The guiding principal of Ayurveda is disease prevention by harmonizing the body's rhythm with nature. One way to create this balance and align the body's healing energies is through marma point massage. Marma is a Sanskrit word meaning hidden, or secret. By definition, a marma point is a juncture on the body where two or more types of tissue meet, such as muscles, veins, ligaments, bones or joints. Yet marma points are much more than a casual connection of tissue and fluids; they are intersections of the vital life force and prana, or breath.
This massage technique can address nervous complaints and disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, pain, tingling and numbness of the arms and legs, gastro-intestinal disturbance, congestion of the head and lungs, insomnia, and muscular aches/pains associated with congestion and tension.
A deeply relaxing one hour therapy session combines gentle massage and essential oils matched to your doshic body type.
Shirodhara is a profound treatment using specific organic oils poured in a steady stream over the forehead and scalp. In Sanskrit, 'shiro' means head and 'dhara' means flowing like a thread. It cleanses both the mind and the senses, allowing the body's natural healing mechanisms to release stress from the nervous system. It has a wonderful calming effect, and is a luxuriant and easy way to achieve relaxation.
From a small copper pot warm oil flows on the brow and in the region between the eyes, creating a blissful sensation. The soothing oil flows in a continuous steam for about 30 minutes, as you are transported to a calm place with all your stress and anxiety dissolving. The oil has a balancing effect on the deepest recesses of the brain, particularily the master gland the hypothalamus, and is said to synchronize alpha brain waves, enhance blood circulation to the brain and release deeply trapped toxins from the system.
In Sanskrit 'pada' means foot, and 'abhyanga' means massage.
This wonderful foot treatment soothes tired and stressed feet. It begins with a warm foot bath, infused with herbs and oils, following by marma point (pressure point) massage on the feet and calves. The feet are linked through neural pathways to all the organs of the body, and this rejuvenating treatment releases tension and brings relaxation to your whole being.
"I have been bothered with carpal tunnel problems for years. Surgery wasn't indicated, and I don't like taking medication all the time. When symptoms get bad, the best thing is marma massage - I can sleep through the night again, and the pain, numbness and tingling clears up. It works!"
T.D. Whitehorse resident, Yukon
"Barbara Drury with all her Ayurvedic healing knowledge, continues to play a significant role in helping me heal myself from breast cancer. Before I had my breast removed when I was experiencing a great deal of stress, Barbara did a special yoga nidra meditation that helped me relax in a deep way . She also recommended some special foods like turmeric which is a known anti-cancer and anti-tumor agent.
She recently gave me a marma massage which again put me into a deep state of relaxation, helped to clear my head, and made me sleep really well and feel fabulous!
Barbara is a lively, radiant, positive being with a wealth of knowledge and skills.
I feel blessed to have her in my life - she is one of the practitioners who is really making a difference in my challenging, scary, loving journey."
S.M. Whitehorse resident, Yukon
Indian Head Massage
Deep relaxation and blissful contentment...this is what you will feel while having an Indian Head Massage. We do not realize how much tension resides in our scalp, face, neck, shoulders and arms until enjoying the deeply relaxing administration of massage to these areas...and feel the tension ebb away! Traditional massage techniques are combined with marma therapy to relieve physical and emotional stress, improve blood circulation, relieve muscular tension, relieve eyestrain and/or tension headache, stimulate the lymphatic system, help relieve sinus problems, improve respiration by encouraging deeper breathing, refreshes and revitalizes the body and mind, and creates a balanced feeling in the whole body.
Cost : $45
You can create your own experience at our wellness centre by combining therapies, sauna or yoga instruction for full or half days...to completely relax and heal in our serene country setting!
