Sitaram Beach Retreat

Udwarthanam is a treatment that is used to open the skin pores and cleanse the skin. This fat burning treatment helps to reduce weight, drain out excess retained fluid in the body, increase fat metabolism and reduce cellulite. It also addresses diabetes.

Utsadanam is massaging the body with medicinal paste. Similar to udwartanam, this treatment is beneficial for cleansing the skin, mobilising and reducing fat and cellulite.

“Netra” means “eye” and “dhara” means “streamline flow.” This is washing the eyes using herbal decoction. Benefits Depending on the condition and the medicines used, it is beneficial for a wide range of eye disorders. It has rejuvenating effect on the eyes and is beneficial in preventing cataracts, resolving visual defects and for general fatigue of the eye.

“Dhanya” means “grain”, “amla” means “sour / fermented” and “dhara” means “continuous pouring /stream”. This is the pouring of a herbal decoction all over the body or over a specific affected region maintaining a continuous stream and constant temperature. The decoction is prepared by fermenting a number of grains. Benefits This inflammation and pain reducing treatment is therapeutic for arthritis, rheumatism and other inflammatory diseases. This treatment enhances circulation, burns fat and clears blockages from the circulating channels.

“Kashayam” means “decoction” and “dhara” means “continuous pouring” Pouring of herbal decoction over the entire or any given part of the body. The decoction is chosen according to your health condition. Benefits Based on the herbs selected for making the decoction, this treatment can be used for treating skin diseases like eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, neurological diseases, muscle pain and inflammation .

“Siro” means “oil” and “vasti” means “pool” Benefits Sirovasthi is a treatment that is highly beneficial for psycho-somatic problems, nervous disorders, facial paralysis, multiple sclerosis etc. This treatment addresses many diseases of the head, ear, eyes, and nose such as dryness of the nostrils and throat, certain varieties of cataracts and headaches. It can also be used to improve mental functioning.

“Talam” means “collected”. It is the application of medicated paste on the head. Benefits This is mainly used for insomnia, depression, irritability and improving brain function etc Depending on the herbs used, talam can also be effective in treating sinusitis, cold and cervical pain.

“Thala” means “head“ and “pothichil” means “pack” This is covering the entire head with medicinal paste. Benefits This is highly beneficial for disorders like stress, sleeps disorders, multiple sclerosis, hormonal imbalance and for hair growth

“Avagaham” means “immersing in a medicated decoction” Benefits This is a special treatment in traditional ayurveda which addresses diseases such as neurological disorders, lower back pain, arthritis, gastrointestinal problems and various gynaecological disorders.

“Janu" means “the knee” and “vasthi” means “pool”. This treatment involves pooling of medicated oil over the knee. Benefits Januvasti helps to prevent degeneration of the knee oint, increases synovial fluid and strengthens the tendons and ligaments of the knee. It reduces knee stiffness and improve flexibility.

“Kadee" means “the lower back” and “vasthi” means “pool” This treatment involves pooling of medicated oil over the low back. Benefits This treatment is very beneficial in low back ache caused by degeneration, disc bulge,sciatica and muscle spasms.

“Uro" means “chest” and “vasthi” means “pool” This is pooling of medicated oil or other medicinal liquids over the chest. Benefits This treatment strengthens the lung tissues, heart and is helpful is asthma, chronic bronchitis, certain heart conditions.

“Pichu" involves placing a piece of cotton soaked in oil on a particular area of the body for a period depending on the site and condition. Benefits It is used for localized pain and inflammation

“Upanaham” is the application of herbal poultice. Benefits The herbal paste and oil used for upanaham is specific to the condition of the patient. It helps in removing oedema by absorption through the skin and removes toxins through the sweat pores. The continued application of heat helps in easing stiffness of joints. It is beneficial in chronic and hardened swellings, chronic joint pains and in degenerative conditions.

“Lepam" is the local application of herbal paste. Benefits Lepam absorbs the swelling and inflammation from the affected part trans dermally.

“Karna” means “ear “and“ pooranam” means “filling” This is filling the ear with medicated oil or decoction. Benefits This treatment strengthens the tissues and reduces ear pain and tinnitus. It rejuvenates the auditory membrane and nerves.

