Decades ago, in India, before before the industrial mass production for personal care and beauty products became the norm, women (and men) in rural or urban settings used to resort to either grandma’s secret home-recipes, or rely upon the village or town vaidya for hand-made natural herbal products to address their needs for personal beautification and maintenance.

Vaidyas have always held a front-and-center role for many aspects of personal care, in addition to fulfilling the role of healers. My ancestors, the vaidyas from the Shaka Vansiya Ayurveda lineage, were experts in formulating all kinds of products for personal care and beauty not just for laypeople, but since many were appointed personal ayurvedic physical to the royalty based on their wide-spread name and fame, they were called upon to formulate and develop uniquely effective beauty techniques to make the royalty of India look their utmost best.

In this newsletter, I want to share two simple ways for you to enjoy and benefit from some of the ancestral royal secrets for beautification that were handed down to me from my lineage.  Both techniques are part of the SVA™ Transdermal Marma System™ (TMS), and cannot be sourced elsewhere, even though they use the science of Marma that is part and parcel of Ayurveda, the approach and practical methods are SVA™.

These techniques make use of the science of marma points – a fundamental aspect of ayurvedic vibrational healing, along with the correct transdermal application of specifically prepared herbal synergies.

In the SVA lineage, we learn that marma points on the face (and body) are energetic ‘switches’ that facilitate, support, and enhancing the reception, flow, and delivery of Prana to all organs, cells, and systems.  My TMS™ technique, or Transdermal Marma System™, is a practical application of ayurvedic marma therapy using unique herbalized SVA™ creams, mantra, touch, and pure aromas on specific marmas.

The following SVA™ marma protocols discussed below are designed to increase the flow of prana for overall health and beauty. One technique specifically targets the health and beauty of the eyes; the other is for overall bliss and facial beauty.

Eye Care: with SVA™ Marma and the Aroma-Free ALA Cream. 

For this marma technique, we use Aroma-Free ALA (alpha lipoic acid ) Cream.  Alpha Lipoic acid, or just Lipoid Acid is a well-known natural substance found in certain foods and also produced in the human body. Scientific studies have discovered its many health promoting properties:

• it plays a key role in the biochemical pathways responsible for energy production in the cells (citric acid cycle).
• it inhibits cross-linking of chemical bridges between proteins or other large molecules – cross-linking contributes to the aging process by causing hardening of arteries, wrinkling of the skin and stiffening of joints.
• it is an anti-inflammatory.
• ALA can help with the detox of toxic heavy metals
• Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful both lipid- and water- soluble antioxidant. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage — the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases.

While the body can naturally manufacture enough lipoic acid for metabolic functions, supplementing orally or transdermally can allow more optimal levels to circulate in a free state.

In SVA, we use Alpha Lipoic Acid in distinct ways. I have formulated a cream to help support the health of the eyes. The beauty of this cream is that it improves circulation to the eyes’ nerves without causing or generating any local heat.  Why is this important?  We have learnt with Ayurveda that the eyes are governed by alochaka pitta, so they are an agneya organ (fire element predominant).  Consequently, we don’t recommend using any warming or thermogenic products to improve circulation. In general, as you know, thermogenesis is needed to enhance and improve circulation. So having a formula that has thermogenic properties without heating up the area is ideal! It’s like having your cake and eating it too!

Because the SVA™ ALA cream is water-based it gets absorbed immediately within the first and second layers of the skin, lubricating and hydrating the skin without clogging it.  Used as directed, the ALA cream, along with marma point massage relaxes not only the eyes but also the mind, even supplying relief from strain to the eyes caused by EMF (electro-magnetic fields) and overuse.

ALA cream along with SVA Marma can be used anytime of the day. But it can be particularly useful at night, to help with restorative sleep.  Why?  The SVA definition of nidra (sleep) is that sleep comes when the sense organs withdraw from the mind and objects of perception.  Using the ALA Cream on the eye marma points helps disengage the eyes from the mind and sense objects by supplying relief and relaxation. When the eyes relax, the mind settles, breathing slows down, and the other senses follow suit, inducing better sweeter deep sleep full of replenishing soma.

SVA Self Marma For-Facelift

On Sunday January 24, 2016, I taught a workshop on SVA Beauty and Marma Face-lift in Westlake Village – you can watch the video recording on my SVA Health YouTube Channel. In the tradition of SVA, we define beauty as:

These verses elucidate beauty in terms of “body parts” or “anga”s, and the concept of “shubhang” or auspiousness. This changes everything. It changes our understanding of beauty radically. Beauty is not a matter of external symmetry or properties or qualities, it becomes an integral aspect of one’s identity. In addition, as the verse also says, beauty depends upon, and derives from, three supporting pillars:

Rupam – outer beauty;

Guam —  inner beauty; 

Vayastag – lasting beauty.

