Wednesday 30 October 2013

Music therapy -

As Music is Universal so is Music Therapy!

Music therapy as the term implies is the application of music as a complementary management technique  for a variety of conditions affecting the human population. Predominantly developed in India, nevertheless this expression have only recently found a place in the society recently.

It was the Nada centre for music therapy, a modest organisation which started the propagation of the concepts and practices relating to music therapy amongst Indians, who have lost the 'music' in their life, despite the fact that the music industry being a flourishing in India.

Though unrecognised and unsung, the Indian Raga system, well known both for its emotional content and impact, had no doubt provided much -needed solace for billions of people in the past. East or West music is the best, the potential of Indian Raga's are yet to be mastered by a wider population for being propagated to a wider public. Like the Sanskrit language, the raga's are restricted to a few individuals who have been able to master this art through family traditions or extraordinary interests and devotion.

Nada Centre commenced research with popular western music so as to identify their possible therapeutic role for the concurrent needs of youth (and also elders who have a savvy for western music.

The centre recommends that individuals should first identify their problems and religiously listen to the recommended music for atleast 20 minutes thrice each day, ideally after breakfast, lunch and dinner


  • The Fantasy Music
Affected situation: Do you feel bogged down by the routine in life and get bored and irritated without rhyme or reasons? then the music should be based on its ability to relax you through certain fantasies and inanities!
    1. Plasir d'Amour by Andre Ridieu
    2. Forget the past
    3. Vaya con dias
    4. For you, by Giovanni Maradi
    5. All you need is a Flower by Paul Mauriat
    6. La Mamma
    7. La Prevre Par Cove
    8. Ave Maria No Morro
    9. Flash Dance- What a Feeling ! By Paul Mauriat
    10.Spring Love by Giovanni Maradi
    11. Je ne Pourrai Jamais t'Oublier by Paul Mauriat

  • The Movement Music
Affected situation: Are you a child, teenager or a senior feeling bogged down in life with lots of homework and restrictions, waiting an outlet for moving away or shaking off your cocoon?

  1. Concerto de Aranjuez
  2. 1929: The Music box DFancer by Frank Mills
  3. March Turkish by Mozart
  4. Badinere by Paul Mauriat
  5. La Playa
  • Music that tells of saddest thoughts in a pleasant way!
Affected situation:
 Are you feeling sadness, loneliness or social isolation from friends and family members? Then the best companion for you is music.

  1. Love theme from Romeo & Juliet by Andre Rieu
  2. A Comme Amour by Richard Clayderman
  3. Between tears
  4. Serenata by Andre Rieu
  5. Vaya con dios
  6.La Playa
  7. Ave Maria No morro

  • Resolution Music to Induce Confidence
Affected situation: Do you lack one or all of the following: Confidence? Determination? Clarity?Resolution? Do you have a regret that you are left behind in the modern rat-race for power, money or relationships?

  2. La Paloma
  8. La Mamma
  9. La Playa
  10. Godfather
  11. La prevre par cove
  12. Ave mari no moro
  14. Gloria Bendita- Gypsy Soul


T. V Sairam
Compiled from Bhavan's Journal


Disclaimer: * This information is based only on Ayurvedic Medical Scriptures. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, this should not be used for any self treatments




