Introduction
Touch is the first of the senses that we feel. Even in our intra-uterine stage and right through the infancy, we thrive on Touch.
And then somewhere along the way we forget it. The business of living takes so much of our time that we forget the all-nourishing touch.
Massage is that healing art which helps us rebound in and through the touch. From the crucible of culture, the ancient land of India perfected by practice through generations across the length and breadth of India has evolved the healing practice of the Indian head massage.
In today’s modern and stress-laden world, a touch of love aided with the techniques of massage can act as the biggest rejuvenator.
Stress is an obvious by-product of modern day living. The muscles of our face, neck, scalp and shoulders bear the maximum brunt of our stress. During IHM the tension is gently, firmly and rhythmically massaged until all the pressure begins to dissolve and float away.
The energy flow is rebalanced producing a feeling of tranquility and peace. Moreover, IHM can be performed virtually anywhere, from an office environment or even while sitting on a beach, in sitting posture and fully clothed.
So then, feel the love in your heart, let it flow through your fingers, see the magical transformation that you and your relationship undergo.
IHM is a simple, safe and beneficial therapy which has been practiced and perfected by mainly women for over thousands of years in India.
Head is the main center of the nervous systems, the center of our thinking processes. Neck and shoulders hold our head upright. Face is the immediate identity card.
However, any stress or tensions first strike the head, neck and shoulders. Our skull is covered with a thin layer of muscles which tightens due to tensions. All this leads to tension headaches, migraines, spondylosis, lack of concentration, irritability, fatigue, insomnia. Over a period of time this could also lead to chronic sever illnesses such as hypertension, cardiac illnesses, etc. On the cosmetic side, it can lead to hair loss, puffiness of the face, etc.
During IHM, these muscles are slowly, gently and rhythemically relaxed. This increases the blood flow. The subcutaneous muscles are toned up. The stretching and mobilization of neck and shoulder muscles lead to improve joint movements. When IHM is consistently followed over a period of time, it can help in reducing the abovementioned complaints. The hair roots are stimulated and nourished through the massage and various Ayurvedic blends (ancient healing art of India). This leads to a crown of long, lustrous hair, the hallmark of Indian beauty. It also stimulates lymphatic drainage of head and face, thus reducing facial puffiness, and helps to detoxify.
Origin and history of IHM
The crowning glory of Indian beauty is the lustrous long hair. This is because of the nurturing massage they receive from their mothers, elder sisters, aunts and grandmothers – an art which has been perfected over thousands of years throughout the length and breadth of India. To this is added the various fragrant herbs, spices and oils from the Ayurvedic scriptures. The ultimate outcome is a radiant face, beautiful hair housing a tranquil mind.
Bringing IHM to the West
Narendra Mehta was a blind osteopath. He had been accustomed to receiving massage from his early childhood days from his family members.
He moved to England in 1973. In spite of his efforts he couldn’t find anybody who could give him the same touch. So he resolved to bring this technique to the West. He traveled from village to village, perfecting the various massage techniques. He extended the massage to include the shoulders since these carry the brunt of our shoulders. It took him eight years to perfect and compile these techniques and present them to the western world.
Touching in a caring way brings about relaxation which in turn reduces stress and thereby helps to strengthen bonds nurturing relationships.
Basic philosophy – Oasis of love
A place which you create within yourself, where you go to replenish your systems, having been scorched by the cut-throat business of living.
Benefits of IHM
- Stimulates and relaxes scalp and tones the sub-cutaneous muscles.
- Increases blood circulation
- Reduces muscle tension in the neck and shoulders.
- Expels toxins and helps in detoxification
- Facilitates lymphatic drainage from the face.
- Facilitates joint movements in the neck and shoulders.
- Retards hair loss and promotes hair growth.
- Lubricates dry scalp and helps in reducing dandruff.
- Reduces stress, tension headaches, migraine, eye-strain.
- Can be done in sitting positions fully clothed.
