disease,
Five different modes of disease examination, and
10 ways of patient examination.

Clinical examination of a disease and its condition (roga), together with the diseased person, (rogi), form the basis of a comprehensive protocol for examination. The exact nature of the disease and the diseased person should be clearly known,  and are critical for comprehensive treatment to be planned and administered.

The Benefits that arise from Examination (Pariksha) 

Proper diagnosis of a disease
Proper step-by-step assessment of the disease process,
Knowing the prognosis, thereby obtaining a clear idea of the physician’s limitations in handling a case. It helps the physician decide whether they can handle the case, or if it would be wiser, and in the best interest of the patient, to refer the case to related specialists.
It helps to ascertain the physical and mental condition of the patient.
It helps in the planning of a comprehensive treatment protocol which includes dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
A comprehensive treatment can be planned and administered, only if the diagnosis of a disease is made properly and the condition of the disease known. For this to happen, the physician should be well versed in the knowledge and skills of clinical examination. Clinical examination of the disease and the diseased person, form the cream of clinical success.

Examination of the Patient, Rogi Pareeksha

The constitution of a person from the time of their conception, is known as Prakruti. This is the balanced state, or state of health for a person.

The imbalanced state is known as a person’s Vikruti.  The cause and subsequent development of an abnormal condition or of a disease is known in medicine as etiopathogenesis (plural etiopathogeneses), from the words: etiology + pathogenesis.
etiology: the science of finding causes and origins (of a disease)
pathogenesis: the production or development of a disease
For an accurate assessment, a physician needs to differentiate between a person’s constitution that was established at conception (prakruti), and their current state of health (vikruti). if it is different to their constitution.

The systems and channels in the body, known as srotas, also need to be assessed. This is known as sroto pariksha.

This article is about the examination of a patient. There are many tools and ways of assessment in Ayurvedic practice, in which the examination of a patient, or Rogi Pariksha, is conducted in Ayurveda.
The patient can then be assisted and their constitution (prakruti) can be brought back to balance for them, which in Ayurveda means to bring them back to their constitution, prakruti established at conception. They can also be educated in preventing illness, by understanding their constitution and living in accord within its parameters.

Tools for Examination of a Patient, rogi pariksha

There are several ways to examine a patient. These include:

Two-fold assessment, Dwi Vidya Pariksha includes:
– That which is seen and perceived by a doctor directly, pratyaksha
– Through inference, anumana

 Three-fold assessment, Trividhya Pariksha includes:
– Inspection, darshana.  Darshan is a way of seeing, and is regarded as a blessing. It is observing things as they are, without judgement or comparison. An Ayurvedic practitioner must develop ‘darshan’.
– Touch, palpation, percussion, auscultation or by feeling the diseased area, sparshana.
– Questioning the patient thoroughly, prashna.

Four-fold assessment, Chaturvidhya Pariksha 
– That which is seen and perceived by the physician directly, pratyaksha
– That which is assessed through inference, anumana
– Application of knowledge learnt from the science (shastra) and its teachings, aptopadesha
– Situational application of wisdom and knowledge, yukti.

Six-fold assessment, Shadvidhya Pariksha 
– Examination by seeing/inspecting, chakshurindriya dwara pariksha
– Examination through smelling, ghanendriya dwara pariksha
– Examination through hearing, (auscultation), shravanendriya dwara pariksha
– Examination through taste, jihvendriya dwara pariksha
– Examination through touch, sparshanendriya dwara pariksha
– Questioning a patient, prashna pariksha

Eight-fold assessment, Ashtavidhya Pariksha includes examination of 
– Pulse diagnosis, nadi pariksha
– Tongue diagnosis, jihva pariksha
– Visual examination, netra or drik pariksha, of the external appearance of the person
– Stool examination, mala pariksha
– Urine examination, mutra pariksha
– Examination based on sound, shabda pariksha, such as the timbre and hoarseness of a patient’s voice, and various bodily sounds, such as cracking in the joints (arthritis),
– Touch, sparsha pariksha, examination of the skin, twak, to ascertain body temperature, localised rise of temperature in a swelling, dryness/oiliness etc.
– Examination of the whole body, such as its structure and shape, the build of a patient, their, gait, decubitus, akriti pariksha.

Ten-fold assessment, Dasavidha Pariksha.
All in all, you must ascertain the following:
– The basic constitution (the physical and mental makeup) of a patient as acquired at birth. This is known as their prakruti.
– The changes occurring in the patient’s basic constitution, together with various changes taking place in different parts of the body or mind (or both), in relation to their basic constitution. This is known as the patient’s vikruti. Vikruti is the abnormal deviation or imbalances of a person’s Prakruti.
– The essence of the tissues, (dhatus), their status, quality and quantity etc. This is known as sara.
– The compactness of the body, samhanana.
– The measurement of the size and proportion of the human body (anthropometry), and any deviations according to mathematical proportions of the body. This is known as pramama.
– Compatibilities relating to a patient and wholesomeness developed by habits which result in suitability to the patient and are conducive to their health (homologation). This is known as satmya.
– The psyche and mental faculties and parameters, such as the mental strength, tolerance levels, emotions and mood of a patient. This is known as satva.
– The patient’s capacity regarding food intake, such as appetite, digestion and metabolic capacity. This is known as ahara shakti.
– The patient’s capacity and tolerance for exercise. This is known as vyama shakti.
– The age of the patient, vaya.
– The physical build, strength and immunity of a patient. This is known as Bala. Their endurance, compactness and stamina will need to be factored in too.

