Here are answers to commonly asked questions. If you don't see your question answered here, please don't hesitate to send email to info@mayashakti.com or phone (908) 638-8843.

1. What does MayaShakti mean?
   
   
2. What is Ayurveda? I've heard about Ayurveda, and I'm interested. But I don't really understand how it works.
   
   
3. What can I expect from our first meeting?
   
   
4. For which conditions is Ayurveda most beneficial? Who are your typical clients?
   
   
5. I have no symptoms or illness. I'm interested in Ayurvedic nutrition and cooking, and in ways to keep myself in balance throughout my life. Should I make an appointment?
   
   
6. I'm currently taking pharmaceutical drugs. Can I still benefit from Ayurvedic consultations and treatment?
   
   
7. I'm currently seeing another holistic health care provider. Can I still benefit from Ayurvedic consultations and treatment?
   
   
8. How long does Ayurvedic treatment take?
   
   
9. Do you work with men and children?
   
   
10. What about yoga?
    
    
11. Is there a religious component to Ayurveda?
    
    
12. Does Ayurveda promote vegetarianism?
    
    
13. Does Niika offer phone consultations or house calls?
    
    
14. Can you suggest some reading?

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1. What does MayaShakti mean?

Maya Shakti is the universal feminine creative principle, the energy that shapes pure consciousness into all phenomena, including all variety of thought, emotion and experience. Maya Shakti is the energy that makes life feel real.

MayaShakti is also our own personal power–especially as women–to affect the ongoing creation of our lives, and the world around us.

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2. What is Ayurveda? I've heard about Ayurveda, and I'm interested. But I don't really understand how it works.

Ayurveda (say "Eye-yer-vay-da") means "science of life," and is India's ancient and traditional holistic medicine–the "sister science" to yoga.

According to Ayurvedic theory, each of us possesses a native constitution from the moment of conception (known as prakruti in Sanskrit). Our prakruti is a bio-blueprint reflecting our basic physiology and personality, our own nature as manifest in a unique balance of the three doshas: Vata (wind or motion), Pitta (fire or metabolism), and Kapha (earth or cohesiveness). These life energies govern the functioning of our body and mind, as well as our personal responses to the stimuli our environment brings to our senses. Our prakruti influences our natural attractions and repulsions, and makes us more or less susceptible to certain imbalances and illness due to sensory exposures, foods and lifestyle habits.

Because every woman is remarkably and absolutely one of a kind, and since each imbalance has it's own qualities, Ayurvedic practitioners do not seek to treat disease, but focus on reestablishing the balance of the whole person. The wisdom of Ayurveda offers simple, profound technologies for healing, known as "five sense therapies." Through a complete, personalized program of diet, yoga, herbology, aroma therapy, color therapy, sound therapy, touch therapy (massage and marma therapy), breathing, yoga and mantra, the tools of Ayurveda are used to detoxify and rejuvenate, restore and maintain balance– inside and out.

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3. What can I expect from our first meeting?

Our first meeting is a joy! In this 90-120 minute session, we have the opportunity to truly meet, and to survey your inner and outer worlds. Niika will give you her full attention– examining, observing and listening to you–to discern your native constitutional dominance, your doshic imbalance(s) and to begin to reflect back to you the ways your body, mind and relationship to consciousness can be responded to, to restore happy balance.

Your role is to be self-aware and honest in answering questions. This process alone is often enlightening, healing and inspiring. Niika's role is to act as your Ayurvedic guide, coach and friend. Together we establish a partnership for the purpose of restoring your health and happiness, so your potential-–for living, understanding and enjoying your life–can fully unfold.

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4. For which conditions is Ayurveda most beneficial? Who are your typical clients?

Truthfully, Ayurveda does not address conditions, but seeks to reinstate healthy balance for the whole person. However, Ayurveda has been shown to be very effective for individuals with chronic, stress-exacerbated conditions. Niika's typical clients have come seeking relief from digestive difficulties, sinus problems, insomnia, PMS, menopause-related symptoms, mental and emotional agitation, a "delicate nervous system," ADD, MS, TMJ, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, infertility and weight gain. Some have come to rediscover personal balance and restore a healthy sense of self after medical and/or psychiatric treatment for conditions like eating disorders or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

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5. I have no symptoms or illness. I'm interested in Ayurvedic nutrition and cooking, and in ways to keep myself in balance throughout my life. Should I make an appointment?

Please do!

Knowing your personal, unique Ayurvedic constitution is a key to understanding how to choose those foods (and lifestyle) which will keep you in balance for years to come. Learning to make nutritional and lifestyle choices that harmonize one's personal cycles with the cycles of the natural world will deepen your experience of well-being and personal strength.

