Photo by margiewoods.com
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE FOUND ITS WAY INTO MY LIFE IN MY EARLY TWENTIES AS I SEARCHED FOR A PEACEFUL LIFESTYLE AND CAREER TO HELP MANAGE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN ANXIETY CONDITION THAT HAD STARTED TO PUT A STRAIN ON MY EVERYDAY LIFE. I TOOK A FRONT DESK JOB AT A HIGH-END DAY SPA, WHERE I MET SEVERAL MASSAGE THERAPISTS WHO ENCOURAGED ME TO LOOK INTO MASSAGE SCHOOLS. I AM SO GLAD I DID. MASSAGE SCHOOL WAS THE PERFECT FIT FOR ME, AND I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT.
AS I DUG DEEPER INTO MY STUDIES, I DISCOVERED THAT EASTERN MASSAGE TECHNIQUES AND THEORY PULLED AT MY HEART, AND BEING ABLE TO CARE FOR OTHERS IN SUCH A PRECISE WAY WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK AYURVEDA PROVIDES, INSPIRES THE PITTA IN MEYOULL LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT LATER!
THE BEAUTY IN RITUAL-STYLE BODYWORK AND OTHER OLD-WORLD HEALING SYSTEMS LIKE AYURVEDA IS PROFOUND. WORKING WITH OTHERS TOWARD WELLNESS GIVES ME A SENSE OF BEING IN THE FLOW. I LOVE CREATING A HAVEN AWAY FROM THE BUSY WORLD, AND FOR ME, IT CONTINUES TO BE AN HONOR TO DO THIS TYPE OF WORK.
I BELIEVE THAT ITS HARD TO THRIVE WHEN WERE STUCK IN A LIFESTYLE THAT DOESNT ALLOW FOR REST, A VITAL PART OF STAYING WELL. BY SHARING AYURVEDIC HEAD MASSAGE WITH YOU IN THIS BOOK, I HOPE TO INSPIRE YOU AND GIVE YOU TOOLS TO CREATE A SENSE OF PEACE IN YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE AND THE LIVES OF YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
Hillary Arrieta
DISCLAIMER
The information shared in this book is not a substitute for professional massage therapy education.
ABOUT THIS BOOK
This contemporary take on a traditional practice makes Ayurvedic head massage accessible to all, whether you are treating yourself, a friend or a family member.
Chapter 1
In this chapter you will learn what Ayurvedic head massage is and how it can help you, and find out about the principles of doshas, chakras, and marmas.
Chapter 2
Before you begin you will take a few steps to prepare your space, yourself, and, where relevant, your massage receiver. This chapter also looks at the various strokes you will be using in your massages.
Chapter 3
I have created herbal oil mixes designed specifically to be used with the rituals described in , should you want to. Learn how to make them here, and discover the ingredients you can use to make your own herbal hair oils.
Chapter 4
This chapter contains eight massage routines designed to address particular areas of concern or for general wellbeing. Follow the step-by-step instructions to massage yourself or a partner. Use regularly to feel physically, spiritually, and mentally nourished.
CHAPTER 1
BASIC PRINCIPLES
This chapter looks at the history and practice of Ayurvedic head massage, including an introduction to doshas, chakras, and marmas.
ITS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WE ALL HAVE MAGIC INSIDE US.
J.K. Rowling
WHAT IS AYURVEDIC HEAD MASSAGE?
Ayurveda, originating from India, is one of the planets oldest healing systems, and Indian head massagealso known as champissageis a form of Ayurvedic therapy.
The benefits of an Ayurvedic head massage are extensive, and effective physically, mentally, and emotionally. There are also benefits for appearance and overall well-being.
Traditionally, women of the family practiced champissage to soothe headaches and other ailments, and to beautify their hair. The practice extended out into the skills of many Indian barbers and haircare professionals.
Modern-day Ayurvedic head massage
The techniques of Ayurvedic head massage that are practiced today were initially developed by Narendra Mehta, an Indian man who came to London in the late 1970s to study physical therapy. He was completely blind, and as a result, had developed a heightened sense of touch.
While in London he often reminisced about the head massages he received in India as a child. Mehta saw an opportunity to introduce and expand the art and culture of Indian head massage to the Western world, so founded the London Centre of Indian Champissage and began teaching his technique in 1995.
Mehtas version of Indian head massage focuses on more than just the head. It includes chakra balancing as well as massage techniques for the upper back, shoulders, upper arms, neck, face, and ears as well as the scalp.
Fusion
Since Mehta first introduced Indian head massage to the West, many new techniques have been created and adapted by other massage therapists. In this book, youll find traditional Indian head massage techniques as taught by Mr Mehta, with the addition of Tibetan acupressure (using marma points), hair oil recipes, stretches, and yogic breathing practices.
Healthy body
Physically, an Ayurvedic head massage can ease restlessness and difficulties with sleeping. It helps reduce stress and relieves muscular tension, headaches, and eye strain. It can release tension that builds up in the neck and shoulders due to poor posture or physical or emotional stress.
Healthy mind
Mental and spiritual benefits from receiving a head massage include an increased sense of human connection between the giver and receiver. It can bring about a meditative mood that encourages relief from mild depression, burnout, and emotional overload.
Healthy hair
The women of India were onto something when they practiced head massage to enhance the beauty of their locks. Beauty benefits include improvement in the condition of the scalp and hair by exfoliating away dead skin and increasing local blood circulation. Massage provides nutrients to the living cells of the hair, giving it a luxurious appearance, while the use of nourishing, herbally infused oils can further increase the positive results of a beauty routine.