Pulse reading or pulse diagnosis, nadi pariksha is amongst the eight methods of examination. However, it has.not been elaborated by Archarya Charaka, Sushurata, or Vagbhata, in the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita or Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hrudaya. These texts span a period of time between 1000 BC – 2000 AD.

It is referenced in the later books in Ayurveda, and seems to appear after the arrival of the Unani doctors, knowns as Hakims, who introduced the Unani system of medicine to India. They could be attributed to the popularity of nadi pariksha, pulse diagnosis.. It involves spirituality, science and elements of astrology. However, it must be remembered that a doctor’s performance is ultimately based on their ability to generate a cure for their patient’s disease,  rather than telling their patient about their health history, or predicting their past or future symptoms.

For the Hakims, the importance of pulse diagnosis was crucial, especially when the patient was female, as the culture required her to cover up her face.The only available part for the physician to touch and examine was the hand. Thus, the Hakim was professionally compelled to examine the pulse. If the patient was a princess, she never came out from behind the padra (veil), or curtain. A thread was tied to the princesses’ wrist, and the other end of the thread was given to the Hakim to predict her disease. Such were the limitations under which the Hakim had to work.

When the science of the pulse came to Ayurveda, everybody was very hopeful about pulse diagnosis, as the arterial pulse of the hand tells a seasoned practitioner, known as a nadi vaidya about all diseases,. There are  some 108 pulse differences, some of which feel like the slithering of a snake, or a jumping frog, or the subtle gliding of a swan etc. This diagnosis is indicative of gross and subtle observances of the pulse.

The text entitled ‘Sarangadhara’, in the 12th century, gave importance to pulse diagnosis in the following verse:

Karasyangushta mooleya, Dhamani jeevasaksini
Tat Cheshtaya ‘sukham’ ‘dukham’
Njeyam kayasya panditaha

“the vein that is found in the root of the Palm is the symbol of life. The behavioural pattern of the same  explains to an expert the body’s well being (sukham) as well as any ailments (dukham) of the patient”.

Details about pulse diagnosis are also mentioned in Yoga Ratnakara, a 17th century text.

Pulse reading provides a practitioner an index of cardiac rhythms, which can also be supported by the use of a stethoscope. Sometimes, if there is a disease process in between the heart and the pulse, the rhythm of the heart may be different to the rhythm of the pulse. It also indicates whether the volume is full or weak, and whether the heart rate is fast or slow.

The text ‘Nadi Tattva Darshanam, by Vaidya Satya Deva Vashisth, has produced some commendable work, having collated all works on Nadi pariksha from the Vedas, Upavedas,  Charaka Samhita, Sushurata Samhita, Rava Nadi Pariksha, Kanada Nadi Pariksha and others.

Ayurvedic practitioners now diagnose Blood Pressure with sphygmomanometers, and check for sugar and cholesterol through blood and urine tests as well as urine and faecal examinations. These tests were mentioned by Yoga Ratnakara, and Ayurveda has welcomed many forms of diagnosis, which have now been extended to laboratory tests since the early renditions.

Examination of a Disease, Roga Pariksha

Disease examination, Roga pariksha
Understanding the nature of a disease helps with accurate diagnosis of the disease. The disease should be examined to know:

The quality and nature of the disease, vyadhi svabhava
The quantity or magnitude of the disease, vyadhi pramana
The cause/s of the disease, nidana jnana
Premonitory symptoms, those which occur before the manifestation of the disease, poorvarupa jnana
Signs and symptoms of the disease, rupa jnana
Aggravating and pacifying factors of the disease, upashaya-anupashaya jnana
The process of the formation of the disease, samprapti jnana
Prognosis, in terms of curabnility or non-curability of the disease, saadhya-asaadhyata gnana
Complications and progression of a disease, upadrava-udarka jnana

Tools for disease examination, nidana panchaka
Five key tools, known as nidana panchaka, are used for the diagnosis of a disease (roga pariksha), and to know the nature of the disease. These are:

The causative factors of the disease, nidana, the knowledge of which is the key to knowing why and how the disease process was initiated.
Premonitory symptoms of the disease, purvarupa, which helps to know the disease in its earlier stages of manifestation.
Signs and symptoms of the disease, rupa, which help us understand the manifestation of the disease.
Identifying a disease, upashaya-anupashaya, or diagnosing it on the basis of a trial and error method, after analysing the aggravating and pacifying factors operating on the disease.
The disease’s story, samprapti. The pathogenesis of the disease helps us understand the process or steps in which the chain of events leading from ‘exposure, or causative factors’ to the ‘manifestation of the disease’ occurred.

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