(All places referred in this article are in Tamilnadu, India)
In spite of being cautious with respect to food and
exercise, I see a drastic increase in my weight these days and I was not sure
whether I am all that healthy. Most of the days when I am in my home town, I
fondly do surya namaskar asana, yoga asana and pranayama. I am aware of
meditation also but do not practice it for fear of losing the aggressive
attitude that is very much required for my business these days. Contentment may
result in complacence and a leader today cannot be contended for he is required
to run in the front so that his team will follow. The next generation has more
challenges and we cannot be teaching contentment to them because of ruthless
society that has been formed.
I wanted to
understand what is wrong with my habits and more about healthier living. Some
of my acquaintances had gone to Aravind Ashram, Rajapalayam for a training in
naturopathy and yoga and I also made up my mind to take up one. I browsed through
the internet and by repeated phone calls I ensured that I got registered for the
camp that started on 7-08-2014.
I have to be there at Arvind Ashramam at 4.00 p.m for
registration on 6-08-2014 and the real camp started from 6th evening
at 7.00 p.m. On 6-08-2014 I had some important works and I was hurrying to
complete everything by 1.00 p.m. But practically it was 1.30p.m. when I returned.
Then I remembered that I did not have ¾ pants that were mandatory for the camp.
I rushed to a textile shop in our area and bought 2 pants and when I reached
home it was beyond 2.00 p.m. I packed my essential things in a travel bag and
had a hurried lunch. It was 2.45p.m. I had decided to take public transport to
go to Aravindh Ashramam.
I requested my
younger son to drop me at the bus stand and he asked me how I could reach Rajapalayam
by 4.00 p. m. by bus. I said whatever it might be; I did not want to miss the
opportunity. I made up my mind to
persuade the organizers and somehow get into the camp.
I had to first reach Thirumangalam and then take a bus to
Rajapalayam a small town famous for
mangoes .When we reached the bus stop, an almost empty bus bound for
Thirumangalam was about to leave. I had to run a few steps and had to jump in to
a literally moving vehicle. My only aim was to reach Rajapalayam as quickly as
possible. Normally I am not for boarding a bus that is moving. But after
getting in to the bus the thought of my mistake of getting in to a moving bus
troubled me though there was no problem.
At Thirumangalam I had to settle with a bus in which I had to
travel standing all the way. Nevertheless I got a seat in the middle of the
journey. I got down at Rajapalayam and boarded an auto rickshaw. When I reached
Aravindh Ashramam it was 5.05pm. I was directed to the reception for
registration and got checked in after some formal procedures. My weight was
83.1kg about 10 kg in excess of the standard healthy weight. I was asked to buy
a camp kit consisting of an enema can, an eye washing can , a nostril washing
can and a packet of herbal bathing powder that costed me Rs.100/- .
I was shown into big hall and there were several mats made
of grass ( we call it korai Paai). I was to occupy one .All those who came to
attend the camp had to hand over the cash and mobile phones. So before handing
over, I spoke to my wife, son and office and informed them that probably they
would not be allowed to contact except in case of emergency. I gave them the
land line numbers of the camp site.
Having selected my floor mat, I washed my face and refreshed
myself. I went round the entire hall and went upstairs to the open terrace. The
ashram was located in a lovely place near the mountain ranges. It should be
Western Ghats of South India. There was very less inhabitance. There was the
factory of Aravindh Herbal Labs(P) Ltd., and the building belongs to them. The camp
is being organized by them every month.
There were 34 participants who were men. The amenities were adequate and
clean. Equal number of women should have
participated who were housed down stairs of the building.
At 8.00 p.m. there was a bell ring denoting that the Master
is calling everyone down. I was feeling hungry .There was nothing to eat with
me. I eagerly awaited a meal though not a square one but one that at least
would be comfortable. When we reached down we were given only two bananas and it
was very interesting to see the disappointed expressions on everyone’s face. Mr.K.Balasubramaniyan
, Diploma in Naturopathy & Yogic Science was the master. Here afterwards I
will refer him only as Master.
The Master explained about the necessity for awareness in
naturopathy. He talked about junk food culture and growth of parotta eating
habit. The parotta is prepared using Maida flour. Maida flour is made from
wheat and was primarily meant for making adhesives. Somehow people started
using maida for bakery, some kind of sweets, dosa and parotta. Parotta has
reached such a status that in due course this will become the staple food of Tamilnadu.
