What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the ancient holistic medical system based on achieving physical and mental harmony with nature that has been practiced for more than 5000 years.  The word Ayurveda is made up of 2 words AYU-VEDA – Ayu means life and Veda means science together Ayurveda means “science of life”.

Ayurveda is prevention orientated, free from harmful side effects and treats the root cause of a disease rather than just the symptoms.  Ayurveda sees illness as an imbalance to a person’s physical or mental constitution and therefore seeks to gently bring a person’s mind and body back to a healthy balance.

Ayurveda is a complete way of life; it can restore health in a diseased person, but also maintain optimal health in a normal person.  Ayurveda improves not only a person’s health, but also their well-being, behaviour and state of mind.

The 5 approaches to balance ones constitution are: Diet, Yoga, Herbal remedies, Massage and daily lifestyle.

The panchamahabhuta Theory – means Five Great Elements of life. “Pancha” means Five, “Maha” means Great,  “Buta” means Element

According to Ayurveda all living beings, including human beings are made up of five basic elements: Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth

Air, Fire and water are the three principles most fundamental to life. According to Ayurveda the five basic elements combine with each other to give rise to the three bio-physical forces or Doshas. Three bio-physical forces or Doshas:

  • Space and Air – Vata Dosha
  • Fire and Water – Pitta Dosha
  • Water and Earth – Kapha Dosha

Click the toggles (+) below to read more about each Dosha

Vata in Sanskrit literally means wind, which is why Vata constitution or dosha is known for having the quality of wind and space.

Function of Vata – Space and Air

Vata is responsible for all movement in the mind and body, the flow of breath the expression of speech, the circulation of the blood, the elimination of waste and the regulation of the nervous system.

Characteristics of a Vata person

Vata types – move like the wind, love change, and are very impulsive, they have light flexible bodies with a small frame and little fat.  They tend to be slim and underweight.  Their veins and muscles are quite prominent.

They often have dry skin tending towards – roughness, circulation is poor, resulting in cold hands and feet.  They are uncomfortable in cold weather (due to lack of body fat insulation) vata types prefer warmer weather – spring and summer.

Vata people have a variable appetite and thirst and variable digestive strength.  Attracted to astringent foods such as raw vegetables and salads but their bodies need sweet, sour, salty tastes since raw vegetables increase Vata.

These people often experience digestive difficulties and problems with absorption of nutrients.  They tend to produce scanty urine and constipation due to producing small, hard, dry stools.

Vata people walk quickly and are always in a rush preferring constant activity, love travelling and vigorous physical activity although they tend to have less stamina and get easily tired.

Sleep – Vata people sleep less, may suffer with insomnia and  can have interrupted sleep, when awake they are alert and fresh.  Clarity is one of the attributes of Vata but tend to forget things, they think and speak quickly, have less tolerance, boldness and confidence.

Common Vata Disorders

Constipation, gaseous distension, weakness, arthritis, pneumonia, dry skin, dry lips, dry hair, dry and cracked lips and heels. Nervous disorders, tics, mental confusion, palpitations, breathlessness, muscle tightness, low backache and sciatica.

Loud noises, drugs, caffeine, alcohol, cold weather and cold foods disturb Vata, winter and autumn increase Vata.

Function of a Pitta – Fire and Water

 Pitta controls the heartbeat, hormone levels, body temperature, visual perception, hunger, thirst and skin quality.  It is also responsible for liver functions, secretion of bile and digestion in the stomach and small intestine.

Characteristics for a Pitta person

Pitta is generally medium height and build. Pitta people seldom gain or loose weight, their muscles development is moderate and they are generally stronger than Vata person.  Their eyes are bright and they have coppery skin.  Hair tends to be reddish and silky although greying or hair loss is common as is a receding hairline.

Moles and freckles are common in a pitta body type, their skin is generally oily, warm and less wrinkled than Vata person.  Their normal body temperature is a little higher than usual so they feel quite warm and less wrinkled than Vata person.

Common Pitta Disorders

Pitta dosha is most lively in our nature we tend to be muscular, smart and determined.  If balanced we are warm, intelligent and a good leader.  When there is excess Pitta dosha, common pitta disorders can make us critical, irritable, and aggression, prone to fevers, inflammatory diseases, acid indigestion, excessive hunger, jaundice, profuse perspiration, hives, rashes, burning sensation, can also be prone to ulcers, colitis and sore throats.

