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Transcript of Shiro Manual
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Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that can be broken down to its roots in order to
understand its meaning: ayur means life and longevity; and veda means pure
knowledge. In fact, the vedas are volumes of sacred texts almost 3000 years
old in which many different teachings finally moved from the oral tradition to
the written, one of which was Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old science which had its birth in India. It is be-
lieved to be the oldest healing science still known to man. It covers every as-
pect of the human mind, body, and spirit, with its focus on happy, healthy lon-gevity. Everything from when to wake up, to how to take care of your skin, and
even how to prepare your meals is all included in the teachings of Ayurveda -
the “knowledge of life”.
In the Beginning… The Three GunasTo understand Ayurveda, one must first know that its foundation lies in the
Page 1 Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners
" Sa m a d o s a sa m a g n i s ca
Sam a d h a t u m a la k r i y a h
P r as an n a t m e n d r i y a m a n a h Sv a s a st h a i t y a b h i d i y a t e "
"He, being established in Self, who has balanced doshas, balanced appetiteand digestion, properly formed tissues, proper elimination of wastes, proper
functioning of the bodily processes, and whose mind, soul, and senses arefull of bliss is known as a healthy person."
From Susruta Samhita Sutrasthanam 15.38
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Food Guidelines for a Vata pacifying diet:
Fruit: Sweet fruits including bananas, avocado, berries, kiwi, mangos,peaches, and all citrus fruits are most favorable.
Vegetables: Cooked vegetables such as asparagus, beets, carrots, greenbeans, and sweet potatoes are best. Avoid raw vegetables.
Grains: Rice, cooked oats, and wheat keep vata in balance.
Avoid barley, corn, and refined grains.Legumes: In general, beans aggravate vata because of their dry, gas
provoking quality. Limit intake of all beans except mung beans.Dairy: Most dairies are acceptable, but avoid goat’s and powdered milk.
Spices: All spices are good!
Page 5 Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners
Ever described someone as a whirlwind? More than likely, the person referred to ispredominantly vata. A vata person usually has a light frame, is often either very
tall or very short, and has black, dry, frizzy hair. Their skin is dry, cold to thetouch and is slightly rough. They are prone to premature wrinkling, especiallysince they are sun worshippers and tend to be the ones with the darkest tan on the
beach. Their dark eyes and lips are dry and small. They have a meager appetitealong with an irregular diet and lifestyle. They are very creative and often veryspiritual. They are quite accommodating to the needs of others and very generouswith their time, money, and anything else they can offer. When they are stressed
out, fear and nervousness occur. When the Ether and Air elements are out of bal-ance the skin shows signs of dehydration, flakiness, and wrinkles. In the body,one will experience joint pain, chills, gas, constipation, and lower back pain. The
mind will be restless with anxiety, worry, and lack of focus. Many different factorsdisturb vata including stress, excess activity such as high impact aerobics, constanttravel, improper diet (including over-dieting or too much fasting), the dryness ofthe season of autumn, and especially an irregular routine.
Suggestions for a balanced lifestyle:Meditation
Warm water baths and steam bathsLow impact exercise and gentle yoga asanas (postures)
Vata pacifying foods including the sweet, sour, salty, and pungent tastes.Limit bitter and astringent foods.
Sesame oil self massage nightly (see self massage pages in the appendix)
Observe a regular routine every day
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Page 7 Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners
When a person “has both feet on the ground” or is “down to earth,” their primarydosha is probably kapha. A kapha person has a thicker build and tends to put on
weight easily. They have a curvy body and are often slightly taller than average.Their hair is dark and thick with lustrous waves. Their skin is soft, oily, and cold tothe touch, and when they are in balance, is the kind of skin every person wishes
they could have. Their dark eyes are large and bright and their teeth and lips areprominent as well. Kapha people have an average appetite, but tend to eat when
not hungry adding to their weight issues. They are usually very jovial and easy go-ing, and are very good with money. When the Water and Earth elements are outof balance, it will manifest on the skin as excessive oiliness, clogged pores, and
acne. In the body, those with a kapha predominant constitution will experienceweight gain, congestion, and a dull sleepy feeling. The mind will have depression,greed, and attachment. Some of the causes of a kapha imbalance are a lack of ac-tivity or exercise, improper diet (including emotional or over-eating), cold winter
weather, or wet, cool spring weather, and seclusion.