Maida is used for Pizza and Nan. The fine particles of the flour harm the
intestines and reduce their efficiency. This will give raise to digestive
problems. There is very high risk of Amebiosis through unhygienic parottas
available. So, parotta will help our
country’s GDP greatly by direct sales and rapid growth of health care industry
including pharmaceuticals. He also
cautioned about tooth paste and it is said that some of the popular brands
contain high amount of nicotine. The common man is in a grossly disadvantageous
position to check the ruthless strategies of the MNC’s and corporates. The
simple inference is that no packed food or no cosmetic including hair dye is
safe and you will have to pay double the price, the first one to buy them at
whooping costs and the second one by way of treatment costs. The Master also
briefly made a mention of harm due to alcohol but these days we live in a
society that highly values the habit of drinking alcohol.
He explained the schedule of the camp. All three days we were
supposed to use the enema can. But after the camp the enema can should be used
only on the day of fasting or if we have constipation.
Next day there was a bell ring at 5.00 a.m. We had to be
ready after morning cores by 6.00 a.m. We should have used enema can and used
herbal tooth powder for mouth wash by then.
All the participants appeared very sincere and reached the
lecture hall at 6.00 a.m. Some who cannot sit down were sitting on the chairs.
Master was seated in a big wooden chair with his legs crossed in Suga Asana
posture. We meditated for half an hour and then were directed to take training
of using the eye wash can and nostril cleaning can. For eye wash, pure water
and for nostril cleaning saline water is used. Then we were given gingeli oil
for doing goggling referred to as oil pulling.
The breakfast was only a glass of 200 ml of coconut milk
with curry leaves, cardamom and jaggery mixed. It was so good and comfortable
to the stomach. We were asked to drink in small sips mixing lot of saliva, the
way to drink anything except water.
Next session was “Energy from food” the usual stuff about
our anatomy and digestive system. The Master stressed the point that we have to
sit on the floor and eat because if we stand like in buffet or sit on a dining
table lot of energy is dissipated for maintaining blood circulations in the
legs. Also we have to eat chewing thoroughly and hasty meals or gulping semi
solid meals like gruel and payasam should be avoided since the first stage of
digestion takes place in the mouth.
Then we were trained on taking sand bath. Fine sand from ant
hills is used for the purpose. The sand is mixed with water and the mud so
formed is applied throughout the body from head to toe. Then we were asked to
stand in the sun till the sand got dried. Afterwards we were asked to take bath
in taps positioned above the head, water pouring with some force. This is just
to help removing the sand. This bath is very good for skin diseases. It
enhances the glow of the skin. More than anything one feels totally fresh after
the bath. The skin attains a silky feel. It is great to experience a sand bath
like this.
Afternoon meal consisted of
Beaten rice sweetened with
jaggery 50g.
Papaya fruit 150 g Soaked groundnut 75 g
dates 3 nos.
Small sappotta fruit 2 nos.
Carrot and cabbage chipped and garnished with coriander leaves 50g
We felt it was just sufficient. Then till 3.00 p.m. we were
allowed to take rest.
From 3.00 p.m to 5.30 p.m. there was a session on “ Avoiding
junk food” . White sugar’s constitution is highly inappropriate for our body
and it is better to avoid sweets made out of white sugar. There are better
drinks than coffee and tea and it is better to avoid taking milk and curd.
Butter milk is a better choice. Tea without white sugar and milk may be taken. We
have to take the food preferentially that is grown in the area we live and
follow the tradition of the place. For instance an apple is not a right choice
in hot places like Tamilnadu. Banana, mango, Gova or even jack fruit makes a better
choice and in fact very inexpensive.
From 5.30p.m. to 6.30 p.m. there was a session on Surya
namaskaram. Since I do it regularly it was not difficult for me but others were
struggling to stay in the 12 postures for few seconds that constitutes one
cycle.
Night meal consisted of
Soaked ground nut and green gram mix about 75 grams and ripe
bananas 2 nos. We were asked to sit and eat slowly chewing every bit of the
meal.
Then there was a session on “ Fasting” . The advantages are
enormous. It is the age old technique of allowing the body to purify itself and
reset the entire digestive system. During fasting our body starts excreting the
accumulated impurities and unwanted substances. Fasting can be of four types.
