Two factors are brewing this fall that could make the winter of 2009 a challenging one:  the transition from the heat of summer to the coolness of winter and stress responses to current political and economic conditions.
 
The seasonal accumulation of summer's heat that dries us out in the early winter is a factor we contend with every year. As the sinuses dry out in the winter, the mucous membranes make reactive mucus, which acts as a breeding ground for a potential cold or flu.  We can see this in the leaves as they turn brilliant red and yellow, dry up and fall to the ground.
 
The first two suggestions below are simple techniques to make sure the sinuses don't dry out this winter, which will help prevent a cold.   The last three suggestions  are some sanity tips to help us cope with the extreme stress we are all facing this year.

 

Ayurveda 101 for Optimal Skin Health

5 - 8 pm

Boulder, CO

$25 Pre-Paid

Join Dr. Douillard as he teaches this 3 hour class from 5 - 8 pm on October 28th at The Sanitas Training Institute in Boulder, CO.  Dr. Douillard will discuss the basics of Ayurveda and how to use diet, lifestyle, herbs, and topical treatments for optimal skin health.  He will also discuss how to diagnose skin using Ayurveda's dosha analysis, which iwll help you prescribe the best treatment and lifestyle plan possible.

 

Though this class is geared towards professional estheticians, it is open to the public and an excellent opportunity to learn more about the basic concepts of Ayurveda, taught by the dynamic Dr. Douillard.  Bring a friend!

 

Use an eye dropper or tincture dropper to place a few drops of body temperature oil in the ears before bed for an incredibly easy way to keep the sinuses, Eustachian tube and cervical lymph lubricated and functional this winter.  Use the Tri-Doshic Massage oil or a high quality ear oil from the health food store.  

Use a Q-tip to swab both sinuses with warmed Tri-Doshic Massage oil or cold-pressed sesame oil. After you liberally apply the oil, sniff deeply and quickly two to three times until all the oil is absorbed. Repeat this procedure two to three times until you feel yourself tasting the oil in the back of your mouth. Do this morning, evening and during travel throughout this fall and winter.  You can even use a dropper to place a few warmed drops in each nostril.
 

It might sound farfetched, but a daily self massage may be one of the fastest stress fighting techniques ever.  If you look at the nervous system, a very large part of it is exposed to the skin. Wherever you touch the skin, you feel it. Rubbing oil on the skin has an insulating effect on the peripheral nervous system that calms you down. We are under enough sensory stimulation in times of stress. A warm oil massage is a time-tested remedy for coping with stress. 
 
You can use our Tri-Doshic Massage Oil or cold-ressed sesame oil.  Warm the oil in a bottle in hot water and start massaging your head first. This can be done in the shower after washing while the water is still running. Vigorously massage your head and face and work your way down the body. Use the palm of your hand to make back and forth strokes on the long bones and circular strokes on the joints. Pay special attention to the soles of the feet. With the water running you will need very little oil and not need a moisturizer afterwards, as the oil will trap a layer of hydration against your skin. Most importantly, you will feel calm and relaxed and somehow more prepared to handle the stress of the day.  Learn More> 

Benefits & Treatments

 

Life Extension

 

Research on Panchakarma

 

Day Spas & Facials

 

FAQs

 

Testimonials

 

 

The winter may very well be the best time to rebuild and rejuvenate the nervous system from stress. This year, with a stressful election, and anxiety and depression over the economy, it is important for our sanity not to let ourselves get too run down. To start this rejuvenation process begin to implement the tips that I mentioned above. Also make sure you are eating from my Winter Grocery List.
 
SHORT HOME CLEANSE

The next step is to do my Short Home Cleanse or a Panchakarma detox and rejuvenation retreat this winter. The Short Home Cleanse is a 4 day cleanse anyone can do at home that will help detox your lymphatic system, reset your body to fat metabolism mode, and nourish the intestinal mucosa in your digestive tract, and to remove summer's excess heat and dryness.

 

If you are not able to take the time for a 3-7 day Panchakarma retreat and you live locally, consider doing our Short Home Cleanse and follow it on Day 5 with a 1 hr or 2 hr Day Spa Panchakarma treatment here at our spa in Boulder, CO.  Following this cleanse with one of our treatments will continue to detox your lymphatic system and disarm your nervous system.
 
3-14 DAY PANCHAKARMA DETOX & REJUVENATION RETREAT

Panchakarama, which most of us think as a detox program, is probably most effective as a stress fighting technique. Stress is the cause of 80% of disease and it is in the winter that the stress can be most directly treated. During these dry months, the body is well served by the literal saturation of the skin with warm herbalized sesame oil. Winter is also the hibernation time of the year where deep rest is the call of nature.

 

During Panchakarama, whether it be for 3 days or 14 days, you get a chance to just rest and rebuild the nervous system, which has been so taxed by these recent current events.  Imagine taking a Friday through Sunday and diving into a deep physical and spiritual retreat. Here at LifeSpa, I will custom-design 3 to 5 hours of a tailored yoga, breathing and meditation program for you to do each day along with 1-2 hours of Ayurvedic Panchakarma therapies designed to detox your body and totally silence and rejuvenate your mind. This, in combination with a special diet and a series of self inquiry exercises, makes this a thoroughly rejuvenating winter weekend.

 

 

Through 12/19, we are offering a FREE ½ hour consult with Dr. Douillard when you book 3 days or more of Panchakarma by the end of 2008.  To redeem your coupon, call our office at 303.516.4848 to book your Panchakarma detox and rejuvenation retreat.