Shirodhara : Fall Into A Deep Meditation.
There is a unique therapy in ayurveda called shirodhara
which cannot be found in any other alternative health systems. Once only reserved for Maharajahs, this unique therapy is definitely a royal treatment. Shirodhara involves the gentle pouring of a warm liquid, over the forehead in a set of patterns.
The warm oil feels like the caress of a warm and fragrant breeze that soothes away mental aches and pains. The soft and rhythmic flow makes you drift into a world of peace and tranquillity, akin to a deep meditation. Shirodhara is offered by ayurveda to soothe and rebalance the nervous system of over-stressed, depressed, anxious or mentally tired clients. It eases stress-related diseases and is particularly used to restore blissful sleep and vitality of mind and body. Traditionally in India, shirodhara is used to alleviate conditions such as neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia and diseases of the senses such as eye disease, sinusitis, tinnitus and vertigo. Liquid therapy When receiving a shirodhara, the client lies down on a massage table face up and the neck of the person is adjusted in a comfortable position. A headband is placed on the brow line to protect the eyes. Warm liquid is poured from a suspended copper or clay vessel in a steady stream from a height and thickness regulated according to the person’s need. The liquid used in this restorative therapy depends on what is being treated; sesame oil is usually used but it could include medicated oils, milk or buttermilk. The treatment lasts between 30 to 60 minutes and can be repeated daily or every few days, depending on the severity of the symptoms, until wellbeing is restored.
Spiritual level Shirodhara is a unique therapy in that it not only works on the physical body but also on the spiritual body, the subtle network of energy centres called chakras and the transient energy channels that connect them. Chakras are wheels of energy that act as gateways between the spiritual and physical realms. They are meeting places of the mind, body and soul and as such correspond in the body to physical organs, nerve centres, glands and plexuses. The seven chakras are situated along the spine starting from its base with the root chakra, moving on to the sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat and brow chakras and culminating at the top of the head with the crown chakra. When they become blocked or unbalanced the free flow of prana, the non-physical life energy that is responsible for our ‘aliveness’, is hindered. This, in turn, affects bodily functions and thought processes and may lead to ill health. For instance, negative thoughts, anxiety and fear may develop and lead to depression. Clearing the chakras Shirodhara aims to clear and rebalance the two head chakras - the brow chakra and the crown chakra - and their corresponding physical counterparts, the pituitary and pineal glands.
The brow chakra - which is also called the third eye - is situated in the middle of the forehead, slightly above the gap in between the eyebrows. In the Hindu religion, this is the spot where Shiva, the God of destruction and renewal, bears on his forehead a mystical third eye which once opened leads into the inner realms of higher spirituality. The crown chakra, often described as a lotus flower with a thousand petals, is the seat of the highest divine consciousness. It is situated four finger breadths away from the crown of the head. This is where Shiva as the omniscient master of yoga resides in complete oneness with his soul. It is the place of absolute stillness, where mind, body and spirit unite and enlightenment happens. In Eastern traditions, the mind is likened to a budding flower waiting to open. The warm flow of shirodhara stimulates the crown chakra and gently opens up the thousand petalled lotus nestled into the dark pools of our minds. Physical realm On the physical plane, the brow and crown chakras are part of what modern medicine calls the endocrine system, a network of glands, which secrete hormones that regulate the body. The brow chakra is linked to the pituitary gland and the crown chakra corresponds to the pituitary and pineal glands. The pituitary gland is the size of a small pea nestled in the base of our brain. Often coined as the master gland, the pituitary gland is considered to be the most important component of the endocrine system. It regulates metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, blood pressure and produces endorphins that act as pain relief. Its function can be influenced by our emotions and seasonal changes.
Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these blogs is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained doctor/health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic expert, call us or e mail.
Dr Unnati Chavda
(Promoting pregnancy wellness)
www.ayurvedapanchkarma.in
There is a unique therapy in ayurveda called shirodhara
which cannot be found in any other alternative health systems. Once only reserved for Maharajahs, this unique therapy is definitely a royal treatment. Shirodhara involves the gentle pouring of a warm liquid, over the forehead in a set of patterns.
The warm oil feels like the caress of a warm and fragrant breeze that soothes away mental aches and pains. The soft and rhythmic flow makes you drift into a world of peace and tranquillity, akin to a deep meditation. Shirodhara is offered by ayurveda to soothe and rebalance the nervous system of over-stressed, depressed, anxious or mentally tired clients. It eases stress-related diseases and is particularly used to restore blissful sleep and vitality of mind and body. Traditionally in India, shirodhara is used to alleviate conditions such as neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia and diseases of the senses such as eye disease, sinusitis, tinnitus and vertigo. Liquid therapy When receiving a shirodhara, the client lies down on a massage table face up and the neck of the person is adjusted in a comfortable position. A headband is placed on the brow line to protect the eyes. Warm liquid is poured from a suspended copper or clay vessel in a steady stream from a height and thickness regulated according to the person’s need. The liquid used in this restorative therapy depends on what is being treated; sesame oil is usually used but it could include medicated oils, milk or buttermilk. The treatment lasts between 30 to 60 minutes and can be repeated daily or every few days, depending on the severity of the symptoms, until wellbeing is restored.
Spiritual level Shirodhara is a unique therapy in that it not only works on the physical body but also on the spiritual body, the subtle network of energy centres called chakras and the transient energy channels that connect them. Chakras are wheels of energy that act as gateways between the spiritual and physical realms. They are meeting places of the mind, body and soul and as such correspond in the body to physical organs, nerve centres, glands and plexuses. The seven chakras are situated along the spine starting from its base with the root chakra, moving on to the sacral, solar plexus, heart, throat and brow chakras and culminating at the top of the head with the crown chakra. When they become blocked or unbalanced the free flow of prana, the non-physical life energy that is responsible for our ‘aliveness’, is hindered. This, in turn, affects bodily functions and thought processes and may lead to ill health. For instance, negative thoughts, anxiety and fear may develop and lead to depression. Clearing the chakras Shirodhara aims to clear and rebalance the two head chakras - the brow chakra and the crown chakra - and their corresponding physical counterparts, the pituitary and pineal glands.
The brow chakra - which is also called the third eye - is situated in the middle of the forehead, slightly above the gap in between the eyebrows. In the Hindu religion, this is the spot where Shiva, the God of destruction and renewal, bears on his forehead a mystical third eye which once opened leads into the inner realms of higher spirituality. The crown chakra, often described as a lotus flower with a thousand petals, is the seat of the highest divine consciousness. It is situated four finger breadths away from the crown of the head. This is where Shiva as the omniscient master of yoga resides in complete oneness with his soul. It is the place of absolute stillness, where mind, body and spirit unite and enlightenment happens. In Eastern traditions, the mind is likened to a budding flower waiting to open. The warm flow of shirodhara stimulates the crown chakra and gently opens up the thousand petalled lotus nestled into the dark pools of our minds. Physical realm On the physical plane, the brow and crown chakras are part of what modern medicine calls the endocrine system, a network of glands, which secrete hormones that regulate the body. The brow chakra is linked to the pituitary gland and the crown chakra corresponds to the pituitary and pineal glands. The pituitary gland is the size of a small pea nestled in the base of our brain. Often coined as the master gland, the pituitary gland is considered to be the most important component of the endocrine system. It regulates metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, blood pressure and produces endorphins that act as pain relief. Its function can be influenced by our emotions and seasonal changes.
Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these blogs is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained doctor/health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic expert, call us or e mail.
Dr Unnati Chavda
(Promoting pregnancy wellness)
www.ayurvedapanchkarma.in
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