In Ayurveda Each and One of Us is Unique.
Some people call Abhyanga the classic Ayurveda massage, but in fact here are several types of Abhyanga. Being one of the oldest medicine systems, developed in one of the biggest countries in the world makes it possible to find so many different types and approaches of the same therapy. Plus, the reality in India is completely different, since one is going to a doctor or a therapist and according to the condition or imbalance and each one’s nature, the program of treatment (that might include or not body therapies) is designed. That is also why the oil, medicated oil, herbs, powders,… are tailored and personalized case by case. But Ayurveda also means adaptation, so we should try to implement it to our environment and reality.
Preferably:
*the therapies should be performed after digestion completed
*after you should take time to relax and rest
*try to hydrate as much as possible with warm water or infusions
NOTE : Please keep in mind that are moments that body therapies should not be performed: Fever, a cold, a flu or some other, Inflammation, Cancer, Contagious Diseases, Blood Clots, Pregnancy before 3 months, Nausea, Epilepsy, Uncontrolled Hypertension and/or Inflammmation Processes.
CONSULTATION
It is a gateway to learn more about this ancient science of life and about ourselves. Ayurveda is based on respect and understanding of individualities, that is, the nature of each one. And health is not just the opposite of disease, but well-being and balance in different spheres that make up our lives. In a consultation, through various tools that can help some diagnoses, such as that of the pulse and tongue, in addition to the conversation, we investigate the imbalances and look for simple and natural tools, changes in the lifestyle, so that they can help in the wellbeing and health both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This does not interfere with any medical or psychiatric treatments.
From your consultation, you will receive your optimal daily routine, an herbal care protocol to start your nutritional habits and the suggested therapies that will optimize your healing process.
BODY TREATMENTS
AYURYOGA MASSAGE | Ayuryoga Massage combines massage ascendant movements, breath-work and basic yoga stretching. According to the situation some Marma points can be stimulated as well, along the process. This therapy is performed on the floor and with the use of oil. This unique approach to the body dissolves physical and emotional blocks, helps to eliminate toxins, promotes correct posture, enhances natural flow of energy and leaves one with a profound sense of well-being.
AYURVEDIC MASSAGE | Marma also means secret in Sanskrit and by definition in Ayurveda, Marma point is an area on the body, which are the meeting junctions of two or more types of tissues like ligaments, tendons, muscles and bones. In these points occurs a great concentration of Prana (vital energy), so they are especially sensitive and quickly respond to stimulus. Marma are also related to specific functions of the body like organs, tissues, mind and emotions and connected to Srotas (physical channels), Nadis (energetic channels) and Chakras (energetic centers), facilitating the information between the physical and the subtle bodies. In this therapy, that involves full body flowing massage, a light stimulation of the Marma points is made.
GARSHANA | Is a dry, lymphatic, skin-exfoliating, vigorous massage from the neck down using a special glove designed to create skin friction and static electricity, that helps alkalize the blood beneath the skin and support healthy lymphatic movement. Garshana is Ayurveda’s classic lymphatic massage technique. The massage starts at the feet and works up to the head with each stroke, encouraging lymph flow towards the heart. This rubbing technique of the body is made with a mixture of salt, camphor, fresh plants and suitable oil. It will enhance circulation and healthy blood flow, help to reduce excess subcutaneous fat accumulated in the body, suitable for cellulite and obesity, reduces excess sweat and eliminates bad body odors, improves skin texture, luminosity. This treatment supports natural detoxification and energetic cleansing. This treatment is combined with an abhyanga (a light body massage).
UDWARTHANA | Udwarthana means to elevate or to promote. This therapy is actually more close to an exfoliation and involves upward stroking, where the special powders are warmed up and then rubbed forcibly on the body. This treatment is a powerful detoxifying treatment and indicated to reduce the excess fat accumulated in the subcutaneous tissues, to improve blood circulation, to soften and exfoliate dead skin cells, to help to breakdown cellulite, to control excess weight, to reduce AMA (toxins) in the body and to detox, purify and tone the skin. This treatment is combined with an abhyanga (a light body massage).
FACE + HEAD TREATMENTS
AYURVEDIC FACIAL | Very few people are blessed with naturally perfect skin. A fast-pace and stressful lifestyle, tension and pollution exposure are some of the challenges that our largest organ has to deal with in the times that we are living. Consequently, a regular skin care program is no longer a luxury, but an essential anxiety reliever and beauty therapy. Using herbs, flowers, essential oils, the Ayurvedic approach brings a natural balance.
Delicate CLEANSE | Soft SCRUB | MASK | HYDRATION a soft massage on the hands, arms and neck to help to ground and for us to connect; face care: face and head massage including the Marma points in this area.
MUKHA ABHYANGA | It is a massage modality that uses medicinal herbal oils or butters or creams to treat the facial area. It activates deep centers of the brain, reflex points, energy meridians, and facial circulation. This massage helps to release tensions in the neck, shoulders and face, and energy is re-balanced from head to toe. In addition to relaxing the mind, it helps to prevent and reduce wrinkles. A truly uplifting moment.
SHIROABHYANGA | Shiro means head and Abhyanga means external oleation, which essentially means a complete massage of the head, neck, and shoulders using simple or medicated oils. Since these are usually the areas that are most affected by stress, by being massaged, it will provide deeper relaxation and stress release. Shiroabhyanga in a regular basis will improve and rejuvenate the central nervous system, can be helpful in treating tinnitus, jaw aches/tensions and sinusitis, insomnia, anti-aging effect by helping to relax facial and eye muscles, prevents premature greying, hair fall, dandruff, and stimulates hair growth. In India this technique is performed with the patient sitting, while here we practice it with the patient lying in the back, to provide extra relaxation and comfort.