Suggestions for a balanced lifestyle:
Lots of exerciseWarm dry saunasHot teas
Social activitiesA light Kapha pacifying diet including bitter, sour, astringent, andpungent foods. Limit sweet and salty foods.Daily dry brushing with a natural bristle bath brushDeep, vigorous self massage with grapeseed or corn oil each morning
Food Guidelines for a Kapha pacifying diet:Fruit: Favor astringent fruit including apricot, cranberry, pear, apple, raisin
and pomegranate.Vegetables: All vegetables are good except cucumber, pumpkin, sweet
potato, raw tomatoes, and zucchini.Grains: Barley, corn, couscous, millet, and rye are acceptable. Avoid oats,
rice, and wheat.Legumes: Most beans are allowed, but avoid cold soy products and kidney
beans.Dairy: Dairy should be limited, and only taken when warm. Goat dairy is o
Spices: All spices are good, but avoid salt.
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Rasayana
Rasayana is like nectar for the gods, having
incomprehensible miraculous effects. It pro-motes long life, provides health and sustains
youthfulness. (Vedic Sutra)
Rasayana, rejuvenation therapy, is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda. It does not treatany one specific disease, but restores body functions and balance to achieve the maximum
potential of the body. Rasayana therapy is formulated to each individual’s constitution. Forthe purposes of shodana, rasayana is done by taking various rejuvenative substances, as well
as dietary and lifestyle changes
The most important and well known of all rasayanic sub-
stances is the fruit of the Emblic Myrobalan, also called amlaor amalaki. This fruit cleanses and restores the blood, bones,
liver, and heart. It rebuilds and maintains new bodily tis-sues, increases production of red blood cells, and is the high-
est natural source of vitamin C, containing 3000 milligrams per fruit. Amalaki is the main source of food taken during
kaya kalpa, which is the most rejuvenating and virilizing ofall ayurvedic procedures, taking months or sometimes a full
year to complete.
The Charaka Samhita (the main classical text on Ayurveda) says, "Rasayana therapy has for
its object the prolongation of human life, and the refreshment and invigoration of the mem-ory and the vital organs. It deals with formulas that enable one to retain youthful vigor up to
old age, and serve to make the human nervous system invulnerable to disease and decay.”
Summary
Shamana and shodana is an entire process dedicated to keeping a person healthy for an entire
lifetime. It is best done at least one time per year, and up to four times per year at the changeof the season. Those who dedicate themselves to this process notice amazing changes, and
those who do it regularly truly appear to not to age. It is an amazing experience that must betried in order to be fully understood. While the average massage therapist, chiropractor, or
aesthetician will not be providing or advising upon a shodana purification process, they mayhave clients that are referred to them to provide some of the shamana treatments, including
shirodhara treatment. Let Ayurvedic practitioners in your area know that you provide shi-rodhara as a service and you may be surprised at how many new clients come your way!
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Shirodhara Explained
Shirodhara is both a profound and sub-tle experience. Traditionally, this treat-
ment is given daily in a series that lastsa week to twenty one days or more in
the Ayurvedic clinics of South India.It is one therapeutic component of an
over-all treatment plan, including diet,herbal preparations, and relaxation.
During this time, clients are encour-
aged not to engage in any activity thatstimulates thought. If one reads, the
material should be conducive to spiri-tuality. It is not advisable to engage in
intense physical or sexual activity.
Shirodhara cleanses both the mind and the senses, allowing the body's natural healingmechanisms to release stress from the nervous system. This improves mental clarity andcomprehension. The technician administers the oil in a thin stream which flows from a cop-
per vessel hung approximately 6-8 inches above the patient's forehead. Patterns of waves
across the forehead or zigzags up and down the forehead trigger the body to enter an alteredstate of consciousness, further deepening the client’s meditation. The treatment is best when
done in a warm, quiet room, and when given by a calm, patient, thoughtful, therapist.