There have been countless books written about inner and outer beauty, incorporating even different yogic protocols and approaches. But with SVA you can unlock the secret to your total beauty with simple daily practical steps. With only a few minutes morning and/or evening, you can unfold that inside-out auspiciousness that is the source of all beauty, re-aligning you with your inner core, giving you a beauty that emanates from re-establishing the inner peace that accompanies the full unimpeded flow of prana. With the SVA Self-marma face-lift, you can support and enhance all three pillars of beauty to give you the experience of inside-out beauty within minutes!

 How to Locate your Marma Points and Massage Them:

Explore the areas of the specific marma points shown on the diagram on your own face. Look for or feel for a subtle ‘dip’ in the areas shown on the facial photos, or some tenderness, or sometimes even some soreness. Marma points are the conjunction of various types of energies so you will feel the points when you touch them. Many times you may even feel the need to breathe deeper when you find and touch the points. Here are the general instructions and steps to do before either the SVA Face-lift protocol or the SVA Eye Care techniques. These

techniques make use of the SVA marma points. How do you locate the specific marma points? Since everybody’s face is somewhat distinct in its bone structure, marma points may be found at slightly different locations than what is shown on the diagram we use. For that, it is best to develop an experiential sense of where each marma point is on your own face.

After you locate the points,  apply a small dab of cream on the marma points. Lightly, and gently rotate the tip of your ring finger(s) clockwise – imagine that a clock is on your face, so someone looking at you will be able to tell time! Go in Light and slow circles, rotating the tip of your ring finger for approximately 7 times.  After circular motions, lightly hold the point (or point pair) 15-30 seconds.  You may do the temples and other pairs of points simultaneously with your left and right hands.  At all times, breath easy. Inhale when you first press down on the point gently, and breath out when you release the point.

SVA™ Self Marma Eye-Care with ALA Cream – Aroma Free

Step One:   Using the ring finger, apply a small amount of Aroma-Free ALA on your Sthapani marma and leave it there

Step Two:   Locate and apply cream on the pair of Urdhwa Netra Marmas

Step Three: Locate and apply cream on Aroma Free ALA on Adho Netra Marma points

Step Four:  Locate and apply cream on Apanga Marma set

Step Five:   Locate and apply cream on up-apanga set

Now that you have located and marked the marma points, go back to your first step and gently massage in clockwise motion with very gentle pressure. Keep doing the same for all points. Breathe slowly and gently. Breathe in and gently apply pressure on the point, and breathe out and release the point. Go through all the points and then spread out the cream onto the whole area evenly, wiping out any additional residues. And you’re done! This will take you only a few minutes. You can do it morning or at night before bed. You will get the cumulative benefits not only from applying the ALA cream that improve circulation in your temples and eye area, wiping off EMF build-up, but also enhanced pranic flow that will restore and rejuvenate your eyes. If you make an effort to slip into sleep by 10pm, dark heavy eye circles can also get improved with time.

SVA Marma Facial-Care

This protocol can be done by yourself or by someone for you. It will take approximately 25 minutes if you do all steps. You can also just do the full protocol 2-3 times a week, and then do a shortened version everyday. In addition, you can use any products your like, but here are the products I recommend to get full benefit from this full SVA protocol:

Samadhi Set: to open up the heart and engage pranic flow from the core;

Super Sport (Roll-on best): to activate physical circulation and unblock physical and vibrational channels;

Maha Marma Oil: to settle Prana Vata and the panic flow down the spinal column, without which any marma massage will not be optimal;  Any of the Lalita’s Age Defying™ Creams based on your skin type or preference: to further nourish, nurture, and rejuvenate.

Step one

Activate Siro Griva Marma with SuperSport™:  Before prana (from the sushumna nadi) flows down spine to the entire body, this sandhi marma softens the energy for the body to receive and make use of.  This step of the technique cleans the pranic energy flowing in the nadis (expressed in the nerves) governing the cervical spine. It eliminates the polluted vibrations of EMF and helps prevent further contamination by giving more power to your nadis.  After doing the cervical portion of the marma facelift, more prana is already going to the face and making the facial marmas more open and receptive when subsequently touched and activated.

3 little actions to follow:

1- Apply Super Sport on Siro Griva

2- Swipe down from Siro Griva to C7 on the neck seven times using the Super Sport

3- Starting at C1, use your ring fingers to swipe outward from the center of cervical spine to outside edge of the neck posteriorly, with medium pressure.  Continue swiping C2 through C7.  Again swipe down with more SuperSport™ 7 times.  Finish by lightly massaging the back of your neck top to bottom.

Step two 

Samadhi Set – Consisting of three herbalized creams (or roll-ons) the Samadhi Set is applied on specific marma points to open the heart to support and coordinate the functioning between mind, heart and soul. Discover how to use the Samadhi Set at https://www.svayurveda.com/?s=samadhi+set

Step three

This is the most involved step, as the first 2 steps are preparations. When you are short on time you can skip the other 2 steps and just start with this. This step addresses the Adhipati and  12 facial marma points

Adhipati – Found at the center of the head (Anterior fontanelle), Adhipati is considered the ‘master’ marma.  Using the SVA Maha Marma Oil, perform this

step immediately after the Samadhi Set for optimal results.  Activating this marma increases the marut predominant flow down the entire spine and then to

whole body.  It will also impact and open the ida and pingala nadis right away.  Additionally, this step makes the facial marmas more open and receptive.

