• YOGA


• PRANAYAMAM


• VARMA THERAPY


• THOKKANAM


• AYURVEDIC PANCHAKARMA

YOGA

Yoga is not only confined to physical postures, but it signifies union with the supreme universal spirit. The term yoga is derived from the word "yuj" which means unite (union of the mind and body). It is the science of holistic living, which gives rise to betterment at physical, mental and emotional levels. It is always good to synchronize yoga with rhythmic breathing.

The driving force of yoga is aimed at achieving peace and integrity of mind. In Yoga, breath is synchronized with practice and a progressive series of postures, produces intense internal heat that will aid in detoxification. The practice of yoga is the best way to reduce stress.

Starting a day with sun salutation, enhances energy , strengthens the body and relaxes the mind .what more could a person expect in his life, than his internal happiness. Yoga facilitates complete level of stress relief and a pace, in this stead fast life.

In Hatha Yoga, practice is a more slow-paced stretching, that incorporates some simple breathing exercises with meditation. This is a good place to start if you have never tried yoga before.

Vinyasa Yoga is a synchronized breathing movement and emphasizes the breath. This practice may begin with sun salutations which then move into more intense stretching poses. Vinyasa is a "flow" style of yoga and participants move quickly through the poses holding them for only a few seconds at a time.

Arogya offers basic and therapeutic yoga that is suitable for beginners as well as for treatment purpose. Yoga is also combined with pranayama, a breathing pattern that would ease mind and reduce stress related problems.

Yoga classes are conducted by expertise yoga instructors following a regular scheduled protocol. Arogya     runs a specialty yoga training centre with practice halls where classes are by expert doctors and yoga therapists trained at Vivekananda yoga research and training center, Bangalore.

Apart from general fitness, Yoga as a therapy is advised for ailments like;

Cervical spondylosis                                                        Attention Deficit Disorders

Lumbar spondylosis                                                        Bronchial Asthma

Sciatic pain                                                                    Frozen Shoulder

Arthritis                                                                         Bronchitis/Asthma

Anxiety disorders                                                            Migraine

PRANAYAMAM

Pranayamam, an integral part of yoga is defined as a science of cleansing, balancing and gaining control over the life force (prana). With the amalgamation of traditional and modern concept,   Pranayamam is considered as one of the best remedy to cure stress and anxiety disorder. Pranayama  does not only  tone the lungs, regulates the heart rate, rejuvenates the glands and  improves the health of the nervous system by increasing oxygenation, but also regulates the bio energy  flow of body and  harmonizes the alleviated humors to restore good health.

EXTERNAL THERAPIES IN SIDDHA

External therapies in Siddha are broadly classified under 32 categories. External therapies are assuming great importance, since they are safe and efficient though being drugless. therapies are aimed at maintain a healthy balance of the three humours (vatham, pitham and kapham) and nourishment of saptha  dhathus namely saaram(lymph), cheneer(blood), oon(muscle), kozhuppu(fat), yenbu(bone), moolai(marrow), sukkilam(reproductive tissue).

Among the external therapies physical therapies like thokkanam, varmam and pilzhichal are useful in treating neuromuscular disorders.

Steam therapy, nasal drops and oleation therapy are advised in treating kapha diseases like respiratory infections, bronchial asthma, etc..

Blood  letting therapies like leech application entail blood purification are useful in curing skin allergies, eczema and contusion.

MASSAGE THERAPHY (THOKKANAM)

Massage Therapy is defined as a passive exercise, involving the use of medicated oils to rejuvenate the body cells. On scientific inclination, massage therapy increases the lymphatic flow, eliminating the toxic substances which cause ill health.

Siddha theory states that Massage(Thokkanam) strengthens blood circulation, facilitates lymphatic drainage, improves skin tone, promotes the vitality and relaxes the body on the whole. It balances vali, which is often alleviated in neuromuscular disorders.

Massage therapy is performed with hands in nine different types of manipulation pertaining to theraiyar concept.

TYPES OF MANIPULATION

Tapping (thattal)                                                     Pressing (azhuthal)

Traction (ezhuthal)                                                  Grasping (pidithal)

Shaking (asaithal)                                                  Twisting (murukkal)

Supination (malathuthal)                                         Tying (kaikattal)

Tightening (erukkal)

The art of thokkanam is tailored to each individual based on their body constitution (prakruthi).It is usually synchronized with varma points, to obtain tremendous results.

Massage therapy is a pioneer in treating stress, pain and many major ailments.

BENEFITS OF THOKKANAM

• Its an ideal therapy for muscular sprains, low back ache, spastic conditions, frozen shoulder and nerve disorders.
• It stretches the soft tissues by moving joints through passive range of movements.
• It tones up the body and relaxes the mind thus providing relief form stress and anxiety disorders.

