Ayurvedic Massage (Snehana)
Ayurveda (pronounced 'Eye-er-vay-da') is India’s oldest respected system for beauty, health and long life. In its full form, ayurveda recommends the best work, play, lifestyle behaviour, diet, friends and exercise for an individual. It aims to balance an individuals' natural bio energy, called their dosha or prakruti. One of Ayurveda's keys to long life is through a regular oleation (Snehana), for example by enjoying a full body massage, a relaxing massage called Abhyanga or an invigorating deep tissue massage with stretching called Vishesh. The massage is characterised by a rich blend of Indian herbs, plenty of oil, and a focus around the joints, to nourish as much of the skin as possible.
During the consultation, Steve discovers your specific ayurvedic dosha, then you relax as a complex potent herbal oil blend is prepared especially for you. Ayurvedic massage involves the generous application of a unique herbal oil blend in a heated state, thereby reducing dryness, roughness, cold, air and space (vata) in the body, excess heat (pitta), or swelling and congestion (kapha). all of which bring about pain. Penetrating aromatic oils such as camphor, cinnamon, cardamom and sweet aromatic oils like sandalwood, rose and chamomile, are all examples of essential oils added to sesame or almond base oils to create the personal blend. The oil blend is warmed in a traditional brass teapot.
The full body massage includes a seated head and upper back massage before treatment on the couch. Vanity disposable undergarments are provided to maximise skin exposure to the oil. The massage concentrates on generous warm oil absorption, particularly around joints, and dry and rough skin; it does not focus on muscular knots and adhesions.
'Brimhana' is a tonification massage using heavy oils such as sesame or almond, and is indicated for conditions of low body weight, poor tissue development and high Vata, characterised by pain due to stiffness or weakness. 'Langhana' is a detoxification or reduction massage (Shodhana) that uses hot spices and aromatic oils such as ginger and eucalyptus to stimulate digestion fire power (Agni). Langhana is indicated mainly for conditions of excess body weight, high Kapha and Ama (accumulated toxins), and pain due to cold or congestion.
Some clients are indicated to apply extra heat to the body during the treatment with Hot Stones or an Ayurvedic Kizhi Hot Compress. Shirodhara is traditionally applied at the beginning to complete a classic Ayurvedic treatment which can be booked as an extra optional treatment. A panchakarma (detoxifying) wooden steam chamber is traditionally enjoyed at the end of an Ayurvedic Massage treatment, and here at Man on the Couch, we have instead a modern Infrared Sauna Blanket Cocoon which can be booked as an extra optinoal treatment.
Relax and enjoy an exceptional Ayurvedic Abhyanga or Vishesh massage treatment by Steve in Southampton. If you've time and budget, why not add a freshening and smoothing body scrub, or traditional Shirodhara before the massage?