Facial Marmas: Facial marmas are very powerful! Ajna marma, for example, is connected to the Bhramarandhra – this is analogous to a filter whose epicenter is the adhipati marma, Bhramarandhra filters the reception of cosmic energy so it does not overwhelm the human physiology. When you clean and awaken ajna during your self marma facelift, you actually enhance your connection to the cosmic intelligence of the universe.

Actual Steps: Refer to the accompanying facial chart.  Use the Lalita’s Age Defying Cream of your choice.  http://www.chandika.com/lalitas-skin-care. Since ALL of the SVA creams are free from chemical preservatives, it is best if you do not use your fingers to scoop out the cream. You can use a clean Q-tip, or a little spoon just for that purpose.

Use the same technique as for the Eye Care protocol, applying the cream on the points to mark them, then using one or both hands, for points that are on either side of your face, gently touch, then go round in circles and gently press down. Inhale and exhale.

What does each marma point correspond to and what does it do

1)    Sthapani – Balances the coordination between the mind and the senses.  It helps ‘turn’ the mind inward to the satwa, the light of the soul.

2)    Ajna- Connects the satwa, the light of the soul, to the Bhramrandhra.  Ajna is at the location of the third eye.

3)    Apanga – Relaxes the eyes and enhances the coordination between the eyes and the mind

4)    Shanka – Removes stress and relaxes the eyes that may be narrowed or shrunk due to stress

5)    Urdhwa & Adho Karna – Here we have a set of points on the ear.  First do 5a then 5b.  Both points relax the mind.

6)    Phana – these points are lateral to the base of nose. They help open and support the ida and pingala nadis.

 7)    Urdhwa Austha – Improves pranic flow to the oral cavity and the lips

 9)    Madhya Austha –  supplies prana to the lips 8)    Adho Austha – Improves pranic flow to the oral cavity and the lips

10)  Chibuk – Provides pranic flow to the whole jaw, nourishing all the nerves that run all the way up to the eyes, ears, brain

11)  Madhya Chibuk – Provides pranic flow to the whole jaw, nourishing all the nerves that run all the way up to the eyes, ears, brain

12)  Kanth – This marma is a reservoir of prana.  Activating Kanth marma supplies more prana to the heart as well as to the head area. It is a cross-roads marma point where the exchange between the head and the rest of the body occurs. Women tend to hold on to a lot of emotional stress at this point. It is a very powerful point to activate. It may carry a lot of toxins, so go very gentle on it.

Whether you give yourself this self-marma massage or somebody else does it, you will feel very relaxed as the body gets an opportunity to discharge accumulated stress physically, mentally, and emotionally. Make sure to give yourself the time to relax after a marma massage. Have a glass of water at hand to rehydrate. Lie down and take it easy for 15-20 minutes. Or if you have done this at night before bed, you are ready for a blissful night of restorative sleep

.

Vaidya’s Lalita’s Skin Care Line has been women’s best friend for more than 10 years. His recent Navratna Celestial Radiance Cream was a celebrated addition. But now you have even more choices to address the very specific needs of your skin. In the mood for some Pearl Bhasma? How about the vibrational charge of planetary gems combined with Rose Absolute for added balancing and glow?  You could also add traces of pure gold, silver, “thousand puti” mineral ash? What do all these ayurvedic ingredients have in common besides being key for total radiant health? This: you can now order your own jar of facial cream with any – or all – of these ingredients, and we at SVA will make it from scratch, just for you, when you place your order! Every single ingredient that Vaidya adds to his formulations have a distinct purpose. Even the aromatic flowers such as Rose or Jasmine have specific skin nourishing and glow enhancing properties. To address the growing needs of the SVA following, we now offer more creams to complement the existing family of Lalita’s Age-Defying Facial Creams.

All of the new custom-made products have the ingredients of the original formulas and carry the beautifying properties of the original products.  But now you can order Lalita’s Age Defying Facial Cream or Navratna Celestial Radiance Facial Cream with either Rose Absolute, or Sambac Jasmine. Rose and Jasmine carry distinct properties for the skin.

We now also offer the option of Lalita’s Age-Defying Facial Cream with Natural Pearl Bhasma (nano particles of natural pearl).  Or Lalita’s Age-Defying Cream infused with the transformational power of Abhrak Bhasma. These can come with Rose or Jasmine – the choice is yours.

What is Abhrak Bhasma?

Abhrak Bhasma is an ayurvedic Maha Rasayana. A supremely rejuvenating substance that requires years to make through the controlled process of the repeated ‘burnings’ of mica – a shiny silicate mineral with a layered structure, found as minute scales in granite and other rocks, or as crystals. In Ayurveda, a very special type of mica is used to make the bhasma. It is black mica,  called “krishnabhr.”

