Your health is in your hands. It is not just a delectable quotation, but a life axiom as well. Granted that health may not be gifted to everyone, but it sure can be cultivated. Of course, to cultivate anything one must first sow the seeds. The seeds are healthy lifestyle choices.

Health is our birthright, disease is our creation. Health is the most important wealth anyone can possess. Many of us take health for granted, and begin to appreciate its importance only when it is too late. So pay heed and earmark this as the vital area in your life. Whatever your age, take a proactive role and start managing your health right from now. Health is not merely the absence of disease. Health is not even mere physical fitness. Fitness is associated with cardiac-pulmonary endurance. Push-ups do help a lot, but they cannot push you up. Whereas health is defined as an enhanced state of well-being. Health should be on all the five planes of life existence – Physical, Mental, Emotional, Intellectual and Spiritual. In order to possess radiant health, we must cultivate a healthy lifestyle and attitude. Let me provide 10 lifelong habits that help anyone possess and maintain peak health:

From the Chennai desk of Reiki Master, Clinical Hypnotherapist, Homeopath and Naturopath Dr. (Mrs.) Vasantha Krishnaswamy, ND (Dr. Vasantha Krishnaswamy, Shiromani Awardee is a renowned alternative medicine specialist with expertise in over 20 different therapies, is one of the 500 IBAM world-wide practitioners and is the guiding light of Indian Holistic Health Association, Chennai, India) :

This week’s topic is closer home for me. My elder daughter-in-law in USA shared with me an exciting news that her gnawing and non-subsiding back shoulder pain caused due to severe stress, was gone like magic thanks to medium power magnets I had provided her when she left India. She further confessed that all other traditional medication such as muscle rub creams, balms, fomentation and even the Sujok acupressure equipment failed to cure her pain. I decided that it is about time for a proper introductory post on the efficacy of healing through Magnetotherapy.

From time immemorial, man has been trying to find out healing agents to alleviate the suffering of the ailing humanity. Unani, Ayurvedic and Siddhar based herbal healing systems were practiced widely in India for the past many centuries.  Allopathy was thrust on India in the 16th century by the conquering Europeans. Allopathic medicines provide only a quick, symptomatic relief for acute diseases and pain, even though advances in surgery has saved many lives. Long term use of such medicines cause many undesirable side effects with their toxicity, and can even lower the body’s natural immunity. These side effects are often deleterious and complicated, and hence very difficult to cure. The increased awareness about such health hazards has led people to resort to holistic healing systems such as Naturopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, Acupressure and Magnetotherapy. These systems have little to no side effects and are very effective for various ailments, including those that may have otherwise required surgery.

It is no wonder that Magnetotherapy is gaining acceptance all over the world. The basic principle of the system is that we remain healthy so long as the equilibrium is maintained in the electro-magnetic forces within our body. The treatment came into existence only recently, but it has already been researched extensively. This therapy has beneficial impact on diverse pathological conditions. Of course, magnets have been in use for centuries to preserve beauty and radiant health, an example being Cleopatra. There are also historical references to the use of magnets for therapeutic purposes. Magnetism occupies a place of pride amongst the great forces of nature. Our earth itself is a giant rotating magnet, and so we are constantly influenced by geomagnetism which in turn has an imperceptible impact on our biomagnetism. No wonder magnets were one of the earliest and foremost subjects exhaustively investigated by Physics, and is widely used in many industries.

As a procedure, Magnet Therapy is in fact quite simple to comprehend. Medium or low power magnets are placed on the affected part of the body, North polarity for amelioration of pain, curbing of growth or for cure and South polarity to accentuate growth. The North polarity of the magnet is considered as having a cooling effect and the South as having a heating effect. Depending on the power of the magnet and the part affected, the magnets must be placed only for a specific amount of time, typically never to exceed half an hour for medium power. The exceptions to this rule are the magnetic insoles and pads made out of extremely low power magnets. Magnets can also be effectively used to cleanse and magnetize water, liquids, oils and other consumables. For example, North polarity on eatables removes toxins and harmful agents, whereas the South polarity enhances the flavor and healthfulness. Another important tip to remember is to always use the North polarity on the right side, upper parts and front of the body and the South polarity on the left side, lower parts and back of the body. The magnets usually come marked as N.R (North Right) and S.L (South Left) for ease of understanding. But it is always better to buy magnets with the correct polarity (+ for South, colored Red and – for North, colored blue/green), than to be led by N or S, which could unintentionally represent the opposite polarity.

