Nasya is a nasal administration of medicated powders or liquid drops. The powders or drops can be of a calming nature that helps to promote sleep or relaxation, or more cleansing and stimulating in nature, or purely nutritive. Here we use liquid drops that are more cleansing in action. By cleansing we mean cleansing the sinus cavities but also clearing the area of the head and neck of excess Vata energy-that which causes pain and tension. Vata energy in the head is known as 'prana,lIPrana energy relates to higher cerebral, sensory, and motor functions and movement in the kidneys.
Classically, this type of treatment is used for clearing the sinuses, reducing pain in the face, head, and neck, and helping kidney function. From the beauty point of view it definitely reduces dark rings under the eyes, a pinched look in the sinuses, and/or a sunken or puffy look around the eyes. It is a simple technique, but its effects run deep, both physically and emotionally. Please always observe these contraindications:
Never do Nasya , , .
(1) after a hot bath
(2) after eating a meal
(3) after having sexual intercourse
(4) after drinking alcohol
(5) during menstruation or pregnancy
The equipment you will need to do Nasya is . . .
(1) quarter of a cup of sesame oil
(2) glass eye dropper with a rubber end
(3) fine grater or blender
(4) 3" long piece of good, fresh ginger root
(5) a small amount of clean water
(6) facial tissues
(7) hot water bottle or hot water and a wash cloth if a bottle is not available
There are three main types of nasya that are classified according to their action: 1) Shodhan, or cleansing Nasya, 2) Shamana, or pacifying Nasya~ and 3) Bruhan, or nourishing nasya. Shodhan, or cleansing Nasya, has the most dramatic effect on the appearance; so I have selected one form of Shodhan to describe the Nasya process in detail.
PREPARATION of the GINGER CLEANSING NASYA (or SHODHAN) SOUITION
Step One
Grate the ginger using a fine grater or blender. Squeeze out the juice from the pulp into a small bowl. (If you have a juice; this will also work.) Strain the juice through a fine meshed strainer.
Step Two
Add a pinch of brown sugar and a dash of water per 2 tablespoons of ginger juice. The sugar stops the ginger from burning. (This solution should be stored in the refrigerator when not being used.)
Step Three
Wrap the hot water bottle in a towel to keep it warm. ; prepare the hot water with a wash cloth so that it is ready for use.
Step Four:Warm the sesame oil
Step Five:Arrange all of the equipment to be within easy reach. Make sure the room is quiet and warm.
.The NASYA PROCEDURE:
Step One:Have your friend lie on their back and perform the Preliminary massage as per instructions in facial massage section.
Step Two:Give a vigorous facial massage with warm sesame oil. Clockwise circular motions will relieve stress in the facial tissue. However, the main purpose of the massage, at this point, is simply to increase circulation and work the oil into the skin.
Step Three:Place a facial tissue on both sides of the face so that the nose is the only exposed area. Lay the hot water bottle or hot pack (wash cloth)on one side of the face for a short period of time and then repeat on . the other side. Keep applying heat in this way until the face is really rosy and the oil has gone into the skin.
Step Four:Place a rolled up towel under the neck so that their head is supported and slightly cocked back, their nostrils pointing upwards.
Step Five:
Apply 3 to 5 drops of the ginger juice solution into the right nostril with the eye dropper. Massage the sinus areas above and below the right eye. The eye may tear, indicating some emotional release. They may also feel energy dancing over their face. Use smooth massage strokes to ground this energy. Ask when they are ready for application to the left nostril. Proceed in the same manner as you did on the right side. Rest briefly after procedure.
You can give this treatment once a week over a four week period, increasing the amount by two drops per week. For example: week 1,4 drops; week 2, 6 drops; and so on up to a maximum of 10 drops per nostril.
Step Six
Take your time. When the process is complete, support your mend's shoulders as they sit up. Support the sternum with one hand and use your other hand to stroke down their spine. Have them move slowlyand suggest that they take their time with things over the next how:
Nasya can be done like this 3 days in a row or every 34 days on an ongoing basis.
BENEFITS: (reported)
(1) feeling relaxed and recharged all over
(2) relief of tension patterns around the chest
(3) better and longer sleep
(4) relief of chronic neck pain
(5) feel alert and have more energy
(6) look younger
(7) have less stress held in the face
Regarding the use of Shamana nasya, this is useful to calm the nervous system and still the mind for restful sleep. Use vacha or siddha soma oil.
To do Bruhan Nasya requires special herbal oils designed to improve all of the senses.
Testimonial for Nasya
"During the treatment I felt a tremendous sense of emotional release which was facilitated by my body's reaction to the ginger, as well as the gendeness of the therapist.
My sleep that night was the best in a long time and the next day the dark rings under my eyes, a chronic condition, had completely disappeared!':-Carol Hoy
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