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6. I'm currently taking pharmaceutical drugs. Can I still benefit from Ayurvedic consultations and treatment?

Absolutely. In fact, pharmaceutical drugs, while targeting a particular physical or mental problem, can actually contribute to an overall imbalance. This is not to say that drugs are not useful at certain times, but that taking steps to maintain personal balance is wise when taking pharmaceuticals, and a personal Ayurvedic program can be of immense help.

Herbology is a tool of Ayurvedic treatment. But Ayurveda also works with all the senses, daily and seasonal rhythms, and the mind. So many other resources are available to us to reestablish and maintain healthy balance, and herbal therapy is not always necessary. Great care must be taken in using herbs along with pharmaceuticals to ensure no negative interactions are possible. For each woman, regardless of their circumstances, a path to health and happiness can be found.

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7. I'm currently seeing another holistic health care provider. Can I still benefit from Ayurvedic consultations and treatment?

Ayurveda is a beautiful system and experience of both healing and self-discovery, going beyond a treatment-only model of medicine. Because of this, it can be highly complementary to other healing approaches. It is important, however, that one pursue only as much knowledge and experience–healing or otherwise–that can be assimilated at any given time.

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8. How long does Ayurvedic treatment take?

Niika asks clients to make a 10 week commitment to regular treatment and education sessions. Hands-on treatments are an important (and enjoyable!) aspect of Ayurveda, yet the healing system of Ayurveda is not treatment-dependent. With each meeting, you will learn to understand and apply the wisdom of Ayurveda as it applies to you, uniquely. This knowledge is yours to keep and use for the rest of your life!

Most clients find that they experience a greater sense of well-being right away, which becomes the foundation for further progress. Since each client is different, the amount of time it takes to reach balance varies. Deeper, more complex imbalances typically take longer to heal. Simpler, more recent imbalances resolve quickly. Most clients can expect at least a 50% overall improvement within the 10 week period.

To maintain balance, Niika recommends that clients return four times a year, once at each change of seasons, for a "tune up."

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9. Do you work with men and children?

Mainly, yes. Although I focus on working with women, I also see men and children who are referred to me.

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10. What about yoga?

Traditionally, Yoga helps us know who we are on the cosmic level. Ayurveda helps us know who we are on the personal, relative level. Niika offers one-on-one, personal yoga sessions. Group yoga classes are beneficial for establishing routine practice and for connecting with other students. But for yoga to be most effective, each yoga practitioner should have a clear understanding of what they need from their practice, and should learn how best to apply the technology of yoga to meet these needs. One-on-one sessions are the best way to develop a personal practice that is uniquely therapeutic to the individual.

Niika often works with women who are embracing yoga practice for pain and stress management, and for calming the mind. She also includes guided yoga experiences in her seminars and workshops.

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11. Is there a religious component to Ayurveda?

Ayurveda–the mother of all health care systems–originated with Hindu/Vedic sages at least 3,500 years ago. But the knowledge of these "seers" came thru direct perception, not religious inference. The principles of Ayurveda are simple and rooted in common sense, and in each person's own true resources.

Ayurvedic knowledge facilitates personal discovery and self-awareness, and is practical and valuable for everyone, regardless of their religious or other beliefs. The origins of Ayurveda are associated with the ancient wisdom teachings of the Vedas (on which Hinduism is based), but the practical value of Ayurveda is not predicated on any kind of belief. The power of Ayurveda is a result of personal experience thru the senses, movement toward a balanced, rhythmic lifestyle, and healthy direction of mental energy, Ayurveda encourages spiritual development as an healthy aspect of human existence, so many find their understanding and involvement with their own religion deepens as a result of their experiences with Ayurveda.

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12. Does Ayurveda promote vegetarianism?

Meat, eggs and dairy are not completely ruled out, although it is important to learn when and how much is best for you. It is vital to eat only that animal protein which comes from healthy, happy animals untreated by hormones, antibiotics, etc.

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13. Does Niika offer phone consultations or house calls?

Yes, phone consultations can be arranged.
In some cases, house calls are possible, and travel time is billed for.

Therapy recommendations are based on current health imbalances, unique constitution, and the climate/season of the year.

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14. Can you suggest some reading?

Check out the Writings Page for links to articles Niika has written for Yoga Journal and other magazines on Ayurvedic concepts.

These books offer good introductions to Ayurvedic theory:

Ayurveda: A Life of Balance by Maya Tiwari

Prakruti: Your Ayurvedic Constitution by Robert Svoboda

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