Laughter yoga (Hasyayoga) is a practice involving prolonged voluntary laughter. Laughter yoga is based on the belief that voluntary laughter provides the same physiological and psychological benefits as spontaneous laughter. Forced laughter soon turns into spontaneous and contagious laughter. Laughing for a sustained period of time is key to reaping the health benefits of laughter yoga. The benefits of laughter yoga are Body: Increased oxygen intake and blood flow, improved blood vessel function and lower blood pressure. This helps protect your heart, boosts energy, dissolves stress and allows you to gain focus. It makes you feel relaxed and energised, stress and pain melt away. Mind: Your mind becomes sharper and clearer. Emotions: You feel more grounded. Social: You feel more connected to the people around you. Spiritual: It boosts self-esteem, making you feel more at peace. At Sitaram beach retreat, we have regular sessions of laughter yoga. Please join these sessions for “laughter is the best medicine”.

Labyrinths offer the opportunity to walk in meditation to that place within us where the rational merges with the intuitive and the spiritual is reborn. People all over the world are discovering that the ancient practice of walking labyrinths not only solves problems, but also soothes the nerves, calms the soul, mends the heart and heals the body. It can help bring us into balance, giving us a sense of wholeness.

“Abhyangam” is massaging the entire body with oil. Benefits Result of abhyanga varies according to the oils used. It can be employed in treating joint disorders, arthritis, some skin disorders, muscle wasting, for improving the general strength of an individual, for relaxation and good sleep. It improves the overall blood circulation, lymphatic drainage, reduces muscle spasm and pain. It relaxes the body, mind and cures dryness of skin.

“Swedhana” includes all treatments which induce sweating (sweda = sweat). In the preparatory phase, it includes mainly different types of kizhi and steam bath.

“Kizhi” means “pouch”. Kizhi, in general, means the process of stamping, rubbing and massaging the body with hot pouches made of medicinal powders, leaves or other suitable ingredients like cooked rice or sand.

“Podi” means “powder” and “kizhi” means “pouch”. Benefits Podikizhi is an excellent anti-inflammatory therapy. Podikizhi is used for reliving pain, stiffness, cramps, swelling and inflammations. It also enhances circulation and opens the micro channels.

“Aavi” means “steam” and “kizhi” means “pouch”. Benefits Aavikizhi helps to open the micro channels and pores of the body and thereby expelling inflammation and swellings. The rhythmic stamping helps to mobilize and disseminate hardened swellings and the potency of the medicine used helps to remove inflammation from the body. This is also an excellent treatment to reduce pain and stiffness of muscles.

“Dhanya” means “grains”, “amlam” means “sour” and “kizhi” means “pouch”. This procedure is similar to aavikizhi, but the pouches of herbs are heated by dipping in heated “dhanyamlam” (fermented decoction). Benefits This treatment is useful in treating painful swellings as in conditions like arthritis. It is also good for easing spasms and stiffness in body.

“Ela” means “leaves” and “kizhi” means “pouch”. This involves massaging the body with pouches containing medicinal leaves. Benefits Elakizhi is used for treating pain associated with arthritis and other joint and muscle disorders. It helps to reduce pain, inflammation and prevents degeneration.

“Naranga” means “lemon” and “kizhi” means “pouch” Benefits This treatment will help to reduce inflammation and pain. The processed lemon in the pouch will increase local circulation by dilating blood vessels and thus promoting healing. This treatment relieves acute joint pain, pain related to disc prolapse, arthritic pain and pain due to injury. Note that these treatments can be done as a preparation for the cleansing (panchakarma) but also as a main treatment depending on your condition.

This is a 3 to 5 day preparatory regimen done prior to the beginning of the main cleansing. On these days, medicated ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil will be given to you in fixed doses until the body is completely saturated with the lubricant . As this is a phase of intense detoxification during which the metabolic toxins are dissolved, most of the body’s energy is utilised for this process. So for effective detoxification it is essential to take maximum rest and allow the body to work on itself. Description It is a preparatory therapy for the main Panchakarma procedure which enhances the treatments namely Vamanam (therapeutic emesis) and Virechanam (therapeutic purgation) by means of internal administration of medicated clarified butter (ghrtham) or medicated oil (tailam). Benefits Helps to bring toxins from all minute channels of body to the main GUT(gastro intestinal Tract) Helps for the easy elimination of toxins during thevamanam and virechanam. Reduces the internal dryness which is one of the root cause of many illnesses and regulates metabolism.

One among the panchakarmas, nasyam is a powerful cleaning method for the head region. It cleans mainly the Kaphadosha from the upper body. It is done by administering medicine through the nose. Medicinal powder, specially prepared oils, juices of herbs etc are used for nasyam. Most common is the use of special oils. Benefits As the nostrils are pathways to the brain, the procedure can influence brain and is used for various conditions like stroke, facial palsy, insomnia, mental diseases, hormone problems, sinusitis, frozen shoulder, migraine etc.