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The effect of shirodhara is different for each person. This treatment in particular representsan interface between the traditions of Yoga and Ayurveda. Because it isolates and focuses
the mind, it creates a meditative sense of awareness unmatched by any other treatment. Dhara, means "flow," and is contained in the word dharana which is one of the seven stages
of yogic realization. Dharana is translated as "concentration." The flow of liquid in a shirod-hara treatment is directed toward the ajna chakra, which is also known as the third eye. This
area of the forehead, located slightly above the space between the eyebrows, is associatedwith the pineal, pituitary, and hypothalamus glands, which dictate the organization and regu-
lation of all hormonal secretions. These hormonal secretions control not only the autonomic
responses which control digestion, breath, and elimination, but they are also responsible forour emotional state. Shirodhara effects the parasympathetic nervous system (also known as
the “rest and digest system”), which conserves the body’s energy as it slows heart rate, in-creases intestinal and gland activity, and relaxes sphincter muscles in the gastrointestinal
tract. This creates an unconscious consciousness during which the primal intelligence of our body can reorganize in a manner that leads to healing and well-being. For these reasons, shi-
rodhara can be applied for conditions of high Vata or Pitta, as well as insomnia, memoryloss, enhancement of meditation, and deepening ones relaxation to stimulate rejuvenation.
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Herbal DecoctionWater can also be used to make an herbal tea to use in a shi-rodhara treatment. This is an easier alternative to making
herbalized oil, and certainly much quicker. This method al-lows the therapist to make a personalized mixture for each
client’s special needs, without needing advanced notice. Pittaand kapha constitutions will benefit most from this medium,
as oil tends to push these doshas out of balance. Make sureto strain all the herbs completely out of the tea before using
or you can risk clogging your equipment.
Other Combinations
One can use any combination of substances for a shirodhara treatment. Often times, milkwill be cooked into an herbalized oil to create a thick, very nourishing medium. Blend yo-gurt with a small amount of oil, or boil an herbal decoction into buttermilk. Essential oils,
extracts and hydrosols are highly beneficial when added to some of the bases listed above.The sky is the limit when it comes to what you can cook up.
Herbs
Amalaki Cooling, nutritive, promotes hair growthAshwaganda Rejuvenating (especially for men),
astringent, healing
Bhringaraj Drawing, anti-inflammatory, healing,cooling, indicated in baldness, premature
graying and alopecia, promotes sleep
Brahmi Purifies, rejuvenating, cooling, relievesskin conditions, revitalizes the brain
Jasmine Astringent, cooling, sattvic, increaseslove and compassion
Jatamansi Calming to nervous system, protective,especially good during the new moon
Lavender Healing, balancing, promotes sleep
Neem Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, purifying, antiseptic, antifungal.
Indicated where there is dandruff
Nutmeg Analgesic, sedative, warming.Indicated for headaches.
Scullcap Calms nervousness, convulsions,irritability, and insomnia; sedative,
lowers fever, and has anti-toxic effects.
Shatavari Nourishes and cleanses the blood andsupports the female reproductivefunctions.
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Essential Oils
Sandalwood Cooling, soothing, promotes skin cell
turnoverRose Cooling, soothing, regenerating, increases
love and ojas
Nutmeg Analgesic, sedative, warming
Lavender Antiseptic, healing, balancing, stimulatingNirgundi/ Calms stress, especially good for
Vitex women’s hormonesHina Good for women’s emotions and during
menstruation
Ready Made BlendsSeveral oils on the market have herbs already cooked into them. Amla, Brahmi, Bhringaraj, Neem, Ashwaganda oils are easy to find as single herb mixtures or as part of a blend. There
are oils made specifically for shirodhara, even specific use oils to treat disorders and dis-eases. Look for them online or in Indian markets. Before buying, always check the ingredi-
ents to make sure the purity you want is there. (see appendix for suggestions on where to
find these oils)
Hymn to the Plants
Rig Veda, 1500 BCE, India
Herbs, you are born at the beginning of time,more ancient than the gods themselves.
O Plants, with this hymn I sing to you,our mothers and our gods.
The holy fig tree is your home.
Innumerable are your growths.You, who have a thousand powers,
free my patient from disease.
Fly, Spirit of Disease.
Be gone with the blue jay and the kingfisher.Fly with the wind's impetuous speed.
Vanish together with the storm.
