Table of contents hide 1 What is massage and how does it work 2 Benefits of Ayurvedic Massage 3 Contraindications of Ayurvedic massage 4 How is an Ayurvedic massage session 5 Ayurvedic Massage: Source of Life and Healing

Ayurvedic Medicine is the Millennial Science of India par excellence.

This technique is made up of a set of disciplines: Phytotherapy, Dietetics, Massage, Physical Exercises; and the main purpose is to treat the individual as a whole or as a whole: Body, Mind - Emotions and Spirit - and Soul.

In today's article we will focus on one of these tools: Ayurvedic Massage, as a technique that facilitates the balance of our body, leading to an improvement in our body, emotional and mental state.

According to Ayurveda, within each person there are the five basic elements of the universe: earth, air, fire, water and ether (or space).

What is massage and how does it work?

The combination of these elements creates three metabolic body types or doshas.

The doshas are called Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata consists of ether and air and is associated with lightness and movement.

Pitta is composed of fire and is associated with the metabolic processes of transformation, such as the digestion of food to produce energy.

Kapha consists of land and water and is associated with structure and stability. While all types of energy reside in each person, usually one is dominant.

The Ayurvedic therapist through a thorough study, will know what type of constitution is the one that predominates in the individual and what treatment is most recommended at all times.

Depending on the predominant constitution, a type of technique - stronger or softer - areas to be treated and a speed in the treatment will be used .

It is also convenient to use warm or temperate oils, species and medicinal plants to amplify the effect of massage and achieve a faster and more effective result.

In this sense, the use of specialized oils “corrects and prevents the imbalances of the doshas, especially the vata that, being related to the nervous system and the functions that include movement, is the bioenergy that moves the other two: pitta and kapha "

And is that Ayurveda scholars say that 70% of diseases are related to the dosha vata, for which massages are an excellent remedy.

Benefits of Ayurveda Massage

Specifically, among the main benefits of Ayurvedic massage, the following stand out:

• Improvement of the immune system, body posture and bone structure.
• Increased flexibility of the muscles.
• Increased ability to eliminate toxins, because Ayurvedic massage works with the lymphatic system and blood.
• Deep relaxation of the nervous system, which produces a generalized relaxation.

Contraindications of Ayurvedic massage

There are very few physiological states where you can not perform a massage of these characteristics, but these are: fever, infectious or contagious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, such as thrombosis, in which there must be special care.

As always, it is best to put yourself in the hands of well-trained specialists to assess the patient beforehand and find the most appropriate treatment for each of the ailments suffered.

How is an Ayurveda massage session

The massage will be done with dim light and preferably with a harmonious and soft music that encourages us to relax our senses.

We will have special aromas in the environment of sandalwood, frankincense or myrrh that will favor relaxation and well-being.

The ayurveda therapist will give us a constitutional test, on the first visit and so he will study the best option. And depending on the answers will generate the type of treatment to be performed.

In our western culture - queen of stress and stress, our predominance is usually Vatta. Hence, most treatments can be more focused on relaxation and general well-being.

For this, the specialist will consider working, especially with the nervous system, through direct contact, that is, the skin.

Using areas such as feet, face and spine, working it, with slow speed and medium pressure and looking for marma points to treat areas blocked and congested by tension and stress.

It will help with oils, which will have previously been heated for the occasion that will be applied directly or through some bags mixed with rice, milk, and medicinal herbs - called pindas.

The treatment should not exceed 90 minutes, although it is advisable to do it in less time.

At the end of the treatment, you should cover with plenty of towels and leave a few minutes with the light off so that you can get a total sense of well-being and peace.

I encourage you to try it and from there you can deepen the subject.

In our school, we conduct courses and seminars of this technique where you can deepen and learn more about this wonderful tool.

Give yourself a few minutes of pleasure every day.

By Maria Martrat, director and teacher of the Vipassana School www.vipassana.es

Ayurveda Massage: Source of Life and Healing