Massage features within ancient Indian Ayurvedic texts dating back over 4,000 years as a method of strengthening muscles,

firming the skin and encouraging the body's natural healing abilities.

ead Massage was originally develo!ed by women in India as a way of caring for their long lustrous hair. A vigorous head massage "#cham!i#$ was also incor!orated into treatments offered by barbers to male clients. In India, massage is an im!ortant !art of everyday life and massage skills have been handed down through the generations.

%he conce!t of Indian ead Masssage as a com!lementary thera!y was introduced to the &' by (arendra Mehta. )hen he came to *ondon to study !hysiothera!y in the +0's (arendra was dismayed to find that head massage which he had grown u! with, was not !racticed or even heard of. e noticed the high levels of stress ex!erienced by many !eo!le, !articularly those working for long hours in an office environment and felt that ead Massage could offer a ,uick and !leasant way of alleviating stress and tension. e went on to develo! his own uni,ue method which he called #-ham!issage# and introduced this thera!y to the &' at the Mind, .ody, /!irit 0estival in 1231. /ince then, Indian ead Massage has gone from strength to strength as !eo!le realise and ex!erience the benefits of this thera!y.

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The following slides show some Indian head massage techniques that: } Release built up tension Prevent headaches and migraines Relax the mind Release natural hair conditioning nutrients Soften fine lines and ease sinus discomfort Thumb Extensions: Rest your hands on the shoulders and walk your thumbs} lightly down the midline of the neck and shoulders, as far down the spine as you can go. Thumb Extensions: Then placing your hands on the outer corner of each} shoulder, push each thumb up over, gathering the outer shoulder muscle and pushing straight forward. Repeat twice, in the centre of each shoulder and then at the junction of shoulder and neck. Palm Roll: Using the heels of the palms, roll over the shoulder muscle} each side with a back to front movement like rolling dough Repeat the other side Neck Slide Tilting your clients head to one side and supporting it with} one hand, put the fingers of the other hand over the shoulders and slide your thumb up the neck, releasing the tension. Shiatsu Neck Points Using the thumbs press either side of the cervical} vertebrae at regular intervals from the top of the neck down to the shoulders, then return to the top of the neck. Figure Skating Tilt and support the head and with the ball of the other} hand rub briskly from behind the ear to the temple in a C shape over one side of the scalp. Start directly above the ear then move up 1cm to do the C shape again, until you reach the mid headline Firm Hand Friction With one hand supporting the side of the head, place} the other hand over the ear, fingers facing forward, and move the scalp up and down firmly and briskly. Repeat two more times until you reach the midline of the scalp, then repeat the other side. Messy Hairdo As if shampooing, play firmly with the hair and scalp using} the fingertips. Comb hair back from the crown by dragging fingers backwards over the scalp one hand at a time. Plucking Place widespread fingertips on the head and quickly squeeze} together and lift off the hair abruptly, all over the scalp. This is a gentle movement, like a spider jumping off the head. Palm Temple Massage Lay your clients head against your chest and move} the heel of your palm to circular massage around the temple and under the cheekbone Facial Pressure Points Using the finger pads of both hands press firmly} either side of the bridge of the nose to the hairline in regular intervals. Repeat again at the centre of the eyebrows to the hairline and the temple end of the eyebrow. Facial Pressure Points Using each ring finger, make circles moving up} both sides of the nose, starting at the sinus points at the base of nostrils and ending at the eyebrow level. Then continue around and under the eyes tracing the cheekbone, ending at the jaw. There are many more Indian head massage techniques you can use to: } Release stiffness and muscle ache from your shoulders, neck and scalp Remove soreness around the temples and eye area before a tension headache forms Dispel toxins that cause fatigue and soreness in the head, neck and shoulder area Achieve a sense of profound relaxation and wellbeing
15. 16. 17. Physical Benefits Significant improvement noticed with: Migraine and headaches Sin sitis Stress related disorders !nsomnia and dist r"ed sleep

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#emporor $ Mandi" lar %oint tension &#M%' S ppleness and fle(i"ility to head) nec* and sho lders !ncrease of o(ygen and gl cose s pply to the "rain Scalp stim lation increasing "lood circ lation) promoting healthy hair !ncreases cere"ral spinal fl id circ lation !mproves m scle tone +alms the respiratory system) helping asthma Mental Benefits !ndian .ead Massage promotes: 1 sense of calmness) peace and tran2 illity 3elease from an(iety) stress and mental stain 3elief from depression .igh levels of concentration +learer thin*ing and foc s 3ela(ation So nd sleep and relief from nightmares 3enewed energy 1ids memory +ha*ra "alancing and energetic healing #he massage s ally "egins with the pper "ac*) where a com"ination of deep massage and press re points help to rela( the m scles and to loosen and melt *nots. Moving thro gh the sho lders and pper arms f rther releases the common spots for holding stress and tension) and then wor*ing deeply into the nec* where tension acc m lates relieves headaches and improves cere"ral spinal fl id circ lation. Moving p to the scalp) techni2 es are sed that stim late) rela( and revive the whole of the head) increasing circ lation and promoting healthy hair. 4inally the treatment may incl de a gentle face massage with techni2 es that help circ lation) s*in tone) and sin s and headache pro"lems

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Massage oil - optional Candles CD player Soft music