Ayurvedic Massage

Ayurvedic massage is an ancient Indian technique based on the principles of Ayurveda and pressure points, or "marmas".   It is designed to heal the body and create balance between the mind, body, and spirit.  Ayurveda is a complete mind-body prescription that includes diet, healthy living and herbal healing techniques. 

Ayurvedic massage is customized to the individual’s needs.  Herbal-infused essential oils are combined with massage strokes and kneading. The oils help stimulate internal functions of the body to receive nutrient material from within and expel toxins.  There are many ayurvedic oils, and the practitioner will choose the oils with properties best suited to the individual’s needs. 

Ayurvedic massage can heal ailments related to muscles, ligaments and the nervous system.  It is an excellent remedy for pain.  It has been shown to be very beneficial for high or low blood pressure, sciatica, insomnia, arthritis and rheumatism. 

During the massage, the individual lies on a massage mat, usually a reed mat on an indian-style futon. Oil is massaged along different marma points. Marmas are described as the meeting places of the 5 organic principles: ligaments, vessels, muscles, bones and joints. There are 107 main marmas in our body. By making a gentle circular movement with the forefinger or middle finger on a marma, toxins are released and eliminated by the body. Electrochemical balance in the body is also restored.   On other body parts, the massage goes against the direction of hair growth in order to direct the lymph towards the heart.  The massage is started at either the head or the feet.  It is best to have the massage on an empty stomach.

This therapeutic massage is available through ayurvedic massage practitioners.