ABOUT AYURVEDA

Ayurveda, meaning "science of life", is a vast body of knowledge brought into this world by the ancient seers, or rishis, of India.  The wisdom expressed by Ayurveda has maintained its truth and integrity as it has been passed down through the ages, and is as relevant and useful today as it was thousands of years ago.

Within the human being is a reflection of the universe; the elements which weave together to support life in the outer natural world also sustain life within our being. By the mere fact of being alive, we are engaging in a moment-to-moment dance with the five elements of air, fire, water, earth, and ether. Ayurveda teaches us that three subtle forces of energy, or doshas, are in a dynamic relationship in our bodies, and that balancing these energies in accordance with our unique and individual constitution (prakruti) is the key to health and vitality.

The doshas are a combination of elements and are as follows: vata is a combination of the air and ether elements and relates to all movements of the body and mind; pitta is a combination of the fire and water elements and relates to the metabolic processes of the physical body; and kapha is a combination of the earth and water elements and relates to the physical structure and hydration of the body.

Priya is a sanskrit word meaning "beloved" or "dear" and is also a type of Arabian jasmine flower. Jasmine is one of the essential oils used by Linda Dobranowski in her Ayurveda services offered in Sacramento, a life work truly dear and beloved to her. All applications to the skin are completely natural, organic, chemical-free and preservative-free, matched to the individual client's constitution and skin type.

For more detailed information on Ayruveda, and in order to determine your own prakruti, please refer to the resource link.

     "In Ayurvedic medicine, the role of massage involves much more than relieving stress, relaxing tight muscles, and reducing physical pain. Once balance in the physical body is restored, channels of circulation called srotas help to balance the three doshas--Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. At this point, Ayurvedic massage begins to move the ten vayus or pranas that carry life force to both the physical and energetic bodies. Once the vayu function is optimal, the nadi system is activated. There are 72,000 nadis in the body that carry subtle energy. Specifically, they carry consciousness to the chakra system and into the brain centers, where body, mind, and spirit are purified. The goal of this process is full human potential, whereby consciousness is lively in each and every cell. The subtle-body system and the physical body begin to function as one, resulting in perfect physical, mental, and spiritual health."

--Dr. John Douillard, The Encyclopedia of Ayurvedic Massage

ABOUT MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE (MLD)

The gentle, rhythmic stokes of Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD), calms the Sympathetic Nervous System, allowing the Parasympathetic Nervous System to induce a profound state of relaxation and feeling of well-being. It promotes detoxification, regeneration, and nourishment in the cells throughout the entire body. Manual lymphatic drainage is also a powerful therapeutic technique which is highly effective in a wide variety of situations, such as inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and rosacea, lymphedema and edema, frozen shoulder, sprains, and sports injuries. MLD has shown to greatly reduce the effects of fibromyalgia, Parkenson's disease, and stroke; also, this therapy is an excellent preparation for surgery and for enhancing the post-surgical healing response.

The lymphatic system is vascular in nature, connecting all tissues of the body with the venous circulatory system; its function is absolutely vital in discharging pathogens and foreign material from virtually every cell in the body, and MLD is designed to transport the lymph throughout its vast and intricate system.Often neglected in mainstream medical training in the United States, manual lymphatic drainage has been incorporated into standard medical practice in many European countries, due to the solid scientific evidence proving its myriad benefits. There, Vodder MLD is the therapy of choice for many lymphedema patients.

Dr. Emil and Estrid Vodder first developed MLD in France in the 1930s. In the 1960's, the first center for Dr. Vodder's technique was founded in Essen, Germany, establishing the first list of indications for MLD treatment. In 1971, Gunther and Hildegard Wittlinger began the Dr. Vodder school in Walchsee, Austria, later incorporating a clinic for lymphology.  Since then, lymphology clinics and training centers, including the Dr. Vodder School International, have sprung up throughout Europe and other areas. 

Working on dry skin without the use of oils, the Vodder MLD technique uses a variety of spiral and circular movements of light pressure over large areas of the skin, which are rhythmic, repetitive, and uniform in nature.