Vaidya Mishra’s Abhrak Facial Cream contains extremely high potency Abhrak – Sahasra Puti: burnt a 1000 times.  Sahasra means one thousand.  Made by one thousand steps of repeated burnings. The burning process is a massive purification process, as each time the mica gets burnt, it is processed with different herbs, and burnt over and over again one thousand times. in this process of making the ash, or the bhasma, the mica interacts with the rejuvenating herbs so this bhasma carries the intelligence of those herbs. The process of burning the substance again and again makes the molecules finer and finer. This process yields a powerful bhasma,or ash, that is know for its rejuvenative properties for the cellular system, nourishing the skin by directly enhancing the intelligence of the gaps (sandhis) that govern the transformational vibrational energy of all seven layers of the skin.  By enhancing the ultimate vibrational energy flowing through gaps, the Abhrak Bhasma Facial Cream immediately increases the Prabha (glow of the aura) of the skin! You can choose between a cream that has Abhrak Bhasma and Rose or Abhrak Bhasma and Jasmine. Abhrak Bhasma is a rare item highly prized for its overall health supporting properties. It has never been used as an ingredient in a facial cream until now. With Vaidya’s unique SVA formulations, now you can enjoy the age-defying properties of Abhrak in your daily facial care protocol.

Abhrak Bhasma, on its own is a maha rasayana in Ayurveda, because it can travel up to the sixth level of the skin and rejuvenate all the layers, resetting their natural metabolic intelligence – the intelligence of transformation between the gaps of the skin. In addition, however, Abhrak Bhasma Sahastra Puti is also the fastest and most efficient yogvahi – a catalyst carrier. What does this mean? It means that it has the ability to carry along any herbs that accompany it, and make sure that the properties of those herbs are activated and put to use. So when Abhrak Bhasma is combined with the age-defying herbs, all the macromolecules of all the herbs in this cream get delivered faster and more effectively to all the 6, or 7 (depending on whether we follow the Charak Samhita or the Susrut Samhita) layers of the skin resulting in immediate nourishment and cleansing.

Who should use Pearl Bhasma?

Three bio-chemical categories made up of the 5 elements of nature (fire, water, earth, air and space), known as “doshas” run our bodies, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each individual carries a unique signature mixture of these three categories. And each individual’s skin is also unique based on their doshic make-up.  Each of these has an additional 5 sub-categories.

The skin is governed by 3 sub-categories or sub-doshas: Pachak Pitta; Vyana Vata; and Shleshak Kapha. Individuals who are more Pitta by nature, who carry more fire in their biochemical constitution, tend to have a more active bhrajak pitta subhdosha. In other terms, their skin tends to be more sensitive to developing rashes and imbalances due to heat, overexposure to sunshine, or it can also be triggered by spicy food, emotional challenges as well as mental stress. In addition, because Pitta skin tends to be more prone to acidity, and acidity induces inflammation and kills the friendly bacteria of the skin, Pitta individuals need specific skin care addressing their highly sensitive constitution. For this group of people who tend to have more sensitive skin, Ayurveda offers specific help with Pearl Bhasma.

Pearl bhasma is highly somagenic and cooling because when the macromolecules of pearl (bhasma) combine with the proper yogvahi, or carrier, the soothing benefits of the pearl will penetrate up to the 4th layer of the skin. The herbal syerngy of essential oils that Vaidya uses in his creams are meant as intelligent yogvahis. In this situation, bhrajak pitta gets pacified up to the 4th layer, offering inside-out relief.

The micro-molecules of the pearl bhasma are highly alkalizing for the deeper levels of the skin.  Long-term use of the Pearl bhasma cream helps create a good environment for the friendly bacteria of the skin, and helps to fight against inflammation created by any external or internal factors. In particular, pearl bhasma with rose is great for somebody going through emotional challenges or someone emotionally sensitive in general. Rose is known for its great property for sadhak pitta pacification, while Jasmine helps unify all the layers of the skin which get separated due to acid induced inflammatory situations.

Vaidya’s facial cream contains that contain Pearl Bhasma are specially formulated for high-pitta skin types that need deeper cooling and deeper nourishment for their skin.  Pearl Bhasma is the best for such skin conditions, because it’s highly Somagenic – very rich in the cooling, nurturing, replenishing vibrational energy of the Moon.  Pearl Bhasma is also firming for the skin.  You can now chose between a facial cream that carries Natural Pearl Bhasma with Rose, or Natural Pearl Bhasma with Jasmine.  Or, you can try them both!

Why Add Rose?

Do you know why emotional stress directly impacts the glow and health of your skin? When your emotions are on the rocks, your sadhak pitta and sadhak agni go off. This impacts all your other pitta subdoshas, stripping your skin of its luster, and slowing down its healthy metabolism. If you are under constant emotional stress, and your skin looks dull and flaky, no external application will help unless it address the heart of the matter, your emotions. Unless, that is, you use a prana-infused cream that contains Rose! Transdermal Rose can uplift the emotions by balancing sadhak pitta and sadhak agni right away– the sub- doshas and the flame that govern the emotional heart. Rose strengthens the emotional heart so it can better handle emotional challenges. Not only does rose pacify sadhak pitta – even as it balances sadhak agni – it also carries a “somnasya jana” or bliss-enhancing property. All sub-doshas are inter-connected. Any of Vaidya’s creams can be custom-ordered containing 100% pure and organic Rose Absolute. If you are experiencing emotional challenges right now, then you should go with the Rose Aroma.

