Ayurvedic Massage Types & It’s Health Benefits
Ayurvedic massage is a form of massage therapy that originated in India over 5,000 years ago as part of the Ayurvedic system of healing. Ayurveda is a traditional holistic medical system that aims to balance the body, mind, and spirit. The massage technique involves the use of warm herbal oils and a variety of massage strokes to stimulate and detoxify the body.
During an Ayurvedic massage, the therapist first assesses the individual’s dosha, or body type, to determine the appropriate type of oil and massage strokes to use.The massage typically begins with a full-body massage using warm oil, followed by more specific techniques to target problem areas or specific ailments.
The benefits of Ayurvedic massage include improved circulation, reduced stress and anxiety, relief from muscle and joint pain, improved digestion, and a sense of overall relaxation and rejuvenation.
It is often used in conjunction with other Ayurvedic therapies, such as yoga, meditation, and dietary changes, to promote holistic healing and balance in the body and mind.
This message rests on the balance of the three elements: air (Vata), water (Kapha), and fire (Pitta). Air corresponds to hormones and nerves, water symbolizes all the liquid elements of the body, and fire represents the digestive organs and enzymes.
According to philosophy, this type of massage is the harmony between these three elements that provide inner well-being. For the Ayurvedic massage session to be effective, it should last between 45 minutes and an hour.
Ayurveda Massage Benefits
Ayurvedic abhyanga massage has the advantage of benefiting both body and soul. In addition to its undeniable relaxing virtues, it offers many other benefits. It allows to nourish the skin, as well as tone and relax muscle tissues.
It also improves blood and lymphatic circulation while strengthening the immune system and increasing resistance to disease. In addition, it gives the body a feeling of energy and lightness.
In the same way, it relaxes the joints and the spine, helping to improve posture and fight back pain. It can take place in different parts: there is an Ayurvedic body massage or an Ayurvedic facial massage.
On the other hand, it increases concentration, intelligence, sexual vitality, and strength. It also acts on self-confidence and awareness of your own body, correcting the flow of electromagnetic energy that passes through it. Preserve, therefore, the qualities of youth.
In short, Ayurvedic massage is very complete and works practically on the entire body, below are some of the benefits of ayurvedic massage.
Types of Ayurvedic massages
Abhyanga
It consists of applying oil throughout the body. The oil is usually sesame or coconut and is applied warmly. It is indicated as a treatment, but also as a daily practice before the shower because it promotes strength and longevity.
Indications
- Tissue weakness and malnutrition
- Exhaustion
- Insomnia
- Rigidity
- Vascular problems
- Infertility
Benefits
- Increases the body’s resistance to disease
- Decreases the effects of aging
- Nourish the body
- Increase longevity
- Supports a healthy sleep pattern
- Mental acuity increases
- Benefits the skin
- Lubricates the joints
- Provides firmness to the limbs
- Increases the tone and vigor of the tissues
- Stimulates internal organs
- Improves blood and lymphatic circulation
- Helps remove impurities from the body
The frequency, the type of oil, and the direction of the massage depend on the constitution of the person, the season of the year, etc … This turns the abhyanga into a massage fully adaptable to the needs of each individual.
Udvartana
The massage Udvartana, is carried out dry or in paste texture, depending on the needs of each one. It is made with a mix of personalized herbal powders with energetic and deep movements.
Indications
Symptoms related to increased Kapha dosha :
- Pruritus
- Oily skin
- Cellulite and obesity
- Flaccidity, due to weak muscle and fat tissue
Benefits
- Cleanses pores and removes dead cells
- Detoxifies the body
- Improves blood circulation, providing lightness
- Firms and tones the tissues, improving their appearance
- Eliminates excess fat and liquid from the tissues, being a great ally in cellulite and obesity treatments
- Reduces excess sweat and body odor
- Stimulating and energizing
Shiro abhyanga
In Shiro abhyanga, the Ayurvedic oil massage technique is applied to the upper back, head, and face.
Indications
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Excess mental activity
- Neurological diseases in general, especially when they have a headache
- Cervical tension
- Muscle stiffness in the upper back
- Seborrheic dermatitis
- Hair loss
- Dry and itchy scalp
Benefits
- Relief of mental, and muscular tension and anxiety
- Improves blood circulation to the head and scalp
- Decreases eyestrain
- Great relief for headaches and migraines
- Improves mobility and muscle tone of the head, neck, and shoulder area
Shirodhara
In Shirodhara continuous application of hot fluid on the head. A very pleasant technique that in a few minutes provides us with deep relaxation in which the brain waves resemble a state of deep sleep but remain conscious, with innumerable therapeutic benefits.
Indications
- Diseases related to the nervous system: insomnia, stress, anxiety
- Neurological diseases
- Psychosomatic illnesses
Benefits
- Relax the body
- Improves memory
- Sharpens the sensory organs
- Increase spiritual awareness
- Help reduce anxiety and fear
- Helps in nervous disorders
- Strengthens the neck and head
- Cures headaches and migraines
- Helps in the treatment of insomnia
- Supports blood circulation to the brain
- A very effective method for stress and nervous tension
- Minimizes hair loss and strengthens its growth
- Nourishes hair and scalp
- Delays the appearance of gray hair
