A whole body massage with specific herbal oils to nourish and revitalize the body tissues (Dhatus) and to allow the toxins to be removed from the cells. Abhyanga has much deeper and more far reaching effects than an ordinary massage using mineral oils and lotions. Abhyanga achieves deepest healing effects by naturally harmonizing Body – Mind & Spirit. This massage is performed symmetrically and is usually followed by a medicated steam bath (Sweda). It is one of the most rejuvenating treatments of Ayurveda.
Abhyanga and steam – Snehan and Swedan, oleation and sudation on the external body surface, to dislocate the toxins from the internal system and eliminate through the body pores.
Benefits
Increases tissue strength, Improves blood circulation, Rejuvenates the whole body, Removes the Cellulite, Beautifies the skin, Delays aging, Induces sound sleep, Promotes vitality, Pacifies Vata imbalance, Reduces stress and Removes toxins.
A continuous stream of medicated warm oil/herbal decoctions/medicated milk/buttermilk is poured onto the forehead for 45 to 60 minutes. This procedure often induces a mental state similar to a trance, which creates profound relaxation of the mind and body. It is deeply relaxing and revitalizes the central nervous system. Shirodhara gives the best results when taken after an Abhyanga.
Shirodhara – Dhara, continuous down pour of medicated oils, herbal concoction, medicated milk, processed buttermilk, etc on the forehead.
Benefits
Anxiety, Depression, Epilepsy, Hypertension, Diabetic Neuropathy, Nervous Disorders, Hemiplegic Paraplegia, Strengthens the sensory organs, Insomnia, Pre-mature graying of the hair & hair loss Mental retardation, Paralysis, Stress
A soothing massage of the head, neck & shoulder using warm herbal oils.
Shirobhyanga – Oleation of the head, neck and shoulder region.
Benefits
Insomnia, Brings sound sleep, Cooling to the eyes, Headache, Removes dandruff, Pre-mature graying & hair loss, Profoundly soothing and relaxing.
A very stimulating massage of the lower legs and the feet to activate the acupressure points.
Padabhyanga – Oleation of the feet and leg region.
Benefits
Improves the eyes, Soothing and cooling to the eyes, Alleviates burning of the eyes, Induces deep sleep, Improves luster of the skin, Smoothens cracked skin of the feet, Hyper tension, Relieves tiredness of the feet.
The massage works locally and reflexively: locally to improve the skin and uplift the face, and reflexively to relax and deeply nourish the whole body. The Ayurvedic Facial Massage sequence are part of a complete beauty treatment which comprises herbal steams, scrubs, masks, and moisturizers, but may be given alone with excellent results.
Benefits
Enhances nourishment and cleansing of tissues which makes for a glowing complexion, maintains good tone and suppleness to all skin layers which helps to hold young contours, melts away facial tension and bodily stress, smoothing wrinkles and brings gentleness to the expression, forward subtle energies relieving stiffness throughout the entire body, deeply nourishes and strengthens the entire body, gives rise to a bodily feeling of wonderful excitement that re-energizes the whole body, develops a depth of being nurtured that strengthens and increases a willingness to care for others; develops inner beauty
Ayurvedic facial makes use of the gentle strokes with fingers and hands using various pressure points on the face to increase the blood circulation and detoxify the facial skin.
Benefits
Enhancing tone and texture, beautifying and providing instant glow, relaxing, reduce stress and depression, increases sleep
This revitalizing treatment is given immediately after Abhyanga. A continuous pouring of a warm herbal decoction all over the body and simultaneous massage, at the same time Shirodhara is also given. This therapy removes Kapha and Vata toxins.
Kashayasekha – Snehan and Swedan treatment from top to toe.
Benefits
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteo Arthritis, Varicose Veins, Improves circulation, Improves skin complexion Relieves body pain.
This is a specialized herbal treatment for weight reduction. An herbal paste or powder is applied all over the body and deeply massaged with specific movements.
Udvartana – Elimination in a rough and harsh way.
Benefits
Toning the skin & muscle after child birth or weight loss, Removes Cellulite, Obesity, Weight reduction, Imparts good complexion to the skin Revitalizes the sense of touch, Removes Kapha toxins from the body
A highly rejuvenating treatment in which fresh plants are fried with several other herbal ingredients and tied into boluses, dipped into warm medicated oil and simultaneously massaged by four therapists all over the body for one hour, it is applied after Abhyanga.
Elakizhi – Ela means Leaf and Kizhi means bundle or bolus
Snehan and Swedan treatment done simultaneously.
Benefits
Chronic back pain, Loss of function of a part or whole limb, Joint stiffness and swellings, Muscular pain, Anti-aging & rejuvenating Sciatica, Spondylosis, Sprains and cramps.
Navara- Variety of rice
Kizhi: Bolus Bag
Navarak kizhi Kerala’s unique contribution to Ayurveda, involves fomentation of the body with a bolus of cooked rice. Shastika or navara, a particular kind of rice known for its nutritional value, is cooked in milk and a herbal decoction made of kurumthotti (sida rhombifolia). Four boluses are made of this cooked rice and tied up in linen bags.
