Shirodhara
By Saandhi
What is Shirodhara?
Shirodhara is an ancient technique, a union of two words: ‘shir‘ meaning head, and ‘dhara‘ meaning pouring “in a stream” or “sprinkling”. Thus, Shirodhara means the pouring of a liquid “in a stream” over the forehead maintaining a certain rhythmic speed for a stipulated amount of time.
Warm oil, usually gingelly oil, is poured in a continuous stream over the forehead or ‘ajna marma’, an area where nerves are highly concentrated. The gentle pressure of the oil flow onto the forehead creates a vibration, and this soothes the nervous system to experience a deep state of rest, which is similar to meditation. Shirodhara is one of the most powerful treatments to relieve Vata (wind) in the mind. Preoccupied with swarming thoughts, the mind has a difficult time slowing down. This can lead to inability to handle stress, creating nervousness, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, psychological disorders and more. Shirodhara induces a relaxed state of awareness that results in a dynamic psychosomatic balance.
How Does Shirodhara Work?
The Shirodhara procedure creates a particular pressure and vibration on the forehead. The vibration is amplified by the hollow sinus present in the frontal bone. The vibration is then transmitted inwards through the fluid medium of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This vibration, along with a little temperature, may activate the functions of thalamus and the basal fore brain, which then brings the amount of serotonin and catecholamine to the normal stage, inducing sleep. So, in Shirodhara therapy, prolonged and continuous gentle pressure due to pouring of the liquid may cause tranquillity of mind and induce natural sleep.
Who Benefits from Shirodhara?
Shirodhara is a great treatment for a compromised nervous system. It can help relieve symptoms of anxiety, stress, fatigue and hypertension. It relieves tension, worry, fear and headache as well as depression. It regulates mood and gives feelings of pleasure and relaxation. Shirodhara treatment is advised for the prevention of many psychosomatic disorders. In a healthy individual, prevention of diseases pertaining to the body, mind and sense organs is the foremost indication.
Shirodhara can also assist with the following conditions:
It reduces excess vata dosha, which is the primary dosha out of balance in PTSD.
Shirodhara stimulates the pineal gland, which produces melatonin, the regulator of the wake-sleep cycle. It calms an unquiet mind and induces rest. If insomnia stems from working the night shift and wake-sleep cycle is out of sync with the natural rhythms of the sun, Shirodhara can assist in removing fatigue, restoring energy and re-establishing harmony in the doshas or constitution.
An imbalance of vata dosha may be correlated with hypertension. Shirodhara has proven to be effective in lowering blood pressure.
Generally, it is also a great treatment for a healthy individual looking to maintain health and enhance well-being, clarity and calmness. Shirodhara reinvigorates the body and mind, increases immunity, gives deep rest and renewed energy, producing an ageless and youthful countenance. Shirodhara relieves stress, worry and excessive thoughts. This naturally relaxes and rejuvenates the face and softens worry lines.
Shirodhara treatment is available at all MAYI centres. Please call for appointments at 0322605322/0361275693.
Research Reference:
Shirodhara has shown its anti-anxiety, anti-hypertensive and sleep-inducing effects in a few studies (Vinjamury et al., 2014;Nakanekar et al., 2015;Sriranjni, 2009). Physiological responses of Shirodhara procedure are found to reduce the sympathetic tone, thereby decreasing the cardiac activity and increasing α and θ wave activities in the brain (Uebaba et al., 2008; Xu et al., 2008). It is postulated that this may cause a relaxing effect upon the recipient, terminating into the induction of sleep during the treatment session (Tokinobu et al., 2015).
Retractable and portable stainless steel Shirodhara stand and pot are now available for your home use.
It’s adjustable to 3 different heights and is suitable for therapists who offer home treatments.
Instructions for assembly will be provided.