Guest guest Report post Posted July 21, 2001 Tchamoya - what kind of oil does Sharath recommend? Kimberly told me to try almond oil around my head on the day off... El Senor might know about oil baths and things???<br><br>Also - who knows this: Is there B-12 in yoghurt? I have not eaten dairy for over a year now because I just developed a kind of aversion to it and also thought there might be a connection to some skin break-outs. I have felt much better as a result, but recently while travelling I ate some cheese and ended up getting a wierd rash on my face (lovely.) Also, because of limited soy availability here on the Greek Islands (bummer!) I have been eating yoghurt which does not seem to cause any rashes. I heard that B-12 (which I normally get from spirulina and other seaweeds and things) is in yoghurt.<br><br>FBL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 21, 2001 i think they keep things simple and recommend castor oil. (Can someone tell us if this correct?) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 21, 2001 what do you do with the castor oil? and what are the benefits?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 22, 2001 <what do you do with the castor oil?><br><br>Rub it all around your body from head to toe and then let it be there for 5 minutes if you're a first timer and gradually working up from there to 2 hours that Sharath's doing.<br><br>Also, extra rubbing attention can be given to joints that trouble you (knees anyone?). And the effect can be furthered by applying warm compress on the said areas.<br><br><and what are the benefits??><br><br>It is said to help loosen the joints by lubricating them. Also, Brahmin males take such baths traditionally three times a week, and women twice a week, for cooling effects.<br><br>I have done it twice and must say that it relaxes the muscles and gives you a kind of a nice, spacey feeling for the rest of the day. It also does seem to loosen the joints, since I could do painless padmasana after the treatment without especially warming up.<br><br>The oil is also known for its laxative qualities :-) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 22, 2001 cynxir<br><br>Interesting info....is it specific properties of the castor plant that has these benefits, as opposed to another good oil?<br>Do you practice at ashtanga yoga helsinki, because I am interested to know if you have practiced much with Lino. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 22, 2001 <is it specific properties of the castor plant that has these benefits, as opposed to another good oil?><br><br>Could be. It was much thicker than any other oil I have seen which makes it perfect for rubbing it on. I suppose that the plant itself has some cooling and purifying qualities. Have to find out more about it.<br><br>Yes, I practise there. I just came home from a two week astanga retreat with Lino and it was my first time studying under his guidance. He is a very great teacher indeed. Too bad that I have missed his previous workshops here because of having various injuries (or openings - as some would say). He usually comes to Finland three to four times a year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 23, 2001 I seem to remember castor oil having an unpleasant smell about it, but maybe that's been improved upon since I was forced to ingest the stuff as a child. What other kinds of oil can you suggest other than castor? I was also wondering how you can hold certain poses (such as those where your hands are clasped together in opposition) under such circumstances? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 23, 2001 We had two types of castor oil that we used for the baths. The Indian oil had a pleasant scent of roasted sesame seeds and the American oil that was more purified didn't really smell anything at all. The oil that is used for these baths is not meant for ingestion. Hmm, I wonder why they added the foul smell to the edible version? Some arcane form of kid torture, mayhaps?<br><br>You wash the oil off with soap after a while so no problems holding the poses. <br><br>I read on this board months and months ago that Guriji's son Manju had recommended rubbing coconut oil to joints. I tried that while I was in Thailand, but noticed nothing special. Whereas the muscle relaxing effect of the castor oil is very concrete. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 23, 2001 Thanks for your advice -- I found such "american" oil at my local health food store today with no trouble. I too thought of castor oil as being something used primarily to punish little kids, but this product is clearly identified as for massage/external use. The directions printed on it are pretty close to what you describe. I can't wait to try it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 24, 2001 Please report any effects of the bath here. Since many people on the workshop reacted differently it would be interesting to read what it did to you.<br><br>BTW, don't be too ambitious with the time you leave it on the first time 'cause the laxative effect works also when the oil is absorbed through the skin. I've heard of stories of nights spent in the john... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 24, 2001 My first "oil bath" was good, left me feeling very relaxed and maybe a bit spacey. Seemed to help with some stray pains I have been getting in my feet, knees and hips.<br><br>"...the laxative effect works also when the oil is absorbed through the skin."<br><br>I noticed. Not a problem, though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 24, 2001 Thanks for the recount. Now, the next time you do it try rubbing some in your scalp and neck (if you have short hair or lots of patience) that really gets the blood rushing through your head for extra super spacey 'laxed feeling. They say it's good for your hair too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 24, 2001 I took the CO bath this afternoon, left it on about 15 minutes. So far I haven't really noticed anything, should know more tomorrow i guess (hope I'm not summoned to the throne tonight!) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 24, 2001 you know... when one gets accused of things innocently you become that. So , along those lines:<br><br>screwji<br>you didn't notice anything because your skin's too thick!<br><br>(ss, now i gave you something valid to complain about) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 25, 2001 well, i took an oral dose of castor oil and it put me into labor! the little lotus arrived june 28 after about 6 hours of labor, and all i can say is thank god i practiced ashtanga up to my eighth month of pregnancy -- the endurance i've gained and the focused breathing that's become second nature to me made an intense experience bearable. anxious to get a full pactice in again soon! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 25, 2001 Congratulations. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted July 31, 2001 Wow, congratulations! Do they give patients castor oil in regular hospitals or did you go through an alternative way of giving birth, hope you don't mind me asking? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
