What is Shirodhara?

By Annette Scott 

Shirodhara is an ancient Ayurvedic healing practice performed in India for over 2,000 years. Shirodhara is traditionally used to calm the nerves, harmonize vata constitutions, restore the nerves, release stored emotions, and purify the mind. In Ayurvedic Medicine, it is considered an important tool in the pursuit of higher states of consciousness.  Shirodhara has been traditionally shown to help with fatigue, mental exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, some mental disorders, headache, excessive thinking, nervousness, and many other conditions commonly affecting Americans in today’s active lifestyle.

How is it Performed?

It is the application of warmed sesame or sunflower oil (infused with herbs and essential oils) gently poured onto the forehead for an extended period of time. It is performed with the client lying face up on a massage table in a relaxing environment.

What Are the Effects of Shirodhara?

Most people will commonly notice many of the following after Shirodhara: reduction in stress, reduction in excessive thinking, calming of the emotions, release of negative emotions, improved sleep, improvement in insomnia, vivid dreaming, muscle relaxation, improvement in mood, centeredness, a reduction in anxiety, alleviation of mental anguish, and a temporary blissful state. Many people experience profound levels of insight and emotional healing after Shirodhara. In essence, it calms the body, mind, and spirit.

Schedule a Shirodhara Session with Annette Scott.  This may be combined with her other services.  See her Bio in the Tampa Bay Therapists for more details.

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