1. Taking only fruits,2.Taking only fresh fruit juices, 3. Taking only water
and 4. Taking nothing . The fourth one
is very difficult and the Master asked us to practice “Fasting taking water”.
On
the fasting day morning we should avoid brushing the teeth using any tooth
powder since our digestive system will get confused with the sensing of the
taste of the tooth powder. It may get prepared to receive food. We were asked
to take bath in cold water starting pouring water from head in the morning.
Enema should be taken thrice during the day, morning, afternoon and evening.
Bathing from head to foot should be repeated in the same way as in the morning at
the close of the fast. We were not to wander anywhere but remain resting or
meditating. We were to maintain perfect silence till evening 5.00p.m. In the evening we can clean our teeth with
tooth powder.
Next day was Friday and the day break was as usual .
I got
up at 5.30 a.m and completed the daily core except teeth wash using tooth
powder. It was very difficult to keep silent. Meditation was not comfortable
since some thoughts about office built anxiety. I tried to persuade one of the
assistants to allow me to make a phone call to office. He refused saying that
it will affect the results of the procedure.
When it was not possible to contact the office I used my usual
meditative technique to release the stress. I felt, in such circumstances a
brief phone call might be allowed. However this may increase the stress instead
of releasing the anxiety. This was of course a practice for getting detachment
from anxiety giving elements. My philosophical tilt helped me over come
anxiety. People who were either employees or self employed seemed not to have
any such difficulty.
All of us maintained silence, had small naps and spent time
meditating the whole day. Evening at around 4.30 p.m. we broke the silence but
sitting outside the hall not disturbing those who were religiously following
the directions. There was a pharmacist and he was telling us about the unethical
practices of the doctors. Some doctors choose to prescribe too many medicines
than required and chose to prescribe the most expensive brands. They get
expensive gifts like smart phones and lap top computers from the pharmaceutical
companies. Also many doctors have a medical shop attached to their clinic and
they get very high margins on the MRP. So the common man is exploited. The
fault lies in the ignorance of the common man that he is unaware of the action
of each medicine he is swallowing. The common man is lazy to understand the
basic concept of medicinal intervention. Some doctors exploit this situation.
It is a very sad state. However these doctors have their own justifications
since medical education is enormously expensive in India or the aspirant should
have scored very high mark something like 99 % and above. So for all these
things they want to reap the reward and the practices are justified. They can
very easily establish that their prescription is right. Doctors should have
conscience and should have sound knowledge of anatomy, physiology and
psychology to be ethical in their profession. The pharmacist said that there
are very good doctors also who are service minded and value their professional
ethics. The common man having led into the culture of hand full of medicines for
any ailment do not believe in them.
It was 5.00 p.m. and the bell rang. No one was in a hurry.
All of us went down and we were offered a glass of lemon juice sweetened with
jaggery. There was one man whose weight could be around 120 kgs. We saw him to
be very calm. Out of eagerness and a notion that fat people cannot withstand
hunger, I asked him how he was feeling.
He replied that he was absolutely fine and happy that he has learnt the
technique of reducing weight with good benefits without unpleasant side
effects. Master was present near us and was eager to listen to our feedback. He
was also mentioning about the wrong technique adopted by the fashion show
models. Many of the models have the habit of joining in grand dinners and
immediately after the dinner they forcefully vomit the food they had consumed.
This spoils the digestive system producing irreparable damage.
Night dinner was served at 7.00 p.m. It consisted of only 2
ripe bananas. Master said after day long fast the digestive system should be
loaded very slowly and only very light fruit diet is recommended. There was a
session on medicinal use of various fruits, leaves and vegetables. Some of the
interesting points are
1.
The curry leaves should not be discarded as many
do, but should be chewed and eaten with food for it is rich in nutrients.
2.
Every week, men may take oil bath on either
Wednesday or Saturday morning. Women may choose either Tuesday or Friday. The
procedure consists of first heating gingeli oil adding a clove of garlic, one
small size red chilli and some cumin seeds. Apply the lukewarm oil from head to
foot and then wait for 20 min. Take bath in lukewarm water using Ayurvedic
powder or Sikakai powder. After bathing never sleep in the afternoon. Also
avoid sex since the seminal fluid will be dilute and more energy will be lost. Never
go in direct sun light. Oil bath keeps the pore in the skin clean. On
subsequent days the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D3 from sun light is
enhanced. This vitamin is essential for calcium absorption and helps to prevent
osteoporosis.
