SHIRODHARA

Shirodhara is a unique therapy from the ancient traditional healing system of India, 'Ayurveda'.*
It is profoundly effective for anxiety, insomnia, stress, fatigue, and depression.

During this therapy, the client lays on a massage table face-up, eyes closed and protected with a cloth. A copper vessel with a spout hangs above the client, and is positioned over the client's forehead. The oil is gently warmed, and flows in a continuous stream onto the client's forehead and scalp for a period of 20 to 40 minutes.

Shirodhara affects the nervous system by saturating the nerves with oil, through contact with the forehead and the scalp. This is the area of the crown chakra. The forehead is the location of the Ajna Marma, a point recognized in Ayurvedic medicine as one of the largest concentrations of nerves in the body. Both the pineal gland and the pituitary gland are located in the crown chakra and are affected by shirodhara. The pineal gland is responsible for the regulation of the wake/sleep cycle. It produces the hormone melatonin. During shirodhara, melatonin levels increase. The pituitary gland is responsible for hormone regulation and is also stimulated by shirodhara.

From an Ayurvedic view, shirodhara helps balance the Vata dosha, the air and space elements in the body and mind,  and the Pitta dosha, the fire/water elements in the body and mind.  Fear, anxiety, ungroundedness, spaciness are some of the result of out-of-balance Vata. Anger, irritability, frustration, judgment are some of the result of out-of-balance Pitta. Shirodhara lowers Vata and Pitta, easing these negative emotions back into balance. The Kapha individual, being naturally calm and stable, is generally not affected by shirodhara, but a Kapha individual with a Vata or Pitta imbalance will benefit from the treatment.

*Ayurveda is a whole system of health originating over 5000 years ago. It is a simple and profound science that provides healing methods to live life in balance, according to one's own unique nature. The National Institute of Health recognizes Ayurveda as Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). In sanskrit, 'ayur' means 'life' and 'veda' means 'science'. Ayurveda is 'the science of life'.