Ayurvedic Massage & Bodywork Treatments Snehana: the Sanskrit word for oleation, from the root word Sneha, which means love comes loving your own body. Oil massage nourishes and lubricates the body from the outside in. It enhances skin tone and improves circulation, digestion, and elimination. It helps release toxins from the body and induces sound sleep. Marma Point Massage: (Ayurvedic pressure point therapy) in which the vital points where life energies are concentrated (muscles, fat, bones, veins, arteries, tendons, and joints meet at these points) are massaged with medicinal oils. Netra Basti: Netra Basti means washing the eye with medicated oils. It is an ancient treatment from India to relieve the tensions that are trapped in the eyesocket that can result in poor eye sight, pain, fatigue, and that sunken, sallow look. Traditionally this treatment is used to improve eyesight and nourish the nervous system via the eyeball as it connects directly to the brain. We have found that it also brings an incredibly rich lustre to the eyes, soothes away wrinkles, enhances color and depth perception, creates a sense of ease and acceptance, and promotes a deep feeling of contentment. Nasya: Nasya is a nasal administration of liquid drops. The liquid drops can be of a calming nature that helps to produce sleep or relaxation, or more cleansing and stimulating in nature, or purely nutrititve. Here we use liquid drops that are more cleansing in action. By cleansing we mean cleansing the sinus cavities but also clearing the area of the head and neck of excess Vata energy-that which causes pain and tension. Vata energy in the head is known as “prana.” Prana energy relates to higher cerebral, sensory, and motor functions and movement in the kidneys. Classically, this type of treatment is used for clearing the sinuses, reducing pain in the face, head, and neck, and helping kidney function. From the beauty point of view it definitly reduces dark rings under the eyes, a pinched look in the sinuses, and/or a sunken or puffy look around the eyes. It is a simple technique, but its effects run deep, both physically and emotionally. Benefits reported: feeling relaxed and recharged all over, relief of tension patterns around the chest, better and longer sleep, relief of chronic neck pain, feel alert and have more energy. The Narayan Treatment (Fire & Ice): hydrotherapy from the Himalayas It has the skin-on-flesh feeling of massage, the oil-on-skin satiny feeling that brings warmth. The essential oils penetrate the skin to provide cooling and aroma. And applying towels cooled in ice water is refreshing. This treatment takes its name from Narayan oil, which is a blend of mint, eucalyptus, and clove oils. For centuries Narayan oil has been used to cure pain in the muscles, to take care of mild skin problems, and to redress the mismanagement of tissue growth within muscles. It is very effective for tendon problems. The treatment is cooling, and can be done in any season of the year. However, in northern latitudes where winters are cold, this treatment is best done in spring and summer. This treatment is not for those who have heart disease or are in a state of severe fatigue. Benefits: As an analgesic, Narayan oil has the ability to kill pain and relieve the discomforts of muscle spasms, joint stiffness, muscle soreness from exercise, and inflammations caused by injury or strain. The treatment also helps rejuvenate and stimulate the immune system, to better resist germs, viruses, and disease. The treatment can also warm an area of the body for up to 8 hours afterwards. There is a strong aromatherapy with this treatment. The fragrance which pervades the room is very healing. Aromatic oils stimulate the mind and senses. The scent of Narayan oil helps relieve congestion, opening the sinuses and lungs, providing relief. This is truly a great experience, as the oil intoxicates, helping to mentally transport your senses to far away places. The ice towels seem to be the most intense part of the treatment, as the ice therapy penetrates deeper than heat, yet the feeling after the treatment will have you telling all your friends how wonderful it was, and keep you coming back for more. Arnica-Pine Salve Treatment, Old fashioned salve with the supporting properties of Arnica. This gel is used to support the integrity of the skin and connective tissue. Applied for pain following exercise, strech marks, bruises, strains, sprains, minor pain and trauma. A large dose is applied to the skin then wrapped to allow for penetration, moist heat can also be applied. Castor Oil Application & Abdominal Massage: Castor oil is considered to be the “Arnica of Ayurveda”, also called The Palma of Christi by Edgar Cayce. Many of us are familiar with castor oil as an internal laxative. Of more interest, however, are the external uses of this ancient oil. Applied to the