Ayurveda. Kim Inglis

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      udwarthanam Dry Massage with Herbal Powder

      A stimulating massage that uses dry powders not oil, udwarthanam is vigorous, energizing and not for the faint hearted. Dry herbal powders, chosen according to one’s dosha, are rubbed into the skin in the opposite direction to hair growth with strong repeated movements. The friction of the powder during the massage creates body heat that increases circulation, breaks down cellulite, firms muscle tone and reduces fat by improving the metabolism of the muscles. It is recommended for those who want to lose weight, as it reduces cholesterol levels and adipose tissue and promotes better digestion and. It also removes toxins and exfoliates the skin, leaving skin tingling, soothed and soft.

      Most Ayurvedic massages tend to use long, flowing strokes that go away from the heart and from bottom to top, but udwarthanam employs short, sharp superficial rubs that go in the opposite direction, away from the heart towards the extremities and from the top of the body downwards. This is the opposite of the dosha flow. According to Ayurvedic physician, Dr Ajitha of Soukya, the powder helps to open up the micro-channels in the body, so reduces fat accumulation, tautens up muscles, reduces bad body odor and exfoliates dead surface skin cells. In a clinical setting, udwarthanam is usually prescribed for 10 to 14 days for those with ama twan or slowness of flow in the channels, and as a means to reduce fat. However, the massage type is increasingly finding its way into spas and retreats, where its invigorating style is gaining popularity.

      At the spa at Udaivilas, a beautiful resort on the shore of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, one of three Ayurvedic powders or choornam are used: the popular triphala choornam or three fruit powder, a powder composed from Terminalia chebula or Terminalia bellaruca, or kola kula thadhi choornam, made from a variety of pulses and herbs. The massage is quite rough and the powder enters the superficial bloodstream, but also enters nasally as it flies about in the air. This cleanses the internal system too. Afterwards, the client is encouraged to spend 10 minutes in the steam room and further massage any residual powder into the skin. As sweating occurs, toxins are released through the skin’s pores, and the skin is left feeling soft, extremely smooth and rejuvenated.

      Another place that offers udwarthanam is Soukya International Holistic Health Center. Here it is prescribed for guests who are obese and the powders are prepared on site. They differ from patient to patient, but may contain vacha (Acorus calamus) to alleviate swelling, the Ayurvedic all-round wonder fruit amalaki or Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), green gram powder and/or basil. All the herbs are washed, cut into small pieces, dried and pulverized on site to make either a fine or coarse powder, which is then strewn on to the body and massaged in by two therapists simultaneously.

      Some of the powders used at Udaivilas; they contain what doctors call madagna properties that reduce fat and help clear blockages.

      Two therapists at Soukya massage a client with powder made on site. Udwarthanam is also useful as a depilatory because the short, sharp rubs tend to pluck hairs from the roots.

      sirodhara Oiling the Third Eye

      Surprisingly, sirodhara is the most widespread Ayurvedic therapy offered at spas outside India. Why this is the case is unclear, as it is not prescribed for many ailments in a clinical environment. It invariably comes top of the Ayurvedic menu, and even spas without an Ayurvedic department offer bastardized versions. Many people have tried it, and even if they haven’t, they will almost certainly have heard of it.

      Coming from siro (“head”) and dhara (“pouring of herbal liquids on specific body parts”), sirodhara denotes the continuous pouring of herbal oils, milk, buttermilk or ghee over the head and scalp. The patient lies on his or her back on a wooden treatment table, cocooned in warm towels, while a therapist trains a steady rhythmic stream of warm liquid from a perforated vessel made of clay, wood or metal on to the forehead. The table is made from one of seven therapeutic woods and is designed to catch the oil for recycling on the same client.

      Oil stroking the “third eye” has a balancing effect on the deepest recesses of the brain and is profoundly relaxing. In Ayurveda, it is seen as a stimulating procedure for the nervous system and is prescribed for bringing down aggravated vata conditions such as insomnia, headache, insecurity, fear and nervous strain. Irritable pitta predominant people with overactive minds can experience a cooling, calming benefit from a session or two and kaphas often fall asleep. Used in conjunction with other therapies, sirodhara has been practiced for thousands of years to treat many and varied conditions such as ear, nose and throat disturbances, glandular problems, psychiatric disorders, hypertension, skin diseases, facial paralysis and more. During a session, the nervous system unwinds, busy brains become clear, and tired bodies are refreshed.

      In a clinical environment, the choice of liquid and duration of treatment varies according to the individual. Vata patients are generally prescribed medicated herbal oil, pitta types receive herbal milk, ghee or coconut oil, and buttermilk is often recommended for kapha patients. Ancient texts denote 53 minutes for vatas, 43 minutes for pitas and 31 minutes for kaphas! It is suggested the best time to receive sirodhara is early in the morning for a period of 21 consecutive days, depending on the client. A variation of sirodhara is deha-dhara, where two to four СКАЧАТЬ