Patrapinda Sveda massage

Moving on the next type of massage from the "menu" one grabbed my attention, it is called: Patrapinda Sveda. An  hour long hot oil therapy executed by 2 masseaurs. Price in India 800 INR. Just to compare with European prices, in Latvia the same would cost 57 EURs. The procedure stands for 2 parts: 30 minutes average back massage, 30 minutes hot oil massage with herb (Nirgudi) filled bags. I think the order makes sense as it takes time to heat the oil. To avoid the sudden heat-shock on the skin, the masseaur gently introduces it by touching the hot oil, then the skin, so the hot oil therapy can be executed with this bag. So at the end, the last 3 rounds are extremely hot, because the oil is constantly being heated. I went back to the same place for a simple back massage, but all my grave for massage is gone. :-)

Actually this oil thing has lots of benefits, and you can find more details here:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296342/

Good for the muscles, releases the back, decreases the symptoms of stress.

I adore 2 things in India:
Back massage includes head, neck and bottom too.
30 minutes means 40 pleasure.

Oh before I forgot: while I was waiting for my appointment, something dragged my shirt - a white rat! I would expect more a cow rather than a rat in a closed beauty clinique in India. Haahha, but that was fun, this rat was so cute as the cats at home. It definitely made my day. :-)

Trāṭaka - The Practice of Still Gaze (part two)

Continuing part one, the previous post.

About 50 pupils gathered around a candle. 3 ohm chanting opened the ritual, then we focused 20 minutes long into the light of the candle. It's actually not that bad as it sounds. As far as I can recall, I didn't have the need to blink, as it was dark around the tiny, candle. The whole hall became silent, and calm. Each of us were deep into our inner world, gazing the dancing, soft, shiny, happy independend light. I was a bit concerned that I won't be able to vanish the memory of the candle from my eyes, but fortunately it didn't have to. When I closed my eyes, I could see nothing, just the pure, calming darkness. The voice of the insturcor sneaked into my chilling thoughts: "Imagine, you are walking in the Himalayas early in the morning, when the sun just rising. Imagine that you look around and life is just about to start for the day, and you are there to see it from the very beginning. Look at the dew on the grass. Take a deep breathe. Feel that your mostly beloved is standing on your side. You can feel his palm on your forehead." This story was so relaxing, I felt thankful and touched so much that my eyes were almost in tears. 

After this excercise we closed our eyes, sat up, covered our eyes with our hands, and opened them into our palms, saw the darkness. After a few breathes we were totally relaxed and could continue our day. However this relaxation rejuvinated each of us. So thank you Deepa (our beautiful instructor), Namaste (meaning: I can see the God in you/have a good day.)

Trāṭaka - The Practice of Still Gaze (part one)

Every weekend is a surprise. Saturday is working day in India, so we get up the same time as weekdays, 6 am. Do the same asanas according to the past 5 days, and then the program changes. We have schedules for 

some excercises, but we find out in the last moment what it is actually going to be. These can be chanting new mantras, or Ohm for 20 minutes altogether, watching movie, documentaries, or even higher level meditations. This time we had the opportunity to take part in a Hatha yoga meditation called: trāṭaka. Trāṭaka is a meditation practice and also good for the eyes.

Theory: As the restless eye eagers to scan as much as it can, the mind also tries to process unlimited amount of thoughts. Focusing on one fixed point (in our case, the light of a candle) helps focusing the mind. Here comes the ājňā chackra, located between our 2 eyebrowls, but as it doesn't make any sense to me (yet) it is better if I just stop bullshiting about it. :-)

As a first step we focus on a fixed point (like a light of a candle), our eyes stay in the same relaxing position, and when it starts watering, you can blink. This excercise is to empty our mind, enjoy the luxorious moment of thinking of nothing.

As the second step we close our eyes, try to memorise the shape of the light. Beginners may see the real copy of the light, but advanced can recall from their memory so it lasts longer.

The actual practice is explained in the next post.