Functions of Kapha – Water and Earth

Kapha takes charge of the storage of energy that vata has brought into the body and that pitta has managed.  It’s cohesive nature gives stability to the body – helping to hold cells together and form muscles, fat and bone whilst its fluid qualities lubricate the white matter in the brain, the joints, the lungs and heart, as well as the protective lining of the stomach.

Characteristics of a Kapha person

If we have mostly kapha dosha in our nature we tend to have a heavier frame, think and move more leisurely and are stable. When balanced it creates calmness, sweetness and loyalty.   When excessive kapha dosha can cause weight gain, congestion and resistance to healthy change.

Kapha people have a strong, healthy and a well developed body.  They have broad and expanded chests.  Their muscles are strong with large bones.  Kapha people tend to gain weight easily and find it difficult to take it off.  They have slow digestion and metabolism they may gain weight when on water only! They have strong capacity and tend to be healthy.  Their skin is soft, smooth, lustrous, thick and oily and their eyes are large, dark and attractive with long eyelashes.  They generally have large white strong teeth and lots of hair, which tends to be dark, thick, wavy and soft.  They have a steady appetite and thirst although digestion is slow.  They can easily skip a meal due to a slow metabolic rate.  They maintain health and balance and enjoy a life span longer than the other two dosha’s.

Kapha people tend to have a sweet tooth and love sugar, candy and chocolates.  Attracted towards salty and oily foods where they should actually eat bitter, astringent and pungent foods.

Common Kapha disorders

Diabetes, hypertension, cold, flu, congestion, allergies, including hayfever, bronchial congestion and obesity.  They don’t like wet rainy weather, winter and early spring are difficult times for them.

Ayurveda Treatment Uffington Oxfordshire / Oxon
Ayurveda Treatment Uffington Oxfordshire / Oxon

Ayurvedic Face and Body Treatments

Shirobhyanga – Traditional Indian head massage
1 hour £55.00

Through the use of herbal oils and strokes this intensely relaxing and revitalising massage nourishes both the hair and the roots. Improves blood circulation and lymph flow to the head region. Releasing and removing energy blockages physically and emotionally. Stimulates the sensory organs and relaxes the mind and soul.

Good for – Insomnia, stress related conditions, migraines, hair-loss, nervous and anxious thoughts – calms the mind.

Karana Purana – Ear Treatment
1 hour £60.00

A relaxing treatment of the ears that can help cleanse and open channels. Treatment starts with a face/head/neck massage followed by warm oil, gently poured into the ears one by one. The ears feel moisturised, warm, moist, stable and smooth. Finish with a face massage using marma points and steam treatment to cleanse and release the toxins from the body.

The Ayurvedic way of ear oiling to maintain the health of the ears Ayurvedic ear cleansing helps pacify imbalances.

Good for– Insomnia, any ear problems, hearing, deafness, facial paralysis, reduces dryness/ itching in the ears, prevent ear infections, reduce tinnitus or ringing in the ears, reduce tension in the neck and jaw, diminish TMJ Symptoms, relieves headaches, reduce vertigo, reduce congestion from the wax and can help to improve the mind and memory

Detoxifying Back Cleanse
1 hr 30 mins £65.00

A unique back cleanse using a natural herbal scrub with hot towel application and steamer, followed by a luxurious 45 mins back massage and purifying herbal mask to leave your back feeling cleansed, pure and refreshed – a pure 90 mins of indulgence.

Akshitarpana – Eye Treatment
1 hour £60.00

A unique Ayurvedic treatment that can bring relief to stressed, tired, burning and watery eyes using clarified ghee – this nourishes the eyes. A face massage begins the treatment, a Basti (container made up of dough), is gently placed around the eye and warm ghee is gently poured into the Basti,. The warm ghee is soothing and calming and rejuvenating to the eyes. Face Marma massage ends this soothing eye treatment.

