2019 -

How I moved from BMI of 32 to 26

Around a year ago, I was facing some incipient health issues – palpitations being the most common whenever I needed to climb stairs. Excess body weight and many methods that I tried for weight loss didn’t help much. There were not too many things that I hadn’t tried before – Weight Loss massage, Keto diet, Pilates etc. Nothing helped to move needle of weighing scale in my case. I consulted a physician, and as expected, he recommended a battery of tests. While quite a few parameters were off, the most worrying were cholesterol and blood sugar – both being just outside normal prescribed ranges. He knew my hectic lifestyle, so didn’t talk about the normal platitudes of daily exercise. Instead, he referred me to a personal trainer, who suggested an eight month regimen which was easier for me to follow…the five basic pillars of this regimen being:

Weekly monitoring and tracking of BMI – which at 32 then was at the beginning of the obese range, with a target to bring it down to 25 in 8 months.
Healthy Eating.
Active, Healthy lifestyle.
Spa visit twice a month.
Body massage – possibly daily – with anti cellulite slimming oil.

I am the living proof of the fact that this regimen works wonders – without too many changes/compromises. A friend suggested I share my experience for the benefit of others – so here goes:

BMI

The acronym BMI stands for Body Mass Index, and it essentially measures the ratio of your weight to your height and can be calculated as:

BMI = weight in pounds / (height in inches x height in inches) x 703

Alternatively, one can just plug in his height and weight into any BMI calculator available online, and get the result.

A BMI between 19 and 25 is considered healthy, and anything above 30 is actually considered obese.

Since changing height for grownups is not possible, lowering BMI essentially means losing weight. However, precipitous weight loss is a recipe for disaster, since it often is non-sustainable. Hence the gradual 8 month regimen. The plan is to lose around 1 kg per week, using the four other pillars.

It is critical to keep track of one’s progress by keeping a record over a period of time, have small achievable objectives, and celebrate the achievement of each milestone.This also tends to indicate what is working vs. what is not – thereby showing where the focus should be. It is also advised that while BMI remains the key indicator, one should not completely ignore the other important parameters like changes in waist size, ability to work out more etc. It is not advisable to obsess over the final destination – a specific target BMI – rather one should relish the smaller victories along the way, and be happy about looking and feeling better. In fact, many people say that today’s BMI is not so important – what matters more is the direction in which the graph is headed – i.e., how today’s BMI value compares to that of yesterday. And we are okay as long as we are headed in the right direction consistently.

Healthy Eating

The plan should be to eat around 750 -1,000 calories less than you need each day. Online calculators can tell us, basis our typical activities what our calorie needs are. While ensuring a minimum of 1350 calories continues to be consumed, to avoid a state of semi-starvation, we should ideally cut our calorie intake by 500-800 calories. It is suggested that one should make smart diet choices – more proteins, vitamins, fibers and minerals, less fats and carbohydrates. Replacing as much processed foods with natural, unprocessed foods should be your mantra. Like BMI, it is also advisable to track one’s food / calorie intake – so that one has a precise idea of what and how much he is consuming, and where he can cut back / find healthy alternatives if need be.

Active, Healthy lifestyle
Ideally, exercise is the recommended solution for weight loss. Aerobic activity and yoga are the sure-fire remedies, if one can find the time and energy to do the same. However, for someone in my shoes, who has a sedentary desk bound 8-8 job, when I come home I am usually half-dead, and in no shape for further exertion. So instead of exercise, an active lifestyle seems much more doable. This involves making it a rule to not use lifts in mornings and on weekends – instead climb stairs. It also involves making sure you go for a brief brisk walk every hour or so in the office – be it to the copier / coffee machine, or a fun pleasurable activity like walking the dog early in the mornings. Weekends should be more active – with yoga / aerobic exercise or even a sport or a hobby like gardening you were passionate about all those years ago. The key here is that one should try to focus on fun, enjoyable activities – there is more likelihood that these become a part of one’s routine. Also, just like BMI and calorie intake, it is suggested that one tracks his movement – even the brief walks in the office and the steps of stairs. One can do this by using easily available and comparatively cheap fitness trackers that can be worn like wristwatches, or even through free apps on one’s Smartphone.

Spa visit From the hot tub, to various spa accessories, to an overall healthier lifestyle – the reasons why a frequent spa visit is helpful for weight loss are manifold. A sauna or a wrap treatment offered there helps one lose weight in the short run, and the overall healthier lifestyle a visit to the spa encourages promotes weight loss in the longer run.

Body massage Will be a useful step if combined with the four mentioned above – it may not be as efficacious if used as a stand-alone. Weight Loss Massage helps to break down cellulite under the skin, and reduces subcutaneous fat tissue accumulation. Vigorous massage improves the subcutaneous blood circulation and stimulates the movement of lymphatic fluids. This reduces the cellulite look – the typical dimpled appearance cellulite lends to skin. In addition, massage, which helps release endorphins which produce a happy feeling of euphoria, making massage a perfect healthy way to reward ourselves for all our above efforts, thus making it easier for us to stick to points 1-4. Additional benefits of massage which help weight loss include Reduction in Stress and anxiety, reduced soreness in muscles, improved range of motion and an improved state of mind, helping in better sleep.

In conclusion, one should not feel dejected if one doesn’t seem to be losing weight as fast as one wants. In addition to the above, there are other healthy lifestyle habits like less stress, good sound sleep etc which may impact weight. So it is suggested that even if weight loss fluctuates initially due to the sporadic nature of efforts put in, it is critical that one does not give up – an overall healthier lifestyle and the tips mentioned will ensure that in the long run, the goals are achieved.

