Abhyanga and Shirodhara

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Panchakarma Treatment: The ultimate information that you must know about Abhyanga and Shirodhara.

What is Abhyanga?

Abhyanga, also referred to as ayurvedic massage, is a general term that refers to all varieties of ayurveda massage, including full-body massages, head massages (shiro abhyanga), and foot massages (pad abhyanga).

Abhyanga is sometimes distinguished by a specific sequence of strokes, including long, sweeping movements utilising copious amounts of warm, herbal oils appropriate for the individual. It is excellent for pain treatment and healing. Herbal powders, pastes, and ghee can all be used in different types of abhyanga.

Benefits of Abhyanga

The advantages of a massage are further enhanced by massaging the body with medicinal or herbal oils tailored to your inherent constitution (dosha) or current ailment (vikriti, or imbalance). Additional advantages of Ayurvedic massage include:

  • Provides relief from stress, tension, and low energy;
  • Supports the health of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems;
  • Tone the muscles and body tissues; • Improves circulation;
  • Stimulates organ function; • Aids in body detoxification;
  • Encourages softer, stronger, and more supple skin;
  • Increases radiance and lustre of the skin, for graceful ageing and growing;
  • Prevents injury and muscle
  • Mobilises the doshas and directs ama (toxins) toward the digestive tract so they can be removed to get the body ready for panchakarma.

    • What to Expect from an Abhyanga Treatment?

    Abhyanga is classified as a sort of therapy in Ayurveda known as snehna, which can be interpreted as "that which oils and also loves". It may seem a little mysterious at first, but wait until you've either received or given an abhyanga!

    Anointing the body with oil and surrounding it in love go hand in hand naturally. Receiving an abhyanga can provide a profound sense of stability, warmth, and comfort—love. Regular abhyanga, which ayurveda recognises as a significant organ and a channel to reach our internal organs, is a way to maintain your health and balance at their best. Through our pores, the skin serves as both a barrier for protection and a passageway to nourish our bodies' more subtle channels.

    There are no detailed descriptions of the steps involved in abhyanga in the old Ayurvedic scriptures; just a few techniques are mentioned, including gentle rubbing, pressing and squeezing, and applying pressure. If you have previously received abhyanga in different places, this may explain why there are some differences in the traditional abhyanga practices.

    What is Shirodhara?

    Shiras means head in Sanskrit, while dhara means to flow.

    During shirodhara, warm herbalized oil is continuously and rhythmically poured onto your forehead from a hanging pot. You enter a deep level of relaxation as a result of the warm, gentle pressure and exact flow of the oil, which calms and balances your mind and neurological system.

    In Ayurvedic medicine, warm herbalized oil is used externally and is a key component of treatment. Shirodhara is one of the many Ayurvedic techniques that involves applying oil to the head for a predetermined amount of time.

    Your condition will be carefully considered while choosing the herbalized oil to be used. The efficiency of a traditional Shirodhara depends on the selection of the oil. Alternative liquids like buttermilk or milk with herbal infusions, or decoctions, may also be employed.

    Ayurvedic herbal medicine and dietary restrictions may also be prescribed to support the benefits of the Shirodhara treatment. Recommended for:

  • Headaches
  • Stress
  • Insomnia
  • Sinusitis
  • Fatigue \ Overthinking
  • Focus deficit

     

    Benefits:

  • Reduces physical and emotional stress by having a calming impact.
  • Stabilises and equilibrates mental activity.
  • Decreases stress by calming your neurological system.
  • Advantages for sleep patterns
  • Relieves too much Vata