But Rose also carries additional amazing properties confirming it as the Queen of flowers in the plant kingdom! Did you know that Rose is also known for its “vajikarna” properties? It supports the hormones and is a wonderful additional to any romantic setting – making it a Valentine Day’s favorite. But rose is also beneficial for individuals who experience heat or burning sensations in their limbs or their body overall. Regular transdermal use of rose cleans the sweat inside-out, neutralizing its pH, so that when it is released through the skin, it does not cause irritation. Rose in your facial cream can be especially beneficial if you are a vata or pitta or a mixture of both in terms of your overall constitution and particularly in terms of your skin type.

How does Jasmine help the Skin?

Did you know that jasmine not only uplifts and inspires but supplies deep age-defying support to the seven layers of the skin? This fragrant little flower carries a very special property, as explained by the ayurvedic texts, that restores the youthful glow to our skin. In our youth, the 7 layers of our skin are naturally bio-chemically connected to one another. As we age, due to the accumulation of toxins, internal and external stressors, the layers of our skin gradually lose integration, resulting in heavy, sagging, dull and flakey skin.  Jasmine is renowned for its Sandhaniya (unifying) and purifying effect on the skin.  In addition, the aroma and the transdermal absorption of Jasmine supports mental bliss by re-establishing the connection between “dhi, dritti,” and “smritti”: the power of your brain to gather, store and recollect information. When these are working in full coordination, your mind feels clear, strong, and you are ready to undertake anything! Jasmine thus maintains the elasticity of your skin and your brain, supporting both together.

Ingredient-wise Skin Care

No ingredient is gratuitous in any of Vaidya Mishra’s formulations. Each herb, each spice, each aromatic flower, has its distinct function and purpose. Here is the list of the ingredients that go into Vaidya’s Lalita’s Skin Care line creams, and why he uses them:

Saffron (Crocus sativus): modern science confirms the extremely rejuvenating properties of the crocitin molecule, confirming Saffron to be an ancient super-anti-oxidant for the skin, potent in its action up to the 5th dermal layer; Flame of forest (Butea monosperma): supports the skin in its intelligence shield itself against ultraviolet sunlight rays; Devil’s apple (Solanum Linnaeanum): bolsters the skin cells’ intelligence to actively detox by releasing amavisha and garavisha effectively; Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa): literally from the Sanskrit “punar+nava= again+new” rejuvenates the skin by supporting integral detox of the skin by helping release toxins through sweat; Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia): a hypo-allergenic herb that pacifies the hyperactivity of the immune system by addressing amavisha; Turmeric (Curcuma longa): reputed anti-inflammatory that enhances dermal intelligence and protects against inflammation; Daruharidra, also known as Tree Turmeric (Berberis aristata): supports the skin fight against inflammation, and is active up to the third layer;  Gotu kola (Centella asiatica):  enhances collagen synthesis, preserving the skin’s elasticity and maintaining its youthfulness; Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): enhances the connection and communication between prana vata, the subdosha that governs the mind, and vyana vata, the subdosha that governs the skin, a unique SVA  approach to skin health through the pacification and balancing of psychological mental stress; Nutmeg (Myristica): enhances the complexion by clearing and balancing the micro-channel of the mind; Mucuna: lubricates and hydrates internally, modulates hormonal flow and lubrication; Green tea: a reputed anti-oxidant that defies psychological aging and supplies tone and elasticity;  Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera): supports mind/body coordiation, nourishes the tactile nerves, thus supporting the skin’s resistance against internal and external stressors;  Lemon (Citrus limon): enhances the skin’s resistance to sunlights, supporting its sensitivity; Indian sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): cleans the pores for an even healthy skin by purifying the sebum and sebaceous glands; Ashoka (Saraca asoca): for the Sanskrit a+shoka = no+ grief, supports the skin’s health by enhances bliss through its ability to pacifying the emotional heart, or the sadhaka pitta subdosha; Shirish bark (Albizia lebbeck): provides sustained deep skin layer detox with long term use;Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica): nourishes and supports the regeneration of the tactile nerves, helping to maintain the sensitivity of the facial skin; Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis): a thermogenic plant that enhances and supports overall circulation and communication between all layers of the skin; Neem (Azadiracta indica): supports the immune system of the skin; with: White grapefruit extract, a natural preservative, in a base of Organic coconut, a cooling firming, lubricating, and nourishing oil; with Grapeseed oil, a natural preservative; Vegetable stearic acid, a lubricant; Organic aloe juice, a cooling and detoxifying plant that pacifies bhrajak pitta, the pitta subdosha of the skin;; in a Kosher vegetable glycerin base, a lubricant; and emulsifying wax.  Emulsifying wax (NF), a lubricant.

In addition to these ingredients, each jar of cream will have also Pearl Bhasma, or Abhrak Bhasma, with Rose, or Jasmine. Or You can chose to have your jar free from any aromas if you prefer. Here’s to your radiant youthful skin with Lalita’s full spectrum skin-care line!