Choosing the right body massage is easier than you think

Getting a nice body massage is undoubtedly the best way to rejuvenate your mind and body. This is something which has become a necessity nowadays, thanks to our stressful lifestyle. Not all kinds of body massages are created alike, and depending on the reason you want one, there are few therapies which will work better for you as compared to others.

Now the big question is how to do you choose which body massage will work best for you? We at Blue Terra have enlisted below the reasons for getting a body massage. Just go through them and you will be able to choose. Before you decide which body massage will work for you, make sure you select a good spa near your place. Always remember, in any good spa the manager will help you in deciding the massage which works best for you.

To heal yourself: If you have a minor sickness like a headache or a flu then you can go for reflexology. In this technique, the therapist will work on different reflexology points which are related to different organs in your body. You need to get reflexology done on a regular basis if you want to benefit from it.

Massage for healing — Relaxed girl enjoying body massage at Spa near her

For relieving muscle tension: If you are suffering from chronic muscle tension then a deep tissue massage is something you should opt for. It is an excellent pain relief massage. It is similar to Swedish Massage but involves stronger pressure. The therapists offering this kind of body massage near me will focus on your tendons, protective layer of muscles plus the deepest layers of your muscle tissue. Studies have proved then just a single session of this kind of body massage can work wonders for your blood pressure. You can also go for craniosacral therapy to release tension. This one uses light touches as compared to a deep tissue massage.

For relaxing: If you want to unwind yourself and get relief from your daily stress then go for a Swedish Massage or a hot stone massage. You just have to head to your nearby spa for relaxation you need.

For pain relief: If you are looking for pain relief then you can go for a therapeutic massage. Whether you want a massage for back pain or you want to get rid of that joint pain; this kind of body massage can help you deal with both. If you are suffering from an athletic injury then you can go for a sports massage. This kind of body massage uses various active techniques which are particularly designed for athletic injuries. An ayurvedic massage like ayurvedic potli also works well for pain relief.

Now that you know the different reasons for getting a body massage, choose the one which works best for you and just head to a spa near me and give your body the care it truly deserves. We are sure you will feel rejuvenated.

Looking For Personalized And Different Gift For My Husband?

Looking For Personalized And Different Gift For My Husband?

Before you plan for any gift let us know what he is fond off or what bothers him most. In the first spaced career and lifestyle, maybe he is stressed. Definitely, your love and passion is instant stress relief. But your care and concern can add to his well-being. Let him Not Manage Stress rather REDUCE Stress. Handover your concerns to us and we would suggest the best personalized spa gift for your Hubby. We can go miles to surprise him that makes the entire experience ravishing and reflect the aura of your love.

How To Go Ahead With The Plan To Surprise Him?

We have an array of Spa therapies done by Ayurvedic doctors and industry certified experts. Researching the ancient text of Ayurveda, gleaned practices of ancient Rome, pagan rituals of Greek, Blue Terra comprehended therapy procedures that are approved in oriental and occidental spheres using herbal components. Call us or write to us to share your concerns or ideas. We would accomplish it and take a step ahead with our effort and dedication in ensuring the epitome of relaxation, treatment, and wellbeing in luxury.

You may personalize the spa gift according to your wish and within your budget. Here go some of our efforts to accomplish your expectation.

How about decorating the spa bed….want to know how? Write a personal message or wish him on any special day. We would inscribe the same on the bed with flowers and other decors. He will enjoy the relaxing spa treatment being sunk with your care and affection.
Does he like pastry? How about presenting him a delicious pastry with message of love from you. Especially if it is his Birthday, Promotion or any special occasion “the pastry idea” is ever celebrating in itself.
Complimentary Gift from us – Even we are keen to surprise him and make him feel most elated with our Spa service. We would be grateful to get such an opportunity. Hence you may allow us to present a complimentary Spa gift to your loved one.

Also, we would love to know about his requirements or if any special ailment is there which you want to be treated through Spa. If he has a hectic work schedule and common lifestyle disorder then you may Gift a Spa therapy which can relax his fatigued body. Also, there are packages to heal the affected area or excruciating pain. You may also go for a regular healthy ritual through Ayurvedic spa treatment. Let’s delineate in details.

Therapy For Pain, Stress & Slimming – Destress & Detox

Joint Pain, back pain, knee pain, migraine all pains are treated through Ayurvedic Spa therapy. It relaxes the stressed body and mind. Through an intensive study, we have programmed all that can relax our client amongst luxury but not bug the pocket.

A proper massage ritual will help you recover from many major ailments and detox as well. Say a head massage, taking it once or twice a month will not only keep you away from often headache rather doctors say it keeps away Alzheimer or memory loss as well.

Massage therapy from expert hand not just regulates good blood flow through veins and blood vessels but also instantly reduces pain. Ayurveda says if Dosha especially Vata gets imbalanced then it pains the body. Hence treating this Vata will keep you healthy. That is what our expert team promises you through stress management therapies and other spa therapies.

Obesity being a common problem especially for sedentary lifestyle is very hard to fight with. Get our Anti-cellulite massage which will thoroughly tone muscles and skin and along with that reduce the body’s subcutaneous fat.

International Holistic Therapy In Relaxing And Rejuvenating

A fit body can work day in and out with a smile on face and sharp brain. It not just rejuvenate rather maintains the natural equilibrium of the body.

Swedish Massage – It detoxifies metabolic waste, manipulates muscles and bones equation in relaxing body and eventually you feel connected with mind and body in achieving the vitality.

Aromatherapy – Lymphatic and pressure point massage techniques are applied with deep nourishing aromatic vegetable oil. It not just promote psychological or physical wellbeing but also spiritual wellness is attended by the recipient.

Balinese Massage – It is a holistic treatment of deep tissue involving acupressure, aromatherapy, reflexology and stretching. Sports injuries, muscle pain, joint pain, migraine, and joint pains are treated.