It is important to remember that magnets are pronouncedly effective on our nervous and circulatory systems, even though their impact spans almost all our body systems. According to Late Dr. Kenneth MacLean, founder of the Institute of Biomagnetics in New York, even cancer cells cannot exist in a powerful magnetic field. Years of experimentation with the elderly has led him to conclude that magnets aid in cancer remission, bestow youthfulness and rejuvenate our body. Famed Nobel Physicist Werner Heisenberg has also quoted, “Magnetic energy is that elementary energy upon which depends the whole life of an organism“.

Following are some common symptoms/ailments that the magnets are a handy aid for:

• Arthritis and Rheumatism 
• Any general body pain like Headache and Stomachache 
• High and Low Blood Pressure
• Cancers and Tumors 
• Circulatory problems
• Diabetes and Nausea
• Infertility and Weaknesses
• Muscular Cramps and Swelling
• Open wounds, burns or cuts
• Respiratory problems
• Skeletal impairments
• Spondylitis and Sciatica

Healing magnets and magnetic belts are available at Chennai with Healing Magnets and Crystals. Some helpful images below of bio-magnets and their uses (Move mouse over an image to enlarge it or click the button below for a video on Magnetotherapy): var magvideo=’

‘; Magnetotherapy Video

Two types of polyunsaturated fats are broken down by scientists into omega 3- and omega 6-essential fatty acids (EFAs). It is crucial to include these acids, found in every cell in the body, in our diet because the body itself cannot produce them. “Omega-3s and Omega-6s have very important roles in maintaining cells,” says Louise Sutton, a dietician at Leeds Metropolitan University. “Some are needed for the synthesis of prostaglandins, which help regulate blood clotting, body temperature, blood pressure, reproduction and immune function.”

Good sources of omega-3s are rapeseed, evening primrose and walnut oils, although the richest supply are fish oils. Also good are fresh seeds, especially hemp, pumpkin and sunflower, wholemeal bread, and wholegrain breakfast cereals (Shredded Wheat, Weetabix and oat flakes). Use a cold-pressed seed oil in salad dressings. Organic milk and cheese provide good additional supplies. You find omega-6s in most edible oils (notably sunflower and corn).

The recommended ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 is 1:3. Ideally, you should get as much omega-3 as you can from food sources, but if your intake is lacking, functional foods with added omega-3 are an alternative. The key omega-3s are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid); if you take a supplement, make sure it has at least five parts EPA to DHA. Both omega-3s and omega-6s act as building blocks for the brain’s neurons. But getting too much omega-6s (as most of us do) can be detrimental: a high intake prevents the body from metabolising omega-3 effectively, so cells can’t carry electrical signals as best they can. “Individuals who are omega-3-rich end up with neurones that run very fast, like Pentium-III microprocessors,” says Professor Tom Sanders of King’s College London’s nutrition department. “Those with too much omega-6 are slow and sluggish, like a 20-year-old silicon chip.” Last year, a US study linked a high intake of omega-6 lipids to the growth of prostate cancer cells in men. In a recent UK survey of 14,500 families, pregnant women with diets low in omega-3s and high in omega-6s were found to have an increased risk of depression.

Omega-3 deficiency, coupled with high intakes of saturated fats, has been strongly linked with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke; omega-6 oils also play a role in heart protection. Together, they help to prevent blood clotting, and to regulate or lower blood pressure. Among hyperactive and dyslexic children, those with low omega-3 and high omega-6 intakes were more likely to suffer problems with coordination and behaviour, and to come in the bottom quarter of their class in verbal IQ tests. Some researchers have also found that low omega-3 diets during pregnancy can result in children with more behaviour problems; Undoubtedly, omega-3s are helpful to joints. Professor Bruce Caterson of Cardiff University showed that the essential fatty acids in fish oils “switch off enzymes that cause inflammation and pain of arthritis”. A high intake of omega-3s can also help to stem bone loss in menopausal women and has also been linked to improving autism.

Dṛṣṭi in the context of Yoga is quite different from its ordinarily understood meaning  in Astrology (planetary aspect called drishti) or Evil Eye (kann drishti).

