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Select Principles of Ayurveda
The increased popularity of yoga has ignited an interest in its sister science, Ayurveda. Dating back thousands of years, Ayurveda is thought to be one of the most ancient and complete forms of natural healing on the planet. In this module students are introduced to the basic principles tenants so that they are better able to converse with clients and other practitioners about Ayurveda.
What is Ayurveda?
This lesson will begin with a brief history of Ayurveda, its geographical origins, and source materials. Students will be introduced to the concept of the doshas and learn how these give us our unique body/mind characteristics. We will briefly discuss the four classic treatment approaches and how they are used in an integrative approach to skincare.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Identify where Ayurveda comes from and how and where it is practiced today in the spa and beauty industry
- Define how the doshas shape our bodies, work with our personalities, and give us our own unique behaviors and preferences
- Recall the four main treatment approaches of Ayurveda and how they are used in a spa and beauty treatment setting
Ayurvedic Skin Physiology
Thousands of years ago, skin conditions were outlined in Vedic texts. Acharya Sushruta, the author of Sushruta Samhita, one of the main textbooks of Ayurveda, describes the seven layers of the skin. Ayurvedic physiology is Dosha (bioenergy) centric. Ayurveda also provides a unique way of classifying skin types.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Recall how Ayurveda defines the seven layers of the skin
- Differentiate the parallels between Ayurveda and Modern sciences
- Recall the layers of skin and their Dosha (bioenergy) relation
- Define how to recognize skin types as understood by Ayurveda
- Restate how to analyze facial skin problems with reference to Ayurvedic skin types
Ayurvedic Skin Care Remedies
This lesson teaches students how to utilize Ayurveda in the treatment room. It covers how to customize seasonal skincare to address their client’s dosha as well as the doshic characteristics of the weather.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Describe customizing treatments for each Dosha
- Organize ingredients and foods to correct skin imbalances
- Recall the heating and cooling properties of certain oils
How to Identify Marma Points on the Face and Use Them in a Kansa Wand Face Massage
This lesson is an introduction to the benefits of working with marma points and why they are a useful addition to skincare treatments. We will identify the main marma points on the face and discuss their specific uses then show how they are integrated into a kansa wand face massage.
After completing this activity, participants will be able to:
- Identify the marma points on the face
- Define the benefits of some key marma points
- Identify these marma points on your own face and experience the benefits
- Demonstrate a simple kansa wand massage on marma points in a treatment setting
Faculty
The pioneer of integrating Tibetan and Indian Ayurvedic wellness techniques into the spa and beauty industry, Melanie Sachs has worked steadily over the last twenty-five years to bring the deep benefits of this sacred healing art to her students and clients worldwide. Through these efforts, Ayurveda is now listed as one of the ten spa trends. It is fully accepted and respected as a precious gem capable of transforming the spa experience into a journey toward beauty through balance. Through her writing and teachings, Melanie explains that it is by eating a healthy diet, participating in suitable exercise and regular spiritual practices together with a natural skincare regiment that we all can reach our goal and discover our own personal happiness and lasting radiance; a quality in Ayurveda beyond inner and outer beauty known as our secret beauty.
Melanie works closely with her husband, Robert Sachs. Founding Diamond Way Ayurveda in 1996, together, they provide excellence in education and pure Ayurvedic products to complement their unique spa treatments. Melanie and Robert have created.
Ayurvedic Beauty Care, Ayurvedic Spa (both books with Lotus Press), educational DVDs, and numerous articles for magazines. Melanie teaches worldwide, training individuals and spa teams in standard and signature Ayurvedic treatments using their organic essential oil blends, powdered herbs, and specialized Ayurvedic spa equipment they personally designed. She has designed both in-person and home study programs in all Diamond Way Ayurveda techniques, which have been instrumental in Ayurvedic therapies gaining acceptance and respect from AMTA ( American Massage Therapy Association) and NCBTMB (National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork).
The name “Diamond Way” comes directly from the Tibetan tradition and means that our path to the highest joy is through helping others. It is this core belief is the fuels the energy behind this determined individual.
Vaidya Ashlesha Raut is a third generation Vaidya (Ayurvedic Physician) practicing Ayurveda for 20 years and has been an integral part of the Global Holistic healing community with a mission towards providing a Holistic Path for Wellness and Optimal Health through Ayurveda and integrative medicine. Dr. (Vaidya) Ashlesha Raut is passionate about teaching and has taught in various Ayurvedic colleges in multiple states in the USA and continues to serve as faculty in various universities.
She strongly believes spreading Ayurveda consciousness is a global need today for achieving “Health For All” and this can be seeded and spread through research. Currently, as a founder and Director at Ayurveda For Healing Inc., Vaidya Ashlesha Raut maintains an Ayurveda Wellness and Panchakarma center where she practices Ayurveda in Bloomington, Chicago, IL and the Midwest region.
Dr. Raja Sivamani is a board-certified dermatologist and practices as an integrative dermatologist at Pacific Skin Institute. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Clinical Dermatology at the University of California, Davis and Director of Clinical Research and the Clinical Trials Unit.He is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the California State University, Sacramento and an Associate Professor of Dermatology at California Northstate University, College of Medicine.He engages in clinical practice as well as both clinical and translational research that integrates bioengineering, nutrition, cosmetics, and skin biology. With training in both Allopathic and Ayurvedic medicine, he takes an integrative approach to his patients and in his research.He has published over 100 peer-reviewed research manuscripts, 10 textbook chapters, and a textbook entitled Cosmeceuticals and Active Cosmetics, 3rd Edition with a passion for expanding the evidence and boundaries of integrative medicine for skin care.
