Reverse aging at Arogya
MANILA, Philippines - A friend who goes to India twice a year for detoxification, rejuvenation, and reverse aging did not have too much difficulty in convincing Manelle Katigbak Jose to come to India and try it for herself.
Manelle says she found the promise of “reverse aging” most persuasive. “I had been taking all sorts of medications at that time for problems with my vision, high blood pressure, and even depression,” Manelle recalls.
She felt her body deserved some relief. After her experience in India, “it felt like my body had gone through a complete overhaul.” Even her doctors here were amazed at the results of her blood tests. Manelle felt a strong urge to share her extraordinary experience with her family and friends. But instead of having all of them go to India, she thought, why not bring the experience here to Manila?
On a subsequent visit to India, she met Patrick Eyquem, a Frenchman from Bordeaux who had been practicing and promoting Ayurveda for more than 30 years. “Our meeting at the New Delhi Hospital was providential,” she says.
She invited Patrick to help her set up the Arogya Ayurveda Center in San Antonio Village in Makati. The choice of location was auspicious. “The orientation of the house is important,” Patrick explains. “The entrance has to face east or at least northeast.” In this case, they had to move the entrance, which used to be where the waiting room is now located, to coincide with the reception area, which faces east.
“The term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words: “ayur,” which means life, and “veda,” which means knowledge,” Patrick explains. “It is a traditional way that originated in India and passed on from guru to student through oral tradition for more than 3,000 years. Ayurveda promotes balance of body, mind, and spirit, and restores the balance if it is lost.” It provides an integrated approach to preventing illness and promoting wellness through natural therapy.
Arogya, in Sanskrit, means “perfect health.”
All of the procedures, which were originally developed by Indian doctors, are external, mostly involving the application of herbal oils.
“The difference is, whereas in a spa you choose the kind of oil you want, here, we select what is suitable to your body type,” Patrick explains. There are basically three types or doshas, namely vata, pitta and kapha.
The thin, lukewarm oil, which is applied generously, serves as a medium that helps the herbs penetrate the body. “You’re practically swimming in oil,” Patrick remarks.
But not to worry, each of the three rooms where the procedures are done has its own bathroom where you can take a hot shower after your one- to two-hour session. This also explains why you lie on a hardwood table instead of a mattress during the oil application. It’s not a massage in the sense that it does not involve much kneading, and there is very little pinching and pulling of the muscles.
The technicians, as they are called, work in pairs — females to females, males to males. They all underwent intensive training for five weeks by Patrick and Shinoj Jose, who came directly from India for this purpose. Patrick found the all-Filipino staff of five girls and four boys — some of them nursing graduates — easy learners.
“They were able to memorize the strokes in fewer days than we expected,” Shinoj observed.
They’ve also learned to use local herbs in the preparation of the herbal oils, which were originally prepared by traditional families in India.
There are over a dozen different procedures and therapies, each given for a specific purpose. Abhyanga, for example, involves the application of a large quantity of herbal-infused sesame oil by two technicians working in synchronicity and simultaneously on both sides of your body. This procedure aims to improve physical constancy, and helps to liquefy toxins, induce relaxation, normalize blood pressure, and eliminate impurities.
An easy favorite is Takradhara, where medicated buttermilk or yogurt is poured onto the forehead to bring relief to those suffering from insomnia, depression, and other stress-related problems. “Insomnia seems to be a common problem among Filipinos,” Patrick observes. Although the thick liquid is poured at room temperature, the sensation is cool and soothing.
Uddvartan, which aims to address overweight, certain skin problems, and joint mobility, and which helps to break down excess subcutaneous fat, uses a herbal powder that is so fine, it almost feels like liquid when applied.
For Patrapotli, bundles of herb and medicated powder are prepared and rubbed all over the body. This increases circulation, speeds up the elimination of toxins from the body, and relieves rheumatism and arthritis.
Early feedback has been nothing less than positive and enthusiastic.
“We had a dancer who came complaining of aches and pains all over his body,” Patrick relates, “but after one session, these were all gone. He has been recommending the center to all his friends ever since. The main thing is for people to try it out and experience it for themselves.”
Here’s a simple wellness tip: sip boiling hot water as often as possible throughout the day. “Don’t drink, just sip,” says Patrick. “It’s a famous Ayurveda practice. You clean your body outside, why not from inside also?”
“Our mission is to bring wellness and eliminate disease from our society,” Manelle says.
“Arogya is a wellness center,” Patrick clarifies. “If you need to relax, you can go to a spa, but if you need to balance your body and mind, you’d better visit Arogya.”
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Arogya is located at 8398 Mayapis St., San Antonio Village, Makati City, tel. no. 403-4048. All procedures are by appointment only.