This is an intense panchakarma procedure performed to release the toxins present in the upper part of the body and regulate the water element (Kapha) by drinking specially prepared herbal liquid, milk and water. Benefits Helps to cure and prevent occurrence of excessive Kapha related disorders and regulates the water element which is mainly present in the upper part of the body. Releases all the toxins produced due to suppressed emotions in the chest, throat and head regions. Gives a positive “light as a feather” feeling and peace of mind.

Virechanam or purgation is done to eliminate accumulated toxins from the alimentary canal in the downward direction. This procedure helps in eliminating Pitta dosha and Kaphadosha. There will be increased bowel movements for a few hours on the designated day. Patients can have between 5-10 episodes of purgation during the Virechana process. It normalizes the appetite, digestion and assimilation of the body. Virechanam helps to achieve lucidity of thought and stimulates the intellectual capacity. It is very effective in the treatment of Pitta and Kapha disorders.

Matravasti or small enema is performed to normalize the deranged Vata in the digestive tract. It promotes strength and restores general well - being. It is also used as a preparation for other therapeutic enemas. About 50 – 120 ml of medicated oil or ghee chosen according to your condition is administered (injected) via the rectum. This can be given as a standalone enema therapy or alternately with a decoction enema. This treatment is performed after food. The small enema usually does not clean your bowel. You may require to use the toilet once or twice either within a few minutes or sometimes only on the next day. Do not try forcefully to hold or evacuate the enema oil. However it is good if the oil stays in for about 30 minutes. Benefits It pacifies the Vata in lower part of the body and lubricates the lining of the large intestine. It is a preparation stage for KashayaVasti. It strengthens the spine, lower part of the body and the nervous system.

To primarily eliminate the accumulated / deranged Vata concentrated in the lower part of the body. Benefits It cleans the large intestine thoroughly. It improves the function of the nervous system. It is therapeutic for inflammation and various disorders in the lower part of the body. It corrects metabolic disorders.

This treatment has been incorporated into panchakarma as one among the series of “vasti” or as a standalone treatment to remove accumulated water along with waste products from the large intestine and to improve the metabolism. Description Hydrocolon therapy is a type of enema derived from the naturopathy system of treatment. Benefits It cleans the large intestine thoroughly. It removes accumulated toxins in the large intestine. It improves metabolism.

This procedure is used to treat varicose veins, abscess, skin diseases, alopecia, high blood pressure, various inflammations and conditions associated with spleen and liver . Description Rakthamokshana or bloodletting is a para-surgical procedure included in panchakarma. It is done using different methods like applying one or a few leeches on a specific part of your body, puncturing any of your vein or making several small punctures on a given part of your body in order to facilitate small quantity of blood letting to occur. Benefits Rakthamokshana is done to remove deep seated circulating toxins from the blood. It relieves stagnation and congestion in varicose veins. It improves circulation to a specific area, reduces inflammation and improves healing of a specific location along with the entire system in general.

Njavara” means medicinal brown rice and “kizhi” means “pouch” Benefits This is a rejuvenating procedure; done usually towards the end of your panchakarma therapy. It enhances circulation, reduces weakness and strengthen muscles. It also nourishes and improves skin tone Njavarkizhi addresses diseases such as neurological disorders, lower back pain, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, gastrointestinal problems and various gynaecological disorders.

“Ksheera” means “medicated milk” and “dhara” means “continuous flow” Pouring of milk boiled with herbs over the body.Benefits This procedure is a relaxing and rejuvenating treatment especially good for pitha and Vata disorders. It enhances the skin, strengthens the tissues, promotes longevity and rejuvenates the body.

“Pizhichil” is the continuous pouring of warm medicated oil all over the body. Benefits Pizhichil strengthens the tissues and promotes the biological fire. This treatment regenerates and rejuvenates the body. It is especially good for vatha disorders such as arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, sexual weakness and nervous disorders. It is also used for rheumatism and other inflammatory diseases. It also helps to reduce body weight.

“Siras” means “head” and “dhara” means “continuous flow”. This is flow of oil / decoction / milk or buttermilk over the head in rhythmic and continuous fashion. Benefits Sirodhara is an effective treatment against mental tension, sleeplessness and depression. It regulates hormonal imbalances by activating the hypothalamus of the brain. It enhances brain circulation and improves the brain cell function. It strengthens the nervous system.

“Thakra” means buttermilk. Thakradhara is the sirodhara using buttermilk instead of medicated oil. Benefits Takra or buttermilk is a cooling agent by nature and reduces excess Vata and Pitha of body and mind. Thakradhara is an effective treatment against mental tension and depression. It is effective in skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis. It also aids in diabetic control