Herbal Pharmacy and Ayurveda

Session I: Medicated oils, salves, and treatments to balance Vata.
This class focuses on balancing vata dosha during the autumn, or varsha in Sanskrit, when vata is traditionally considered to be in an aggravated state. This class will provide key strategies to understand this issue and how to balance vata with specific dietary and lifestyle interventions, presented in a context that suits people living in the cold, rainy Pacific Northwest. Of all the remedies that can be used to balance vata dosha, it is fats and oils that contain the specific qualities that pacify aggravations of vata dosha. Come join us to learn how to prepare oil-based medications including medicated oils, salves, and balms. Included as well will be advice on the preparation of associated vata-reducing remedies including enemas and suppositories, and how to use them.
WHERE: "Ayurveda" store/clinic, 3636 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
WHEN: November 9th, 2008; 10am-4pm
COST: $80 + optional $15 fee for printed 60+ page manual (for all three sessions)

Holistic Health Seminars: Roundhouse Community Center

Wednesdays, Sep 17 - Nov 19, 7:00-8:30pm: This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and practices of holistic medicine, focused on specific health concerns. Built upon a series of advanced, practitioner-level lectures I originally developed as part of a full time-training program in Herbal Medicine, this program will cut through the sometimes difficult and dense concepts in holistic medicine to present a cohesive understanding of its basic principles and practices, merging disciplines including Western, Ayurvedic and Chinese traditional medicine together modern clinical nutrition and medical research into a unified whole.

"The Inner Fire", Digestive Health - Sep 17
In every system of traditional medicine, digestion is lauded as the cornerstone of health, exemplified by the common-sense axiom "you are what you eat." Every physical component of our bodies is derived from our daily sustenance, and just as the quality of a building is only as good as the materials that are used to build it, a diet which provides an optimal range of nutrients is the foundation upon which the body recreates itself each day. This class will provide you with a profound yet simple method to promote good digestive health, considering not only nutrition, but other important factors to such as the mind and emotions, the body's ecology and lifestyle habits.

"The Buddha Within", Brain and Nervous Health - Sep 24
In the philosophy of Ayurveda consciousness is said to proceed physical form, and thus it is our mind that gives impetus to the brain and nervous system, which in turn, feeds back into consciousness, shaping and modifying our moment by moment experience. Our nervous system is thus the key in integrating consciousness with our bodies, to bring the two into balance, so that a healthy body is produced through the activities of a healthy mind. This class will cover the basic functions of the nervous system, viewed from both a medical and energetic perspective, and the many influences that shape its function. Practical advice will be given on helping to strengthen and purify the mind, as well as to balance and rejuvenate the nervous system.

"A Life in Balance", Weight and Metabolic Health - Oct 15
By any measure, our lives have become increasingly isolated from the values and practices that have sustained humanity for hundreds of thousands of years. As a result, a series of fundamental and important imbalances have begun to occur, particularly in the last 100 years, that have given rise to an almost exponential increase in the incidence of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. This class will address the basic components of promoting good metabolic health, with a particular focus on diet and lifestyle to boost and balance metabolism, ensuring a healthy weight while reducing the risk of chronic disease.

"Boosting Immunity", Immune health - Oct 22
In traditional Chinese medicine, the immune system is visualized as a bright yellow field of energy called 'wei qi' that surrounds the body, protecting it from foreign pathogens. Dependent upon other metabolic processes such as digestion, the nervous system and metabolism, the immune system is a complex system that maintains the individuality of the body. In recent years, the immune system has been given prominence in medicine, not only for its role in managing key process such as inflammation and cancer, but also because of the increasing incidence of autoimmune disorders, as well as the rise of "superbugs" that are resistant to modern antibiotics. This class will cover the basic principles to maintaining immune health, and some useful natural strategies during cold and flu season.

"Skin Deep", Skin and Hair health - Nov 5
Beauty has long been a valued quality in human culture, and perhaps never so much as today. The beauty products that fill up several aisles in your local drug or grocery store seem to be the necessary accoutrement of daily living. While these beauty aids may achieve their desired effect, they have also put our health at risk by exposing us to dangerous chemical toxins that increase our risk of disease by disrupting or modulating normal physical processes. Fortunately, there are many natural solutions to enhance and maintain the skin and hair. Find out what the cosmetic and hair product companies don't want you to know. Learn how to wean your face and hair off of these "drugs", using effective natural methods to promote your natural radiance and beauty.

"Rebirthing Traditions", Prenatal, Infant and Childhood health - Nov 26
There is perhaps nothing as sacred and beautiful as mother and child, which in their very essence represent the cosmic unfolding of the universe, and our deepest relationship to that which nourish us. In traditional cultures such as India and China, children are extremely important, and much time and care is taken to support women through pregnancy and birth, as well as support the baby and the entire family. In contrast, our culture has forgotten much of this wisdom, long dismissed as "old wives tales", supplanted by invasive medical techniques and pharmaceuticals that put both mother and child at risk. This class will focus on natural health for mother and child, providing key strategies to support a healthy natural pregnancy and childhood.

For registraton info please contact Kathryn Sweetapple at 604-713-1800.

Ayurveda: The Divine Science of Life
Prana Yoga College

Nov 17 - Nov 24, 12:00-4:30pm: As part of Prana Yoga College's Level II Yoga Teacher Training program, I am once again offering a 27 hour intensive in Ayurvedic medicine. This course is open to both registered participants in Prana Yoga College program as well as members of the public. This course is in-depth and intense, and is widely commented on by many participants in the program as their "favourite" course. For more information please go to the Prana Yoga College website, or contact the college coordinators at 604-682-2121.

Ayurveda Adventure Tour to Nepal
Sacred Earth Journeys

After many months of planning and discussion, I am happy to annouce that all the details for my upcoming tour to Nepal have been finalized. To faciliate this event, I have contracted Helen Tomei of Sacred Earth Journies to take care of the specifics of the tour. This is a once in a lifetime opprtunity to study and experience authentic Nepalese Ayurveda, the way it has been practiced and taught for thousands of years, Our host is Vaidya Madhu Bajra Bajracharya, the last heir to an 700 year old family tradition of hereditary Buddhist priests and Ayurvedic Physicians. In our studies, will cover the fundamental teachings of Ayurveda, while infusing ourselves in the very essence of Nepalese cuture. As an optional extension of this tour, our studies in Nepal will be followed by a second tour: "In The Footsteps of the Buddha", in which we will travel from Nepal where the Buddha was born, and follow his footsteps in India to Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar, as well as take in the fabulous sights in Varanasi and the Taj Mahal. For a detailed itinerary and much much more information, please go to Sacred Earth Journeys website, or contact Helen at 604.874.7922.