Ayurvedic Massage & Therapies in Sheffield

What is Ayurvedic Massage?

Inspired by the ancient Indian healing system of Ayurveda, we have created a range of authentic massages and therapies designed to nourish body and mind, restoring balance. We are the only well-being centre in Sheffield offering this unique selection of authentic ayurvedic massages and treatments. These massages are fantastic as an addition to those receiving Ayurvedic treatment from an Ayurvedic practitioner, or for anyone who feels their needs extend beyond the physical body.

Ayurveda is an ancient healing system used for thousands of years in India, which is based on the principle of balance. In Ayurveda, the goal is to bring harmony to the body by creating balance between the three doshas (tri-dosha): Vata (air & space), Pitta (fire & water), and Kapha (water and earth). These doshas represent key elements of all living things, which guide how we respond to the world physically and emotionally. Each of us has elements of all three doshas but we may find that our bodies, emotional responses and strengths and weaknesses are more guided by some elements than others. This is known as your constitution. Ayurveda teaches us how to create balance for our particular constitution. When we are out of balance, this can create physical, emotional and mental symptoms. Ayurvedic massage is intended as an addition to treatment by an ayurvedic practitioner but can also be enjoyed by those who take an interest in alternative and/or holistic well-being.

Prior to each appointment, you can choose to complete a questionnaire that will help to identify your constitution and any potential imbalances you may have. Your therapist will use this information to personalise your treatment using specially selected medicated oils and will provide you with lifestyle and dietary advice to complement and prolong the effects of your treatment.

During the massage, points of vital life force energy, known as marma points, are stimulated. These marma points are anatomical locations where key junctions of muscles, ligaments, bones, joints, veins, arteries, nerves and lymph sites meet. Additionally, these points are centres where tri-dosha are present. The points are thought to be linked to major organs, systems and parts of our physical and emotional selves. Stimulating the points is thought to clear blockages and bring balance to your body and mind and spirit.

Which therapies do you offer?

Below you'll find descriptions of the different types of treatments on offer.

Abhyanga - Full body massage for mind/body balancing - 90 minutes

Abhyanga is the sansrkit word for massage. In this full body massage treatment, warm oil is used to massage the body from head to toe. The massage uses circular motions at the joints to remove energetic blockages, followed by long rhythmic strokes towards the core of the body. This allows a smooth flow of energy from the extremities to the core, where waste products can then be safely processed and expelled from the body. Traditional techniques of effleurage, tapping, kneading, cupping, rubbing and squeezing are also used in a rhythmic pattern to loosen tight muscles, improve circulation and revitalise tired muscles. These techniques are applied holistically, taking into account your individual needs, your constitution and any imbalances you may be experiencing. at the time of the treatment.

Your warm medicated oil, is selected depending on your needs to bring balance to your body and mind. At the end of the massage, marma points will be stimulated chakras will be balanced.

This massage is complimented by pinda sweda, the use of steam pouches which infuse warmth into the muscles. Please read below for more information about pinda sweda. This can be added too your massage by clicking 'add ons' at checkout.

Additions you can make to this massage include pinda sweda, kati vasti, urvi vasti or anaharta chakra vasti (see below for more details).

Following your session, you will be given advice to help enhance the benefits of your massage and continue detoxification at home with dietary and lifestyle advice.

Pinda Sweda - Herbal Pouch Steam Therapy - Add on to any treatment

Pinda Sweda is a steam therapy which involves using steam heated pouches containing cooked rice and herbs or freshly ground herb powders. The herbal pouches are pressed against the muscles and joints to infuse them with warmth. As well as the relaxation element of heat, this treatment improves circulation and can help to reduce pain in the muscles and joints. The type of pinda will be selected according to your individual needs.

Shiro Abhyanga - Indian Head Massage - 45 Minutes

This is a traditional style massage in which marma energy points in the head, neck, face and shoulders are stimulated whilst the muscles are worked on to release tension. The massage can be described as vibrant and invigorating. The benefits of Indian head massage include reduced tension, relief from headaches, jaw tension and neck and shoulder stiffness and revitalised skin and hair. The massage can be given with or without oil. The relaxation that comes with the massage can be useful for improving sleep and general well-being.

