Ayurvedic Massage- Deep insights
By Senthil Krishnasamy, Ayurvedic and Natural Medicine Practitioner
Massage therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects on varying conditions including prenatal depression, preterm infants, full-term infants, autism, skin conditions, pain syndromes including arthritis and fibromyalgia, hypertension, autoimmune conditions including asthma and multiple sclerosis, immune conditions including HIV and breast cancer and aging problems including Parkinson’s and dementia.
In Ayurvedic massage, pressure is given in different ways to the pressure points which help to stimulate different energy centers. It helps in getting rid of deep-seated toxins and improves blood circulation of the body.
Oils are fundamental in Ayurveda:
They are used internally and externally to prevent, as well as treat, disease. Used on the skin, or in the body’s orifices like the mouth, nostrils and ears, oil protects our bodies from outside stimulus, impurities and antigens.
For maximum benefits when using base Ayurvedic oils, we often recommend certain oils, or oil combinations to help balance each dosha:
- Vata dosha with dry skin—> Heavier oils are used including sesame and almond
- Pita dosha with sensitive or overheated skin—->Cooling or neutral oils are used including olive, sunflower, coconut, or castor
- Kabha dosha with oily skin—>light oils are used including flaxseed, corn or mustard oil
Foot massage intensively stimulates blood flow in the foot area to increase blood circulation throughout the body, while also providing physical and psychological relaxation, thereby improving sleep and sleep patterns.
Primary uses of massage are to promote relaxation, treat painful muscular conditions, and reduce anxiety.
Welcome Tamara Moore, Osteopathic Manual Therapist!
Tamara has a Master in Practice of Osteopathic Manipulative Sciences from the Canadian Academy of Osteopathy, the only four-year classical osteopathic education currently available in Canada. Tamara discovered Osteopathy through her pursuit of mindfulness meditation and teaching yoga. She wanted to work in a manner that would benefit her clients in a more individualized way by understanding the source of that person’s injury or physical symptoms and restoring movement and health where it had been diminishing.
As an Osteopathic Manual Practitioner, Tamara is working with your body to remove physical restriction and address ailment: your body will continue to do the real work after you leave her office. Treatment is gentle and individually built to work with you and the unique challenges you are facing. Relief often begins immediately after that first session and can be deepened during further treatment. Osteopathy is for every body!
OSTEOPATHY CAN ASSIST WITH ADDRESSING YOUR:
Chronic pain
Acute flare-up of chronic pain
Back pain or injury
Neck pain or injury
Shoulder pain or injury
Hip pain or injury
Any strain or sprain
Tension and stress-related pain
Herniated discs
Frozen shoulder
Inflammation and edema
Tamara will be working out of TouchStone Health starting June 21, 2023 and is currently taking new clients.
Make it an Ayurvedic Summer
by Senthil Krishnasamy, PhD Ayurvedic Practitioner
We all wait for summer to enjoy the good weather. According to Ayurveda, the summertime is the time of the pitta dosha (heat) which plays a huge role on our body and mind. By balancing the pitta dosha, we can enjoy summer more. Here are some simple tip to enjoying the summer season according to Ayurveda:
Water Therapy
Dehydration is the most common symptom that occurs in the summer. Drinking at least 8-10 ounces of water helps to maintain the water balance in the body. The drinks that we need to avoid in summer are hot drinks, especially caffeinated ones.
Food Therapy
Eating water-rich vegetables and fruits are really useful to keep our body cool especially cucumber, watermelon, tomato and celery and also a great source of vitamins, fibre and are low calorie. Eating foods like cereal, pasta, milk products like yogurt ghee will help us to retain water in our body.
Aromatherapy
During the summer season, pitta dosha will increase in our body, so our mind and body encounter an imbalance. To keep our mind calm, ayurveda suggests aromatherapy as one of the best ways to bring balance. Sandalwood essential oil induces relaxation, calmness and promotes positive thinking. Applying sandalwood oil in the morning or evening time on the body parts, temples, eyebrow center, and throat pacifies pitta dosha.
If you are interested in learning more about how to be healthier with the seasons or finding ways to be the healthiest according to your Dosha, Senthil is available for in-person appointments BOOK ONLINE
Welcome Senthil Krishnasamy, Ayurvedic Practitioner to TouchStone Health!
Senthil has more than 10 years of experience in Ayurvedic / Siddha medicine. He studied at the prestigious Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in India to gain his Bachelor of Siddha Medicine in India.
Through the use of Natural Medicine, Senthil loves helping people by naturally promoting balance, healing, and rejuvenation to the mind and body. He uses a combination of poly-herbal formulations, nutrition/diet, herbal oils, and simple massage with herbal oils.
Senthil love helping people with:
The Management of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Joint Pain, Neck, Shoulder, Elbow, Ankle, Wrist and Back Pain
Hair and Scalp Therapy: Hair Growth and health
Stress Relief
Ayurvedic Facial & Skin Treatments
Detox Therapy
Senthil is available for In-Person Appointments on Saturday mornings.
Bonnie’s Favourite Breakfast Bake:
Pineapple, Banana Bake with Oats and Quinoa
Bonnie Snyder, Registered Massage Therapist
This recipe works as a hardy breakfast that keeps me massaging all morning until lunch. I have modified the original from berries to pineapple because it goes well with the toasted coconut and I try to get them when they are on sale. Enjoy…
Ingredients
1 cup quinoa, uncooked
1 cup steel cut oats, uncooked
3 medium very ripe bananas, sliced
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted (optional)
2 cups milk of choice (I used oat milk)
4 large eggs
2 1/2 cups fresh chopped pineapple
1 – 2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Dash of salt
Directions
1. Rinse quinoa and oats with cold running water until water runs clear, about 3 times. Drain well and set aside. Get your fruits ready: slice bananas and chop pineapple. Set aside. Toast coconut in a small skillet on low – medium or in the oven at 375 degrees F until golden brown. (Be careful not to burn). I like big coconut flakes but the shredded works fine. Set aside.
2. In a medium mixing bowl whisk milk, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Set aside.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F and coat 9 x 13 inch baking pain with coconut oil. Lay half of bananas and pineapple in an even layer on a bottom. Using a spoon or spatula, spread rinsed quinoa and steel cut oats on top. Top with remaining banana and berries. Slowly pour liquid mixture in the corner of the baking dish without disturbing the set up.If you pour the liquid abruptly in the middle of the dish, all fruit might float on top. We arelooking for evenly distributed fruits and sweetness in every slice.
Sprinkle with toasted coconutflakes, if using, and bake for 60 minutes uncovered and make sure the middle is set when you take it out.
4. Remove from the oven and let cool for 45 – 60 minutes. Cut into slices and serve hot, warm or cold with a dollop of fat-free Greek yogurt if desired or oat milk.
Storage Instructions: Refrigerate covered for up to 5 – 6 days.
Notes
I make a large batch and freeze portions in my freezer to use during the week. You could half the ingredients for a smaller batch.
*** Can substitute pineapple with 2 cup blueberries and 1 cup raspberries or any other fruit. Can also substitute coconut with sliced almonds or other nuts.
Recipe inspired/adapted from Berry Banana quinoa steel cut oats.
564-572 Weber Street North, Unit 3A Waterloo, Ontario N2L5C6
