What is Ayuveda Massage?

Ayurveda, which literally translated means "the science or knowledge of life", is the traditional holistic medical system of India. Ayurveda teaches that separating mind and spirit from the body creates physical imbalance, which is the first step in the disease process. It naturally follows that re-integration is the first step toward healing.
Based on the principle that disease is the natural end result of living out of harmony with our environment, Ayurveda views symptoms of disease as the body's normal way of communicating disharmony. With this understanding of disease, Ayurveda's approach to healing becomes obvious: to reestablish harmony between self and environment and create an optimal environment for health.
According to Ayurveda, each person has a constitution created at conception that determines basic physiology and personality. This constitution is the inherent balance of three doshas, or subtle biological forces which govern the functions of the body, known as Vata (motion), Pitta (metabolism), and Kapha (cohesiveness). There are infinite combinations and permutations of these three basic energies, and each person's constitution is a unique expression. Constitution determines what a person is naturally attracted to and what is experienced as repulsive, what is in harmony with his or her nature, and what will cause imbalance and susceptibility to illness. Because no two people are alike and no two presentations of a disease are alike, Ayurveda does not approach the cure of a disease as much as it approaches the cure of the person who has the disease.
To help individuals create an optimal environment for health, Ayurveda offers a group of treatments often referred to as "five sense therapies." Through its detailed science of diet and herbalism, aroma therapy, color therapy, sound therapy, and touch therapy (massage and marma therapy), Ayurveda recommends how to use the senses to interact with the environment to create balance. These recommendations are based on a person's constitution, current health imbalances, and the time of the year.

Marma Massage
The word Marma comes from sanskrit origin 'mru' or 'marr' ."Marayate Iti Marmani", the Sanskrit phrase means there is likelihood of death after infliction to these places hence are are called marma .The word Marma used with meanings as tender, secrete or vital places.
There are certain anatomical locations in the body which are vital, and serve as small pockets of Prana, thus any injury to these parts can be painful and cripple the local functions or even lead to sudden death of the individual. They are junctions of different channels of Prana movements in the body.
Prana is a vital energy ,Prana pervades each and every corner of the body, it nourishes ,guides and controls the functioning of the cell and systems. when these MARMA (junctions) are affected or ruptured ,the organs linked with Prana channels become starved with lack of Prana and some organ becomes diseased ,crippled or paralyzed or depending upon the quantum is of Prana being lost ,it may lead to slow or sudden death.
Vagbthata (In the text Ashtanga hridaya sharira 4th chapter sloka ) defines Marma is the meeting point of mamsa ,asthi,sira ,snayu,dhamani, and sandhi, and 'where the Prana is present'. This is similar with Chinese meridian concept in which the points appear either on signal meridian line or at meeting points of different meridian.
The knowledge of MARMA has got wide implication in the many fields of medical practice, but as today its traditional practices are limited and scattered in India

The knowledge of mama can be classified in following fields -In Martial art and welfare, in surgical importance, medical importance -in the management of disease and in the diagnosis of illness
There are total 107 Marma in the body. In Tamilian traditions they are 108 Marma points. and in kalari tradition hey are 365 Marma points.
They are classified for better understanding according to the physical components like - 1)Mansa Marma (muscle), 2)sira Marma- ( vessels conveying body fluids and impulses), 3)sanyu (tendons), 4)asthi (bones) and 5)sandhi (articulate points specially bone joints).
The Marma are also grouped on the basis of there similarities in the features particularly on the basis of vulnerability

1. Sadhya Pranhara Marma - Sadhya means sudden or immediate. there are the Marma which are vulnerable for the loss of life immediately after injury or insult.
2. Kalantara Pranhara - Kalantara means after the lapse of some time, Pranhara means loss of life. After an insults to these Marma loss of life results gradually after some time.
3. Vishalyaghana - This category of Marma is named on its surgical importance. Vishalya means being the foreign body removed. Vishalyaghana indicated death being the foreign body removed. when injured the person survives as long the foreign body remains in place.
   d) Vaikalyakara - Vilkala means deform or cripple. vaikalyakara means one which deforms or cripples.

Treatment or the care of Marma- To defy from the dangers to Marma , to follow the hygienic measures everyday and to treat the affliction are the means to care Marma- Charaka Samhita
Preventative aspect- Marma are very sensitive places a small injury or insult is always a possibility. Desirous of health one must avoid physical and mental over exertions. the in depletion of tissue metabolic substances ,with holding of natural impulses ,excessive consuming dry articles, excessive physical exertion and fasting ,these factors can disturb pranvaha srotas ( channels through Prana is flowing) and makes more vulnerability to disease.
Towards positive health -
Following are the guidelines to improve upon the health of the Marma
Healthy daily regimen, Oil massage and stimulating the Marma points, head massage, treatments in affected Marma like Nasya, Basti, Sheha pana internal oliation ,soft Virechana, Shirodhara, Shiro Basti, external application with herbs.
Different oils and substitutes like needle therapy , magnet , moksha therapy and lepa herbal pack are used in treating or maintaining the health of Marma points
Abhyanga massage
This is a gentle but firm whole body massage from head to toe using warm medicated oil. Oils are chosen according to the prakruti (psychosomatic constitution) and the illness.
The massage is done in a soft rhythmic way with one or two persons massaging at the same time for forty five to sixty minutes.
After the massage a steam bath or hot shower is highly recommended.
Abhyanga massage is a deeply relaxing, rejuvenating experience as well as treatment in certain illness.
A regular Abhyanga protects from stress, anxiety, exhaustion and Vata disorder. It nourishes the body, extends the life span, provides good sleep, improves the skin texture, improves the vision and provides better physical stability.
Abhyanga treatment is the best way to control and balance Vata in the body. Vata is the predominant entity in the sense of touch and skin is the organ of touch.)

SHIRODHARA
In this treatment herbal oil, medicated milk or buttermilk, herbal decoction is poured in a steady stream on the forehead for 30 to 45 minutes followed by gentle scalp massage. It is an amazing effective treatment for balancing the Vata dosha. It works on cerebral system, helps in relaxing the nervous system and balancing the Prana vayu around the head.
It improves the function of five senses, helps in insomnia, stress, anxiety, and depression, hair loss, fatigue, make oneself calm and fresh.
Shiro Dhara: 50 minutes Includes:
• Light Face massage.
• Light head & neck massage and drainage.
• 25 minutes warm oil drop