Alternative Therapies

The essence of understanding Ayurvedic massage is to understand prana. There is nothing more subtle in the body than prana. Even a subtle mental process like thinking can be grasped, reasoned with, or utilized. Not so with prana. It empowers the body/mind and is closely linked with the soul. Prana manifests as the three humors, or doshas, in Ayurveda. Without a good understanding of prana and its fivefold functions in the body, Ayurvedic massage cannot be understood as a therapeutic science. As with many of the methods coming from the Indian Vedic tradition, the presentation of massage from the Ayurvedic system is usually missing the subtle aspects that make it a true healing therapy. These secrets set Ayurvedic massage apart from other methods of bodywork along with its use of medicinal plants and oils. In general, Ayurvedic therapies can be divided into two distinct branches: building and reducing. Building therapies are designed to increase the strength of the patient. Reducing therapies are more complex and eliminate imbalances of the humors. Reduction therapy is usually given before building therapies to clean and prepare the system for regeneration and strengthening. Ayurvedic massage can be used in both ways – either to strengthen the system or to help clean and reduce excess in the system. What is the purpose of giving a massage? Do you wish to relax? To release tension? To strengthen the body? To help liberate toxins? To nourish the muscle and fat tissues? To maintain the three humors? To balance one of the humors? Are you using massage as part of a greater reducing therapy? Are you using massage as part of a strengthening program? To open and release deep connective tissue? To release trapped emotions and feelings? For any of the above reasons the constitution, or Prakruti, of the person must be determined, then the present state, or Vakruti, of the person must be determined. The purpose of giving a massage must then be defined according to a comparison of Prakruti and Vakruti. With this information an Ayurvedic therapy can be determined. Without understanding the therapeutic purpose you are not practicing Ayurveda. . There are four primary reasons for giving a massage in Ayurveda: – to eliminate toxins or excess – to purify – to rejuvenate – to maintain the strength. With the above information in mind it is important to realize that for massage to really be considered a method of healing someone there are a number of factors to understand. Ayurvedic massage is more advanced than Western massage therapeutically. Western massage is strong in techniques and is very sophisticated in this respect. But, its actual medical effectiveness is far less than massage used in Ayurveda. This is primarily because it uses herbs and oils to balance the three doshas according to the individuals needs, and it understands fully the marma points and the nadi meridian system that control the pranas.