Deep Tissue Massage – It works deep to affected knots and knicks in regulating normal blow flow.

Lomi Lomi – It is synonymous to Hawaiian massage. It relaxes and soothes muscles with palms, elbow, and Prayer, intention, and warmth of grace are applied to let healing energy flow throughout your body.

Ayurvedic Spa Treatments

Following Ayurvedic dosha, intrinsic wellness regime is executed through different spa treatments tailored on client’s requirements. Abhyagnam is for full body touch and friction massage with aromatic herbal oil. Shirodhara is a process of continuous pouring of medicinal oil on third eye position to distress and enhance concentration. Pizchil is body anoints process with herbal oil for strengthening immunity, lubricating joints, and liquefying toxin. Potli massage with medicinal boluses is extremely pain relieving. Udavartanam is for slimming therapy. Akshitarpanam is for eye purification. Basti is strategic pain relief therapy, especially for the paraspinal area. Ayush is an ancient healing procedure.

Body Scrubs With Special Spa Rituals

Kaya kalp is a special spa involving body scrub, moisturizing, massage, facial and overall therapies for wellbeing. Javanese lulur ritual is a romantic luxury body elixir, especially for would-be-brides. Balinese boreh ritual is to heat, rehydrate and then heal stress.

Spot Therapy

For busy bees who want to focus on a specific area of body pain can be relaxed with spot therapy by stimulating pressure points. Back, head, foot, hand therapies are structured accordingly to relax specific stressed and tense muscles.

Facials

Mukhdikhai or facial is a special focus for all of us as the face is the beauty symbol. With natural ingredients facial regime is conducted to stimulate healing ability, deep cleaning, moisturizing and face therapies. Anti-aging and radiance brightness are two special program that can add to your facial beauty and well being.

So you are just a step away in exploring a world of extreme pleasure in well being and stress relief with Blue Terra. Connect with us today and get the best of Mother Nature.

What to expect in a Spa & Massage center and how to get best out of my massage?

Visit Spa regularly for healthy lifestyle

It may sound as cliched as ‘What to expect in a joy ride’ but as all roller coasters are different, so are all Spa and Body massage centers. You may get promise of world class Spa but may land up in a massage parlour if you dont do your homework properly. Hence, through this article, I attempt to explain what you may expect in a Spa and how to choose a Spa depending your requirement.

Beauty Spa or Wellness Spa – Does any body care?

Spa are known by different names – wellness center, Spa, body massage center, body massage parlour, therapy center but to me all essentially mean the same thing and ‘attempt’ to deliver the same benefit. Few years ago, when Spa industry was nascent and beginning to spread its wings, we were at the cross roads and had two choices in front of us. First option was to make Blue Terra Spa a beauty destination offering different kind of beauty services like Body scrubs, Pedicure and other Salon services. Second option was for Blue Terra Spa to become a wellness destination which could offering preventive and curative treatments for lifestyle disorders. I must admit that both these options of taking either beauty route or wellness route were very enticing and attractive, but we were clear that we need to decide and adopt clear path rather than traversing aimlessly. As we have always been passionately inclined towards Ayurvedic therapies and magic they bring in our lives, we chose latter option of making Blue Terra Spa a wellness Spa with Ayurvedic clinic. This is also aligned with history and evolution of massages where Deep Tissue massage was invented to cure paralysis of legs and Ayurvedic therapies and treatment were used by sages and practitioners to reverse their Body Age.

Body Massage to cure paralysis of legs….Yes, it has been done in the past!

Once we finalized therapeutic route as way forward for Blue Terra Spa, we studied ayurvedic therapies with clinical precision. With the help of Ayurvedic doctors in our panel & feedback from customer, we combined these Ayurvedic treatments along with Spa therapies to create fusion therapies like Back & Body Massage, G5 Neuro stimulation therapies, Roller Therapy that could offer not only relaxation treatment but also offer relief from Pain and stress to our customer. Now we solicit guests who are looking for not only pampering, but those guests who treatment massages as an integral part of their lifestyle or who treatment wellness as pillar of their life. And I shamelessly admit that it is also linked to business motive and we seek to invite and bring to our Spa everyone but none:)

Choose your Spa & Body Massage wisely

At Blue Terra spa, we dont boast of swanky interiors or location in fancy mall, but we do promise a professional spa experience where you could proudly visit with your family and get Spa from trained and well groomed therapists. At the reception, you will find a spacious & comfortable seating where you could study and discuss with manager on most suitable therapy for you. Just a ready reckoner for you so that I dont get lost in our 24 pager menu book:

What I am looking for?	What do I expect massage to do for me?	Recommended Massage
Soft to medium pressure massage	General relaxation	Swedish/Aromatherapy Massage/Abhyangam
Medium to hard pressure massage	Pain Management Stress Management	Balinese Therapy or Back & Body Therapy or RMB therapy or Ache Alleviation therapy or Insta relief therapy
Medium to hard pressure massage	Stress management	Shirodhara Therapy/ RMB Therapy or Balinese Therapy
Gift Voucher	Personalized Arrangement	Ask our team for option of massages and special arrangements

Above table is only a ready reckoner and our manager at front desk shall be happy to suggest a therapy of your choice or therapy most suitable for you.

