The client lies on her stomach at Satmya, covered with a sheet. Candles are aglow all over the low-lit room. Four hands are placed on either side of her back in the same position at the same moment. For the next hour, a synchronized massage is rendered to the helpless, awed client. Not a word is said as the hands stimulate her lymphatic fluid, releasing toxins from her tissues.
This Ayurvedic procedure is part of a series of treatments called Pancha Karma. At the very end it gets even better. Warm, herb-suffused oil is poured continuously on her forehead where the "third eye chakra" supposedly resides. Now this is heavenly. The whole very profound experience is aptly called Bliss in the Satmya brochure.
Satmya is an Ayurvedic spa. Owned and operated by long-time valley yoga instructor Wahneta Trotter, it opened in May, in Ketchum across Washington Street from Moss Gardens. Trotter is the valley's only certified Aryurvedic practitioner.
Ayurvedic is a system of medicine that originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words meaning "the science of life."
The principles of Ayurveda state that nothing exists in isolation, so that everything you interact with, from your diet and your family to work and relationships, has an effect on health and wellbeing.
Many people in the valley first heard of the idea when Dr. Deepak Chopra was the keynote speaker at the Sun Valley Wellness Festival several years ago.
"When I was first introduced to it I knew it was my destiny," Trotter said. "I didn't know how or when but I knew it was part of my future."
Subsequently, Trotter studied Ayurvedic principles for seven years under teacher Rod Striker.
Many people around the world already practice it without being aware of that. Traditionally, yoga and Ayurveda were meant to be practiced together.
"Ayurvedic brings you to yoga's door the way nothing else can," Trotter said. "Your guru balanced you before you were allowed to begin yoga.
"Yoga is so popular in particular in our society. The Ayurvedic language has crept into the mainstream. We used to say everyone would have an Ayurvedic doctor in 10 years like they have an acupuncturist. Now I say five years."
The body's constitution, known as "prakriti," is a combination of physical and psychological characteristics that make up the way the body functions. Three energetic qualities known as "doshas" form the vital characteristics that control the activities of the body. The Sanskrit names of the three doshas are "vata," which regulates all movement in the body and mind, "pitta," which governs metabolism, and "kapha," which regulates structure.
Each dosha is made up of one or two of the five basic elements: space, air, fire, water and earth, and each has a particular relationship to body functions and can be upset for different reasons. You may be more one than the other, or a combination of them. Imbalances in a dosha may be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or diet; too much or too little mental and physical exertion; or not being properly protected from the weather, chemicals or germs.
Ayurvedic practitioners are then part medical consultant, part therapist and part witch doctor who brews up herbs and oils in an effort to return clients to a sense of balance and well being.
"We look at symptoms a person is experiencing and see how to bring the balancing forms of matter into balance," Trotter said. "We go to the source with a variety of treatments. We look at balances of psychology and try to get to the root of a person's problem.
"For instance, if your pitta is high, we say, here's your yoga poses, drink aloe vera juice, eat cilantro and cucumber salads. It all cools the pitta down. I want people to see how it feels to be in balance and at home in one's own skin."
Of course, food is an important aspect of the treatment one receives. According to Ayurvedic tradition, each taste sensation should be met in meals in order to feel sated. These tastes are salty, sweet, astringent, bitter, pungent and sour. Each one has its own essential element and use.
At Satmya, Trotter has a full Ayurvedic "pharmacy" where she makes her own treatments out of 100 or so different herbs. She has a place to practice yoga, especially Yoga Nidra, which she's taught for six years. There is a full kitchen in which to create Ayurvedic meals and a consultation area and treatment room.
Trotter begins working with clients by holding a two-hour consultation in which every aspect of one's life is delved into. And she prods until she gets at the truth. This is followed by a "Report of Findings" in which she details dosha findings, the nature of imbalances and a customized treatment plan. These treatments may include diet and lifestyle modifications, yoga, meditation and other Ayurvedic therapies.
An Ayurvedic practitioner "guides a client through every avenue of life while they're in your care," Trotter said.
She said her clients have mostly been valley-based "yoga vets" and people who come from Boise since there isn't a clinic there, as well as others seeking an alternate holistic approach to medicine. She also said she is frequently in contact with her clients primary caregivers, and refers clients to doctors if their needs call for it.
After a Pancha Karma therapy, the client moves slowly. Oil is gunked in her hair. She drives home thoughtfully, at the speed limit, washes her hair and then collapses into a chaise. She thinks and feels: "bliss."
Trotter can be reached at 720-8235.
Wahneta Trotter cares for clients at her new Satmya Ayurvedic Clinical Spa.