Dṛṣṭi, the Sanskrit term for sight, direction or focused gaze, is a tool used in asana practice, traditionally Ashtanga, to bring you closer to dharana (concentration) and pratyahara (sense withdrawal). Practicing drishti teaches you to control your wandering eyes, limit your intake of external stimuli and thus manage your mind instead of allowing it to manage you. These components of the eight limbs of yoga – asana, dharana and pratyahara – along with the others of yamas, niyamas, pranayama, and dhyana support the ultimate yoga goal of attaining enlightenment, or samadhi. Not only does a fixed gaze limit visual stimuli and distraction, it also enhances your physical practice by preserving and directing your energy, enhancing alignment and even deepens a pose.

There are nine dṛṣṭis in the āsana practice. If the dṛṣṭi indicated for the āsana is too difficult, one may always revert to the simpler nāsāgra dṛṣṭi. With time and practice, the proper dṛṣṭi for each posture will be possible. By practicing these drishti (dṛṣṭi) points the mind no longer looks around, observing or judging, but instead becomes focused and soft. In the vinyasa system, drishti is one of the vital components to draw prana inwards. Prana follows awareness. If our awareness is scattered then our prana will mirror those same qualities and it will be evident in our behavior and life choices on and off the yoga practice.

The 9 Dṛṣṭis are:

I LOVE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

From the Chennai desk of Dr. (Mrs.) Vasantha Krishnaswamy, ND:

At the very outset, let us be clear that Reflexology and Acupressure are not the same thing. Whereas Acupressure is a massage of the whole body, Reflexology is employed on the feet, hands and ears only. It is defined by Inge Bougans, founder of Reflexology, as a therapeutic foot massage for health and wellbeing.

Reflexology is a therapy in which pressure is applied to reflex points on the hands, feet and the ears. It is based on the principle that the reflex points are related to, and in the same arrangement as the internal organs and glands in the physical body, forming a map or microcosm of it. Thus, applying pressure or palpation on the reflex points affects the corresponding physical structures. By the way, palpation is used as part of a physical examination in which an object is felt, usually with the hands of a health-care practitioner, to determine its size, shape, firmness, or location. It should not be confused with palpitation, which is an awareness of the beating of the heart.

This treatment helps to stimulate the normal function of the organs involved (for instance, secretion of a hormone or digestive enzyme) and thus aids the self-healing bringing about physical, mental and emotional well being. According to the Reflexology theory (whose development can be traced back to the beginning of the century) body is divided longitudinally into ten zones, five on each side of the mid line. These zones run between the toes and the head, and then out into the fingers and thumbs. Thus, the first zone runs from the big toe to the center of the head and out to the thumb, the second from the second toe to the head and then to the index finger, and so on. Pressure on reflex points on the foot or hand will affect body organs in the same zone. So, pressing on the thumb or the big toe will affect internal structures in the first zone and will also relieve pain originating anywhere within it, and so on for the other zones.

Reflexology is considered as a holistic therapy. Holistic is taken from the Greek word holas meaning “whole”. Holistic Reflexology incorporates mind, body and spirit. Any health problem, whether the symptoms are primarily physical or mental, is in fact a condition of the whole person. Social factors also have to be taken into account in any illness as emotional stress and mental strain all contribute to the ailment. Similarly, physical injury and illness precipitate mental symptoms such as depression. Holistic methods demand that we be open to a whole spectrum of therapeutic practices of health maintenance. Everyone, should therefore include with their Reflexology treatment some principles of self-care, self-healing and holistic lifestyle for the prevention of ill-health.

Two weeks back, a former client came along with her sister to consult me regarding her brother-in-law’s psychological problem. She told me that he is irritable, quarrelsome and ill-treating his family. Because of this unruly behavior, her sister has since become depressed, despondent and even contemplating suicide as a permanent relief. Also, her sister complained that her husband has threatened her with divorce, and that she needs a way to remedy her situation or else it could grow worse and intolerable. My client’s sister was in tears when she said this.

As some of you might already know, there is really a gentle, safe and effective remedy to treat psychological issues immediately and with startling results – BACH FLOWER REMEDIES. Let me provide a short introduction to this interesting branch of complementary medicine. But before I do that, let me list out the flower remedies I prescribed to my client for her specific problem:

Bach Flower Remedies can be described as healing by restoring harmony in awareness. At the switch points of our personalities where vital energies are channeled the wrong way or blocked, the remedies re-establish contact and restore holistic harmony to the true source of our vital energies. Heal thyself is at the very heart of Bach’s philosophy, because the divine healing power is already within us permitting and enabling the healing to take place. This way Dr. Bach’s flower remedies can be used in every family to treat almost every circumstance of physical, mental and emotional imbalances.