Once you select a therapy, you will be allotted a room and a therapist. Your room is comfortable enough to house a Spa bed, cupboard to keep your belonging and a steam/shower facility where you could get refreshed post massage. Your therapist shall be able to guide you and make you comfortable inside the room

Eating Soup with a knife – Dos & donts at Spa

Massage is an intimate activity where therapist has huge responsibility to make you feel N times better than what you were feeling before the therapy. We encourage you to fill pre therapy form which will help therapist understand problem/focus areas and pressure requirement. Therapist will also seek your comfort regarding pressure or focus area during the massage therapy and perform the massage accordingly. What could you help us to deliver a better Spa experience to you

Please keep your mobile phones off or on silent mode while in Spa vicinity
Please reach in time for your Spa appointment. Incase you are getting late, please keep in touch with Spa manager for rescheduling and availability of next Spa slots
Please don’t be in rush to get your therapy completed. Allow sufficient time for therapist/manager to perform their duties like massage, serve of green tea etc which will help us make your Spa experience better.
Please fill pre-therapy and post therapy form which will help us to improve on our service delivery
Respect the dignity and professionalism of therapist by not asking for undue favors during the massage
Keep use of Steam and Shower to stipulated period of 30 min to avoid inconvenience to other Spa guests

I, personally thank you in advance for adhering to these Do’s and dont’s of Spa that will immensely help us. While we don’t claim to be czar of Spa industry, but we do believe in what we do and effect it could have in our guests day to day life.

Transition from Heaven back to earth

Who wants to leave luxury and comfort of massage and get back to word of stress, dirt and pollution. Guess, none of us have a choice and need to face harsh realities. Post massage and complimentary steam and shower session, do enjoy Green tea which is served with dry fruits and honey. I call this Green tea time a transition hour where body acclimatizes from comfort of Spa room, heat of Steam room to external environment which is full of noise, pollution and other unhealthy elements. My personal request and advise is not to be in hurry to leave the Spa and budget enough time. There is a selfish motive on why we insist on guests having green tea as Green tea is our inhouse made tea and pet project of our inhouse product development tea. Three Green tea – Rose Green tea, Lemongrass tea & aniseed green tea – are sourced directly from Assam Tea gardens and contains finest quality of Loose tea leaves. These are significantly better than tea dust contained in most of tea bags available in the market.

Spa in my experience is a complex process and there are more than 50 things which could possibly go wrong. And they do actually. While we put in our best effort and try not to leave any stone unturned, but we do make mistakes and have no shame in admitting that. Through our processes, we attempt to minimise these incidences of error and hope to deliver immaculate Spa experience to you and your family. However, if you still face unpleasant experience, we would be most happy to correct and rectify it.

Authored by cofounder of Blue Terra Spa

Amongst top Spa of Delhi

Happy Fitness transition from 5 min brisk walk to marathon in sub 2.15 hr

From Arm Chair to Active sportsman — Armchair sports

I have always been a sport enthusiast but have never been a sporty person in my life! I follow many sports, but play none! I am the perfect armchair sports enthusiast. I am one of the billion captains on Indian Cricket Team.

Since my college days I have been in company of some tough sportsmen. Best of my friends were all star sportsmen, lording over football field, cricket stadium, basketball court, squash court to the boat club. Evenings at time use to be lonely affairs as all sports men would be sweating out in their fields while I would be lazing around the canteen.

I tried a few times but could not get into the groove of sporting culture. I hardly have any regrets in life, but this one is the big one. I was really fortunate to have gone to a college with fabulous sports infrastructure. At the same time I was the unfortunate one who never took advantage of the facilities available for free! And I do not blame anyone else for that, except myself.

Life has been kind to me that I never put on weight despite having an inactive lifestyle for most of my adult life. I always felt I was fit enough and never felt the need to indulge in active sports or physical activity. I did fine in day-to-day life, liked walking and hiking and felt fit. So far so good…

During a routine blood test, I discovered my triglyceride levels to be abnormally high. On further investigation the root cause for high triglyceride levels was found to be high TSH levels which meant an underactive thyroid gland, a condition known as hypothyroidism. The doctor put me on synthetic thyroid hormone medication which slowly brought TSH as well as Triglycerides under control. That’s when I felt the need to trade my sedentary lifestyle for an active one.

Around the same time I came to know about Gurgaon Road Runners which is a fitness group run by indomitable Sidharth Choudhary who has an immensely infectious passion for running and fitness. As I started running with Gurgaon Road Runners, I felt a rush of positive energy running through my body day in and day out. After ages I felt release of endorphins due to physical activity. Not only did my physical health improved, I could also experience lot of emotional positivity.

As the physical activity level increased, I was suggested to undergo body massages to reduce muscle tension, muscle stiffness and fatigue. I started undergoing a rejuvenating full body massage at Blue Terra Spa in Gurgaon. The regular massages helped me a lot in relieving muscle tension, alleviate pain and faster recovery from injuries and niggles that any sportsman must endure, irrespective of the level!

Stiff Muscles after exercise — Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness

As I increased the intensity of my exercise levels, I understood the concept of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS), which is muscle pain experienced several hours post exercise, especially if the exercise in unfamiliar. Regular body massages really helped me sail through painful effects of DOMS which many athletes face on a regular basis. Realizing the importance of sports massage in helping the recovery of muscles after strenuous exercise or run, I increased my frequency of spa visit to once a week. I realized that integration of body massage by a professional therapist into a weekly training regiment helped not just to avoid DOMS but also helped me revitalize my muscles.

regular Spa massage once a week — Spa massage for muscle or Joint pain

Regular visits to spa for massage was a great way to manage physical stress that body was experiencing due to increased physical activity levels after years of inactive lifestyle. Spa massage was also a great way to unwind mentally from day to day stress of life. Due to release of neurotransmitter endorphins, a good massage also led to the same high as a good session of exercise, helping mind relax in a true manner.

As I completed my ADHM in sub 2.15 I felt regular body massage at the spa was a great help to me in keeping me injury free and helping me recover faster between my practise runs.

After having tasted the elixir of physical activity, I recommend everyone to undertake a fitness activity. If you don’t like it does not need to be an intensive activity like running but can be something like walking, or hiking. You may want to explore a sport like badminton, tennis, volleyball…anything that fancies you. It is never ever too late.

