Indian Head Massage

4-7 CE Contact Hours, NCBTMB approved

Relaxing Massage At Its Best!!

Indian head massage is based on an ancient Indian healing system called Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic means “Knowledge of life”.  The modern Indian Head massage combines shiroabdyanga (the original family head massage), champi (more commonly found in barber shops in India) and Japanese shiatsu points. The method is not meant to be curative, but rather preventative and to reduce the progress of prevailing conditions of illness. Indian mothers for over 4000 years have given weekly Indian Head massages to their children.  The points balance the chakras and clear energy blockages. 

Indian Head massage supports the nervous system by alleviating stress; stimulating the lymphatic system, encouraging the elimination of toxins; increasing oxygen uptake in tissues and improving concentration.

While the title indicates only the head being massaged, this massage technique works on the scalp, face, neck, upper arms, shoulders, and upper back areas, focusing on the parts of the body most prone to tension and stress.

  Follow normal contraindications, plus avoid in the first trimester, scalp infections, fever, head or neck injury, cold sores, infections, bruising, weeping eczema, diabetes (because of poor skin sensation), a recent haemorrhage, metal plates, recent operations, thrombosis, low blood pressure and epilepsy. As with all bodywork, clients under the influence of drugs and alcohol shouldn't receive the work until they are sober. 

  Indian head massage is kind to hair; it is not kind to hair-dos. Remove any hair bands, clips or barettes before you go in, and book that hair appointment for the day after.

   Best to have a chair with a low back. Optional to use sesame seed (sesame oil contains phosphorous and calcium that benefits the hair shaft), olive or coconut oil on scalp or finest yet is to get organic ayurveda oil at www.solavedi.com telephone 860-395-0282, where organic herbs are slowly steeped in oil in an earthen pot for several days over a low flame and poured by hand through natural cloth so each blend is made by hand in the traditional way.  Oil strengthens and nourishes the hair, softens the scalp providing for improved hair growth, increases sebum production, which conditions the hair and helps clean the pores.

Lolita will provide samples of Solavedi oil during the class or you may bring your favourite scalp oil.

  All strokes can be done without oil if you or your client prefers.

Indian Head Massage is becoming more popular at spas, nursing homes, hospice, airports, corporate massage, including people confined to a wheel chair and for any client wanting deep relaxation. 

  There are many different styles of Indian Head Massage. In this class 46 strokes are included in the handout. Below are the first 4 strokes to give you an example.

  INDIAN HEAD MASSAGE STROKE SEQUENCE

1. Begin by placing your hip against client's back and with hands on their shoulder have them take 3 deep breaths. If chair it too high then just gently place your hands on clients shoulders.   Client's breathe in and out the nose for the first breath and then breathe in and out the mouth for the next two.

Do each stroke 3 times unless noted otherwise
and
always do both sides.

2.  Support the head with one hand. Using the palm of the other hand, gently massage the pineal plexus found at the base of the head allowing the client's innate healing energy to rebalance and increase alertness and release pent-up emotions,

3.  Still holding the forehead lightly spread and fan downwards with splayed fingers along the neck avoiding the Adam's apple.

Gently move client forward to give your hands space to work. During the various strokes you will naturally move your client back and forth so they relax and you can easily perform the strokes.

Effleurage out from spine over top of shoulders. Use back of hand moving upwards and
then change to palms when comfortable.

This massage technique has been practiced for over a thousand years. The massage is calming, yet revitalizing working on the upper back, neck, shoulder, face and scalp.

Indian Head Massage can help eyestrain, headaches, promote hair growth, improve concentration (by improving blood flow to the scalp), stimulates lymphatic drainage to the head and neck, boost hair health, relieve shoulder tension, increase neck mobility, calm the mind and ease emotional stress.

This massage is given while the client is fully clothed sitting in a chair.

Pressure points are stimulated during the massage.

Learn a method that will totally bliss out your clients while giving them gentle relief from physical ailments.