Snehana: Ayurvedic oil massage

Are you feeling tense, worried or stressed? Bothered by aches, pains and stiffness?

This full-body oil massage will leave you feeling calmer, more relaxed and rejuvenated. Soothing rhythmic movements and warm oil infused with ayurvedic herbs are used to relieve tension, stiffness and toxins from the body. The massage is adapted to what your body needs: it may be slow and gentle, to soothe and restore body and mind; firmer and more stimulating, to release congestion from the tissues; or a combination of relaxing and energising.

The massage helps to restore the body's functioning by balancing either Vata, Pitta or Kapha dosha (the energies that govern the body's physiology). You will be asked a few questions about your health by email before you come. 

In ayurveda, regular application of oil and heat is an important therapy for numerous conditions. It is also a key part of a regular routine to maintain balance when we are healthy. It may be recommend that you have three massages over three to six weeks. If that's not possible, we can show you a daily home massage that takes 10 minutes, and will recommend which oil you use. This massage is not as "slappy-slappy" as the "tourist Ayurveda" massages that many people have experienced in India. Please note, this is not a deep tissue or sports massage. It is the soothing, methodical and therapeutic application of herbal oil to the body.

Therapeutic massage 
Calms Vata dosha and corrects all movement in the body, thereby improving elimination, digestion (agni), menstruation, urination, circulation and more. It removes ama (toxins) and wastes from the body, reduces fatigue, improves sleep patterns, slows the ageing process and improves the complexion. By balancing Vata dosha, this massage when done regularly protects the internal environment from damaging external factors such as pollutants and excess stimulation, and gives endurance (to handle stress). An important treatment for arthritis and for painful, stiff or clicking joints. 90 or 75 mins. 
Contraindications Vomiting, diarrhoea, obesity, third term of pregnancy. 

Revitalising massage
Balances Pitta or Kapha and revitalises the functioning of body and mind. Liberates toxins, stimulates the metabolism, improves muscle tone, skin tone, lymph flow and dry skin, and stimulates the immune system. The Pitta massage is both relaxing and energising; the Kapha massage is more energising, to release stagnation and congestion in the body's tissues. 75 minutes.
Contraindications Acute diarrhoea, vomiting, open sores, heavy cold, flu, swollen glands, sinusitis, congestion in the lungs, bronchitis, pneumonia, ear infection, acute diarrhoea, rheumatoid arthritis, auto-immune conditions, lupus, fybromalgia, first 12 weeks of pregnancy, haemophilia. If you have a heart condition, check with your GP first. Done regularly, this massage benefits menstrual problems. If you're in the first two days of flow, the relaxing and detoxifying Vata massage will be done instead.

Practical tips Wear old comfy clothes as you will be slightly oily afterwards. Go straight home after the massage, have a warm bath, and rest or do relaxing activities. No vigorous exercise, tube travel, or physical or mental strain. You can maximise the detoxifying effect by drinking plenty of warm water and ginger tea for the next three days, with no alcohol, no meat or fish, and no processed or junk foods.