Indian Healing with a Woman’s Touch
by Francesco Garri Garripoli
When we think of India and wellness our first image tends to be of yoga. It’s obvious that over the past twenty years this exercise/healing modality has opened the eyes and hearts of many in the West to the wisdom of India. What many don’t know is that out of the same Hindu tradition that birthed yoga comes an amazing, holistic healing modality called Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic medicine is thousands of years old and has been traditionally dominated by male practitioners, just as it is with most yogis in the yoga field. As Indian culture matures and grows, we have seen an emergence of empowerment for women and thanks to this shift, we are seeing more and more women take leadership roles in traditional medicine.
One of the most respected female Ayurvedic doctors in India’s new generation of practitioners is named Dr. Shivani Sood and she is fulfilling a lifetime dream to visit the healing island of Kaua’i. Coming to Hawaii to experience the healing reputation of the aina (Hawaiian for “earth energy”) is important for her not only because she is a professional in the healing field, but also because she was born and raised on an island in India. Dr. Shivani grew up in the Andaman Islands, a gorgeous, tropical chain halfway between India and Thailand. She appreciates and is sensitive to the uniqueness of island life and its people.
Now living in Dharamsala, India – also the home of the Dalai Lama – Dr. Shivani runs a thriving Ayurvedic practice where people from all over the world come for treatments. With her husband Mahesh, also a respected Ayurvedic doctor, they operate this practice respecting the traditional science and culture while integrating computers and modern concepts to help make their work even more effective for today’s challenges.
Dr. Shivani is recognized by the India government and is registered with the country's Central Council of Indian Medicine. She is known around the world for her amazingly accurate Ayurvedic diagnosis where she can sense imbalances in a person and then offer effective tools to promote lasting healing. Her specialty is Panchakarma, the in-depth Ayurvedic healing modality, and in nutritional counseling – especially the psychological side of healthcare, helping patients go deep in order to heal. Dr. Shivani uses unique acupressure techniques that work with "marma" points which have powerful emotion releasing affects on the human body and spirit.
I have led groups on Qigong healing study trips to Asia for the past 12 years and while doing research for an Indian Trip a couple of years ago, I had the good fortune of meeting Dr. Shivani. The treatments that my friend and I received from her were amazing, surprising actually. They woke up something inside me that has remained opened and empowered to this day. I took a group of 20 people to her clinic last year and everyone had the same experience as I did. I was so happy to see that Dr. Shivani and Mahesh could customize their treatments so that the wide variety of people I brought on my trip could each feel that they were receiving a personal and lasting healing.
Because of my trust in Dr. Shivani, I am sponsoring her to come to Kaua’i as part of our non-profit Kahuna Valley educational offerings from January 10 – 29, 2009 with her husband Mahesh and their lovely little baby Nyasa.
This will be a great complement the excitement of world-renowned author and lecturer Dr. Depak Chopra coming to give the keynote address at the Inspiration Kaua`i Wellness Expo on January 26th.
With her husband Dr. Mahesh, Dr. Shivani will offer three unique workshops and private healing sessions at the Kahuna Valley Retreat in Kapaa, Kaua’i January 13 – 28. She will give an introductory lecture on Tuesday evening, January 13th at the Kahuna Valley Retreat giving a wonderful overview on the healing system of Ayurveda. She will also be one of distinguished presenters at the January Expo, giving a one-hour lecture on Ayurvedic medicine, India's ancient, traditional healing system and it’s “Doshas” or personality types.
Three workshops will be offered while Dr. Shivani and Dr. Mahesh are on island - one all-day, in-depth workshop on Ayurveda healing on Saturday, January 17th, another all-day Sunday, January 18th (focusing on “Marma” pressure points – ideal for bodyworkers and healers) and another evening workshop on Tuesday, January 27th. She will be giving evening lectures during her stay so please contact us to receive info on these.
They will also be offering a limited number of private healing sessions while at the Kahuna Valley Retreat and during the Expo. Dr. Shivani and Dr. Mahesh travel around the world teaching and offering healing treatments when they are not practicing Ayurvedic medicine in their clinic in Dharamsala.
Click here for the Honolulu Advertiser's article
Click below for more info:
Calendar with 2009 Workshop Info
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