Ayurvedic Massage Keeps Your Body in Harmony with Nature
Kelly Luverra, HHP

Spring is a time of renewal for the environment, our bodies and our minds.  We accumulate toxins in our mind and body when we do not fully metabolize our life experiences.  Our physical and emotional digestive systems must be functioning properly in order for us to extract optimal nourishment from our foods, our environment and our experiences.  In Ayurveda, the science of life, it states that we are one with the universal rhythm of nature.  When our internal rhythms are in tune with the rhythms of nature, we experience vitality and joy.  When we are out of sync with our environment, we notice mental or physical distress.

We can ensure greater health benefits by adapting our routines to be in harmony with the changing seasons.  Paying attention to the signals we receive from nature allows us to remain flexible within a world of constant change.  During the wet, cool spring season, favor foods that are lighter in density, while still having some warmth to them and using spices that enliven and stimulate the metabolism.  Use locally grown fruits and vegetables, homemade broths, soups and stews.  It is better to have your grains and vegetables cooked or lightly steamed.  Dress appropriately to stay warm and dry.

One of the ways we have to harmonize our internal rhythms with those of nature is to be present and consciously aware of how our body and mind is responding to the daily activities we engage in. So many of us go through life on autopilot, unaware of the toll that stress is taking on our body. Often it is only after becoming relaxed and balanced that we realize how tense and overwhelmed we had become.  It is important to find a way to regularly bring balance to all the systems of the body so you can learn to more quickly identify when your stress levels become unhealthy.

Ayurvedic Balancing Massage that will do just that. Here is an idea of what this unique bodywork experience is like.

Traditional Ayurvedic massage combines five different techniques designed to balance all the systems of the body: Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (earth & water).  It starts with Garshana, a dry glove massage.  The brisk rhythmic movements stimulate and heat your skin, move the muscles, blood and lymph.  This is a quick, full body flushing – it gets everything moving.

Next is Abhyanga.  Your entire body, from head to toe, is covered in warm, herbalized oil.  With friction the oil is massaged deep into your tissues to loosen the ama (toxins).  The pressure is broad and firm.  The quick, repetitive strokes feel good physically and are surprisingly calming and soothing.  The deep, slow, penetrating strokes of Vishesh are next.  The downward flowing intention of these strokes moves tension and stress down and out of the body.

Essential oils are then applied to Marma points (Ayurvedic energy centers on the body), which activates the flow of vital energy.  A final Chakra balancing takes you into a deep, profound state of bliss that will stay with you long after the treatment has ended.

Kelly Luvera is a Holistic Health Practitioner at Abundant Health Wellness Center in Palm Springs. She can be reached at 760-327-4041.