Ayurvedic Spa Treatments
Ayurvedic Spa Treatments: Luxurious Therapies for Inner and Outer Beauty
Traditional Ayurvedic spa treatments offer more than mere relaxation - they represent ancient therapeutic practices designed to restore balance and promote deep healing. These treatments, developed in the royal courts of India, combine luxury with profound therapeutic benefits.
The classical Shirodhara treatment, where warm herbal oil is continuously poured over the forehead, exemplifies the sophistication of Ayurvedic therapies. This deeply relaxing treatment has been used for centuries to calm the mind and balance the nervous system.
Traditional body treatments like Udvartana (herbal powder massage) and Pizhichil (warm oil bath) demonstrate the varied approaches to healing in Ayurvedic tradition. Each therapy is carefully chosen based on individual constitution and current health needs.
Sattva Best of India has a variety of Oil that can be used for relaxation as well as for healing.
- Anu Thailam - and Ayurvedic Remedy for cleansing sinuses and balancing the nervous system.
- Maha Narajana - it restores jonts and heals joint pain.
- Neelibringhadi Kera Thailam - for hair and scalp health.
- Kumkumadi Oil - with Kumkumadi Oil, amazind anti-aging product for healthy skin.
- Kairoil - Hair Oil preventing dandruff and hair loss.
Abhyanga
Abhyanga is the foundational full-body massage in Ayurvedic practice, performed with warm herbal oils chosen specifically for your body constitution (dosha). The massage therapist uses long, rhythmic strokes moving toward the heart, working the oil deep into the tissues. This traditional treatment helps improve circulation, nourish the skin, calm the nervous system, and promote sound sleep. Skilled practitioners often use up to 6-7 cups of warmed oil during a session.
Panchakarma
Panchakarma isn't just a single massage but rather a comprehensive cleansing and rejuvenation program that typically spans 3-21 days. It begins with oil massages to prepare the body, followed by five primary purification procedures: therapeutic vomiting, purgation, nasal cleansing, medicated enemas, and blood purification. Each step is carefully customized based on the individual's constitution and health needs, following protocols preserved in ancient Ayurvedic texts.
Udvartana
Udvartana is a unique dry massage performed with a paste of herbs and grains. The practitioner applies vigorous circular strokes using specially prepared powders of triphala, calamus root, or chickpea flour mixed with warming spices. This invigorating treatment is particularly beneficial for improving circulation and reducing kapha dosha (water and earth elements). The powder's gentle exfoliating action helps tone the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
Pizhichil
Pizhichil, often called the "royal treatment," involves continuously pouring warm medicated oil over the body while simultaneously massaging. Traditionally, four to six therapists work in synchronization, using about 4-5 liters of warmed oil throughout the 60-90 minute session. This luxurious therapy originated in Kerala, where it was historically reserved for nobility. The constant stream of oil combined with gentle massage strokes is especially beneficial for neurological conditions and deep tissue healing.
Each of these treatments reflects the sophisticated understanding of the body-mind connection that developed over centuries in the Indian subcontinent. They continue to be practiced today in their authentic forms at traditional Ayurvedic centers, particularly in Kerala, where this healing tradition has been preserved through unbroken lineages of practitioners.
I talk about the topic of ayurveda in my other blog, Tell me About Ayurveda. Check my post about Ayurveda Morning Routine for example.