VARMAM

Certain key points in the body where life energy is concentrated(Vaasi ) is called Varma points.

According to siddha medicine there are 108 vulnerable points in human body through which, Prana flows in a channeled way. Any trauma to these vital points may cause loss of consciousness or convulsions or even death. But gentle vibration or pressure applied in these points relieve the obstruction of the energy flow. Varmam is performed either by applying gentle pressure or massaging over the varma points with medicated oils.

Therapeutic classification of varma

• Thodu varmam  (varma stimulated by touch)
• Padu varmam  (varmam injured accidentally)
• Thatu varmam  (varmam caused intutionally)
• Nokku varmam  (a type of hypnosis)

Thattu varmam is used in combat operation called kalari, an excellent martial art of south india.

In Thodu  varmam , the points are rhythmically tuned by therapists for managing various disease like low back ache, cervical spondylosis,, attention deficit disorders, frozen shoulder, migraine headaches, bronchial asthma , sinusitis, cold and fever.

Adangal is a special technique in varmam, in which pressure points are tuned in a specific pattern to regulate body temperature and blood flow. Adangal is used as a magical cure in varma therapy.

Varma therapy provides a complete natural healing to rejuvenate the toxic imbalances.

Benefits Of Varma Therapy

• Varma is a specialized field of Siddha pertained to cure neurological weakness, neuromuscular problems, migraine headaches, convulsions, arthritis, spinal problems, muscle wasting and to wail away intense pain.
• By enhancing the bio-energetic  flow , varma therapy retails a feeling of wellness.
• It helps in removal of toxins and renders the body strong and flexible.
• It is a drugless, but a very efficient remedy.
• It is a safe and effective system of healing and rejuvenation.

Arogya offers specific varma therapy, tailored convenient to the individual’s therapeutic needs.

PANCHAKARMA

Panchakarma literally means five actions

It is a cleansing procedure and a wonderful rejuvenation therapy assuming  increasing importance in recent days.

Panchakarma is conducted in three stages:

• Purvakarma
• Panchakarma
• Paschatkarma

Purvakarma is preparatory phase, consisting of special detoxifying diets and oleation therapy, which initiates the purification process in the tissues. Oleation is accomplished by special massages using herbal oils or by taking certain oils internally.
panchakarma is a rejuvenation phase that ensures complete cleansing of the body.The second step is to heat the body using specific steam and warm oil therapies. Toxins are eliminated for the body through the procedures:

Vamanam – it is a process of medicated vomiting to reduce elevated iyyam and ensures purification of respiratory and gastrointestinal tract.

Virechanam – this process of medicated purgation balances vali , iyyam and cleanses the gastrointestinal tract.

Basti – it is a medicated colon irrigation that facilitates elimination of ingested toxins.Ghee or medicated decoctions are used as an enema to clean the lower respiratory tract.

Nasyam – it is a nasal cleansing procedure to remove toxins from head and neck with the use of herbal oils or liquids.

Rakthamoksha – this technique of bloodletting entails blood purification  and is followed in allergic conditions of skin under atmost care.

Panchakarma is perfomed with abyangham massage and fomentation with medicated herbal oils.

Steam therapy with herbal aromatic extracts enhances the therapeutic effects of panchakarma.

Benefits Of Panchakarma

• Ensures relaxation and good sleep
• Creates a profound cleansing experience.
• Improves digestion and enhances appetite
• Expels toxins from the body and rejuvenates it.
• Keeps the body sound and fit, naturally.

STEAM THERAPY (VAEDHU)

Steam therapy or vaedhu, in Siddha includes both inhalation of steam and application of steam to affected areas of the body.

Steam Inhalation is performed by inhaling the medicated vapors of herbs or dry powders added to boiling water. It is an effective remedy for common cold, sinusitis, bronchial asthma and other respiratory tract infections. This  serves as a natural process, facilitating expectoration of mucus.

Application of steam in painful areas reduces the stiffness and alleviates pain. Leaves of nochi and erukku are used for relieving pain due to increased vali.

Natural Aromatic steam therapies with tulsi, lemon peel are advised to prevent obstruction of skin pores and enhance skin tone.

VASTHI

These are excellent pain relieving therapies, which are named according to their locations.

Sirovasthi

In this therapy,warm herbal oil  is retained inside a cap placed over the head. It is used to treat cervical spondylosis, sleep disturbances, facial palsy and nerve disorders.

Kativasthi

' kati' means lower back. In this procedure medicated oil is retained on the low back , bordered with a herbal paste. It provides good relief in back ache especially due to disc bulge.  It strengthens the hip and reduces stiffness.

Januvasthi

In this procedure, medicated oil is retained in the affected knee for few minutes .It is used in osteoarthritis knee to reduce pain and to increase range of movements