This month’s Featured Archive Article:

Ayurvedic practitioners, those that work with the worlds most ancient and complete art of longevity, have been collecting and developing treatments for at least the last 3,000 years.
The treatments themselves often appear simple and apply natural ingredients, such as gently touching a few points on the scalp with essential oils or slowly pouring warm oil over the forehead. Yet like other natural touches that lack complexity, ayurvedic therapies are simply perfect. They offer the client a depth of experience and personalized nurturing that is rare and memorable.
To follow are the top 10 ayurvedic treatments, both those that are well established in many spas and others that are less well known. I have also noted suggestions designed to make any treatment just a little more ayurvedic and naturally balancing.

Shirodhara should be the last in any sequence of treatments. It is traditionally a rejuvenating therapy given after a deep cleansing and detox therapy.

Shirodhara

In placing a gentle flow of a warm stream of oil on the forehead, stress melts and the client emerges with a child-like radiance and sense of inner peace. Shirodhara causes the release of serotonin, which deeply relaxes the body, relieves tension and thus helps alleviate discomfort in the head, neck and shoulder area. The technique also evokes pleasure, inner balance and mental clarity, as well as provides a radiance to the complexion. Shirodhara gives many of the benefits of a great night sleep so it also has an energizing benefit by helping to restore core strength. Shirodhara should be the last in any sequence of treatments. It is traditionally a rejuvenating therapy given after deep cleansing and detox therapy. It should not be carried out during any other treatment, such as a steam, herbal wrap or massage. A short five-minute shirodhara can be offered at the end of any relaxing treatment or as a full treatment when the oil flows for 20 minutes and is preceded by a 30-minute gentle massage.

Abhyanga

Ayurveda’s major anti-aging therapy, abhyanga involves therapeutic massage from head to toe using generous amounts of herbal or aromatherapy oils by one, two or more therapists. Just as we might oil a squeaky gate, the massage oils are pushed into the skin by gentle repetitive strokes lubricating our joints and connective tissues, thus helping the body move with a youthful energy. Strokes are made away from the heart to enhance arterial blood flow into the muscles and organs. Abhyanga not only nourishes the body, it maintains beautifully smooth skin and opens subtle energy channels as well. There are a variety of other forms of full body massages that also use oil and varying amounts of pressure. Vishesh uses stokes that are fuller and deeper than those used in abhyanga that are designed to release built-up stress, provide physical relaxation and fill the body with energy. In pizzichilli, a continuous stream of warm, herbal oil is poured over the entire body by two therapists and massaged in specific patterns that enliven, balance and activate the body and energy centers. In pizzimarma—a more focused version of the pizzichilli—attention is placed on the body’s individual areas that need specific healing. This deeply relaxing therapy brings tremendous clarity to body and mind. There are massages for specific body parts such as head massages, as well as massages conducted with body parts other than the hands including the therapist’s feet. These massage techniques can be offered with an herbal or aroma therapy bath before or an herbal aroma therapy steam after the treatment.

Ayurvedic face rejuvenation sequence

The technique brings an unequaled glow and energy to the client by using a unique and comprehensive touch therapy for the face, scalp, neck, shoulders and upper chest using strokes and secret, vital point (marma) massage. These points have been used traditionally to bring balance to both body and mind. Now, for the first time in the West, these points have been organized into a massage sequence that is easily customized to the individual client to promote facial rejuvenation and an unparalleled sense of tranquility. Warm aromatic oils are caressed into the face using points and strokes that enliven energy channels, creating a youthful glow and an enlivened state of consciousness, happiness and peace. A shorter version may be offered before shirodhara or as a part of a full body treatment.

In Kansa Vataki, a sensual massage where the feet are vigorously rubbed, toxins are mobilized and acidity in the body is aided toward balance.

Marma therapy

This is a delicate application of touch with or without essential oils to specific vital energy points that enlivens the body’s energy channels, creating an enlivened state of consciousness, happiness and peace. The Tibetan ayurvedic system of Dzub Nyin offers particular marma sequences to improve sleep and digestion, as well as ease eye strain and help with physical or emotional stress that may be offered alone or integrated into other treatments.