- Rejuvenates mind and body, soothes the central nervous systems.
Contraindications of IHM
- Raw, weeping or wet exima
- Psoriases
- Cuts and swellings
- Lungs and bumps
- Epilepsy
- Recent head injury, concussion or surgery
- Cancer
- Narcotic drugs or alcohol
- Infectious deceases
- Acne or pustules
- Heavy meals
- Very high or very low blood pressure
Basic principles of IHM
- One who follows the natural contours and flows of the body ensures the most effective massage.
- Finger-tips are the energy transmitters of our body.
- It is important to open and focus on the Chakras.
- Concept of universal love.
- Concept of Mass and Energy (Shiva and Shakti).
- Mother as the Nurturer
Duration of Massage – 40 minutes
Sequence of Massage
Shoulders neck scalp (head) face
Oils used – optional but few suggestions
- Light hair – coconut oil 40ml, 3 drops cedar wood (dry scalp), 2 drops lemon (cleaning), 3 drops geranium (emollient, lymph drainage)
- Dark hair – coconut oil 40 ml, 4 drops cedar wood (dry scalp), 4 drops rose mary (stimulating), 4 drops patchouli (dandruff)
Hot oil treatment – 2~3 teaspoons of treatment blend – warm it and then massage it into scalp. Then wrap hair with “cling wrap” or thick towel.
Cold oil treatment – choose your blend and apply it to the hair liberally, wrap hair in a towel (turban style) for half an hour.
Shampoo – 2 to 3 rinses, then condition with non-fragrant product (for both cold and hot oil treatment).
Chakras
Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning “wheel”. Traditionally there are seven chakras which are the energy centers of our body. Chakras appear as wheel-like vortices of pure energy and simulate lotus. They spin at great speed and in deeply spiritual person, they become spheres of radiant energy. They are the gateways of the consciousness through which we communicate with the cosmic energy. Each charka has its own association and connection.
Throat – feeling and emotions are transformed into expressions, such as laughter and crying. Throat deals with sound.
Essential oils used – lavender, sandal wood, neroli, sage.
Symbol – 16 petal lotus
Colour – light blue
Location – between inner collar bone in the front and lower neck just above the shoulder level at the back
Glands – thyroid, parathyroid
Harmony – knows balance of expressions, silence and peace.
Out of harmony – despite much talking cannot find much expression. Fearful of being judged and rejected.
Massage directions – clockwise (male), anti-clockwise (female)
Third eye (or Brow) Chakra – enables recognition of “Being”.
Essential oils – Jasmine, Vertiver, Basil, Patchouli, Rosemary
Symbol – 96 petal lotus.
Colour – Indigo
Associated body parts – Face, eyes, nose, Sinuses, cerebellum.
Location – between the eyebrows
Glands – pituitary and pineal
Effect – understanding and harmony.
When in harmony – intuitive and spiritual
Crown Chakra – connection with the Cosmos
Essential oils – frankincense, olibarum, oaknoss lotus
Symbol – Thousand petal lotus.
Colour – violet, white, gold
Location – top of the head above the fontanel
Effect – overcomes the Limited Being
When in Harmony – spiritual harmony
Out of Harmony – anxiety and fear, depressed and unsatisfied
Frequently Asked Questions
How can massage help nurture relationship?
Fingers are the manipulating conductors of energy flow from one person to another. Thus it helps in bonding. People who massage each other stay together.
What can Indian head massage do?
It can ease headaches, eyes strains, migraine, retard graying and premature balding and remove toxins from the body.
Do I need to be undressed?
No, it can be done fully clothed in a sitting position.
Who can benefit from massage?
Anyone, including children and eledrely find it comforting to have a 20~30 minutes massage. Those of us who are too shy to undress or too busy for a full body massage can avail of this massage.
Who should not receive Indian head massage?
It is not suitable for people with severe head injuries, psychosis, epilepsy and weeping exima.
