Sanskrit in origin, the word "ayurveda" is a combination of two words - "ayur" meaning "life," and "veda" meaning "science of life." When you put the two together, you have an ancient Indian way of medicine, as well as one of the hottest trends in spas around the world. While a large population of India has access to many modern medical technologies, the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine reports that Ayurveda is still the most commonly practiced form of medical care today.
Doshas
Ayurvedic spa treatments focus on one of the primary concepts in Ayurveda; bringing together the mind, body, and spirit by balancing the three energies, or doshas, to work synergistically. In Ayurveda, it is believed that each person possesses various amounts of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas, with one specific dosha being more dominant than the rest.
Doshas are determined by the physical characteristics of the client, including height and weight, pulse, clarity of the eyes,as well as by their lifestyle choices, dietary habits, and medical history. Practioners focus on the area of treatment that is designed for the dominant dosha of their client, and in bringing about balance to the doshas, the practioner assists theclient in restoring their health.
Continuing Education
Just as the ancient art of accupuncture caught on in the West in the late 1990s, Ayurveda has been taking the West by storm since early 2001. With a sharp focus on alternative and holistic spa treatments, many high end spas are adding treatments that focus on balancing the doshas. The demand for the services has even resulted in the opening several institutes and training centers specifically designed to further educate spa practitioners. Though students in India can earn a Bachelors or Masters level degree in Ayurveda, in the West, most programs are concentrated on learning the basics, with continuing education in specific areas of interest available as time goes on.
Spa Services
Ayurvedic spa treatments usually include a combination of Ayurvedic herbs and tonics, which are typically applied externally to the body. While Ayurvedic treatments may be infused in teas or capsules, it is always best to check with your personal physician before ingesting supplements.
In addition to the products used, there are many Ayurevedic techniques that are used. In Abhyanga massage, for instance, the full body is massaged using long, smooth strokes, as if the therapist's hands are surfing over the body. This increases blood flow to the brain and is believed to help create focus and enhance memory.
Another popular treatment is Shirodhara. In this spa treatment, warm herbal Ayurvedic oils drips in a slow, steady stream on the "third eye" or center of the forehead, while the therapist performs Ayurvedic massage of the scalp, hands, and feet. The result is an intense calm over the entire body.
While there are many spa treatments that are entirely Ayurvedic in nature, it is no longer uncommon to see many spas combining the Western tradition with this Eastern philsophy. Companies like Sundari are leading the way with Ayurvedic, dosha-specific skin care, with others emerging every few months. Manicures, pedicures and facials are also going Ayurvedic, by infusing special herbal scrubs into the service, or by using East Indian massage techniques. Whether your goal is overall health and well-being, or full body relaxation, you are in for the ultimate relaxation of mind, body, and spirit with Ayurevedic spa treatments.
