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Ayurvedic head
massages is a popular type of traditional
healing treatment in India. Massage is practiced
in traditional Indian homes from birth until
death. Children are taught the skills at a very
young age and are encouraged to massage older
family members. The ancient Ayurvedic system of
healing considers massage to be as integral to
good health as exercise, sunshine, herbs and
eating fresh and natural food. A common sight
around the country is the 'massage man' who is
equipped with his mat and oils, practicing his
art. Head massage is said to be particularly
beneficial to the eyesight and it also increases
levels of pranic energy in the brain and boost
powers of concentration.
Try to familiarize
yourself with the important marma points on the
face and head. Marma points are similar to
acupuncture points, being the junctures, or
meeting points, of the five organic principles
which are the muscles, ligaments, bones, joints
and vessels. These junctures form the seat of
the prana, or vital life force, for it is at
these points that the nerves, arteries, veins
and lymph enter the organism to carry moisture
and nutrients. According to Ayurvedic medicine,
there are 107 marma points in the body. The
three most important for head massage are the
adhipati marma (the 'soft spot' or fontanelle,
located eight fingerwidths above the eyebrows in
the centre of the skull), the simantakas marma
(the spot on the skull 12 fingerwidths above the
eyebrows where the hairs gather in a swirl) and
the krikatikas marmas (two points, located on
either side of the last vertebra that you can
feel behind the head near the point where the
neck meets the skull).
Start by pouring oil
on the fontanelle and using both hands, spread
it out to the sides of the head. Apply oil to
the hair swirl, and spread the oil to the
temples. With your fingers, put some oil in the
hollow at the back of the neck, just below the
skull, and spread it out to the krikatikas
marmas, massaging each of them in a circular
motion. Continue slightly downwards and outwards
to find the two siramatrika marmas on either
side of the neck. Massage them, then move your
fingers upwards, seeking the vidhuram marmas in
the depressions behind the ears, and work them.
Adding more oil whenever necessary, continue
rubbing around the ear and up towards the
temples. Return to the neck and work each of the
marmas again. By going to India, you can enjoy
the many different traditional healing methods
found there.
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