And when you take up a physical activity, you are highly likely to experience some kind of injury or niggle. Do not let that set you back. Take care of your body. See a physiotherapist, know your weak points. Always allow your muscles to recover, take regular body massages, get rejuvenated and hit the road again. Happy fitness to you!

How Ayurvedic Dosha Impact Your Life & How Could Ayurvedic Massage Evoke It

Ayurveda is synonymous to NATURE and its five primordial elements like EARTH, WATER, FIRE, AIR & SPACE. These elements govern the human body and as a combination is called DOSHA. The balance of three different Dosha constitute health, personality and behaviour of a human being. Therefore, Nature is in the best position to treat Dosha Imbalance rather than any drugs or medicines.

Massage therapy not only provide symptomatic relief to body pains but it can provide permanent cure as well. Our Veda provides many such insights which proclaims that our body has its own mechanism to recover from malady when right pressure point is triggered through massage. Supported by Ayurvedic medicinal herbs and plant extracts we can keep ourselves healthy, refreshed, energetic and even reduce the ageing and its related disorders.

What are three DOSHA and how is it related to your body parts & its wellbeing

Three DOSHA are:

Vata – Regulates Movement
Pitta – Regulates Metabolism
Kapha – Regulates nourishment & lubrication

Ayurvedic dosha are three main bodily bio-elements that make a human body. Whenever their is imbalance in dosha, it results in some or other illness which could be in form of body pains or upset stomach or even cardiovascular diseases or life threatening diseases like cancer. Diet, season, times, work habit, pollution and many other factors can cause the asynchrony. The authoritative Ayurveda focuses on treating this imbalance.

Abhyangam by Blue Terra to balance Dosha

Abhyangam means “Oil Application” in Sanskrit. Ayurveda considers the skin as the largest organ of the body. Hence Ayurvedic oil massage or therapy is nomenclature as Abhyangam.

At Blue Terra Ayurvedic Clinic & Spa you may consult an Ayurvedic physician, who examines your Dosha predominance or disorders or disease related to it and accordingly advice the stream of Abhyangam. It retreats your Dosha naturally and keeps away ageing at bay, helps in healthy glowing complexion, treats diseases, detoxifies, enhances physical consistency, induces relaxation and intensifies sleeping pattern.

A trained therapist can best deliver the benefits associated with Abhyangam. Abhyangam consists of long massage strokes. Massage stroke originate from foot and ends at shoulder or palm of hand. Blue Terra being a one-stop Ayurvedic Spa assures best quality service delivered by experts. The well-equipped setup, luxury room, ambience and service accomplishes the heavenly experience that you are awaiting for.

Know more about Doshas

Abhyangam is all about touch and friction on right part of body or organ related to the disorder. So before we know Ayurvedic therapies for wellbeing, let’s discuss 3 variant of Dosha, their control over respective body parts and accompanying body function.

Scroll down to know more about an array of Blue Terra therapy to cure or ease ailments and pains that medicines could have never done before.

5 Types of Each 3 Dosha Controlling Our Body
Vata	Pitta	Kapha
Prana Vata – Governs Senses. Located – Brain, head, heart, Neck, Respiratory Organs. E.g – Inhalation, perception. Disorder – Asthama	Pachaka Pitta – Governs digestion. Located in Stomach. E.g – Metabolizes the food. Derive nutrients and disposes out waste materials.	Kledaka Kapha – Governs Food breaking for digestion. Located – Upper abdomen. E.g – Initial stage of digestion.
Udana Vata – Governs expression & speech. Located – Throat, Lung, and Navel. E.g – Strength, enthusiasm, vitality.	Ranjaka Pitta – Governs Red blood cell formation. Located in Liver, gallbladder & spleen. E.g – responsible for color of stool and blood.	Avalambhaka Kapha – Governs lubrication process of heart & lungs. Located in – Chest, lung and heart. E.g – Strength & easy movement of heart, chest and back.
Samana Vata – Governs Digestive system & its peristaltic movement. Located – Stomach.	Alochaka Pitta – Governs eye sight or visual perceptions. Located – Eyes	Tarpaka Kapha – Governs feelings. It nourishes sense and motor organs. Located – Head, cerebra-spinal fluid & sinuses. E.g – Calmness, happiness, stability.
Apana Vata – Governs lower abdominal impulses. Located – Naval & Anus. E.g – Urination, menstruation, sexual discharge.	Sadhaka Pitta – Governs emotion. Located- Heart. E.g – thought, anger, contentment, memory, intelligence.	Bodhaka Kapha – Governs Taste perception. Location – Lounge, throat and mouth.
Vyana Vata – Governs circulation. Located – Heart. E.g – heart rhythm, locomotion, travelling through body.	Bharajaka Pitta – Governs skin health. Located – Under skin. E.g – complexion, glamour/luster, pigmentation.	Shleshaka Kapha – Governs Joint lubrication. Located in joints. E.G – Easy movement and using joints.

Role of Abhyangam in sharpening your Mind & balancing Dosha

Abhyangam is an Ayurvedic massage ritual where the full body is massaged and treated with Ayurvedic oil rich in herb extracts. Blue Terra experts with a holistic approach relax your stressed body by balancing Dosha. Simultaneously Shirodhara is a special healing therapy where Ayurvedic oil is continuously poured on our Third Eye or centre of the forehead. It relaxes stress, sharpens memory and enhances concentration.

Pizhichil for Shleshaka Kapha

For strengthening immunity, joint lubrication, liquefying toxins and enhance flexibility, Pizhichil is an effective way of Ayurvedic treatment by Blue Terra. Lukewarm oil is poured on entire body with light pressure in a slow and rhythmic way. It stimulates Shleshaka Kapha for easy locomotion.

