Q. Your name ‘Tri-Dosha’ what does it mean?
A. Ayurvedic states that all human beings are made up of three bodily humors; these are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Collectively known as the Tri-Dosha's.

Q. Where does Ayurveda originate from?
A. It originated from India, and has been kept in its most traditional form in Kerala, South India.
Rather than treating symptoms, it treats the whole person, working holistically, combining nutrition, herbal remedies, yoga and massage.
Q. Is Massage important in Ayurvedic Therapy?
A. Massage is an important part of Ayurvedic therapy, but rather than concentrating on Western techniques that manipulate body contour, it works on the marma points, opening up ‘energy’ channels which are believed to cause an imbalance or blockage. It also uses herbal remedies to combat ailments, which are traditionally treated in the West with prescription medicine.
Q. Can you give examples of a few Marma points?
A.

Q. What does an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation include?
A. Detailed questions about personal life precede any treatment. At the core of Ayurvedic philosophy is the concept of the three doshas - vata, pitta and kapha (tri-dosha), the vital energies that make up each body type.
Assessing the balance of theses energies allows the practitioner to suggest the most appropriate treatment.
Q. Is the consultation purely asking questions or are there any means of checking what Dosha an individual is?
A. Pulse diagnosis
Q. What are the Ayurvedic Body Therapies?
A. The health side of Ayurveda is actually driven by a profound medical system that integrates massage techniques with various herbal mediums that have very strong therapeutic properties. The body treatments are all external therapies where massage and oils are combined for general health and well being.
Q. Can you give examples of herbal remedies?
A. Thripaladi oil - it has 3 Ayurvedic fruits in it: Amalaki, Bibhitaki, Hentaki
Dhanwantari oil - Neem, Shatavari
Q. What oils are commonly used?
A. Dhanwantari as a tri-doshic oil.
Brahmi oil for the mind & Sesame oils are a good base.
Q. Can you explain which imbalances in the Vita, Pitta or Kapha are caused by a few common symptoms?
A. Vata imbalance - shown by anxiety or tension.
Pitta imbalance - shown by hot flushes or over persperation. Kapha imbalance - reflected in heavy, sluggish body.
Q. Can you describe what a healthy looking tongue should look like? When a tongue is unhealthy what does it look like?
A. Healthy tongue - Very clean, Ayurveda encourages us to actually scrape the tongue on a regular basis.
Unhealthy tongue - Slightly discoloured and spotty.
Words used in Ayurveda
Q. Can you explain what is Prakruti and Vikruti?
A. Prakruti: This is your genetic dosha.
Vikruti: This is how you appear today.
Q. Is Pranayama (breath control) important in Ayurveda?
A. Yes - yoga is the sister science to Ayurveda and Pranayama is yogic breathing whereby the diaphragm rather than the upper chest wall is moving. The result is deep and oxygenates the lower part of the lungs. In the long term, this can drastically reduce ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, sinus problems and colds.
Q Can you explain about Panchakarma? Is it true that the ayurvedic way affects and transforms the whole being? What does this mean? Can you give some examples?
A. This is the classical form of detoxification in Ayurveda. There are various Panchakarma therapies which require a highly skilled Ayurvedic Practitioner to perform. The therapies are internal as well as external.
Q. What is Shirodhara?
A. Also know as third eye drip, this is where warm oils are gently poured in a slow dynamic movement over the forehead (this eye) in a continuous calm drip from a special vessel for about 30 minutes. Profoundly relaxing, this treatment switches off a chattering mind and induces rest.
Shiro means head.
Dhara means to pour.
In this treatment, warm ayurvedic herbalised oil is poured onto the third eye from a hanging vessel.

Q. Have you any examples on how Ayurvedic Massage Therapy has benefited some of your clients?
A. For the most part, I've had a number of clients who have severe vata vitiation. This has led to high levels of stress and anxiety. As I am not a practitioner, but an Ayurvedic Massage therapist and trainer, I have used various practical treatments to help them regain balance. The most profound programme being Abhyanga (full body massage) using a relaxing oil for two days, then switching to shirodhara to really calm them down. The results have been overwhelming.
Q. What is vitiation?
A. Vata that is out of balance / not in equilibrium.

Q. Can you explain the difference between an Ayurveda Massage Therapist and an Ayurveda Practioner?
A. Ayurvedic Massage therapist offers practical treatments for general health and well being Ayurvedic Practitioner works with practical therapy and herbal remedies to work on root causes of specific ailments.
Q. Can you recommend any books where you can learn more about Ayurveda?
A.

Ayurvedic Massage Author: J. Johari Purchase this book visit PureCalma's Books page >>

The Secrets of Ayurvedic Massage Author: Atreya Purchase this book visit PureCalma's Books page >>

Q. What courses are available in the UK and internationally? Of these courses which are formally recognised and entitle you to work as an Ayurveda professional?
A. In the UK, we run a 5-day Ayurvedic Massage course which covers the basic principles of Ayurveda, and then practical training in 7 Ayurvedic therapies.
The College of Ayurveda runs a degree course (BSc) in the subject.
Tel: +44 (0)1908 664 519.
Internationally, there are a number of Universities that are tied to Indian establishments that also run degree courses. It is, however, more difficult to find good quality shorter course that focuses on a specific area of Ayurveda rather than the whole clinical side.
Q. What title do you assume when you are qualified Ayurveda professional?
A. If qualified in Ayurveda Massage Therapy - Ayur Mass Therapist
If qualified as a Doctor or Practitioner, the appropriate letters will be placed after your name.
Q. Is there a formal Ayurveda organisation or professional body?
A. In the UK, the organisation is the APA (Ayurvedic Practitioners Association)
www.apa.uk.com

Q. What first interested you to Ayurveda?
A. I first became interested in Ayurveda when I was working and living in India as a business journalist for an International news agency in 2002.
Q. Where did you learn Ayurveda?
A. After completing my project with the company, I stayed in India and learnt about the science and particularly the massage techniques with Ayurvedic Doctors based in Kerala, South India.
Q. How do you use Ayurveda in your daily life?
A. On a practical level, I eat very healthily, and only use natural organic products on my body. I also practice yoga, and I am constantly working on my own awareness as an individual.

Thank You Sunita for taking part in the Web Interview - April 2006.

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