Julie Brockbank MFHT. MDMTA. MICHT

Massage as part of Ayurvedic Medicine (defined as the Science of longevity) has been practised in India for over a thousand years, and still plays a significant role in everyday life.
Ayurvedic Medicine is concerned with promoting positive health, beauty and long life;

ancient Ayurvedic texts feature massage and its principles as part of that balance.
The Ayurvedic view of health is in physical, emotional and spiritual well being, and that good health is maintained by the balance of three subtle life giving forces or Doshas.
Traditionally massage has always been an important daily / weekly feature in Indian family life, and it is customary for babies to be massaged daily from the moment of birth until the age of 3
The Indian Head Massage techniques practiced today have evolved from traditional rituals that form a significant part of Indian family grooming.
Over generations Indian women have been taught by their mothers to practice scalp massage as part of their daily grooming routine, the use of seasonal oils such as Sesame oil, Coconut oil, warming Mustard Seed oil, and Almond oil being used to keep their hair strong, lustrous and in beautiful condition.
In India barbers have developed a more stimulating and invigorating head massage (known as Champi) as part of their regular grooming routine, again passed down from barber father to barber son.
In India massage is such an integral part of everyday life that it is not only performed at home but openly on the streets and beaches.

Indian Head Massage as we have come to know it in the West is a treatment that has evolved from these ancient traditional Indian techniques.
Now no longer confined to just the head area, the treatment has been westernised to integrate other parts of the body that are susceptible to stress, such as the neck, shoulders and arms.
By incorporating these areas the treatment has become more of a stress management handling, rather than a treatment designed at just stimulating the head area and improving the condition of the hair.
Indian Head Massage is a safe, simple, and effective therapy, providing relief from aches, pains, stress and tension related problems, and even though the treatment involves only the upper part of the body the potential benefits are more widespread.
The head, neck and shoulders are important upper body energy centres (Chakras), and many clients comment that they feel that the whole body is balanced after a treatment, with many physiological and psychological benefits. Indian Head Massage involves working with a firm but gentle rhythm to unknot blockages, and relieve the build up of tension. The treatment itself which takes approximately 50 minutes involves the therapist working from behind the seated client throughout, working on the upper back, shoulders, arms, hands, neck, scalp, and face.
Treatment can be carried out with the client remaining clothed, however it is more beneficial to include either Ayurvedic oils (as detailed overleaf) or a base oil such as Almond oil in combination with some carefully selected Aromatherapy oils. Kneading, friction, percussion, stroking, and stimulation of the tsubo (pressure) points, are techniques used to induce relaxation, and bring about a feeling of general well being.

The Benefits and Effects of
Indian Head Massage:

• * Increases blood flow to the upper body – improving circulation & encouraging healing
• * Increases Lymphatic flow to the upper body – eliminating impurities, reducing oedema
• * Relaxes the muscle and nerve fibres of the upper body, improving flexibility & posture
• * Reduces spasms, restrictions and adhesions in the upper body muscle fibres – relieving muscular tension, fatigue & joint mobility
• * Decreases inflammation in the tissues – relieving pain and discomfort.
• * Slows down breathing and heart rate – reducing blood pressure and stress
• * Encourages relaxation – aids sleeping
• * Promotes and improves hair growth, and condition
• * Relieves mental fatigue – improves concentration, and thinking
• * Helps relieve localised pain, emotional stress, anxiety and depression - induces a feeling of calm & balance.
• * Encourages the release of stagnant energy from the body

New for 2008
2008 sees the introduction of a wonderful, beneficial range of Ayurvedic Massage oils from Ayurveda Pura, which may, if desired be used to enhance your Indian Head Massage Treatment.
In order to determine the correct Ayurvedic Massage oil for your body type (Dosha) you will initially be requested to complete a short, easy questionnaire.

Ayurvedic medicine sees everything in the universe, including human beings, as composed of five basic elements: space, air, fire, water and earth.
These five elements in turn combine with each other to give rise to three bio-physical forces (Doshas) within the human body- Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (water and earth). Together they are known as Tridosha and govern all
the biological, physiological and psychological functions of the mind and body,
as well as effecting how an individual interacts with everything around them.
Every individual has within them all three bio-physical forces, but it is the dominance of any one, two or all three that makes up a person's individual constitution or Prakriti.
Ayurvedic medicine seeks to treat the mind and body according to a person's Dosha using a system combining diet, herbal remedies, detoxification, Yoga, Ayurvedic massage, lifestyle routine and behaviours which stimulate positive emotions

Upon request the following Ayurvedic Dosha balancing oils are available to enhance  your Indian Head Massage.

Vata Formula Massage Oil
Vata Formula massage oil is infused with gentle, yet effective herbs specially selected to restore (or maintain) a healthy balance of the Vata (air and space) Dosha (body type).
It is particularly suited for people with a Vata Dosha (in whole or part) as it acts to soothe and strengthen the body, mind and soul.
It also moisturises and brings a healthy lustre to dry, sensitive or flaking skin.
It is highly effective at treating joint stiffness and pain (which are generally disorders suffered
by those with excess Vata Dosha).
Kapha Formula Massage Oil
Kapha massage oil is infused with gentle effective herbs to restore (or maintain) a healthy balance of the Kapha (water & earth) Dosha. Particularly suited for people with a Kapha Dosha (in whole or part) it acts to stimulate and energise the body, mind and soul.
It also improves the circulation & brings a warm, healthy glow to the skin.

Pitta Formula Massage Oil
Pitta Formula massage oil is infused with gentle effective herbs to restore (or maintain) a healthy balance of the Pitta (fire and water) Dosha.
It is particularly suited for people with a Pitta Dosha (in whole or part) as it acts to calm and refresh the mind, body and soul, whilst also conditioning sensitive and allergy-prone skin.

Tridoshic Formula Massage Oil
Tridoshic massage oil is infused with gentle, yet effective herbs specially selected by Ayurvedic practitioners to harmonize and stabilize all three Doshas (body types): Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water) and Kapha (water & earth).
It is ideal to use in all Ayurvedic treatments for people of all body types.
Excellent as an all purpose massage oil it also helps tone, nourish, detoxify and condition the skin.

Pure cold-pressed sesame oil (Sesamum indicum)
Sesame oil is the most important massage and therapeutic oil in Ayurveda.
This versatile oil can be used on its own or as a base massage oil to carry essential oils and herbs, safely and effectively, deep into the skin.
Sesame oil has been treasured for centuries for its nourishing, revitalizing and relaxing properties