Wednesday 23 October 2013

Triphala

What is TRIPHALA?
Tri= three, Phala= Fruit
1.       Emblica officinalis, Goose berry
2.       Terminalia chebula
3.       Terminalia bellarica
Triphala is a combination of three tropical fruits: Haritaki/Harada, Amalaki/Amla and Bibhitaki/Bihara. The nutritional aspect is in its high content of vitamin C, linoleic oil and other important nutrients, making it more of a tonic. Of the three fruits, Harada contains laxative, astringent, lubricant, antiparasitical, alterative, antispasmodic and nervine properties. Amla is the highest known source of vitamin C and has been shown to have mild anti-bacterial properties, pronounced expectorant, anti-viral and cardiotonic activity. Bihara is astringent, tonic, digestive and anti-spasmodic. It purifies and balances  excess mucus, treats asthma, bronchial conditions, allergies and hiccoughs. With all the virtues of these three individual herbs, Triphala has many wide and varied uses as a therapeutic herbal food. *
What are the benefits?
Triphala is one of the safest and most strengthening of the cleansing herb formulas; it gently promotes internal detoxification of all conditions of stagnation and excess while improving digestion and assimilation. It has been shown to be an effective blood purifier that stimulates bile secretion as it detoxifies the liver. Triphala benefits circulation, improves digestion and regulates elimination without causing any laxative dependency. Triphala is also taken for all eye disorders including the treatment of conjunctivitis, progressive myopia, early stages of  glaucoma and cataracts. Triphala can be highly effective in removing stagnation of both the liver and intestines and is one of the greatest and most popular rejuvenators in Ayurvedic medicine; it helps to aid the body’s natural detoxification and elimination processes without weakening systems or becoming habit forming. *
Regulates elimination without causing laxative dependency*
• Cleanses and detoxifies while simultaneously strengthening the body*
• Gently promotes internal cleansing*
• Effective blood purifier and liver detoxifier*
• Traditionally used for all eye disorders and to clear heat*
• Improves digestion and assimilation*
• Helps to reduce bad cholesterol*
• Improves circulation*
• An effective cardio-protectant*
• Helps reduce high blood pressure*
• Anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties*
Supporting Research:
Barnett Robert, Barone Jeanine. Ayurvedic Medicine – Ancient Roots, Modern Branches; pgs 9-10, 24-25,
36; 1996
Fawley David O.M.D. Ayurvedic Healing - A Comprehensive Guide. pgs 99, 356, 357, 361; Morson Publishing; 1992
Frawley D, Vasant L. The Yoga of Herbs – An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine; 1992; pgs 157-158, 164, 174-175; Published by Lotus Press; Twin Lakes, WI
Jacob A., Pandey M., Kapoor S., Saroja R. “Effects of the Indian Gooseberry (amla) on Serum Cholesterol
Levels in Men Aged 35-55 years.” European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 42: 939-944. 1988.
Peyser Randy. Alternative Medicine - Colon Cleansers; pgs 44-48; April 2002
Tierra Michael L.Ac., O.M.D. The Wonders of Triphala: Ayurvedic Formula for Internal Purification

Disclaimer: * This information is based only on Ayurvedic Medical Scriptures. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, this should not be used for any self treatments


"Which Way Lies Hope ?"

An appreciation of Gandhian philosophy. By Richard B. Gregg


Gandhian philosophy contains the merits of socialism. It is a new approach and believes in the priority of spiritual progress over material progress. It hates concentration of power. It teaches that every village should become autonomous and self-sufficient. Village must be the unit in a democratic form of government. Then people will become more responsible, and the progress of the world will not depend upon the whims and fancies of a few men. There will be no place for violence and hatred. Therefore, Gandhian socialism is the only solution for the complex problems of today and that "Along this way lies hope"



Complied from Bhavan's Journal

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Vedic Poetry

The visions of the beauty of life and nature in the Veda's or during the Vedic period are extremely rich in poetic value. Perhaps nowhere else in the world has the glory of dawn and sunrise and the silence and sweetness of nature recieved such rich and at the same time such pure expression. The beauty of woman has been most tenderly delineated. It has been said by Anatole France that the smile on the woman's face marked a new step in human evolution. The Veda's speak of "Gracious smiling women" and in Ushas (Sunrise), with the beauty of the youthful woman, they find the perfect smile. They regard the love if man and wief and the mother-hood of woman with a profound sense of sanctity. Life's little things are invested with holiness and living appears to be a grand ritual. If great poetry is the combination of what have been called "The emphasis of sense," if it unties imagery and melody into a complete whole, then there is no truer or greater poetry than we find in the finest of the Vedic verses. 

In english literature only the noblest passages in Shakespeare and Milton, for example, can be cited as a parallel to the best of the Vedic hymns, in respect of the spontaneity of expression, the power and sweep of rhythm and subtlety and solemnity of effect. If sublimity is the echo of a great soul, certainly Vedic poet and a greater soul than is found lodging in primitive man. 

