What is Shirodhara?
Shirodhara is a unique, blissful therapy that balances and stabilizes the mind. To receive shirodhara, the client lies down upon a massage table with their eyes covered. Next, specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured in a thin steady stream directly onto the forehead and sixth chakra. Shirodhara purifies the mind, alleviates anxiety, reduces headaches, and expands awareness. Shirodhara can be administered on its own or as part of a panchakarma detoxification regime.
Shirodhara is a purifying and rejuvenating therapy to eliminate toxins and mental exhaustion as well as relieve stress and any ill effects on the central nervous system. Shirodhara means pouring oil on the forehead from a specific height and for a specific period continuously allowing the oil to run through the scalp and into the hair.
Shirodhara, a form of treatment, is a word which comprises of two terms ‘shiro’ meaning head and ‘dhara’ meaning pouring in stream or sprinkling. It is an ancient Ayurvedic healing practice which has been performed in India for about the last 5000 years. This treatment has immense impact on the nervous system. It immediately acts to calm and relax your mind and has a cleansing effect on the nerves.
Shirodhara is extremely beneficial for people suffering from imbalance of Vata and Pitta. A person suffers from feelings of fear, insecurity and worry when his/her Vata is out of balance. Imbalance of Pitta can cause a person to become angry, frustrated, irritated and even cause him to lose the sense of right and wrong. Shirodhara involves the use of such liquids that help to counter the negative effects of the out-of-balance doshas or conditions. The liquid soothes and pacifies the doshas when applied to the forehead, scalp and nervous system.
Shirodhara not only helps to reduce stress and soothe the nervous system but it has other beneficial effects as well. It can treat insomnia, bring relief from migraines, lowers high blood pressure, decreases hair loss, reduces stress and even helps to increase mental focus and concentration.