Shirodhara:Attaining ultimate bliss

Ayurveda

Masterclass

Prepared by Ravi Shanker CK

What is Shirodhara?

• The forehead is the seat of Ajna Chakra, and any dysfunction there leads to a variety of disorders.

• Shirodhara is a form of Ayurveda therapy that involves pouring warm liquids gently over the forehead. The name comes from the Sanskritwords Shira (head –words Shira (head –although in this case it is the forehead) and Dhara(flow).

What is Shirodhara?

• The liquids includes oils (Thailadhara), Milk

(Ksheeradhara), Buttermilk (Takradhara) or Kashayam or

Ayurvedic Concoctions (Kashayadhara).

• The liquid is poured in an

alternating pattern from a alternating pattern from a

particular height and for a

specific amount of time in a

continuous stream onto the

forehead, and then allowed to

run over the scalp and through

the hair in a soothing rhythm.

How does Shirodhara work?

• According to Ayurveda three forces – Vata, Pitta & Kapha – govern the human biological processes. The permutations of these determinants could vary in each person but a harmony of them is essential for overall health. health.

• Ayurveda believes that the cure is in restoring the physiological and psychic balance of the patient.

• Sufficient supply of oxygen and a regulated blood circulation is key for our psychic and nervous system to work properly. In fact, for the whole body to work in a synchronized manner with the signals to and from the brain through the network of nerves.

How Shirodhara works?

• Shirodhara, a major part of Panchakarma treatment helps clear the nervous and blood circulatory tracts in our body, and with better blood circulation the brain gets greater supply of oxygen.

• The three bodily characteristics(called Tridoshas) and • The three bodily characteristics(called Tridoshas) and the corresponding imbalances of a person, would play a major role in deciding the fluids used in a Shirodhara.

• All treatments have to be done based on the recommendations of the Ayurvedic medical practitioner.

Benefits of Shirodhara

• Shirodhara is used to treat a number of disorders as well as for relaxing purposes. The diseases include insomnia, memory loss, premature greying of hair, eye diseases, hearing impairment, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, skin disorder like psoriasis, and so on.

• Shirodhara also helps to soothe the mental disorders like anxiety, emotional imbalances, depression etc.

Types of Shirodhara• Thailadhara: in this form, oil is the liquid

administered. The oil or Thailam used in this treatment is a medicated/ Ayurvedicformulation and is customised based on the patient's dosha or bodily characteristics.

• Apart from all other Shirodhara benefits, • Apart from all other Shirodhara benefits, Thailadhara is hugely beneficial for paralytic patients.

• Kashayadhara: The medium is Kashaya(specific Ayurvedicconcoctions). The Kashaya is decided corresponding to the clinical condition of the patient by the attending Ayurvedicpractitioner.

Types of Shirodhara

• Ksheeradhara: Medicated milk is used in Ksheeradhara. Good for reducing insomnia, headaches and mental tension.

• Takradhara: Medicated butter milk or Takra is used in accordance to the dosha as determined by the Ayurvedicphysician. Takradhara is physician. Takradhara is

particularly beneficial for reducing blood pressure level, treating chronic dryness of mouth and excessive thirst. Also for psoriasis.

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