Most excellent of all are you, O Plants.Your protectors are the trees.
Let be subject to your powershe who seeks to injure you.
When restoring vanished strength
I hold you, herbs, within my hand,And the Spirit of Disease departs,
cheated of another death.
Reliever is your mother's name.
Hence, restorers are you called.Rivers are you, with wings that fly.
Keep distant that which brings disease.
Unharmed be he who gently digs you up.
Unharmed the man for whom he digs.
And let no malady destroythe beings within your guardianship.
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BenefitsShirodhara is meant for eliminating diseases of head and vata disorders af-fecting neck, eyes, ears, nose and nervous system. It is a curative as well asrejuvenating process as it eliminates diseases, improves vitality, andstrengthens sensory organs. It helps to relieve insomnia, stress, tension,
anxiety, anger, chronic headaches, rheumatism, hypertension, asthma, hairthinning, loss or premature graying, and gives mental relaxation. Shirodharahelps to overcome stress and its ill effects on the nervous system. It is indi-cated in cases of depression, epilepsy, paralysis, and Parkinson's disease.
Contraindications
Though shirodhara is generally a safe treatment, there are
instances where it is not beneficial. Because shirodharacauses the energy in the body to move in an upward direc-tion (udana vayu), it is important not to use it when energyshould be directed in a downward flow (apana vayu). For
example:
• Third trimester in pregnancy
• Menstruation
• Lactation
• Being under the influence of drugs or alcohol• Brain tumors
It is also important to be aware of conditions where a
calming treatment would not be indicated:
• Lethargy due to high Kapha
• Very low blood pressure• Severe debility
• Extremely high vata where the client is unable to sit still.
Shirodhara would not be tolerated by such an individual
The following conditions may be exacerbated by shirodhara:
• Rashes of the face, neck or scalp
• Recent facial or scalp surgery
• High aversion to oil
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Benefits and Contraindicationsfor Shirodhara
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Procedure:
1. When your client arrives take them into the treatment room. Tell them you will
step out to let them undress. Have them get onto the table and under the sheet and
blanket. Instruct them to lie facing upward with their head on the vinyl strip and
their neck
over
the
towel
roll.
2. After the client is on the table enter the room. Before doing anything else, make
sure they are comfortable. Ask them if they are warm enough.
3. Position the client with their head at the edge of the table. Let their hair hang
over the end. Place the towel roll under their neck and tuck the vinyl strip under
their head, but OVER the towel roll. Adjust the vinyl strip so that the edge of it is in
the pitcher below the table. Make sure that the towel roll is set comfortably under
their neck. Place the two rolled hand towels on either side of their head underneath
the vinyl
strip.
Bring
the
bottom
ends
of
the
vinyl
in
toward
each
other
to
make
the
strip form a cone. Make sure the sides of the vinyl do not touch the head, as this
will make the oil run on the outside of the strip.
4. Place a bolster under the client’s knees. Double‐check their comfort.
5. Let the client know that you will spray some rose water over their face and will
then place a cool wet washcloth over their eyes.
6. Test the oil temperature to make sure it is just right. If the oil is too warm, add
some fresh
oil
from
the
bottle.
If
it
is
too
cold,
quickly
warm
it
up.
A
temperature
between 102‐108 degrees is desirable. Now pour half of ht e oil into the empty
pitcher. Replace the other pitcher onto the burner
7. Position the shirodhara pot over the center of the client’s forehead near the hair‐
line. Make sure the tap on the copper pot is off. Pour the contents of the pitcher
that is not on the electric burner into the shirodhara pot. Adjust the setting on the
burner so it is between the 0 and the 1 on the dial.
8. Before starting the oil, let the client know that you will let the oil run in a few
moments. Tell
them
that
when
the
treatment
is
finished
you
will
quietly
leave
the
room to let them rest and then you will come back to help get them off the table.
Make sure the client understands that they may tell you if the temperature is un‐
comfortable. Encourage them to start to focus on their breathing. Turn on the tap
and let the oil run onto their forehead. Ask if the temperature is ok. Take the oil
very slowly around their hairline in order to coat the entire scalp. End with the oil
on the third eye. Make sure the oil is not touching the washcloth or it will start to
run into their eyes. You may ask if the oil temperature is comfortable once again,
but otherwise do not do any talking after this time.