FIND VAIDYA MISHRA’S PRANIC FORMULATIONS AT WWW.CHANDIKA.COM

https://www.svayurveda.com/sweet-sesame-treats-aka-chikki/

In my SVAyurveda lineage, we greatly emphasize the health of the channels: the vibrational channels, or nadi-s; as well as the physical channels, or srota-s. The nadis carry the unseen vibrational energetic materials, including sound, that cannot, as of yet, be visible or audible, or experienced by the physical senses; the srotas carry physical material, microscopic as well as macroscopic.

You may be making the best of health promoting choices and decisions with the best diet, the best lifestyle and routine, but if you do not address the health of your channels, and ensure that they are in top shape and functioning optimally, you will not get the health benefits you are seeking. Why?

Nadis, Srotas, and Sushumna

On one level, it is because the pranic energy that we receive 24/7 through the nadi-s, from the  cosmos, is the main component that sustains us, maintaining and nurturing all our organs and organ-systems, including our cellular system. Our bodies carry countless vibrational channels, of which 3 are primary:

1. ida – connected to the left nostril, through which we receive soma, or lunar energy;
2. pingala – connected to the right nostril, through which receive agni predominant surya or sun energy; and,
3. sushumna nadi – this vibrational channel is associated with the spine, through which we receive marut, or space and air energy.

All 3 cosmic energies nurture and support the whole body. The nadi-s constitute the bridge between the cosmic energy and our individual vibrational energy.

The srotas, on the other hand, are the physical channels, that we can observe and study under a microscope. For example, our micro-channels or minutely small pathways throughout body, in our skin, in our cells, in our organs. The srotas also include the channels of the GI tract, the channels of the lungs, the micro channels such as the channels in the cellular system; the channels between the RNA and the DNA. These srotas, circulate all the physical nurturing or toxic materials.

What do we mean when we say that the channels have to be top shape and optimally functional? It means that the channels need to fulfill their task of circulating content, physical or vibrational, in terms of time-bound reception, time-bound circulation, and time-bound interaction.  Things move in our body, and all needs to move harmoniously together, in relation to eachother, almost as in symphonic rhythm. Channels can be slowed down due to several factors. If some channels are slow, or blocked, or shrunk, and if they slow down the process in an even minimal way, it affects the health of the entire physiology. Maintaining the intelligence of our channels 100% is a too often overlooked disease inducing factor. The reception, delivery, interaction, and elimination of materials has to happen in a timely and full fashion.

Both types of channels, physical and vibrational, have to interact with each other through a non-invasive natural flow, without overwhelming the body. The channel pathways and systems in our physiology are highly sophisticated and need optimum intelligence for full maintenance. Intelligent maintenance includes external and internal factors. We live in the midst of poisonous, toxic vibrational materials saturating the environment, such as: EMF, EMR, toxic fumes emanating from chemicals found in the raw materials are homes are made from, in the materials our cars are made of, in the clothes that we buy, or the clothes that we wash with toxic synthetic cleaners, etc. In addition to this, negative emotions and energies such as anger, stress, depression, disturb our vibrational channels, muting the agni in our emotional hearts, and further causing damage. Ingesting toxic food that makes ama, or amavisha, or that contains garavisha disturbs both physical and vibrational channels – all food that you eat nourishes and nurtures the brain and nervous system. When you ingest polluted food, you diminish the intelligence of your own nervous system and affect the functioning of your vibrational self.

So you see why I come back again and again to this topic of the channels. People often ask me why, as they do not understand the importance of the channels and the ultimate role they play for health. We need to be educated about this much overlooked aspect of Ayurveda.

This is one of the reasons why, I formulated the SuperSport cream about 12 years ago.  That transdermal cream was made to help people support and unclog their physical and vibrational channels. Sometimes, even after you maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, you may still need a helping push from specific herbal synergies. My SuperSport Transdermal cream was an immediate favorite with countless individuals who were seeking just such a product – free of any toxic chemical, scents, and additives.  By opening the channels, it eases away inflammatory  conditions resulting in muscle aches and pain. See for you yourself with these testimonials from www.chandika.com:

This year, however, I felt the need to make yet another channel supporting cream, based on further imbalances I was seeing in

several clients who came to me for ayurvedic consultations. I noticed that beyond the need to unclog and support the flow in the nadis and srotas, it was necessary in many cases, to support and enhance the interaction between the physical and vibrational channels. The nerves and the synapses are the communicating bridge that connects the physical unto the vibrational, and support the sophisticated work

of the reception, delivery, and interaction of all materials. This was an additional level of interaction that was being corrupted by the predominant toxic factors surrounding us in modern societies. This is when I had to formulate the Flex’n Flow cream. The Flex’n Flow cream joins the already existing family of other Flex’n Flow products such as the roll-on and body mist that supply added thermogenic potency for greater channel support. The Flex’n Flow body mist and roll-on are very thermogenic, while the cream is a milder version that can be used safely by all.

