Ayurveda, the ancient science of health means 'The Knowledge of Life'. Inspired by nature itself, this unique and holistic science, addresses the mind, body and soul simultaneously.
The Ayurvedic word for oil is sneha, a term also synonymous with love, kindness and tenderness, all the feelings that should course you during a body therapy session.
Based on the Ayurvedic system of healing, Indian Head Massage is great for relieving stress and tension and leaves you feeling revived and totally relaxed.
Indian head massage releases tension in your back, neck, shoulders and arms. The shoulders are the most common place where you hold stress and tension. Indian Head massage counter balances the effects of stress by relaxing the shoulders and allowing energy to flow more freely to the area. Massaging your scalp, ears and face helps you to relax and unwind. This will allow you to breathe deeper and feel a greater sense of calm and relaxation.
Ayurvedic oils are used in this form of massage; however the use of oils is optional. During the massage, the client remains seated and fully clothed (depending on the use of oil). The therapist will then stand behind or slightly to the side of the client to perform the massage. The neck, shoulders and scalp areas are massaged using firm yet gentle, rhythmic movements that involve acupressure points called Marma points. A treatment session usually last for thirty minutes. This form of massage can be used with other therapies.
Indian head massage is good for relieving eyestrain, insomnia, headaches and migraine, relaxing muscles and tones facial muscles. It also helps localised blood and lymphatic circulation, boosts the immune system, can restore joint movement and most of all reduces stress and anxiety.
Shirodhara is one of the most relaxing therapies available. 'Shiro' means head and 'dhara' means stream, therefore, shirodhara is the continuous flow of oil over the head and scalp.
Starting with an Indian Head Massage reducing your body to a state of relaxation, you move to a massage table, ready to surrender all your tension and let go of stubborn imbalances. All your mental demons - stress, fear, anxiety, mood swings, anger and irritability are about to dissolve into an ocean of calm. Lying on your back your body is cocooned in warm towels. As warm oil flows in a continuous rhythmic stream across your forehead, your mind is lulled into a state of serenity and expanded consciousness.
Oil stroking the third eye has a reflex balancing effect on the deepest recesses of your brain. Profoundly relaxing, the nervous system unwinds, the master endocrine organs the pituitary and pineal glands are balanced and pleasure neurotransmitters such as serotonin flood your cells. The session takes about one hour. After showering you are ready to face the day with a peacefully clear head and refreshed body.
This treatment is good for everyone, especially those with ear/nose and throat disturbances, headaches, sinusitis, memory loss, insomnia, nervous disorders as well as clients suffering from insecurity, fear, ungroundedness and irritability. It can have a cooling, calming benefit. It has also been used to treat endocrine gland imbalances such as menopausal upsets.
Medical studies have shown that it induces a calm alpha brain wave state which increases mental clarity and memory as well as improved stress and immune response. Shirodhara also helps to strengthen the essence of vitality and longevity.