SHIRODHARA | From the sanskrit shiro which means head and dhara, which means flow, this technique involves a flow of oil onto the forehead. It is often combined with a scalp and head massage. Research suggests that Shirodhara may help with managing stress, anxiety, improves sleep quality and is said to have relaxing, soothing, and calming effects on the body and on the level of the mind, it assists with clarity and with making decisions. * Minimum four sessions.
NASYA | In Ayurveda, the nose is considered the direct route to the brain and also the doorway to Consciousness. It is the entrance for Prana, the life force, which is carried into the body through the breath. Healthy uncongested breathing is important to ensure proper flow of prana throughout the head and body, which has a reverberating effect on the health of the entire body-mind. When an excess of bodily fluids accumulates in the sinus, throat, nose, or head areas, it is best eliminated through the nose. Oil can help facilitate the cleansing process. In this treatment we start with a Mukha Abhyanga (Face Massage with oil) and a Shiroabhyanga (head, neck and shoulders massage) and then place drops of medicated oil into the nostrils. It is recommended for sinusitis, rhinitis, stiffness in the jaw, neck and shoulders, mental dullness, anxiety, stagnation, allergies among others.
KARNA PURANA | Karna, which meants ear, and purana, which means to fill up. In simple terms, it is the filling up of each ear – not at the same time – with warm, medicated oil. Providing nourishment to the ears with warm oil can balance the flow of prana vayu, enabling us to feel calmer and stay balanced at a deeper level. This therapy nourishes the acoustic nerve and improves signal quality to the brain, whilst enhancing the interpretation of sounds by the hearing center in the brain. In this treatment we start with a Mukha Abhyanga (Face Massage with oil) and a Shiroabhyanga (head, neck and shoulders massage) and then apply the oil in one ear and then in the other. Ears are also digestive channels connected to spirituality. Toxic environments or coexistence can unbalance us, generating a lot of stress and even illness. This treatment cleans the ear canal, dislodges impurities, improves the functions of the ear, promotes clarity of the mind, reliefs neck pain and jaw pain and brings a comfortable feeling of peace.
CLEANSES AND TREATMENTS
GREEVA Basti | In this approach of external bastis, a small pool made out of dough is filled with lukewarm oil over a specific area, followed by a gentle massage. In Sanskrit, ‘Greeva’ means neck. This is an age-old treatment used to address acute and chronic neck conditions. Nowadays, a sedentary lifestyle, which involves sitting hours in front of computer screens, can cause neck pain and other conditions, Greeva Basti effectively addresses neck pain and related painful conditions, inflammation and stiffness. The warm herbal oil allows absorption into muscles, ligaments, and tendons, thereby relaxing the neck and healing any underlying conditions, calming pain and stiffness. This therapy enhances active blood circulation around the neck and strengthens the spine, it helps to heal compression fractures and frozen shoulders and additionally de-stress the entire body.
KATI Basti | The word Kati refers to the Lower back. The procedure of applying heat to the sacral or lumbar region by retaining warm medicated oil within a specially formed frame in this area is popularly known as ‘Kati Basti’. Either continuous standing or sitting in one certain place can cause lower back pain and for these situations Kati basti is a great solution. The healing properties of herbal oils used for this basti deeply clean and fortify the blood, build strong muscle and connective tissues, and lubricate the joints. This special technique is aimed at providing relief by bathing the lower back with warm oil followed by a massage on the affected area. This treatment, besides being used for lower backache, can also be helpful for disorders of lumbosacral region – including slip disc, lumbar spondylosis, sciatica, as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), endometriosis, menstrual discomfort, and urinary tract disorders.
HRIDI Basti | In this approach of external bastis, a small pool made out of dough is filled with lukewarm oil over a specific area, followed by a gentle massage. Hridi in Sanskrit refers to Hridaya, the heart. This is also called as Urobasti (Uro = chest). Therefore, Hridi Basti is an oil bath on the heart. This suggests an Ayurvedic hot oil treatment where a medicated hot oil preparation or a freshly prepared herbal decoction is poured over the heart region. Hridaya, the heart is considered as one among the Mahamarma (three vital areas) covering heart, middle of sternum. This therapy nourishes the cardiac muscles, regulates cardiac functions, improves blood circulation, relieves deep seated repressed stress, anger and grief. It gives a sense of peace and happiness.
NABI Basti | In this approach of external bastis, also known as Chakra basti, a small pool made out of dough is filled with lukewarm oil over a specific area, followed by a gentle massage.. The nabhi, or belly button, has the thinnest layer of muscle between the inner vagus nerve and the outer layer of skin. Since skin is extremely thin here, it means that any stimulation directly reaches the brain. The navel is a ‘power hub’ of nerves with over 72,000 nerve endings or where 72,000 nadis (subtle energy pathways) converge. According to Ayurveda, the Nabhi is a very important marma point and the location of Agni (digestive fire – metabolism source). Balancing the Nabhi will promote better digestion, by supporting the function of the intestines and bringing deep relaxation to the area (IBS, indigestion, gastritis). This will allow better blood circulation and quite often there is release of deep suppressed emotions and impressions.
PINDA SWEDANA | Is a type of fomentation (sweating) treatment wherein the medicines are tied up in cloth little bags. These bags are made from fine cloth (linen or cotton) and the composition of what is inside can vary in between green leafs with medicated oils, herbs, rice cooked in spices decoction, powders, basically what is inside is customized based on the health condition to be treated and the benefits will depend on which type of Pinda is being used – reduce pain, inflammation, stiffness, soothes nerves and joints, sprains and cramps. Very helpful in cases of arthritis, musculoskeletal and neuromuscular diseases, spondylitis. In this therapy, the bag is used to massage the joints, muscles, and tendons.