The fomentation continues with the patient on his /her back on the droni. There is also another attendant who supplies new kizhis, which are cept ready in a decoction of warm milk. It is very important to keep the kizhis at a constant temperature. The treatment is over once fomentation has been carried out in all the seven standard positions.
Podi- Medicated powder
Kizhi- Bolus Bag
Podikizhi is a method of therapeutic sweating. The body is thoroughly massaged with linen bags containing herbal ingredients in powdered form. Podikizhi is also known as Churna Pinda Sweda . A type of Ayurvedic massages treatment with bundles of herbal powder. Podikizhi is effective in curing arthritis, paralysis and neuro-muscular diseases. In this therapy, several types of grains like Horse gram, Sesame seeds, Black gram and other curative ingredients are powdered fried and tied up in linen bundles. As moderate heat is required to sweat body , the bundles have to be warmed up periodically by dipping in warm medicated oil, or herbal juices. Before this therapy light Abhyanga is given.
After that, the patient is given a bath in moderately warm water. The treatment is an good to remove toxins and balance tridosha-vata , pita and kapha. Duration of the treatment is about 45 minutes.
Benefits
Degenerative joint disorders, Paralysis, many diseases caused by disrupted Vatha and Kapha doshas like rheumatic disorder, arthritis, Spondilitis and paralysis, etc.
Uzhichil is a complete Kalari massage system which rejuvenates the nervous and muscular system of the body and stimulates blood circulation. This method of treatment is a result of the blend of Dhanurveda and Ayurveda. Uzhichil is the systematic application of pressure on the muscles according to their structure, at the same time stimulating the nervous system and the circulatory system. This is done by oiling and massaging the various parts of the body.
Benefits
Uzhichil is a highly effective treatment method for even spondylitis and back pain and as a supplementary form of treatment which increases vitality and strength. By stimulating the normal energy flow in the body it increases mental sharpness. During the treatment period the patient is required to strictly follow the instructions of the Gurukul especially in matters of food.
Kati- Back
Vasti- Bladder (one which retains)
This is a special treatment in which warm medicated oil is kept over the lower end of the vertebral region for the certain time.
Benefits
This treatment is very effective in treating low back pain, sciatica, slipped disc, neurological diseases of lower limb etc.
Janu- Knee
Vasti- Bladder (one which retains)
In this treatment, medicated oil is kept over the knee joint for a certain time.
Benefits
It is very useful in painful conditions of knee joints, looseness and stiffness of knee joints.
Uro- Chest
Vasty- Bladder (one which retains)
In this treatment, medicated oil retained in the dough ring is kept over the chest for a certain time. Oil is warmed and changed couple of times for enhanced benefits and relief. This is done for 30- 45 minutes for 7- 14 days.
Benefits
Useful in chest pain, burning sensation of chest, hiccups, asthma, breathlessness, respiratory problems
Greeva- Neck
Vasty- Bladder (one which retains)
The Patient is made to lie down on his chest and dough ring is placed on the painful cervical region. Oil is then warmed and poured inside and kept for some time.
Benefits
It is very useful in stiffness of joints, cervical spondylosis, painful neck, paralysis of hands, numbness, stimulates nerves relieving pain.
Netra- Eyes
Vasty- Bladder (one which retains)
The process of keeping unctuous substances( medicated ghee or oil) in the eyes for a certain period of time
Benefits
Useful for diseased as well as for normal people, increases eyesight, eye diseases, roughness and stiffness of eyes, eye injury etc.
Karna- Ears
Poornam- Filling
The patient is made to lay on the table by his side. The oil is then warmed slightly and poured inside one ear. After some time it is removed and oil is then is poured into the other ear.
Benefits
Useful in curing several diseases of the ears, earache, deafness, headache, giddiness, vertigo, corrects diseases of the teeth and gums, removes burning sensation of head and feet.
Nasya- Nose or nasal passage
The administration of herbal oils, decoctions and powders through the nostrils is called ‘Nasya’. The therapy is used not merely as an nasal decongestant but also to cure many serious ailments like loss of consciousness, stupor, insomnia, hysteria, hemiplegic and facial paralysis.
Benefits
Nasya is good for chronic headaches, throat diseases, sinusitis, catarrh, epilepsy, and certain types of skin diseases
This is a traditional type of Ayurvedic massage which is given to pregnant women and to the baby. This is done only during the 4, 5, 6 and 7 month of the pregnancy. This is done in two positions as per the comfort of the women. Massage is done with soft hands with medium pressure.
Benefits
Easy delivery, rejuvenating and relaxing, maintains the blood pressure, develops tone, nourishing, promotes good sleep, reduces painful conditions
This is a treatment that generally follows the full body massage. Excluding the head and neck areas which contain delicate organs and centers, steam containing vapors of detoxifying and balancing herbs is given to the whole body. This helps the toxic impurities to easily leave the body. Thus their elimination from the body becomes easier. It also moisturizes and rehydrates the skin making it soft and smooth, adding to the benefits of massage.