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Page 25 Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners
9. Pour the contents of the second pitcher into the shirodhara pot. To do this move the vinyl
strip into the empty pitcher. Take the half‐full pitcher off the electric burner and set it down
on a table next to you. Now, quietly set the empty pitcher on the electric burner. Refill the
copper pot with the warm oil from the pitcher that just came off the burner. Do this as qui‐
etly as
possible
so
as
not
to
disturb
the
client’s
meditation.
10. Keep checking the oil temperature during the treatment. As the pitcher on the burner
fills to the halfway point repeat this process. You will likely need to do this every 3 to 4 min‐
utes until your treatment is over. Generally a shirodhara treatment will run 20 to 30 minutes.
When finished, let the oil run completely out of the copper pot and cover the hole with your
hand to make sure it does not start to drip. Taking the shirodhara pot and the empty pitcher
with you, quietly leave the room.
11. Wash the shirodhara pot and extra pitcher in a different room. Place a quarter size dol‐
lop of
dish
soap
on
a damp
sponge.
Without
wetting
any
of
the
equipment,
rub
everything
down with the soap. Rinse and dry.
12. Re‐enter the room. The client may be asleep. Let them know you are there by removing
the towel rolls from the sides of their head. Straighten out the vinyl strip and remove the
washcloth from their eyes. Now you can talk to them and ask them how they are feeling.
Gently squeeze the oil out of their hair. Have them lift their head so you may remove the
towel roll and vinyl strip. Let the vinyl strip rest in the pitcher until ready for cleanup. Use
the large towel under their head to help absorb the rest of the oil out of their hair
13. Take
5 drops
of
essential
oil
into
your
palm.
Spray
some
rosewater
into
the
oil
and
close
your palms together. Hold your hands just above the clients’ face and encourage them to in‐
hale deeply. As they exhale, apply the mixture avoiding eye area.
14. Begin Marma Therapy on the face neck and scalp (see Ayurvedic Facial Massage Se‐
quence)
15. Remove the blanket. Tell the client you will be holding up the sheet over your eyes and
they can sit up facing away from you. Wrap the sheet under their arms and around their
body. Come around the table to help them stand up. They may be a little disoriented. Escort
them into
the
bathroom
for
their
shower.
Advise
them
that
it
is
preferable
to
leave
the
oil
in
the hair for some time, but if they must remove it to put the shampoo into their hair before
wetting in order to assist removal of all the oil. Thank them and leave them to their shower.
16. Begin the rest of your clean up. Dispose of shirodhara medium (see options for oil dis‐
posal in Appendix.) Wipe the vinyl strip down with a paper towel. Take the second pitcher
and the vinyl strip to the sink. Wash as before, rinse, and dry. Wipe down the stand and mas‐
sage table with a dry towel, and then a moist towel with a cleaner like Citra Solve or Simple
Green.
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Electrical Shirodhara
Treatment
Preparation: Before the client arrives set the table with two sheets and a blanket on top. Turn
down the top sheet and blanket so the table looks inviting. Cover the head of the
table with
the
large
bath
towel
for
the
hair.
Lay
the
rolled
bath
mat
at
the
head
of
the table on top of the large towel. Place the vinyl strip on the rolled bath mat.
Make sure the shirodhara stand and shirodhara pot are set up. Position the electric
burner under the head of the table on the shelf of the shiro stand. Fill the pitcher
with 7 cups of shirodhara oil. Set it on the electric burner and turn the dial on high
for 1‐2 minutes, then turn it off (this is usually done 20 minutes before the start of
the treatment). Have any extra oil you have left over near by. Just before your cli‐
ent arrives, place the pump in the pitcher and situate the vinyl tubing to empty into
your shirodhara vessel. (see tips in appendix)
Page 27 Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners
Materials Needed: Massage table
2 sheets
Blanket
1 Large towel
2 rolled hand towels
1 rolled bath mat
1 wet
wash
cloth
1 vinyl strip
1 Copper Pitcher
Pump with tubing
Electric Burner
Shirodhara stand
Copper shirodhara pot
Knee bolster
Stool or chair
Optional: an on/off
switch
to
plug
the
pump
into
Products Needed: 6‐8 cups Shirodhara Oil
Dosha balancing essential oil
Rosewater spray
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Page 29 Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners
10.Keep checking the oil temperature during the treatment. Be as quiet as possible so as not
to disturb the client’s meditation.
