Imagine yourself lying on a soft surface in a warm room listening to the sound of the wind in the trees or soothing music. Warm sesame oil is lovingly and tenderly applied by four hands simultaneously. The waves of thought start to subside into gentle ripples and then you sink deep into the silent, still and timeless lake of the Self. You feel safe and cared for. Time extends endlessly into a realm where self-healing takes place naturally and spontaneously.
Ayurvedic Massage is particularly effective in treating conditions such as anxiety, fear, restlessness, ungroundedness, insomnia or any other mental imbalance as it balances vata air/ether element. Vata tends to increase in our fast-paced, quickly changing and often cold and hostile environment, due to the constant movement and excessive sensory input.
One of the keys to good health is having a body that circulates nutrients and other vital life fluids properly and expels toxins efficiently. Appropriate exercise and massage enhance circulation and promotes cleansing.
Mentally, massage helps the mind to relax and stop wandering, especially when one has good feelings towards the practitioner, and when the right amount of pressure is used. Through slowing down the breath, mental activity is also slowed.
The recipient's attention is naturally and easily drawn to the part of the body being massaged. By transmitting positive life-giving energy to him or herself, massage becomes a powerful tool for self-healing for the recipient.
Warm oil is used for most Ayurvedic Massages to give the maximum benefit. Oil nourishes the skin and via the skin, the nerves are strengthened. Oil prevents dryness, increases suppleness and prevents many of the effects of premature aging. It softens the skin, eliminates friction, disperses heat evenly throughout the body and leaves the skin glowing with a healthy lustre. The small amount of oil remaining on the skin after massage provides protection from extremes of temperature and pressure in the environment.
Self-massage has all the above-mentioned benefits, except the soothing touch of another, which can be incredibly healing.
Warm sesame oil can safely be applied to all parts of the body, here are some examples:
- to the nasal passages to avoid dryness and give greater resistance to disease
- to the anus, to prevent itching
- to the genitals, to discourage fungal infections
- to the eyes, to clean and strengthen them
- to the navel, to cure dryness of the body and weak digestive fire
- foot massage, which is good for the entire system, is recommended for those suffering from fatigue
- head massage is especially beneficial for insomnia sufferers
For all the above benefits, regularity is the key in obtaining the maximum benefit.
Nalanda Ayurvedic Centre
La Mer
26 Marais Road
Hout Bay
7806
Tel: 021 790 4200
Fax: 021 790 4202
Email: info@nalanda.co.za
Website: [ www.nalanda.co.za ]
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Introduction to Massage,
The Nurturing Touch
Touch is vitally important to human wellbeing, especially in the modern world where social inhibitions mean that we touch each other very seldom, and the pressures of daily life mean that we all suffer from stress and tension. Massage is the ideal way to ease tension and soothe tight muscles resulting from those conditions.
Massage is an ancient, revered art form of healing that has been practised for thousands of years by every society, community, tribe or group of people. It has been performed by healers, shamans, medicine men and women, by medical personnel. In ancient Egypt, it was the duty of the high priest to give the Pharaoh his daily session. The Incas began all healing activities with a invigorating massage. Today, any known sportsman is well conversed with this energising art form.
In reality, massage is an advanced and conscious form of our instinctive and innate ability to offer healing through the laying-on-of-hands. In this respect, tender loving touch may be just as important to our health as food and cleanliness.
Indeed, psychologists tell us, that stroking and caressing especially during infancy, is vital to our emotional and physical development. When touching takes the form of skilled and sensitive massage, not only does it relax and revitalise an ailing or tired body, it is also a way of communicating warmth, reassurance and a sense of self worth and we are nurtured on every level of being.
The intention of massage is Healing, Love, Giving and Nurturing. It can be an emotional experience, where tears of release and wellbeing are common. Never feel embarrassed if this happens, this is a blessed experience, where years of locked up feelings and emotions can surface, and can be released for ever.
With Holistic Massage, there is a spiritual connection between the Facilitator and the Receiver, and it can happen, that the Giver experiences, "takes over" the emotional burden of the Receiver. It can manifest in a degree of exhaustion, but mostly it is balanced out by the energy channelled through the Facilitator. "The Healer Gets Healed." But still, the Giver experiences the greatest moment when he knows, that he was able to help, heal and comfort another Fellow Being.
From the physical point of view, the benefits are considerable. Massage enhances blood circulation, which is a major, vital function for our system to operate to full capacity. When our circulation is less than fully efficient, our bodies are receptive to a host of different ailments, problems and illnesses.
When we do not exercise regularly, our lymphatic system will store toxins, instead of eliminating them. As the lymphatic system is being pumped clean by moving muscle tissue, lack of exercise will effect this toxin- storing action. This is a direct cause of many serious conditions. Massaging the lymphatic glands is the only other means of draining them.
By using "pressure points" while facilitating massage, virtually any organ in our system can be manipulated, eased, moved, creating a condition of healing. Very often, by employing massage, healing results can be achieved where drugs have failed. Also, massage does not create side effects. It uses all the natural energies within the body, and in a "holistic" massage-sequence, also energies all around the body, and beyond.
The healing effect of massage has always been recognised by the medical science. The physical stimulus gained in the process can only enhance healing. Massage creates an automatic feeling of relaxation, which is the basis of any healing process needed to take place.
There are many-many kinds and variations of massage. There are a host of different moves and styles and sequences used in every part of the world. Very often local traditions, conditions do influence the style how massage is being performed. As Swedish Massage includes quick stimulating chopping motions of the hands, enhancing blood circulation for fast gain of warmth, conforming to cold Nordic climates, Polynesian Massage is gentle, with a lot of long, soothing, stroking motions following the rhythm and the tones of the traditional music.
South Africans are becoming more and more aware of the many benefits gained from a massage received, therefor it's popularity is increasing by the day. Many people are questioning the wisdom of using drugs constantly, while understanding the fact, that medical drugs handle only symptoms, not causes. As massage is among the "fast acting" healing modalities from the Body's point of view (within the Body-Mind-Spirit triumvirate), it is expected that very soon it will gain a regular notation in every health conscious individual's diary.
Massage will benefit every living Being, young and old, human and animal, and we are certain, even non-humans(!). All Beings need tenderness, connection and nurturing, irrespective of who they are, what they are or where they are coming from.
Love is Universal. And it is free. We only need to learn to also give it freely.
"May the Heavenly Power stroke you with butterfly wings
Caress you with sweet sound of song,
Embrace you with gentle waves of ocean,
While let your Spirit soar with the freedom of a swift swallow."
Words and Care
by
GEORGE BERKOVITS
Holistic Healer
NATURALLY YOURS HEALTH CENTRE
Cnr. Culross & Main Rds.
Bryanston, Johannesburg
Mobile: 082-859-7971
E-mail: george@soulhealer.co.za
Website: [ www.soulhealer.co.za ]