Akshitarpanam for Alochaka Pitta

This is for purification of eyes and detoxifying as well.

Ayurvedic medicated ghee is retained in the eye through a unique technique followed by some gentle eye massage. It cures many visual perception disorders and other retinal disorder.

Udwarthanam as Slimming and Body toning therapy

Herbal powders are deep massaged to stimulate hair follicles and helps to break down excess fat.

It firms the muscles, does skin toning and mobilizes toxins. Along with Udwarthanam massage, Oil massage is done with firm hands with Triphaladi Anti cellulite and Slimming Oil. Triphaladi Slimming and anti cellulite oil contains 8 Ayurvedic herbs that helps to burn down cellulite and results in body toning.

Potli massage inspired by ancient Ayurvedic treatment procedure

Potli massage is also synonymous to Kizhi. In a firm cotton fabric, medicinal herbs or boluses are tied and the oil dipped potli is massaged over the affected area of the body. The ingredients inside Potli vary from patients to patients based on the chronicity of pain. It is mainly done for treating pain and joint disorders. It helps to balance Vata Dosha. It also relieves pain like sciatica, muscular pain, arthritis and effectively backache.

An array of Potli massage or Kizhi provided by Blue Terra are:-

Navara Kizhi – In this method cooked rice is applied with milk. It is an Ayurvedic healing procedure and effective in joint pain relief.
Podi Khizi – Dry medicated powder or Churna from herbal grinding is made as bolus inside potli and applied rhythmically.
Ela Kizhi – In this method herbal leaves are applied inside bolus.

Basti in pain relieving

Another effective method for pain relieving is Basti.

With paste of black gram and flour, a circular depression is made around paraspinal area. Then warmed oil is continuously poured out into that depression. It alleviates pain by soothing muscular tissue.

Griva Basti for Cervical Pain
Kati Basti for lower back pain
Janu Basti for Knee pain.

Detox & Destress Treatment

It is a combination window package for Abhyangam, Shirodhara and any of the other ritual for Ayurvedic healing formulae is synchronized with the universal law of preserving health.

For Hedonistic Aroma refreshness

This is a special Abhyangam therapy done with Balalakshadi oil of 9 vital herbs that refreshes body and mind with the hedonistic aroma.

Stay Happy & Healthy with Nature & Ayurveda!!

How I recovered from Knee Sports Injury without listening to doctors!

Dont let Lifestyle Problem come in way of your Passion

It is a big problem if you dont have a passion in life. But its a bigger problem if you have a passion but are not able to pursue it. I am a 40 year old running my own start up and a passionate sports enthusiast. Besides being an arm chair sports analyst, I have been actively playing some or the other sport throughout my life. While early years were dedicated to cricket or Soccer with boys 5-7 years senior to me, senior school years were more about Volleyball & Soccer. Hockey got added in college in my sports portfolio and I graduated from my college with outstanding contribution to Hockey 🙂

Team work came in Corporate life and team sports went out in personal life!

Soon realised that team sports are no more possibility with a hectic professional life, I shifted my interest to individual sports and indulged in Tennis which I have been pursuing for last 15 years. Sweaty body, bruised muscles & fatigued legs in tennis court taught me meaning of passion. Soon I started eating, drinking and sleeping tennis. Evening dinners were planned keeping in mind Tennis game next day. Travel to outstation were planned according to my tennis partner schedule. I figured out the best tennis facebook page and tennis you tube channels. Roger Federer replaced the existing gods.

All this was fine when I was in my 20s or 30s. Those were heady days – drink eat, sleep, play, repeat. So partying till wee hours in morning was followed by tennis game in early hour interspersed with few hours of sleep. Hunt was on to find the next tennis tournament, ensure that we get court booking and which ball bounce and speed produces max number of rallies!

While this continued for good 10-12 years, but age caught up not only in calendar but also with my body. I for the first time understood the real meaning of Back Pain when I was 36 years old. And for last 2 years, I have been battling with various episodes of different intensity, duration of Back Pain, Knee Pain etc. One of the most frustrating moment of injury was where I injured myself in first point of first round match of tournament. Unsurprisingly, I lost 6-1 in the first round in the tournament where I was expected to proceed much more.

Graceful ageing

This cycle of tennis play, injury, rest/recovery went for almost 12-18 months. Initially injury & rest period used to be 1-2 weeks in quarter of year but slowly injury and rest period started occupying majority of quarter. From my personal and first hand understanding of how body changes with age, I realised few things. Firstly, we need to accept natural aging process and respect it. We no longer could do all the body calisthenics that we could do in our teens or in our 20s. Secondly, our mind and body needs continuous nurturing. This nurturing could be in form of counselling when we are in 20s, in our 30s/40s it may be in form of healthy lifestyle, proper rest, diet etc. Thirdly, it is difficult but not impossible to recover from serious sports injuries and resume physically active lifestyle.

I experienced these points first hand when I started facing Knee Pain after my tennis game. Possibly one of the best tennis match where i won the 1st set 6-0 but when to loose the 2nd set 7-6 in tie break (tie break score 10-8)! On the day of the match, I didnt feel anything but minor niggle and pains in body which I would ascribe as ‘Sweet Pain’. Next day morning was impossible where I felt almost an iron rod wedged inside my knee down to calf. I could bend my knee with tremendous discomfort and pain. And once I could bend my knee, I couldnt straighten it!