11.Throughout the treatment, keep an eye on the oil level in the copper pitcher. If the oil
level drops to just above the top of the pump, unplug (or switch off) the pump. This will
make a slight gurgling noise. Restart the pump only after the pitcher has refilled for a mo‐
ment, or until the shirodhara vessel has about one cup of oil left in it.
12.At the end of the treatment turn off the tap on the shirodhara vessel and cover the hole
with your hand to make sure it does not start to drip. Turn off the pump. Quietly leave the
room for about five minutes to let the client rest.
13. Re‐enter the room. The client may be asleep. Let them know you are there by removing
the towel rolls from the sides of their head. Straighten out the vinyl strip and remove the
washcloth from their eyes. Now you can talk to them and ask them how they are feeling.
Gently squeeze the oil out of their hair. Have them lift their head so you may remove the
towel roll and vinyl strip. Set the vinyl strip in the pitcher until you are ready for clean up.
Use the large towel under their head to help absorb the rest of the oil out of their hair
14. Take 5 drops of essential oil into your palm. Spray some rosewater into the oil and close
your palms together. Hold your hands just above the clients’ face and encourage them to
inhale deeply. As they exhale, apply the mixture avoiding eye area.
15. Begin Marma Therapy for the head (see Ayurvedic Facial Massage Sequence)
16. Remove
the
blanket.
Tell
the
client
you
will
be
holding
up
the
sheet
over
your
eyes
and
they can sit up facing away from you. Wrap the sheet under their arms and around their
body. Come around the table to help them stand up. They may be a little disoriented. Es‐
cort them into the bathroom for their shower. Advise them that it is preferable to leave the
oil in the hair for some time, but if they must remove it, to put the shampoo into their hair
before wetting in order to all of the oil. Thank them and leave them to their shower.
17. Begin clean up. Dispose of shirodhara medium (see options for oil disposal in Appen‐
dix.) Wipe the vinyl strip down with a paper towel. Take the copper pitcher, vinyl strip,
pump
and
shirodhara
vessel
to
the
sink.
Allow
the
pump
to
drain
for
a
few
minutes.
Place
a
dollop of dish soap on a damp sponge. Without wetting any of the equipment, rub every‐
thing down with the soap. Next, place more soap and a disinfectant in the copper pitcher.
Fill it with water and drop in the pump. Turn the pump on, letting the water run through
the tubing. Keep water running from the faucet into the pitcher as you do this. Empty the
pitcher and refill it with denatured alcohol. Run the pump for one minute, then remove the
tubing from the pump and hang to dry. Set the pump aside to dry. Rinse and dry the vinyl
strip, shirodhara pot, and pitcher. Wipe down the stand and massage table with a towel,
then a moist towel with a cleaner like Citra solve or Simple Green.
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16. Circles on the temples, 7x with firm pressure.
17. Alternating hands, stroke up the forehead using the whole palm, 7x.
18. Hand over hand, stroke medial to lateral on forehead 7x.
19. Circles on temples with index an ring finger, 7x.
20. Run hands down the sides of the face and neck return to the starting position on
trapezius.
21. Repeat the circles on upper traps 7x.
22. Place thumb on the amsa marma point on the joint where the clavicle meets the scapula.
Press and hold for 7 seconds.
23. Glide hands up the back of the neck to the occipital bone; Hold pressure with yourfingertips.
24. Massage the ears, both at the same time. Gently tug down at the lobe, sideways on theedge, and upward at the top of the ear 3x each point.
25. Squeeze marma point in the center of chin. Hold for 7 seconds. Glide to the point half way between the chin and TMJ, press and hold 7 seconds. Glide to TMJ, press and hold
7 seconds.
26. Press thumbs above upper lip and hold for 7 seconds. Glide under maxillary arch, press
and hold 7 seconds. Glide next to ear, press and hold 7 seconds.
