Many people have busy lives, which can lead to a lot of stress. When you are under a lot of stress, it can be very difficult to deal with. Especially when the stress transforms into chronic stress. An Ayurvedic massage can be an excellent remedy to reduce stress.
It is an ancient massage that comes from India. Typical of this massage is that frequent use is made of sesame oil and herbs. We therefore call it a sesame oil massage. It provides a very relaxing and soothing feeling.
In this article we are going to talk about the benefits of an Ayurvedic massage. We will go into detail about what the benefits are and what kind of massage it is exactly. We hope you enjoy reading this article.
What is an Ayurvedic massage and what is the thinking behind this massage?
Ayurvedic massage is a holistic, natural Indian massage therapy intended to promote balance and harmony in the body.
Ayurvedic massage uses different massage techniques such as reflexology, aromatherapy, acupressure, and mudra. Ayurvedic massage is a specific form of massage performed using sesame oil, warm herbal compresses and other natural oils such as coconut. It helps to remove toxins from the body and boost the immune system.
It is a massage treatment performed to help the client achieve a balance between body, mind and spirit. The treatment is based on the theory that the body has a self-regulating system that balances the doshas or body fluids.
During the treatment, the therapist uses light, rhythmic, flowing movements to gently stimulate the muscles and other body tissues. The therapist uses his fingers, thumbs, palms, or elbows to massage the skin.
Basic idea of Ayurvedic massage
The basic idea of Ayurvedic massage is to balance the harmony between the individual and nature. It focuses on the balance of life energy. We also call this balance Prana.
During the ayuredic massage, the flow of prana throughout the body is increased. Prana is known as the most vital energy in the body. The aim of the massage therapist is to enhance the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
The massage therapist does this by massaging the pressure points of the entire body, so that energy blockages are lifted and waste products can be removed more effectively. It results in promoting the self-healing ability of the body.
Promoting the self-healing ability and balancing the body are the main goals of the Ayuredic massage and this helps with many health problems such as:
- Reduce stress
- Strengthening the immune system
- Stimulating younger skin
- Reducing joint complaints
- weight loss
- Lowering blood pressure
What is the history of Ayurvedic massage?
Ayurvedic massage originated in India. It is based on the belief that the whole body is a whole. Each organ and gland has a special responsibility and function. The body should be treated as a whole and not as separate parts. The Ayurvedic mindset was first written down around 1000 BC.
Types of Ayurvedic Massage Techniques:
- Abhyanga: in abhyanga technique the masseur makes rubbing movements and uses warm dosha oils. The oils penetrate the skin making it easier to flush out toxins and relieve stress.
- Gandharva: This technique is a combination of massage and sound therapy. It aims to improve energy flow in the body. Vegetable oils are used during the massage. The massage therapist also uses crystal singing bowls.
- The goal is to create sound vibrations in which rubbing movements are made at the same time and that ensures an opening of the energy flows in the body. This treatment improves vitality and promotes a feeling of happiness.
- Marma technique: the vital energy points of the human body are called Marma in ayuredic massage therapy. This technique uses special essential oils to wake up your body’s healing system.
- To further stimulate the energy points, the therapist makes circular movements that target the pressure points of the meridian system. By stimulating these pressure points, it is very effective in relieving muscle knots and joint pain.
What are the health benefits of an Ayurvedic massage
- Stimulates circulation: an Ayurvedic massage with herbal oil promotes circulation because it is additionally stimulated by the oil. Massaging pressure points also promotes blood flow and reduces swelling, pain and stiffness.
- Good blood circulation is essential for maintaining good health as it strengthens your body’s immune system and makes you more resistant to disease and infection.
- Makes your skin smooth: A good Ayurvedic massage can make your skin look smoother and younger.
- During the massage, the production of collagen and elastin is stimulated, making the skin tighter and thereby reducing wrinkles.
- Of course you will not get this after one massage session. To achieve good results, at least three to 10 sessions are needed, depending on your body and skin condition.
- Gives you peace of mind: your body is brought back into balance on both a physical and mental level.
- The effect is that you become mentally calmer and the negative energies are removed from your body. It ensures that your body comes into balance and that naturally promotes peace of mind.
- Helps with Weight Loss: if you regularly enjoy an Ayurvedic massage, it is very healthy for your body. The self-healing ability is promoted by this massage.
- However, it is vital that you do the massage at least five to ten times to achieve the maximum effect. When the self-healing capacity is promoted, it also has a very positive effect on the metabolism of the body and therefore you burn more calories more easily. In this way an Ayurvedic massage can contribute to weight loss.
- Reduce stress: Chronic stress reduces our immunity and makes us more susceptible to disease. In this area, Ayurvedic massage can help as it is very effective in reducing stress.
- It brings the body into balance by removing energy blockages. In addition, it stimulates the production of endorphins hormones, which makes you calmer and also makes you happy.
- At the same time, stress hormones such as cortisol are expelled from the body. In this way an Ayurvedic massage helps to relieve stress.
- For more information, I also refer you to this research that has been done into the effects of an Ayurvedic massage on stress.
- Reduces muscle stiffness: Ayurvedic massage can help reduce muscle stiffness as it stimulates the nervous system. The nervous system produces neurotransmitters and endorphins that reduce inflammation and pain. In this way, the muscle stiffness decreases, which greatly reduces the pain.
- Promotes Lymphatic Drainage: Ayurvedic massage helps promote lymphatic drainage by stimulating the meridian points. The blood circulation and lymatic circulation system are thereby promoted.
- The effect is that more lymph fluids are produced. When there is an increase in lymph fluids, more waste products can be removed from the body.
- Lowers blood pressure: if you regularly enjoy an Ayurvedic massage, this stimulates a lowering of blood pressure. It will reduce the amount of stress hormones such as cortisol.
- It is precisely this that helps to lower blood pressure because you experience less stress. It also increases the amount of oxygen the blood needs to flow through the body.
- The effect is that more waste products are removed from the body and this also promotes lower blood pressure.
How does an Ayurvedic massage differ from a regular massage?
An Ayurvedic massage has a completely different philosophy than a regular massage such as the Swedish massage and sports massage. The purpose of a regular massage is to let the body relax and to reduce pain by reducing the tension in the muscles.
An Ayurvedic massage goes much further than this and focuses on balancing the different parts of our body on both a mental and physical level.
The aim of Ayurveda therapy is to bring these energy flows in the body back into balance in order to optimize the entire self-healing capacity of the body.
During this massage, the body is detoxified from negative emotions and waste products. In this way you are much more balanced as a person and you are more resistant to diseases.
A massage that has many similarities with Ayurvedic massage is the Reiki and Chinese massage . Both massages also focus on balancing the energy channels.