Dont let Back or Joint pain come in pursuit of passion

Initial reaction was to simply dismiss this injury as one more digression from tennis. My normal first hand treatment course – Break from tennis, Volini, muscle relaxant, physiotherapy sessions etc was not helpful. This pain didn’t subside even after couple of months and this is when I got MRI done on advise of orthopedics. What came out was a Medial Meniscus tear and hence started process of rehabilitation post Median Meniscus tear. While doctors suggested Cortico Steroid or PRP injections, I opted out of it and decided to initiate structured rehabilitation process

Good improvement in diet: This was possibly something I was ignoring and possibly the root cause of multiple and frequent injuries. Not realizing that muscles start wearing off after 35 years of age and requires more nutrition, I continued my existing diet despite my ageing body and increased playing frequency. I realized that my 65% of daily calories were coming from carbohydrates and protein intake was much lesser. I tried to balance diet by reducing carbohydrates and improving protein percentage in form of protein shakes, more cottage cheese, more eggs/day etc.

Protein to build muscles — High protein diet

Personal physical trainer: New injuries bring new perspective to life and hence need to experiment with new things in life. As a part of rehabilitation process, I stepped into gym possibly for the first time in my life. As it was the first time in gym for me, I started using Personal trainer who could advise on what to do and what to avoid. Within 30 days I moved from 2-3 Squats per session to 40 Squats with weights per session. I started doing leg curls with almost 30-35 kg of weight. While main purpose of joining Gym was to strengthen lower body, but started working on upper body as well and could soon see more muscular shoulder and biceps. And more importantly that “sweet pain” begin to happen after gym workouts:)
Regular Body massage: Muscles are like small kids. You could provide them right nutrition (diet improvement), push them around (gym), but unless you connect with them and nurture them, they wouldn’t turn out to be the person you desire. Body massage helped me provide rest and relax muscles which was much needed after tiring work out or stressful days. Even when I was not able to for regular massage in Spa, I would simply apply oil post bath for 5-7 min on important joints/muscles. This is what Ayurvedic principles prescribe to apply oil on joints on a regular basis for few minutes. Surprisingly, this not only take care of dry skin but also helped in stronger joints, relaxed muscles etc.

body massage for back pain — Back pain Relief from Massage

While I am dying to hit back the tennis court soon, I have been strongly advised to give it enough time to avoid recurring injuries. And here I am penning this blog to do mental recap of my journey over last 3-4 months. While I am not sure, how soon I will be back to tennis but can definitely feel that this is the right way of treating any muscular or joint related injury. While medicine, balms could help to overcome the immediate injury, but if there is a trend of recurring injury, then we need to read warning signs that our body is giving us before it become more serious than a localized injury.

How Ayurveda helps in fighting constipation

When you are unable to pass stools, find it difficult to pass stools or have an infrequent bowel movement the condition is called constipation. The latter is caused by bad diet, voluntary delay of the bowel movements, lack of exercise, medications, stress, tension, dehydration, disruption in routine due to travel and other factors. Some diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome also bring about constipation. Did you know that it is fairly common nowadays? Doctors prescribe laxatives but these work only for a short time. You will find that you need to take more and more dosage of the laxative to pass stools. In some time, without the laxative motions will not happen. Clearly, a better and safer solution is required. Fortunately, the ancient Indian system of medicine popularly known as Ayurveda can help. We look at ways at how constipation can be prevented, treated and cured using Ayurvedic techniques.

Consume warm lemon water- Lemon juice is excellent for curing constipation as it has a stimulating effect on the digestive system. When it is combined with water it flushes out toxins from the body. When a small quantity of honey is added to the mixture it acts as a mild laxative. A useful tip is to replace honey with salt as it increases the contraction of the bowel muscles as well as is a good source of magnesium.

Consume lots of fluids especially water – Water has a hydrating effect on the body. Drink plain water, unsweetened beverages as well as foods containing water to meet your body’s daily requirement of water. The latter aids the food to move along the digestive system. Stools are prone to be hard as well difficult to pass in the absence of enough water. Avoid artificially sweetened beverages as they have a negative effect on constipation.

Consume Psyllium husk – This is a natural reservoir of insoluble as well as soluble fibre. It plays the role of a potent bulking agent as well as a demulcent in the colon encouraging regular and healthy stools. You can soak the husks in warm milk or warm water as per your preference. Adequate hydration should accompany the administering of this Ayurvedic treatment. Consult a qualified and experienced Ayurvedic expert before embarking on this treatment as there exist other considerations which should be taken into account.

Castor oil- This is a home remedy for constipation playing the role of a natural laxative. One of the constituents of this oil helps in stimulating the small as well as the large intestine. Take 1-2 teaspoons of oil while on an empty stomach. You can expect motions within roughly 8 hours.

Mint or ginger tea- Ginger is a herb with warming properties. When consumed in the form of tea it encourages the body to general more internal heat. As a result, the digestion process is activated alleviating constipation. Peppermint contains menthol. The latter has antispasmodic properties that aid in relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract as well as enable easier passing of the stools. For your knowledge Dandelion tea is a potent and natural laxative.

Have a fibre rich diet- A poor diet is a major contributor to constipation. Fibre results in a feeling of satiety as well as add bulk to the stool making it relatively easier to pass. An individual should ideally consume 20-40 grams of fibre daily. If the constipation is chronic in nature you will need a bit extra fibre in your diet.

Warm bath

Add baking soda to warm water. Both these ingredients aid in relaxing the muscular valves responsible for keeping stools inside the rectum making it easier to pass stools.

Herbal remedies –Prepare herbal tea employing yellow dock root, liquorice, dandelion root as well as ginger. Have this tea thrice daily. A tip is to consume 3 garlic tablets at night for 7 days. This will help rebalance intestinal flora.

Exercise- People have a tendency to lie down or sleep after meals. Instead, go out for a short walk after consuming food. There are yogic postures which are effective in reversing constipation. Consult a reputed and experienced yoga teacher for knowing how to do the asanas, when to do them and for how much duration. Exercise, in general, has a favourable effect in treating constipation. If your health, situation or age doesn’t permit vigorous exercise you can try Yoga as the latter doesn’t tax the body as much.