Good for – High pitta in the body,HBP, Gastric Ulcers, Colitis, Pitta Skin – Acne/Psorais, MS, Parkinson’s, Anger/Frustration, Hay-fever, Insomnia, Athritis, Osteoathritis

Abhyanga massage

Full body massage 1 hour £60.00
Full body and face massage 90 minutes £75.00

Abhyanga is Sanskrit word for full body massage. Abhyanga is a deeply relaxing oil massage for the whole body. This massage is for both mind and body and performed using rhythmic strokes using a variety of techniques using generous amounts of warm herb infused oils, chosen carefully to the unique constitution of the client. Using warm herbal oils makes the experience deeply relaxing and restful and rejuvenating experience. In Ayurveda the saying is “there is no Ayurveda with out heat and oil”

Good for– any illness/ailment, diseases in the body, excess vata/pitta/kapha

Pada Abhyanga – Foot massage
1 hour £50.00

This highly relaxing foot massage starts with a refreshing foot soak in a lemon and ginger footbath. Warm Ayurvedic oils are applied to relax and revitalise tired and aching feet. Awakens vital energy areas from the soles of the feet up to the knee, be amazed how relaxed you will feel. Rosewater eye pads are applied to the eyes to cool and soothe away heat from the eyes. To complete the treatment, hot steam flannels revitalise the feet making you feel transformed.

Good for – excess heat, insomnia, anxiety, nervousness, palpitations, HBP, any skin conditions – acne/psoriasis, acidity/ulcers, inflammation of the colon, Chron’s disease, Parkinson’s – inflammation of the nervous system.

Shirobhyanga – Traditional Indian head massage
Aurveda Treatment - Hridaya Basti
Shirobhyanga – Traditional Indian head massage
Ayurvedic treatment
Stonehaven Therapy - room

Kati Basti
1 hour £60.00

A unique Ayurvedic treatment using warm oil for the lower back. The treatment starts with a back massage then a Basti (a container made out of dough) – is placed on the affected area in a doughnut shape, sealing against the skin to create a water tight reservoir. Warm medicated oil is poured into the Basti for a duration of time. Proceeds with a marma massage.

Good for – lower back pain, sciatica, prolapse disc, irregular periods, IBS, Chrons Disease, Constipation,

Hasta Abhyanga  – hand massage
1hr  £50.00

This calming and soothing Ayurvedic hand massage uses warm Ayurvedic oils to revitalise and relax hands.

 Good for – helps vata dosha, insomnia, anxiety/palpitations, nervousness, irregular periods, IBS, depression, Circulatory of hands and whole body, can be done for everyone – even in pregnancy.

 

Hridaya Basti
1 hour £60.00

The heart area is continuously bathed with warm Ayurvedic oils – which can help to relieve nervousness, anxiety and fear.

Good for– High blood pressure, Low blood pressure, Heart pacemaker, Raynauds disease, Circulatory – cold hands and feet, Parkinsons disease and MS

Greeva Basti
1 hour £60.00

A specialised warm oil treatment for the neck, it can help improve ailments such as neck pains, tension and stress related ailments.

Good for– Cervical nerve problems, Migraines/Headaces, Stress related, Insomnia, Stiffness near shoulder blades, Tennis elbow, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Nabhi Basti – abdominal navel point massage
1hour £60.00

A dough ring is formed on the navel area, warm medicated oil is poured to create like a pool. When the oil cools down the oil is replaced with warm oil this procedure is repeated 2/3 times.

Malabsorption, Gastric Ulcers, Constipation, Gas/Flatulence, Weight gain, Bloating, Gas/Water Retention, Colitis, Digestive valve

Udvartana Herbal scrub
75 mins – £65.00

Exfoliating massage using finely ground Ayurvedic herbs, including exotic sandalwood, ginger, lemongrass, orange peel and Rosewater with precious herb-infused oils to help make the skin soft and give it a lustrous healthy glow.

Udvartana is one of the signature treatments of Ayurveda and is performed by using detoxifying herbs rubbed all over the body with vigorous movements allowing subcutaneous tissues to release their toxins efficiently. The herbs are mixed first in nourishing oil that maximises the effect of micro-dermal abrasion resulting an efficient exfoliation of the skin.

Good for – Udvartana is the treatment of choice for cellulite and overweight.

Ayurvedic treatments are known for using lots of oil, please come to your appointment wearing suitable clothing (wear old and comfortable clothes).  Please bring a scarf or hat if you’re having any face/ear treatments to keep the cold out when leaving.  

Reflexology Uffington Oxfordshire / Oxon
Reflexology Uffington Oxfordshire / Oxon

Relax, unwind and rebalance

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