Here is how it will help you, ingredient-wise:

Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora): an ancient favorite of vedic rituals and healing protocols, used both in medicinal and rituals contexts due to its unparalleled properties of supporting, unclogging and relaxing the physical and vibrational channels. It is my great favorite. Many individuals are not able to tolerate its heat, that is why I have combined it with the other herbs in this formulation to make it tolerable to all so all can benefit from it.  

Ajwain (Trachyspermum copticum): Another great ayurvedic channel opener that operates through its thermogenic properties;

Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri): is a sacred herb, as its name indicates, as it not only increases and supports the flow and intelligence of the physical and the vibrational channels, but it also supports and enhances the communication between the physical and the vibrational channels. It fulfills our desired target!  

Holy Basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum): yet another sacred herb also used in both medicinal and ritual contexts, Tulsi performs actions similar to Brahmi, even as its thermogenesis is somewhat less sharp, and yet just as nimble and penetrating.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): a great physical channel opener and thermogenic plant;

Prasarini (Paederia foetida): this is a unique ingredient that supports and increases the flow and interaction of the sandhi-s – the space, the gaps in between junctures, that resides in between the tissues of our bodies, at the nerve endings where synapses occur, in our cells, as well as anywhere metabolic fire needs to operate to transform from one tissue, or form, to another;

Nirgundi (Vittex negundo): reduces inflammation and inflammatory conditions in the channels that can result in blockages;

Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica): is the ideal plant to nurture and replenish our nerve endings that may be damaged due to inflammation or blockages. It enhances the intelligence in the synapses and facilitates more nimble and flawless flow. 

Jasmine Absolute (Sambac): this is the queen of all flowering plants, it carries an exquisite aroma. But also tremendous medicinal properties. Did you know that it slows down the inflammatory process in the nerves and physical channel walls? So the aroma that you get after applying the Flex’n Flow cream is not a gratuitous addition, it supports the overall health benefits of the herbal synergy in the cream!

I have put these herbs and plants together into an herbal synergy in an all natural base  with Goat milk, Avocado oil, Xanthan gum, Emulsifying wax, and Vegetable glycerin.

How can you tell that your channels are in trouble? 

The immediate response and reaction I get from clients whenever I mention their channels is: “the doctor told me my veins and arteries are not clogged!” And I am always happy to explain to them what we mean by the health of the channels in SVA by asking them the following questions:

1. do you ever feel that your breathing is not 100%? For example, you want to breath but feel a certain tightness in your chest – without having any known medical reason? When you want to breathe deeper but are just not able to? When you feel your breathing stays shallow?

2. Do you wake up with stiff fingers, hands, joints overall? Achy muscles and body? Or even swollen hands and feet? Keep in mind again this is only in the situation where you do not have a diagnosed medical ailment.

3. Do you feel foggy, emotionally and mentally unsettled and ungrounded? Seeking clarity and yet not being able to achieve it? If you answered yes to any of the above, then you are experiencing physical and/or vibrational channel clogging. Looking into your diet for culprit food items that are known to be physically and/or vibrationally clogging by nature, and eliminating them, would be your first step. Some of these food items are specific members of the night-shade family, such as: potato, tomato, bell-pepper, eggplant. Otherwise soy is also highly clogging, since it is derived from a large bean, the soy bean, that is known to carry heavy properties, like other larger beans, such as: garbanzo, lima, navy, kidney beans, etc. Processed foods are clogging. Left-overs are clogging. So are bananas! Try to elim

inate or minimize their use.

Doing some gentle daily yoga exercise to support overall circulation can only help you in all ways.

Otherwise, my Flex’n Flow cream will help support your health through ayurvedic herbs. Apply the Flex’n Flow cream on your lower spine/back, as well as on your wrists, on the pulse, and then breathe deeply. You will notice a difference in the before and after of your breathing.

Or apply it on your cervical area to relieve mental stress – it will work within minutes. Some of my clients apply it on their cervical area whenever they wake up in the middle of the night with racing thoughts. It relaxes the mental channels and eases away sleeplessness caused due to stressful thoughts.

You can also use the cream as a regular thermogenic cream before or after work-out, or to minimize stiffness and muscle aches, by applying on your arms and legs. This cream is water-based so it is easier to use: it won’t stain your clothes and washes away fast and easy. It can be thus safely used even during the day at work or when wearing formal clothes. Use it no more than 4 times a day. Morning and evening is ideal to keep things running smoothly. Here’s to the health of your channels!

 Did you know that the health of your lips mirrors the overall health of your physiology? That’s  what Ayurveda teaches us in a comprehensive section entitled  “austh roga” or “diseases of the lips” (in the Madhav Nidan book) where we read of different kinds of doshic and toxic imbalances and conditions that can affect the lips.