As per the science of Ayurveda constipation takes place when the vata’s dry and cold qualities disturb the colon preventing it from functioning properly. The solution is to include hydration, warmth as well as oil to the system which will neutralize the excess vata.

Consume Ayurvedic herbs which target the Vata

Triphala is popular as well as age-old Ayurvedic concoction made up of three herbs. It balances all the three doshas and restores the power of the colon. It is designed to facilitate healthy elimination of wastes from the body. Consume a couple of Triphala tablets along with a glass of warm water about half an hour before sleeping in the night. Alternatively, put a teaspoon of Triphala powder in a cup of boiled water. Then wait for 10 minutes and drink the mixture.

If you have used this Ayurvedic herb in the past and if the results fell short of expectations try consuming a bigger dose to find out if it makes a difference. Every unique constitution, imbalance, as well as other factors, necessitates a different dose of herbs. Different folk with similar symptoms may need different doses to achieve the same results.

There are Ayurvedic massages that use Ayurvedic herbs and oils to promote blood circulation, destress the body, relax the mind, eliminate the stress that is proven to prevent, treat and cure constipation.

‘Abhyangam’ is the Sanskrit word for oil application. It is a form of Ayurvedic treatment in which your body is massaged using dosha-specific warm herb-infused oils. The oil is mixed with herbs depending upon the condition and then applied on the body. It is a traditional full body massage that combines use of herbs, oils, touch and friction. Abhyangam improves physical consistency, sleep patterns, liquefy toxins, and induces relaxation while eliminating impurities.

Spas may help you to relax and destress while warming up the body. This encourages regular bowel movements as well as the correction of externally induced constipation.

Consult your doctor before consuming Ayurvedic herbs particularly if you are on medication, pregnant or breastfeeding or suffering from a chronic ailment.

Why taking time out for Body Massage is critical during Stressful times

Stress is relative

All of us go through ups and downs in our lives. When looked closely, most of us may have perception that stress in our lives is more than most of other people. But when looked over a period of time or retrospectively, we may agree and settle on a more optimistic conclusion:)

When we are going through stressful times, it is most important to sit back, analyse, deep breathe and take steps that could reduce stress at that point in time. Stress hormones are produced by body that may be perceived as potentially dangerous. While short term stress is good as it improves our reaction and response to immediate situations. E.g. could be more attentive and high performance during exam or during a tennis match or during an office meeting. But long term high stress hormones are associated with cortisol. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that could disturb balance between Fat and carbohydrate mechanism. This over a period of time is associated with lifestyle disorders like Diabetes, Hypertension etc.

Stress bearing capacity can be enhanced

While the number of years have advanced, age at which we incur stress has got preponed. Amount of stress in 1960-70s for a 50 year aged guy is experienced by a guy aged 20-30s in current times. As stress bearing capacity is not fully developed in 20-30s that results in adverse reaction to stress like alcoholism, drug addiction, irritable mood, aggressive behaviour like road rage etc. It is important to understand that most of us have certain extent of stress bearing capability. As a result most of us end up taking as much stress which is inversely proportional to our stress bearing capacity. Somebody’s day may be spoiled because she couldnt earn enough for her dinner or somebody’s may be having a foul day because she didn’t have matching foot wear with her trousseau. Or worse somebody’s afternoon may be spoiled because she didn’t get mustard sauce along with her lunch burger. Context may be different in above three scenarios but amount of stress incurred may still be the same depending on individuals stress bearing capacity. Each of these subject may undergo similar degree of hypertension or other stress symptoms. Long term exposure to these stressful situation may result in equal amount of damage to our body.

Increase Stress Tolerance — Tolerate more stress

Over a period of time, our stress bearing capacity does increase at organic rate. What may cause stress at the age of 5 (like missing toy) may not cause as much stress when we are 15 or 25 or 35 years old. But we need to consciously work towards increasing our stress bearing capacity with time. This is because our source of stress increases manifold with age – if at 5 needs are basic like food, play and sleep, at 15 it increases to friends/peers, studies, competition and at 25 to money earned, marriage, social acceptability etc.

I may not be able to reduce source of stress but I can definitely enhance stress bearing capacity

Not all situations causing stress are in our direct control. While we may work towards minimising source of stress, we shall focus more on enhancing stress bearing capacity. I may not be able to reduce traffic on my way to work but I could definitely choose travel time or route or music in car that could help me bear traffic more amicably rather than having a daily tussle and grumbling. Some of contextual situations and ideas for reducing stress are highlighted in table below

Infighting between people at home – Wife/Mom or with Spouse	Listen, Listen, Listen. Spending distraction free time with each of them with greater listening power could be great stress buster. You could be therapist for them if you can make them speak up in their inner thoughts and woes which will be cathartic in reducing cortisol hormone
I don’t spend enough time with children	This could be constant worry of parents especially if they are working. Do spend distraction free time on a daily basis as a friend and not only as parent. This means sharing shall be both ways. If we want to know about what they did in school, their response will be more forthcoming if I share what happened during my day.
Lots to do and so little time	Lot of times it happens that we have too much on our plate. Challenge is how to declutter our mind and empty if of multiple thought streams to fully focus on job in hand. Maintaining an organizer may help. Spa and Body Massages could be extremely helpful to empty your mind of thought vagaries

The underlying theme in above mentioned approach we need to build our stress bearing capacity which could help us reduce stress in our daily lives and in lives of people associated with us. Meditation, Deep breathing, Spa & Body Massages, Sports activity are definitely most tried and tested method. If you could engage in an hour of physical engagement where you loose sense of time – whether sports or Body Massage – could be best stress buster. Go ahead, try some of these techniques and give us feedback on our small attempt to make it stress free world.

Year: 2019