Ayurveda massage techniques provide relaxation, circulation and elimination of toxins. Special oils are used in combination with the massaging techniques. These massages have a soothing and relaxing effect on your body. An Ayurveda massage aims at improving your blood circulation and builds up your immune system by helping your body to flush out harmful toxins. An Ayurvedic massage involves the use of a predefined set of massaging techniques and certain essential oils that are beneficial to the body. Among these oils, ksheerabal tailam, dhanvataram tailam and maha Narayan tailam are extensively used. Certain other oils such as coriander oil are known to cool down the body and provide a soothing feeling.
Ayuverdic massage involves uniform gentle strokes on the affected part of the body. Only upward motions are advised. When performing an Ayurvedic massage, any body part, such as the head or feet can be chosen first. Oil is applied on a specific area of your body and the masseur massages with their palms.
Some techniques involves a hard or vigorous massage that may include the use of hands, hard oiled massages balls, elbows, feet, or forearms on the body. If feet are utilized, the massages therapist may hang from a rope to maintain his or her balance and ensure the safety of both participants. Dipping feet into a bowl of warm Ayuvedic massage oil to create a slippery, resistance-free surface, he or she will slide feet up and down the body.
Another area Ayurveda includes, which is related to massages, is the art of “Marma Point Therapy”. Marma points are special energetic points in the body with relation to organ function, metabolism and emotional states. They bare similarities to Acupuncture points and many scholars hold to the view that Ayurveda is the foundation to Chinese medicine. Marma points are typically stimulated by hand pressure, massed with special oils or stimulated with medicated steam.
It is advised that you take an Ayurvedic massage in the early morning hours on an empty stomach. You should ideally rest for 20-30 minutes after massaging before you take your shower, and avoid being in the sunshine for at least one hour after the massage.
You can find Ayurveda massage clinics all over India, and most of the bigger hotels and resorts have in-house clinics that their guests can use. In Kerala, Ayurveda massage is very common, and lots of clinics are available. Not all of them are of reasonable high standard; it is therefore advisable to ask around before you decide which clinic you want to go to.