skin it acts as a natural emollient, penetrating the surface layer of skin as it makes the skin softer and more pliable. Best overall for Vata it has warm, heavy, and astringent qualitys. The effects can be enhanced with application of a moist heating pad. Application of Herb Technology's other Topical Ointments (Listed Below) Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the food & Drug Administration. These treatments are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Lifestyle Suggestions At the end of your session your practitioner will provide you with some basic dietary suggestions to help you stay balanced. We also offer a variety of herbal formulas and topical ointments for you to purchase. They are provided and formulated by noted herbalist Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa, Herb Technology manufactures one of the most extensive and highly effective collections of herbal supplement products available. Topical Ointments Herbal Heat: A warming gel for pre-sports warmup. this invigorating gel relaxes muscle tissue reduces stiffness and helps relieve pain following exercise. Used for cold stiff conditions. Herbal Ice: A deeply cooling therapy gel used after a hard workout, and to relieve pain following exercise, for hot conditions. Hypertonic Muscle Cream: A soothing, warming gel that allows muscles to relax . Relaxes hypertonic muscles, great before a workout or Yoga class. Joint Comfort Cream: A mildly warming gel for joint comfort. Especially for conditions with stiffness, swelling, minor pain and lack of joint lubrication. Best for cold conditions. Skin Ease Gel: A therapeutic tissue soothing gel. Use this gel in cases with temporary mild skin irritation, especially with itch, red patches and white scales. Supports the health of the skin. Sandlewood Acne Cream: For adults, too! Supports the natural process of the skin during difficult times. Apply to teenage and noncystic acne, and similar conditions. Arnica-Pine Solve and Castor Oil Ointment also available Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS Everyday Shatavari, This herb is the main Ayurvedic general tonic for female hormone balance. Used for mild mood changes, cramps, and edema associated with the menstrual cycle, menopause, hot flashes and PMS. Ashwaganda, Ashwaganda is a widely used general tonic in Ayurveda for men. In modest doses, overtime, it increases, arouses, and improves sexual desire and performance. It stabilizes sleep patterns when used over a few weeks, and it improves sexual functioning associated with aging. It is also used by women short term to promote calmness. Everyday Amla Fruits, Amla is the main rejuvenative herb of Ayurveda. It is the highest known source of Vitamin C in the plant world, and is therefore a very potent antioxidant. Amla is very a very “cooling” herb, and is used to maintain the health of the eyes. Everyday Guggul Gum, The gum of the Guggul tree, a relative of boswellia and Myrrh, promotes joint health, promotes healthy cholesterol levels and weight loss overtime, not a quick Fix! Everyday Tumeric Root, Tumeric promotes joint and mucous membrane tissue health, relieves occasional muscle pain caused by overexertion and provides relief of sour stomach. This astringent herb assists the balance of proper function of the membranes of the digestive tract. Commonly found in mustard, and used in curries for cooking, for best results a large dose is used, 1-4 Tblespoons a day, ask me about golden milk recipe. (also available at your local grocery store.) More Ayurvedic Herbs as well as Chinese and American herbs available, Just ask! Note: These statements have not been evaluated by the food & Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Commentary Ayurveda is a science of natural healing and preventative therapy, therefore it uses most of these treatments to excess, large amounts of topical ointments and the use of oils and massage on a daily basis followed with proper diet and use of herbs to achieve the best results. In other words, One administration of Ayurvedic massage may not make a world of difference. But through some basic guidelines provided one can become better educated to take responsibility of their own health. This can be achieved by monitoring and balancing one’s lifestyle and nutritional habits. The individuals are the best healers, one can better detect their own health imbalances than relying on another individual. It is therefore important to take responsibility for your own health to best facilitate healing. And always consult a professional health care specialist with your health concerns. It is my belief that western society has placed too much demand on quick fixes and lost sight of taking preventative measures to ensure optimal health. Home · Mission · References · Services · Massage 101 · Ayurveda 101 · About Touch Of Spirit · Contact Us!