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Shirodara treatment is one of the best things you can do for yourself. This relaxing application of a warm liquid, usually an oil, in a continuous stream upon the forehead, is an ancient technique that has helped many. Shirodhara has many benefits for the mind, body, and soul, and once you experience one, you’ll look forward to returning for more in the future.
Ayurvedic practitioners developed Shirodara treatment. Ayurveda is a natural ancient medical system that has its roots in India. It has been around for thousands of years. Many people still practice it today, and in more recent years it has spread like wildfire to other countries.
Panchakarma is a comprehensive Ayurvedic treatment that lasts for several days to help remove toxins from one’s body and mind. For many years, Shirodhara was only practiced as a component of panchakarma, but fortunately, today it is administered on its own as well.
Read on to learn more about Ayurveda, and about Shirodara treatment in particular.
Ayurvedic Bodywork Treatments
Ayurveda has been successful for thousands of years because it recognizes that for optimum health, we must think of and take care of our whole self. Mental, emotional, and physical health are inseparable. Further Ayurveda recognizes that prevention is much easier than treatment, and if we are aware of our dosha, we can take care of ourselves well.
The three doshas – pitta, vata, and kapha – are the basis of Ayurvedic treatment. Although everyone has a little of each of them, each person fits most strongly into one or two of them. The doshas can describe someone’s personality, intellect, physical characteristics, and more.
When your doshas get out of balance, your mental, physical, and emotional health can suffer. It’s vital that you do what you can to get them back into balance right away. These can be reset by eating different foods, changing other habits, or by enjoying wonderful ayurvedic treatments.
Different treatments help with different dosha imbalances. Shirodhara works to improve your Vata dosha in particular. Vata dosha is associated with the element of air, so when you feel like you need some grounding, a Shirodara treatment may be in order.
Benefits of Shirodara Treatment
The benefits of a Shirodara treatment are immense. Most of all, you will leave after your treatment feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Beyond that, though, there are even more and deeper benefits that you may not see right away.
Relaxation and stress reduction are not the same thing. Relaxation is temporary, but stress reduction stays with you for a while. Considering the fact that so many chronic illnesses are linked to stress, the fact that Shirodhara reduces stress should alone be enough to experience this treatment whenever you can. One study found that Shirodhara successfully reduces respiration rate, diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate, making it a wonderful way to combat stress.
Shirodhara also can work to reduce anxiety. The pouring of the liquid on the forehead can cause a decrease in the alpha rhythm of the brain, thereby reducing the nervous system pulses that cause us to feel anxious.
If you have difficulty sleeping, Shirodhara can help you, too. Research has shown that people who suffer from insomnia often have an excessive beta-wave activity that keeps them from relaxing. Shirodhara stimulates alpha waves which leads to better and more effective sleep for people who experience it.
Shirodhara also helps to inspire and awaken intuition. The warm liquid is poured upon the third eye area of the body, which is connected with a spiritual awakening in many religious traditions. The flow of the liquid helps to open blockages, allowing energy to flow more freely.
Techniques
Shirodhara is a word made of two words. “Shir” means head and “dhara” means pouring in a stream.
All types of Shirodhara involve the recipient reclining on a table, and warm liquid being poured over his or her forehead. The liquid is usually herbal oil or ghee (Sneha Dhara), chosen specifically for that individual and his or her dosha, but it could be other liquids as well, such as milk infused with herbs (Ksheer Dhara) or buttermilk infused with herbs (Takra Dhara).
Treatments usually take place in the morning and are advised for several days, but a single treatment will still have great effects. A treatment lasts about an hour.
Often, Shirodhara is combined with other things to make the experience even better. Shiro Abhyanga includes a scalp massage that lasts about forty minutes. This helps the oils work their way into the head for optimum benefits.
When you experience your treatment, the room will be dark, quiet, and heated to a comfortable temperature. You should eat a light meal before you go. Your hair will be saturated with oil, you will want to wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Why It Works
Shirodhara can do wonders for your physical and mental health. It seems so simple, but it can be helpful to people suffering from insomnia, PTSD, jet lag, hypertension, stress, anxiety and more. Even healthy individuals can enjoy its relaxing and balancing effects and will feel refreshed and renewed after a Shirodara treatment.
But how and why does it work? Practitioners believe that this treatment is so effective because it taps into the brain directly with warmth and energy. By pouring warm liquids on the forehead, the brain experiences stimulation. In turn, the positive effects of Shirodhara can reach all points on the body through the nerves.
Shirodhara reaches all three doshas in the brain and it is through this direct treatment there that they can experience balance and pacification. By approaching the whole body through this point on the head, great strides can be made in overall health.
Enjoy Your Shirodhara
If you are interested in experiencing the incredible Shirodhara treatment, please stop by and see us. If you have any questions or want to make an appointment for this or any other Ayurvedic treatment, please contact us today.