Purvakarma
The treatments described in these are all part of purvakarma, a series of body therapies performed to prepare the body to expel toxins through panchakarma or traditional Ayurvedic detox. All Purvakarma treatments essentially comprise two procedures:
Snehana which makes the body soft and helps loosen toxins.
Svedana which liquefies or melts toxins. Ideally, these can be performed as maintenance on a regular basis but a single session at an Ayurvedic health spa can also be quite effective.
Ask the practitioner to focus on your dosha-balancing needs or the dosha-balancing needs of the season, and do not be afraid to ask a question.
Snehana Therapies
Abhyanga- Massage with the therapeutic oils
Abhyanga literally translates as ' oil application' Ayurveda provides various oil-massage therapies that relax and detoxify the mind and body. While self- abhyanga benefits you every day, abhyanga received from a seasoned Ayurvedic technician with appropriate herbal oils prepared from medicinal plants truly meets your body's unique needs. Various styles of abhyanga are available, each distinguished by its own regional Indian flavor. sometimes the technician will stimulate marma, the vital energy points that awaken immune response often, more than one technician will massage your body, rhythmically moving with silent communication like a traditional Indian dance.
Dhara (oil therapy)
Dhara means 'flow'- in this case, the flow of therapeutic oils. Of all dhara therapies, Shirodhara is best known for its ability to relieve emotional and physical tension. Warm, herb-infused streaming oil is poured onto the third eye and over the forehead to relinquish the negative energies that bring on depression, nervousness, sadness, and fatigue. OTher dhara therapies include Chakradhara, a treatment in which herbal oils are poured onto the body's subtle energy centers such as the navel, solar plexus, and throat to link physical, mental and emotional interactions. In Pizichil or Taila Seka, a rejuvenating herbal oil is simultaneously flowed onto and massaged into the body to rejuvenate the nervous system and relieve inflammation in the joints.
Shiro Abhyanga
Another critical component of Ayurvedic therapy, this therapy for the central nervous system provides a deep massage of the head, neck and back starting from the base of the spine to release toxic energy upward and out of the crown chakra. A completely indulgent experience, it heals through the central chakras and marmas and helps correct posture. With this physical adjustment, you receive amazing mental clarity and awareness.
Svedana Therapies
A powerful detoxifying treatment, svedana or sweat therapy helps to open the circulatory channels, allowing toxins to be mobilized and eliminated through the sweat glands following abhyanga. A herbal concoction may be added to the steam to further loosen the toxins from the individual. Svedana liquefies the toxins and increases their movement into the gastrointestinal tract.
Svedana can be induced in several ways: through a well-heated chamber, medicated steam, sauna, a hot-water bottle, sunbathing, exposure to fire, plaster and poultices of hot herbal substances such as mustard, hot baths or showers, and hot packs.
After several days of abhyanga and svedana, the aggravated doshas become ready to be expelled through the Panchakarma therapy.
Other Herbal Body Therapies
Lepa
Lepa translates as medicinal plaster. Lepa therapy helps reduce inflammatory swellings and draws out impurities from inside the body to the skin surface. The body is then covered with dosha-specific herbs.
Udvartana
Udvartana eliminates toxins created smoking, water retention, and environmental poisons. This vigorous massage with fragrant herbal powders stimulates the lymph and cleanses the blood, the skin and the tissues that lie beneath it. Typically, udvartana is combined with a svedana therapy that helps dislodge and release impurities.
Panchakarma:
To know more about Panchakarma click on the link
Pashcaat Karma
Coming out of Panchakarma, the physical body is depleted, and needs to rebuild strength and immunity through a nourishing diet, lifestyle therapies, and rejuvenating therapies or rasayan. The treatment plan becomes much more prakruti-oriented or preventative. Its focus is on building ojas and reinvigorating the mind-body to function in a balanced dosha environment.
