"Authentic Indian Head Massage"
"Shiro-Abhyanga"
Shiro-Abhyanga or more commonly known in the West, Indian Head Massage is part of the Ayurvedic Bodywork anti-ageing system from India. The healing traditions of India have much to offer us for our health and well-being. It all goes back to the enlightened sages of the past who developed and refined Ayurveda for the betterment of humanity. They realised that a healthy body is necessary for our happy progress through life, which can only be achieved if our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions are addressed as a unity. Their approach was holistic.
"The Advantages"
Indian Head Massage is the ideal stress-busting treatment for anyone who is suffering from aching shoulders, a tight neck, tension headache, eye strain, insomnia, or poor concentration. It is a safe, simple yet effective therapy renowned for relieving symptoms of stress. The beauty of the treatment is that it can be given fully clothed, and there is no need for a treatment table either. So, it is versatile, in that it can be carried out anywhere, any place and any time; it is non-invasive, so perfect for shy clients; and it is ideal for all the family, even pregnant mums and granny and grandpa.
There are a wide number of benefits to be had from treatment with Indian Head Massage, both psychological and physical. These include:
Benefiits
- Antidote to stress, anxiety and mental tension
- Clears the mind and revitalized mental capacity, so improving alertness and concentration
- General "balancing", giving a sense of calm and peace
- Works on balancing the Chakras by releasing stagnant Prana so the body can function in a more harmonious manner
- Calms the respiratory system
- Improves blood circulation to the head and neck
- Increased blood flow enhances nourishment to the muscles which can promote hair growth
- Improves lymphatic drainage from the head and neck
- Improves muscle tone and mobility in the head, neck and shoulder area
- Increases circulation of cerebral spinal fluid around the brain
- Physically revitalising
- Relieves mental and physical strain, so helping to improve concentration and productivity
- Relieves eyestrain, headaches, sinusitis, congestion and insomnia
- Further nourishment to the skin and hair if oil is used in the treatment
Shiro-Abhyanga treatments may be of benefit as part of contemporary health service program, where it has the potential to stimulate the body to heal itself and to reduce the rate of progress of the prevailing condition. It can be used as part of a client's relaxation routine and may also have the potential to combat the side effects of certain necessary drug regimes.
Understanding Ayurvedic Anatomy
In addition to our physical anatomy, there exists a "subtle" anatomy that is normally unseen. Each Chakra (energy vortex) corresponds to a different gland and governs specific parts of the physical body and areas of psychological and spiritual development. Assisting these energy centres to remain unblocked is a highly effective way of resisting ill health. Balancing the Chakras equals vitality and health.
Ayurveda relates these changes to the five basic elements - earth, water, fire, air and akash-space (ether). These elements are constantly coming and going with the circadian rhythms inside our bodies. The ancient Indian sciences, therefore, have laid great emphasis on understanding these elements and on working with them accordingly, for the Chakras are understood as the playground of the elements.
The Treatment
The beauty of the treatment is that you can sit fully clothed in a comfortable chair. The professional practitioner works behind you and performs a flowing sequence of movements beginning from the upper back, shoulders, arms, hands and working up through the neck, ears, face, and finishing on the scalp. The movements are based on a combination of effleurage, petrissage, stroking, friction, percussion and Marma (pressure) point techniques.
The use of virgin vegetable oils in the massage of the scalp can have a strong influence on the quality of your hair care. Hair growth is said to be stimulated, as regular head massage with vegetable oils keeps the hair strong and lustrous. This is because massaging the scalp stimulates the flow of blood to the follicles so bringing the nutrients that are necessary for a healthy head of hair. A treatment typically lasts forty five minutes to one hour long.
Promoting Authentic Indian Head Massage
Shiro-Abhyanga needs a mouthpiece. And so, Ayurvedic Bodywork Consortium incorporating the Institute of Indian Head Massage has been set up as a professional accreditation body to establish standards and encourage authenticity in the promotion of this wonderful, esoteric form of upper body treatment. It is designed to represent the interests of its members and is affiliated to the British Complementary Medicine Association (BCMA), Complementary Medical Association (CMA), Federation of Irish Complementary Therapy Associatons (FICTA), Institute of Complementary Medicine (ICM). Its other aim is to provide a network of qualified practitioners to which the public can refer with confidence so that their needs can be safeguarded.
The Institute of Indian Head Massage has been instrumental in pioneering authentic voluntary self-regulations since its inception on both sides of the Atlantic. It has encouraged and developed a new National Vocational Qualification with HABIA approved Level 3 standard by QCA for Indian Head Massage.
Indian Head Massage is becoming an increasingly popular form of therapy, which doesn"t require a lengthy training. The practitioner, though, needs to understand its roots within the Ayurvedic tradition so that the best possible treatment can be given to those who seek it. It has so much to offer.
Ayurvedic Bodywork Consortium (ABC) (incorporating the Institute of Indian Head Massage Institute of the Uk) arose from the need to establish international high standards and to provide a network of registered certified practitioners to which the public can refer with confidence. It is an independent organisation, which certifies colleges in the education of Ayurvedic Bodywork including Indian Head Massage.
It has established a strict code of practice and ethics to ensure a high standard of professional conduct and maintains an International Register of certified practitioners, who are members of the Consortium
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** Cancellation Policy: 50% charge for cancellations within 24 hours of treatment.
This policy is strictly enforced.