Kansa Vataki

A luxurious and sensual massage for the feet that uses a beautiful Indian metal bowl, Kansa Vataki coats the client’s feet in aromatic ghee, i.e. clarified butter and then the esthetician rubs them with a small bowl made of three metals. As toxins are mobilized and acidity in the body is aided toward balance, the ghee turns grey and is then removed with an herbal powder. Traditionally used to help eye problems, this treatment is marvelously relaxing and wonderful for easing tension held around the eyes and helping to normalize skin tones. It has found its highest appeal among the most high drive clients that find relaxation hard to achieve. Treatments are also being used as add-ons to pedicures, full body massages and facials.

Udvartana

A stimulating massage conducted by one or two therapists, udvartana uses pastes or dry powders made of milled grains and herbs as skin rubs. This type of body treatment enlivens and revitalizes the skin, smooths out fat deposits, improves circulation and digestion, and stimulates underlying tissues. It is a stand alone treatment that maybe followed by a Vichy shower.

Ayurvedic Mud

The best antidote for jet lag and for quickly reenergizing the body, the clay and herbal mud is applied in a thin layer from the elbows to the finger tips and knees to the tips of the toes, which are then wrapped in warm moist towels for 10 minutes. The mud is then allowed to dry, then rubbed and finally wiped off. The clay is cleansing while the herbs reenergize the body and helps the skin to breathe more easily. This is very refreshing and rejuvenating for the whole body and a great way to offer mud treatment if you don’t have shower facilities. Ayurvedic Mud can also be applied to the whole body. The body is wrapped and allowed to rest for 10 minutes. When the mud is semi dry, it is massaged off and a warm shower follows.

Pinda swedana helps relieve neuromuscular tension and promotes vitality.

Garshana

This is ayurveda’s cellulite treatment where one or two therapists use gloves to rub the body and polish the skin. Garshan gloves may be made of wool, raw silk or terry cloth. The technique is designed to remove dead skin cells, stimulate circulation and promote the mobilization of the lymphatic system. Garshana-like dry brushing is helpful if done daily as a home treatment for removing cellulite and can be offered before any oil massage. A gentle version may be offered as part of an ayurvedic facial at any point after makeup is removed and before oils or lotions are applied.

Tibetan eye rejuvenation

The rejuvenating technique involves a pleasing treatment on the feet that eases stress and tension in the eyes. Essential anise oil is applied to the feet, followed by warmth delivered by hot stones and a cooling eye pillow or compress applied to the eyes. The oil and warmth together draw heat down through the body and out the feet, particularly from around the eyes, leaving them moist and clear. The treatment may be integrated into full body massage, facials or shirodhara.

Swedana

Any therapy that induces sweating, such as facial steams, full body steams, herbal compresses or herbal linen wraps, is called swedana, which provides deep skin cleansing and overall detoxification. The treatment must be followed by a thorough shower. Often the client sits in a stream box or is lying on their back in a steam tent. Toxins are effortlessly drawn out, leaving the client refreshed and energized. Nadi swedana is where steam is applied to the back, neck or any other joints that have been anointed with essential oil blends to ease tension pain. It is an excellent way to be able to get beneficial oils and herbs from the steam to penetrate the skin. It’s very pleasurable and relaxing, and makes it easier for the body to let go without the need for any unnecessary deep pressure massage techniques. The treatment can be done with any mobile facial steamer that has a chamber for herbs or essential oils. Now a technique called pinda swedana is becoming popular, where warm muslin sachets filled with unique herbs, flowers and milled grain are rubbed over the body in a deeply sensual healing experience, cleansing the body of toxins, relieving neuromuscular tension and promoting vitality. Swedana usually follows an oil massage or application.

Melanie Sachs, a certified ayurvedic life counselor, healer and teacher, is sought after by some of the world’s leading spas and beauty schools. She has published Ayurvedic Beauty Care, and is recognized internationally for the application of ayurveda to the beauty world. Reach her at 866.303.3321, or visit her website at www.inetba.com/diamondwayayurveda or by phone/fax at 805.543.9291.

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