The Ancient Ayurvedic Practice of Shirodhara
Daily life is becoming more and more a plague of constant stress. In any given moment, there is a barrage of information competing for our attention. It is no wonder that we are increasingly feeling the effects of stress-related diseases and an increase in diseases exacerbated by constant stress. These can include high blood pressure, migraines, digestive problems, heart disease, inflammation, problems with weight management, adrenal burnout, fatigue, and even chronic disorders.
The Necessity of Stress Management
For maintaining health, stress management is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. The ancient science of Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine with its origins in India, and now practiced world-wide, offers some practices and solutions to reduce the impact of chronic stress on the body, mind and spirit.
Shirodhara for Stress Relief
According to Ayurvedic physician Dr. Vasant Lad, the traditional Ayurvedic practice of shirodhara is a marvelous stress management program. As Dr. Lad says, shirodhara brings “happiness, harmony and holistic healing in daily life and daily relationships.” It is a practice that is spoken of often in the ancient written tradition of Ayurveda. And it is a practice often used today in clinics and spas. A modified version of the practice can even be adapted for use at home.
What is Shirodhara
In shirodhara, a continuous stream of warm oil is applied on the center of the forehead, or the third eye, by a trained therapist. The oil runs over the forehead and through the scalp and hair before being collected into a container where it is rewarmed and circulated over the forehead again. While warm sesame oil is traditionally used, other oils can also be chosen. For example, coconut oil is cooling and sunflower or almond oils are neutral. Herbal oils can be chosen, such as brahmi for reducing stress or bringeraj for healthy hair.
Benefits of Shirodhara
The benefits of shirodhara, according to Dr. Lad, relate to the positive effects of this application of oil. One of the words for oil in Sanskrit, the language of the Ayurvedic texts, is snigda and another translation of this word is love. Through shirodhara, love envelopes the body. Some benefits include improved clarity of perception, greater ease in falling asleep, and reduction in anxiety, insecurity and fear. Shirodhara helps to nurture the body to promote radical and complete healing. The oil running through the scalp and lubricating the body provides a feeling of being protected and absorbing the shocks and trauma we encounter.
As Dr. Lad states, the oil affects the deep nerve endings, the body’s chemo and thermal receptors, sending messages to the body to secrete neuropeptides and neurotransmitters and enhance the psychoneuroimmunological response. These are the pathways of the inner pharmacy through which the internal healing process unfolds, creating harmony between body, mind and consciousness.
Shirodhara Home Practice
Melanie Sachs of Diamond Way Ayurveda suggests a simple home practice that effectively provides some of the benefits of shirodhara.
You can do this home practice by itself or you can first massage the entire body with warm oil. To stay warm after oiling, wrap yourself in a sheet or bathrobe. Then take a small amount of warm oil and rub it lightly through your hair to the scalp. Gently massage the scalp. Then take a washcloth or an absorbent terrycloth towel and fold it so that it is the width of the space between your eyebrows and your (original) hairline. Saturate it in warm unrefined oil. You can warm the oil by placing the container of oil inside a pot of hot water. Place the cloth over your forehead, close your eyes and relax for about 10 minutes while the oil penetrates and calms your mind.
[Home practice adapted with permission from Ayurvedic Spa, by Robert and Melanie Sachs, Lotus Press, a division of Lotus Brands, Inc., P.O. Box 325, Twin Lakes, WI 53181, USA, www.lotuspress.com ©2007 All Rights Reserved]
Before using any Ayurvedic remedies, consult with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or healthcare provider.
Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.