27. Press on both sides of the nose and hold for 7 seconds, glide to top of maxillary arch,
press and hold for 7 seconds. Glide to temples, press and hold 7 seconds.
28. Using ring finger, press inside corners of the eyes 7 seconds, glide to inferior orbital
ridge, press and hold 7 seconds, glide to outside corner of eyes, press and hold on outerorbital ridge 7 seconds.
29. Press avarta marmas. Hold 7 seconds.
30. Squeeze along superior orbital ridge in 3-4 points as in step #12. Hold each point 3 sec-
onds.
31. Using thumb massage third eye. Press thumbs up the midline of the forehead to the
crown chakra. Massage the scalp. Gently and slowly remove your hands.
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Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners page 38
•Attach the shelving to the stand before assembling the rest of the unit.
•Tighten the union joints with wrenches as you put each piece together.
•If the arm of the stand is sticking in the joint, wipe it with Vaseline.
•Place the slider and chain on the arm of the shirodhara stand last.
•Be sure the hole in your pot is free from debris by running a pipe cleaner in the valve before th
first use and between each use. Hair can get caught in the valve during the treatment as well. It
is a good idea to have something rigid nearby to run through the hole in this case.
•If using the shirodhara pump, insert the tubing into the hose clamp provided, then attach the tub
ing to the pump. Tighten the hose clamp down with a screw driver so that the tubing adheres to
the pump.
•Place the electric burner on the shelving, and your oil into the pitcher. Place the oil on the heat
approximately 10 minutes before the shirodhara will begin. If using a pump DO NOT PLACE
THE PUMP IN THE OIL YET. Turn the burner to the highest setting for about 1 minute. The
turn the burner completely off. Wait 10 minutes. Your oil should be to the proper temperature fo
a warm shirodhara treatment. You may now place the pump in the oil.
•If using the pump, wrap the tubing around the stand and insert as shown, avoiding kinks. If yo
tubing has kinks in it, pinch the kink and bend it the opposite direction. This will round the hos
•Make sure the valve on the shirodhara pot is off. The lever should be turned upward. To open
the valve, simply place the lever pointing downward.
•When you start the oil, turn the dial on the burner to between the 0 and 1. Because the burner
has a self regulating thermostat the light may not stay on during the entire treatment.
•When finished, close the valve on the shirodhara pot, unplug the pump, and turn the burner off
•To keep your burner, pan and shirodhara pot clean, simply place a quarter sized dollop of liquid
dish soap on a lightly damp sponge. Wipe down completely before rinsing with any water. Dra
the pump, then set it in a bath of alcohol for 1-2 minutes to kill germs and remove oil residues.
•To bring your stand back to a shine, scrub with a dry Heavy Duty Green Scotch Brite pad.
Tips for Setting up and Maintaining Ajara
Shirodhara Equipment
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Instructions for Assembly of the Ajara Shirodhara Stand
SliderPlace the two copper straps together. Put one screw into one adjoining side and attach a nut. Now put thechain on the bottom of the two straps. Place the two straps onto the arm and insert the second screw. Tighten
both nuts down with a pliers and screw driver.
ShelfCenter the shelf on the stand, so that there are holes running along each side of the center pole. Place a screw
into a washer and insert from the top of the shelf into the fourth hole from the front of the shelf, along each sideof the pole. Place the tube strap over the screws, and tighten each one down with a single nut. See picture #1Do the same thing on the back end of the shelf. This time, insert the screws in the second hole from the back.
See picture #2.
Front underneath Back underneath with strap and nuts
Complete shelf
Top Slider (side view) Top Slider (front view)
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Next, bring the tubing to the other side of the shi-rodhara pot, near the opposite ring. Insert the tub-
ing into the opposite ring from the OUTSIDE to-
ward the inside. The end of the tubing should now
be pointing into the shirodhara pot, and the pot
should be hanging mostly level.
Slide the tubing through both rings until it curls up in
the bottom of the shirodhara pot. Make sure that the
tubing is not hanging anywhere near the client’s head orin the way of the shirodhara stream. Straighten out the
tubing so the oil will run smoothly. Avoid kinking the
tube anywhere along the way.