A.C Bose, Bhavan's Journal

Dasa moola (10 Roots)

Dasa = Ten, Moola = Root

Literally meaning the 10 roots. Divided to two subsections


  1. The greater 5 Roots (Bruhath Pancha moola):- Aegle marmelos, Gmelina arborea, Oroxylum indicum, Premna corymbosa, Stereopsermum colais (Used in Pain, Hysteria, Rheumatism, Asthma and Heart disease)
  2. The Lesser 5 Roots ( Laghu Pancha Moola):- Aerva lanata, Desmodium gangeticum, Pseudarthria viscida, Solanum xanthocarpum, Tribulus terresteris (Urinary calculi and dysuria)
Each of these plants are endowed with incredible medicinal properties and they act synergistically in combination. This is collectively used in pacifying vitiated Tridosha, Pain, Colic, Arthritis, Fever, Cough, Bronchitis, General weakness, Neuropathy, Nervine weakness, UTI, Helps in boosting immunity are some of the benefits of using these roots in combination as per the Ayurvedic scriptures

A phytochemical screening of Dasamoola showed that the presence of Anthraquinones, Flavanoids, Leucoanthocyanins, Phenols, Redusing sugars and Tannins in aqueous extracts. Anthocyanins, Coumarins, Emodins, Fatty acids, glycosides and Saponins are totally absent in all extracts from the Dasamoola powder

The effectiveness of dasamoola could be attributed to their high flavanoids, steroids, tannins and triterpenoids. Exploitation of these pharmacological properties invloves further investigation and identification of these active ingredients by implementation of techniques like extraction, purification, separation, and crystallization.

NB: Please do bear in mind that these are age old treatment procedures and the study have been conducted with the limited access of current scientific advances. We still have a lot to learn and benefit from these herbal combinations. The scope of such study will be on a scale which could be limitless, and I reckon it can only be a collective effort and not by any individual 

Compiled  from Academic Sciences-International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 
M Linga Rao, and N. Savithramma

Disclaimer: * This information is based only on Ayurvedic Medical Scriptures. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, this should not be used for any self treatments

Sunday 20 October 2013

Top 10 Benefits of Excercise

             Exercise boosts brainpower.
             Movement melts away stress.
             Exercise gives you energy.
             It’s not that hard to find time for Fitness.
             Fitness can help build relationships.
             Exercise helps ward off disease.
             Fitness pumps up your heart.
             Exercise lets you eat more.
             Exercise boosts performance.
             Weight loss is not the most important goal.


Disclaimer: * This information is based only on Ayurvedic Medical Scriptures. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, this should not be used for any self treatments





Saturday 19 October 2013

What Are the Benefits of Detoxifying Your Body?




Detoxification  is the process of removing toxins from the body. The process to detoxify your body involves many different elements such as herbal detoxification regimens, change of diet and vitamin supplements. It is one of the best ways to rid your body of toxins, which can slow it down and make it unhealthy. The process of detoxification requires some discipline.
Physical Benefits
The most noticeable benefits from detoxification are the physical ones. Since the toxins store up in major organs, detoxification will help these areas the most. The organs which are affected, such as the liver and stomach, will begin to work more effectively. After the detox is completed, you may feel "lighter" and have more energy. Also, since a detox is used to clear away free radicals, your body's immune system will be stronger and you will have a lower risk of getting cancer. Finally, a detoxification regimen will clear your blood, helping it circulate better.
Mental Benefits
Toxins and free radicals that accumulate in the body can also affect brain functions. Before a detox, you may have trouble sleeping, chronic fatigue, and trouble with your concentration. Once you work through this process, many of these issues will gradually disappear. You will be able to sleep better and concentrate more.
Lifestyle Changes
A benefit which most people don't think of can be the change to your lifestyle. As you progress through the body detox, you will begin to feel better physically and mentally. This feeling can be addictive and lead to changing your lifestyle to cut out bad elements which give your body those toxins. Quitting smoking, eating better, and getting more exercise are all actions which help protect the body. After a detox is a perfect time to begin these actions.

Compiled from Live strong.com