With SV Ayurveda you can learn how to manage and minimize the negative effects of the environment, stress, and other factors on the health, appearance, and sensitivity of the lips.  With Ayurvedic Dravyaguna, or pharmacopeia, we learn about unique tree barks, flowers, and plants that we can use to make balanced lip care products. It is possible to nourish, replenish, and even enhance the color, tactile sensitivity, and health of our lips through natural means. If you are concerned about the health and look of your lips, here are some factors you should consider:

1. The environment plays a major role, in the health of our lips. What kind of climate you live in, and/or what the current season is. Whether the climate is hot or cold, excess temperatures directly impact the moisture balance and health of our skin, as our lips are constantly exposed to daily climactic changes. The best way to shield your lips from daily environmental wear and tear is to put on a good lubricating and hydrating lip balm that will nourish and protect at the same time.
2. Diet, particularly in relation to the seasons, plays a major role for slowing down aging and the wear-and-tear of your lips. For example, in cold windy weather, the ayurvedic shastras  advise us to rehydrate the whole physiology through proper foods and drinks: warm, easy to absorb and hydrating herbalized drinks, soups,and meals. An important detail that helps prevent from malnourishment and dehydration is to make sure you eat your meals on time. In addition, it is important to keep the physiology well lubricated with good lipids in extreme weather conditions, whether hot or cold. Make sure you consume healthy fats, such as clarified butter or ghee, olive oil, some coconut oil. Stay away from processed fatty foods
3. Stress plays a major role in the health of the lips. When we manage stress properly  in daily life, by maintaining a balanced rest-and-activity routine, our overall health improves, and impacts the health of our skin and lips.
4. Synthetic lip products are to be avoided by all means. Applying synthetically manufactured and preserved products – lipsticks, lip colors, gloss, even moisturizers with synthetic fragrance and colors will locally damage your lips, resulting in dryness, premature aging and wrinkling. The ayurvedic shastras state that ojas, the most refined by-product of our digestion that gives our complexion glow, is directly related to the absence of synthetic and toxic build-up in our body. Let your light shine through by reducing the use of toxic chemical beauty products, particularly lip products that contain preservatives and burn the ojas of the lips. Traditionally, in India, women lubricate and oleate their lips by applying ghee, clarified butter, at night before sleep. They apply and leave it on. You may also opt to do so, but the all-natural SVA lip balm base that I have created is deeply rehydrating and oleating to all the layers of the skin.

What’s in your SVA Lip-balm?

All the SVA lip-balms contain beeswax combined with organic Shea butter, not only to coat the lips so as to protect against

cold windy weather, but this combination also supplies thorough nutrition to the inner layers of the lips, specially with long term use. The vegetable glycerine  molecules that I also use in the base formula are known for rehydrating the lips without clogging the micro channels. In addition to this rich base, I have added ayurvedic herbs. Sensitive plant (Mimosa pudica) is a wonderful flower that directly nourishes the nerve endings in our body. I have added it to the base of all my lip balms, to help reinstate the intelligence of the tactile nerve endings in our lips. The lips are a highly sensitive area where thousand of nerve endings intersect. With time, we lose the plasticity of our nerve endings, and the sensation in our lips. Sensitive plant will nurture and replenish the health of your nerve endings. I have also added specific essential oils, for example, lime, to help open the channels and nurtures; or sweet orange to nurture the channels without clogging them.

Lip-balm health benefits ingredient wise:

All the SVA lip-balms have Sensitive Plant in a base of organic Shea butter, Beeswax, and kosher vegetable glycerin, in addition to unique ayurvedic flower, tree barks, herbs and plants to further target health benefits based on your specific needs. Some of the lip-balms also carry peppermint oil to open the channels of the skin and carry the moisture deeper into the cells. Here are the new SVA lip-balms based on the actions of their ingredients.

Orange Zest: In the Orange Zest Lip-balm, you have Babul (Acacia nilotica) is great for enhancing  firmness in the lips, due to its sandhanya effect – it tones the layers of the skin and enhances their cohesion reducing sagging. If you are concerned about the youth of your lips,  this is the one you should chose.

Ashoka: Another great herb with anti-aging properties for the lips is Ashoka. Ashoka (Saraca asoca) has a unique uplifting property for the heart and emotions, enhancing the blissful sensitivity of the lips, and giving a rich natural red color. I have added the essential oil of Rose Absolute to further enhance the soothing properties of Ashoka.

Manjishta: Another ingredient I have used is Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia). Our lips are daily exposed to all kinds of environmental allergens and toxins that challenge the health of our lips. In particular, if an individual carries a pitta body type, or has a pitta aggravation, then they will experiences imbalances in their lips, dryness, chapping, darkening of the lips, extra sensitivity, etc. Manjistha is a famous herb for pacifying the reactivity of the toxins and thus support the health of the lips when imbalanced by such toxins. Manjistha also carries a rich deep color.

Age-Defying Lip-balm with Babul: Another ingredient I have used for its unique nurturing properties, enhancing the natural tone and color of your lips, is beet root. Long term use of this lip balm, that also contains Sensitive plant, will fully nourish and replenish your lips. This toxin-free preservative-free formulation also contains beeswax to give deep sustained longterm lubrication; Shea butter nourishes the lipid areas of the lips; and vegetable glycerin gives sustained rehydration to the perfect base to fight again extreme hot or cold, and windy weather.