Every kind of touch influences Vata Dosha.
Vata is composed of the elements Ether and Air, and the latter element plays an especially important role in the body. Treatment of Vata Dosha focuses on balancing the Air element in the body. As the Air element has an important connection with the skin, the organ of touch and feeling, it follows that massage - and touch in general - is an important therapeutic modality for the treatment of Vata Dosha.
Oil - widely used in Ayurvedic massage - possesses virtually all properties that are opposite to Vata Dosha. This means that oil - certainly in combination with massage - has an added value in the treatment of Vata Dosha. A variety of Ayurvedic massages have been developed, each with its own specific therapeutic goal. These range from type of massage (pressure, movement, the direction of movement, speed, and friction), type of oil (warming oils such as sesame, or cooling coconut oil), types of herbs used in the oils (from wellness oils to very specific herbal oils for very specific complaints), and environmental factors such as time of day, time of year, and so on.
Here are the 5 types of Ayurvedic massages we offer at Delight:
Abhyangam
Whole body massage
The word Abhyangam means “everywhere”: warm herbalized oils are applied with a purposeful touch in order to create balance in the body and mind and produce a multitude of beneficial effects.
Abhyangam improves blood circulation, facilitates removal of toxins from the tissues, relieves mental and physical fatigue, improves the functions of the muscular-skeletal system, reduces stiffness and heaviness in the body. It assists the production of white blood corpuscles and antibodies, which provide more resistance against viruses and diseases.
This helps the defence mechanism in the body and increases immunity towards environmental changes. In this way Abhyangam massage is a protector, preserver and a rejuvenator, increasing self-confidence and will power, so it can be used therapeutically within a therapeutic plan or as occasional treat.
The massage can be deeply relaxing or energizing depending on the need, harmonizing, detoxifying, strengthening and
revitalizing for the entire body.
Main benefits of this massage – above all within a therapeutic plan – are:
- pain and stress relief,
- blood pressure modulation
- improved sleep
- flexibility
- resilient immune system
- emotional balance
-improved body awareness.
Ayurveda-yogin abhyangam
Whole body massage with stretching through several passive yoga asana
Ayurvedic Yoga massage is a unique style of bodywork that combines deep tissue massage with breathwork and Yoga stretching. The deep tissue massage soothes and nourishes the musculature, soft tissues of the body, releases tensions and prepares the receiver for assisted Yoga stretching. Through synchronized breathwork, the receiver is led progressively deeper into assisted Yoga postures that help correct postural imbalance and restore harmony to the body.
Herbal oils are utilized during the treatment for their healing properties. This comprehensive approach to the body dissolves physical and emotional blocks, helps eliminate toxins, promotes correct posture, improves respiratory patterns, enhances energy level and leaves you with a profound sense of wellbeing.
Udgarshana
Whole body massage using herbal powders.
Dry powders slightly heated are applied and purposefully massaged in the body from the neck below. In this specific variation of Udvartana oil is not applied and the treatment has the purpose of:
- Opening the channels
- Reduce excess of fat and stagnation in the body
- Increase the stability of the bodily tissues
- Improve skin complexion
- Promote a sense of lightness in the body
- Reduce excess of oiliness in the skin
- Remove impurities from the skin and give new life and elasticity to tissues.
Udgarshana can be enjoyed best during the Spring season or within a Therapeutic or Detoxing plan that can be required by booking an (online) Ayurvedic Consultation with one of our Ayurveda Practitioners.
Marma Therapy
Marma therapy is an ancient and beautiful system of treatment coming from the Vedic wisdom which through energetic pressure points allows us to access, release and heal the physical and emotional body.
In this 60 or 90-minute treatment, gentle pressure is applied to various points on the face, neck, shoulders, head, throat and chest. This gentle physical and energetic pressure awakens the higher intelligence connected to a specific organ in the body and thereby helps to release old emotions, stagnant energy and blocks. By freeing these points and their connected channels up we feel a sense of deep physical and emotional release and freedom to tap into the pure nature of calm and radiant body and mind.
Ayurvedic Prenatal & Postnatal Massage
For centuries, midwives, doulas and families have known the benefits of supporting women during pregnancy and postpartum: Ayurveda considers the prenatal and postnatal period as a moment when the woman should be nurtured with the healing tools of hands, words, food and warm herbal oils.
The "ancestral knowing" that touch has a significant effect on our lives and is recognised nowadays by researches showing that skin stimulation may support the mobilisation of "mothering" hormones like oxytocin that enhances the functioning of the placenta among the others, has profound effects on the mother's physiological and emotional reaction to stress that is known to affect the in utero environment and the healthy development of the newborn.
Pregnancy massage is designed to be safe for the mother and the baby, to support better mood and sleep, lowering the blood pressure, support the lymphatic and venous circulation and preparing the body to the experience of labour. The so-called postnatal window (40 days after giving birth) and the first months after giving birth are crucial: the woman goes through profound transformations and she needs support and nourishment in a moment when she is all for taking care of the newborn not considering that the emotional and physical body both needs to find their way back into balance after the experience of labour. The benefits are not dissimilar from what said above with the added value of perceiving to be taken care of.
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