Shirodhara - Oil Pouring - 60 Minutes

In this treatment, warm medicated oil is poured in a continuous stream over the third eye for 30 minutes. This point is an important marma point as well as the location of the third eye chakra. It's thought that stimulating this spot can help to relieve headaches and stimulate the pituitary gland, thus regulating emotional disturbances through hormonal balancing. This treatment brings deep relaxation, clarity and a meditative state.

Following the oil pouring, you will receive a head massage using marma point therapy to relieve any remaining tension, followed by a grounding exercise to help you reconnect before you leave.

Padabhyanga - Foot & Leg Massage - 60 Minutes

This is a traditional massage which focuses on the lower legs and feet. The treatment begins with a warm foot soak, cleansing the feet and lower legs and warming them in preparation for treatment. Next, an exfoliant powder is used to scrub the feet and legs, leaving them soft and smooth. The poder is removed with warm steam towels before warm medicated oil is applied and a relaxing leg and foot massage given. The massage is followed by stimulation of the marma points to bring to bring balance. Not only is this treatment a wonderfully relaxing experience for anyone who enjoys foot massage or carries tension in their lower legs, but its a way of restoring optimum flow of blood and lymph within the feet and balancing the constitution.

You can choose to add pinda sweda to this treatment (see below for further details)

Vasti - Warm Oil Holding - See options below for length of treatment

Vasti is a treatment in which a dough ring is used to hold warm medicated oil over a particular area for a length of time. In doing this, the skin can absorb the components of the medicinal oil whilst the warmth penetrates into the muscles to relieve tension and soreness. Vasti can be given as a standalone treatment for the lower back or knees. Or as an addition to an abhyanga full-body massage treatment.

Kati Vasti - Oil Holding for the lower back - 60 Minutes

Warm medicated oil applied in a dough ring, which holds the oil in place for 30 minutes, allowing it s penetrate deeply. Afterwards, a massage is given to the lower back and hips to complete the treatment.

Janu Vasti - Oil Holding for the knees - 45 Minutes

Warm medicated oil is applied in a dough ring around each knee. The oil is in place for 30 minutes, allowing it to penetrate deeply. Afterwards, a massage is given to the legs to complete the treatment.

Anaharta Uro Vasti - Oil Holding for the Chest & Heart chakra - 45 Minutes

The heart chakra is located above the heart. In the uro vasti, you'll have warm medicated oil poured into a dough ring on the centre of your chest. Emotional pain, grief, trauma and stress can all be stored in this area, and the soothing heat provides localised focus and healing, allowing you to release, process and move through blockages held in this area.

This treatment can be given stand alone as a 45 minute treatment - 30 mins of oil holding followed by a grounding exercise. Or it can be added to an abhyanga full-body massage.

Please note that this treatment is designed to compliment ongoing treatment or therapy from professionals trained in trauma release, talking therapy or grief counselling. If you are seeking to release body-held emotions, trauma or grief, it is recommended that you seek professional therapy for this purpose and use Ura Vasti as a complementary aid to your ongoing work.

Ayurvedic Experience Package - Whole body & Mind Rejuvination Treatment - 3 hours

This unique package combines our most popular ayurvedic treatments into one luxurious treatment spanning 3 hours. You'll receive a full body abhyanga massage with pinda sweda, shirodhara (oil pouring over the third eye), a choice of vasti (oil holding) for either the lower back, knees or heart chakra, marma point therapy and chakra blessing.

This treatment is designed to provide ultimate relaxation, body rejuvenation and balancing for your constitution, body and mind.

Your therapist will use your questionnaire to establish your constitution and any imbalance you may have and select an appropriate medicated oil for your treatment.

If you don't see the combination of treatments you'd like on our booking page please contact us and we can arrange bespoke ayurvedic packages just for you.

Your therapist, Claire, trained with the Ayurvedic Institute run by well-respected ayurvedic physician, Dr Deepika and a team of experienced Sri Lankan teachers. Claire spent many years giving massages at panchakarma retreats before incorporating ayurvedic massage into her own practice. She has over 10 years of experience in ayurvedic massage.

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