Ayurveda massages – the invigorating power for the body

The Ayurvedic massages are ancient therapeutic Indian technique through which balance of the vital energy is achieved, the defence power of the body is increased, the blocked feelings and emotions are released, the accumulated toxins are removed from the body and it gets rejuvenated, maximum relaxation of the body and mind is achieved.

The relationship between Ayurveda and the Ayurvedа massages

The art of the Indian massages originated 3000 years ago as a part of the philosophy of  the ancient science for life – Ayurveda, in whose basic concept lies the understanding that the human body and mind are one whole, and, in order to feel well, our body and mind must be not only in ‘symbiosis’ with each other, but also in a full harmony with the universal powers.

The Ayurveda massages are designed to achieve this balance by using different massage techniques which balance the energy centres and create a general feeling of content and well-being.

How to do the Indian massages?

There are different practices for Ayurveda massages, but on the whole, they are carried out in a warm, calm atmosphere. The light in the room, in which they are performed must be soft, and the silence should be broken only by gentle and relaxing music. In almost all types of Ayurvedic massages, aromas are used as well, which bring extra relaxation and mental tranquillity to the person.

The basic techniques used in the Indian massage are palpation and pressure, which are designed to reduce the nervous tension and to improve the blood circulation.

Most frequently, the massages are carried out by the hands of one specialist (or otherwise said by "two hands"), but in some kinds of the massage treatment courses, they can be carried out by two masseurs simultaneously (or by ‘four hands’). In these cases, the massaged person absorbs two times more energy for the same period of time.

Massage by four hands is practised only by professional Ayurveda masseurs, as, in order to achieve maximum beneficial effect from the massage, it is necessary that the masseurs have a perfect synchronization of the movements.

Types of Ayurvedic massages

Abhyanga, such as the original name of the Ayurveda massages is, it literally means "massage oil". And indeed, regardless of whether it is a full (a whole-body massage) or a partial one, the ayurvedic massage includes warm essential oils that are gently rubbed-in into the one’s body.

In the Ayurveda practice, in massages, more than 26 kinds of oils are used; each of them containing from 7 to 30 plant components.

What oil will be used depends on both the type of the massage, the specialist who will do it, and on the individuality of the client. The selection of the oils is important for the effectiveness of the massage, as, by penetrating into the skin, the essential oils affect the endings of the peripheral nerves and have a detoxification effect on the body. The elimination of toxins from the body is due to the fact that the oils are excellent sorbents.

As to the types of the Indian massages, the practices are extremely a lot, because there are different massage schools, each of which offers different types of Ayurvedic massages. Depending on the type of constitution and the specific needs of the person, the Indian massage can be performed with the appropriate for him massage technique.

We shall present you some of the most popular Ayurvedic massage techniques that have been practised for centuries and are the most beneficial for the body and mind.

Abyangha

It is performed on the whole body with specific vegetable oils, depending on the individual constitution of the massaged person. Abyangha has a long-term effect on the whole body as it balances the three doshas and restores not only the physical but also the mental power of the body and mind.

According to the classic Ayurvedic texts, Abyangha massage prevents the aging processes, helps for the prevention of fatigue and stress, returns the vitality, strengthens and improves the nervous system, removes the toxins from the body, improves the quality of the sleep.

PADABHYANGA

This Ayurvedic massage is traditionally carried out to the whole body but it can also be carried out to separate body parts, such as the head, the legs, hands or back. Very effective is the partial massage of the feet and legs as it improves the quality of the sleep.

In addition, this massage is very effective in sciatica, pain, and contractions in the tendons, as well as problems with the blood circulation in the lower extremities.

Shiro Abyangha

This Indian massage technique is concentrated on the head and scalp; it has very beneficial effects. Shiro Abyangha focuses on the Marma points which are located around the head and are massaged with gentle movements.

The head-and-scalp massage relaxes the nerve endings, and gives relaxation, improves the concentration, strengthens the roots of the hair, slows down its greying, enhances Prana (the vital energy).

Mukha Abyangha

Mukha Abyangha is an Ayurvedic facial lifting massage, shoulder massage, and a massage of the neck, which reduces the wrinkles and slows down the aging process. The Ayurveda massage is carried out by focusing on the Marma points which are located in the area of the head, the face, and the neck, and the benefits from it are stimulation of the lymphatic flow, improvement of the muscle tone, stopping of the aging processes, regeneration, and rejuvenation of the skin.

Shirodhara

Shirodhara is not just a massage, but rather a traditional Ayurveda treatment (therapy), in which a thin, continuous stream of medicated oil, milk and herbal infusions is poured on one of the Marma points, located in the middle of the forehead between the eyebrows. This is an excellent therapy and the treatment of many diseases associated with head, eyes, neck, nose and the nervous system.

Shirodhara therapy eases anxiety, reduces stress, eliminates headache and sleep disorders, delays the greying of the hair, helps to calm and clear the mind, improves the functions of the sense organs.

Basti

This Ayurveda therapy is carried out by applying a ring-shaped dough on certain parts of the body, in which, warm medicated oil is poured. The therapy brings relief to the muscle spasms and pain, reduces the stiffness in the area of the spine, helps in cardiovascular problems, intestinal disorders, and others.

Ayurveda massages – the invigorating body power

Boosting the circulation of nutritional substances in the body and helping it to expel the toxins, the Indian massage plays a very important role in the process of purification and healing of the human body. This cleansing role is an extremely useful method for finding inspiration and joy of life.

In the Ayurveda massage, invariably present are the different types of essential oils, which have the tendency to intensify the internal resources of the body, to stimulate the processes of protein processing to boost the rejuvenation and to treat many diseases, including chronic ones.

The effect of massaging therapy manifests both at physical and at mental level. Physically, the Ayurvedic massage helps with the vital functions of all the body systems – immune, respiratory, nervous system, endocrine, cardiovascular, muscular, skeletal, digestive and lymphatic systems.

From a point of view of the psyche, it brings rest and peace to the mind, encourages the processes of self-treatment, reduces the concernedness, anxiety and stress, it copes with insomnia, increases the total resistance of the body, charging us with patience, resilience, repartee and intelligence, sexual activity, stamina, and beauty.

As a part of the holistic Ayurveda Medicine, the Indian massage helps in the treatment of a number of diseases such as neurasthenia, migraine, insomnia, gout, poliomyelitis, obesity, arthritis, blood pressure disorders, asthma, psychiatric disorders, and many other diseases.

In addition to that, it increases the production of white blood cells and antibodies, and thus increases the body ability to fight viral and other infections. It takes care of the vital functions of the body and boosts the immune system.

Thanks to the applied massage techniques, the person can adapt more easily to sudden changes in temperature and the atmospheric pressure, as well as to other adverse changes in the environment.

In conclusion, the Ayurvedic massage has a really positive beneficial effect on the whole body. It increases the flow of fresh oxygen and vital power in the body in the form of nutrients so that the whole body receives additional warmth and charge of vitality.