Spa Bodywork

Udvartana (sometimes spelled “ubvartan” or “urdvatana”) is a treatment in which herbal powders or pastes are rubbed into the body, allowed to dry, and then “buffed” off. In ayurveda, this procedure is believed to stimulate circulation to the skin and aid cell renewal, smooth the skin, tone the body’s tissues, support natural detoxification processes, and

In India, massage is part of daily life, and it is common to see mothers, with a blanket spread across the ground, massaging their children in the open marketplace or to see woman chatting and massaging each other’s shoulders. Self-oiling and self-massage are also common practices. Abhyanga is the Sanskrit word for oil massage and

Indian head massage is a traditional ayurvedic art form that is deeply relaxing and rejuvenating for clients. In a typical session, you massage the head, neck, and shoulders; stimulate marma points on the head and face; and oil and invigorate the scalp and hair (Fig. 14–5). Often, Indian head massage is paired with a traditional

Skin sensitivity, contraindications, accurate treatment representation, use of essential oils, assessment methods, and hair issues are important considerations before adding these treatments to your spa menu. Accurate Representation of Ayurveda in a Spa There are many authentic ayurvedic physicians who feel disturbed and even angry that spas are using variations of their ancient healing art

The foundation of traditional ayurveda is based on the belief that everything in the universe is composed of five elements (panchamahabhutas). These elements (eternal substances) provide a means for understanding the nature of the universe and ourselves. They are space (sometimes referred to as ether), air, fire, water, and earth. Each of these elements has

Shirodhara (shiro means head and dhara means threadlike stream) is the application of a thin stream of sesame oil on the forehead or in a pendulum-like motion that pauses for a moment each time it reaches the point between the brows sometimes called the third eye. The marma point between the brows is known as

The Javanese Lulur Ritual is a traditional beauty treatment used by Javanese princesses as they prepare for their weddings. Applied for 40 days before the wedding, the Lulur ritual beautifies the skin and provides an opportunity for the women of the household to pass on wisdom to the bride-to-be.  Today, the Javanese Lulur is a

The Balinese Boreh is an Indonesian traditional medicine treatment that is used to ward off or to treat a chest cold, cough, influenza, or fever. People with muscle aches and pains, headaches, arthritis, or sensations of cold also find it warming, soothing, and pain relieving.  Purchase the Boreh spice mixture from Indonesian spa suppliers or

In some Indonesian spas, local volcanic mud, which has a gritty texture, is applied to the body with massage strokes to exfoliate the skin, and then the body is left to absorb the properties of the mud in a cocoon (review Chapter 9, Body Wraps, for directions on how to apply a cocoon wrap). You