3.
The seeds of grapes are medicine for cancer and
so chew the seeds and the outer skin and consume while eating grapes.
4.
For fever no medicine is required. One is
required to take enema and fast drinking only water. To control high temperature
wet cloth pack is to be applied on the fore head and bottom part of stomach.
For fever due to infection Nilavembu Kashaym is the only medicine. This is the only medicine for Chikungunya as
of now.
5.
For dry cough chew pepper with some honey and
take a glass of water.
6.
For ulcer, white pumpkin and curd is the best
medicine. No need for antacids or histamine blockers.
7.
The running nose during an attack of cold can be
immediately stopped by chewing one clove of small onion and drinking hot water.
8.
The everyday diet should have more amount of
green leafy vegetables than flour. The maida flour should be avoided and
multigrain flours will always be better. For us in Tamilnadu apart from rice
grains like ragi, maize , cholam, kuthuravali and saamai are available. It is
better to avoid grain of other land like oats etc.
9.
Everyday diet should contain items of all six
taste i.e. each one with different taste namely sweet, salty, pungent, sour,
bitter and astringent (just as betel nut).
10. There
are very simple natural medicines for irregular menstrual cycle and white
discharge in women using poppy seeds. (Some countries classify poppy seeds
under narcotics and so cannot be carried freely.)
It was almost time to retire on the second day. The camp
will end on the 3rd day that is Saturday 9-08-2014 at about 12.30
p.m. Master said that we had to report at 6.00 a.m after enema and teeth wash
in the morning.
On the last day of the camp at 6.00 a.m the Master taught us
a different meditation. Since I considered this as a kind of auto suggestion I
am not giving details of this mode. I like the meditation of observing
breathing. Then we had the usual cleansing session and we were taken upstairs
for yoga exercises. After the exercises
for some time the Yoga Master asked to do surya namaskar Asanas. One can find
good demonstration in “you tube”. Then he taught us Pranayama. Nadi sudhi,
Bastrika, Kabaalabatti, Brahmari and Sheetali techniques were taught. Tiger
breathing and dog breathing techniques were taught to us. A CD was offered to
us that has all the lessons.
The morning breakfast at 9.00 a.m consisted of soaked ground
nut, two ripe bananas and half glass of Gooseberry juice sweetened with
jaggery. It was enough for us. Then there was a session on Banana Leaf bath and
Sand bath. Some people who were interested in hip bath and back bone bath were
offered that.
Since banana leaves could not be arranged, sand bath was
offered. Some of us took sand bath again, this time relishing better than before.
After the bath we got ready to leave. We collected our money
and mobile phone from the counter. Soon as I got the phone I made calls to home
and office. Everything was fine. Then I stepped on to the weighing scale eager
to find how much weight reduction was there. The scale read 80.7 Kg. This meant
that there was reduction in weight by 2.4 Kg.
The lunch was a Puree’ made up of banana , beaten rice, and
dates. In addition to that 2 small sappotta fruits, quarter piece of Papaya and
a handful of chipped carrot. We felt the stomach to be full. The Rajapalayam
Town Lions club member Ln.Kumar offered to drop me in the railway station.
At the railway station when I was waiting for the train I
was observing the fellow passengers. Many of them were eating whatever they
could buy. In the train also I saw
people consuming noodles, cool drinks tea, samosas and some packed meals. The
food conscious is absolutely lacking. It is high time that schools and social
service organizations start working on diet consciousness first. Otherwise the
heath care industry will have tremendous growth.
Mahatma Gandhi had said
If we lose money nothing is lost
If we lose health something is lost
If we lose character everything is lost.
Had he been here today he would have rewritten his sayings
as
If we lose character something is lost
If we lose money many things are lost
If we lose health everything is lost.
Are we going to awake from the slumber and become heath
conscious or going to lose all our hard earned money to the modern health care industry ?
The choice is in our hands. The difficulty is that we have to overcome the biggest hurdle that is there in the form of mass media directed by the corporate business houses.
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