Thus, you can easily appreciate that Bach Flower Therapy is perhaps the simplest and safest way of self treatment where the selection of medicines is easy as there are just 38 remedies to choose from. There are no potencies to complicate the composition of the medicines. More than one remedy can be taken individually or in combination at the same time. There are absolutely no side effects from the remedies. These can be taken along with medicines from other medical systems without any interference with their actions. In a more detailed article, we will explore how Bach Flower Remedies are actually made.

I understand that title of the post could be confusing. But when I narrate to you the short story that inspired this post, you will probably appreciate better the rationale behind the title and the context of the post.

Till about recently, a very dear relative of mine was suffering from a post-traumatic stress that possibly contributed and/or accentuated crawling and creeping sensations in her skin. She experienced it particularly over her face (similar to Facial Parasthesia) and often times on body parts, as if white cotton thread or worm like objects came out of the pores. I inherited the challenge to fix this problem she was having.

Initially, I was having a hard time finding a suitable herbal combo cure for her problem. But thankfully she feels much better now, specially after her new dental implants and daily dose of homeopathic septanate tissue with general tonic mixtures. In addition, my brother’s due diligence on specific homeopathic combinations also came in handy providing her immense relief. But somewhere in the in-between period of this suffering, I had dared to conjure up a KKKK-CCCC combo of herbs & spices that seemed to be imbued with a balanced potential in alleviating the itchy skin sensations.

The KKKK combo comprises of four leafy herbs that are considered indispensable in the world of Siddha and Ayurveda Medicines. They are namely, Kuppaimeni (Indian Nettle), Kariveppilai (Curry Leaf), Karisalankanni (False Daisy) and Kadukkai (Chebulic Myrobalan). Of these False Daisy leaf is a variety of spinach used in cooking and is a known deterrent against toxin and jaundice. Curry Leaf is used extensively for cooking and Kuppaimeni and Kadukkai are purely for medicinal use:

The CCCC combo comprises of two flowering herbs and two spices that are used as edible infusions, directly in cooking or on the skin. They are namely, Seemai Samandhi (German Chamomile), Marikozhundu (Pot Marigold), Lavangam (Cinnamon bark) and Peymilagaai (Cayenne Pepper). Of these Chamomile flowers/leaves are used in tea decoctions and infusions.  Marigold is quite often made into a cream along with Turmeric and Sandal as an external skin treatment. Cinnamon is a wide spectrum antibiotic that can be used in teas, creams or as a indispensable spice. Cayenne Pepper is sought after as a skin treatment source and for its aphrodisiacal Capsaicin:

Mudra is a term imbued with many meanings. A Mudra may mean a hand gesture as in dance, a mystic position of the hand as in yoga, a seal as in royal insignia or even a symbol (or emblem). The Tattva Yoga Mudra Vignyan is an independent branch of yoga. By folding the fingers of the hand in different postures and holding them for specific periods of time, natural pressure is applied in the lymphatic nerves and energy points producing curative effects for various ailments. Thus it becomes an invaluable tool of neural science which does not require external intervention or invasive medical procedures. It is the only scientific technique that can bring about quick and fundamental reversal of destructive changes to the human body without producing any side effects.

The fingertips of every human being have many concentrated nerve root endings which are the energy discharge points. By touching together the tip of the fingers or other parts of the palm the pranic life force energy is redirected back into the body through specific channels and ends up in the brain as beneficial electrical impulses. The redirected energy travelling through the nerves stimulate the various nerve centers, specifically the key energy vortices called the Chakras, thereby activating the body’s inbuilt immunity and ability for healing.

Mudras are practised in many ways – while striking dance postures (Image 1), as part of Yoga and self healing (Image 2) or even in ritual worship (Image 3). In all these three cases, it ultimately leads to holistic health and aesthetic inner development by channelizing the often turbulent and misdirected life force energy. In the case of dance, it also becomes an integral hand gesture (of abhinaya) that generates a visual imagery about an object or an intended bhava (or emotion).