1 Wrap the vinyl hose around the shaft of the shirodhara
stand. Once the tubing reaches the level of the top of
the copper pot, run the tubing through one of the rings
on the chain going from the outside toward the inside.
2
3
Open the intake vent on the pump all the way, so that the lever runs horizon-
tally. Submerge the pump in the warm oil and adhere the suction cup feet to
the bottom of the pot. Make sure the pump is completely covered with oil, or itwill make noise, and then stop running properly. Turn the pump on by plug-
ging it into the wall. The pump will make a slight whirring noise at first while
it is getting started, and then will be quiet. Once the oil has been running for a
minute or two, you may choose to close the intake vent slightly so the oil runs
slower. Monitor the oil level throughout the treatment. For someone with very
long or porous hair, more oil may need to be added during the treatment.
How to use the Shirodhara Oil Pump
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Complete Shirodhara Systems
We have put together two system packages to meet all of your shirodhara needs. One sys-
tem is our traditional hands on system where the therapist pours the shirodhara oil, and theother is our electrical system that employs the use of a pump. With either system, these
packages take all of the guesswork out of purchasing your shirodhara equipment.
Complete Electrical Shirodhara Setup
This package includes all the equipment needed for performing a virtually hands free shirodhara. Espe-
cially beneficial for the therapist with shoulder or backinjuries, it requires no heavy oil pan lifting. Just turn
the pump on and let the oil flow! Using this hands-free
system also allows for Reiki or subtle marma pointtherapy during the treatment.
System includes:Copper shirodhara stand
Copper shirodhara vessel with control valve
Electric Solid Element Burner1 2 quart Copper Pitcher
Electric oil pump with 6'4" of hoseVinyl strip
Complete Hands-On Shirodhara Set-up
This is the traditional system for giving a shirodhara treat-
ment. With this hands-on application, the flow of oilcomes from the copper pot, onto the client’s third eye,
down the hair and vinyl strip, and into the warming pan,where the flow continues with the shirodhara therapist re-
pouring the warmed oil back into the copper vessel. While
this method requires skill and an ability to quiet one's ownmind, it is the most energetically positive way to give a
shirodhara treatment
Set-up includes:Copper Shirodhara Stand
Copper Shirodhara pot w/control valve2 2 quart Copper Pitchers
Electric Solid Element BurnerVinyl Strip
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Daily Massage for Health
According to the teachings of Ayurveda, oil massage should be done everysingle day. Obviously, the expense of receiving a daily massage from a
therapist is cost prohibitive enough to make anyone stop reading this arti-
cle. But daily massage does not have to be given by another person. It can
be done right in the comfort of your home, given by your own hands.
The best time to give yourself a massage is about 15 minutes before your
daily bath or shower. This act is very similar to the snehana and swedana
mentioned earlier in the section on shodana. The massage can be as sim-
ple as slapping on some oil, or as elaborate as you would receive from the
best massage therapist in town. The choice is yours. Just making the deci-
sion to take care of yourself through daily oil massage is a step in the right
direction.
ProcedureThe best way to undertake the process of self massage is to
start by choosing the most suitable oil for your doshic type.
Generally speaking, vata types should choose heavy, heating
oils, pitta needs a medium viscosity cooling oil, and kapha
does best with a light, thin, warming oil. Refer to the sec-tions on vata, pitta, and kapha for suggestions.
Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners page 46
Next, warm a few tablespoons of oil and place it in a oil warmer. It is best not
to use a microwave to heat your oil. You can also warm it on the stove (this
only takes a couple of seconds), or fill a dispenser bottle with oil and place it in
a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.
Lay a large bath towel on a chair or on the floor in the bathroom. Situate your-
self on the towel, oil in hand, and begin your massage.
The following steps will get you started. You can modify or elaborate on any of
the strokes listed, or make up your own. There are no rules when it comes to
self massage!
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1. Put one hand on top of the foot and the other under the sole, then stroke
smoothly from your toes to your ankles. Glide your hands back to your toes
and repeat.
2. Support your foot with one hand and work on each toe individually.
Squeeze it firmly, and gently stretch each toe with a gentle pull.
3. Stroke around the ankle with your fingertips. Stroke up the backside of
the ankle, then over the top and down the front side. Finish by stroking the
foot as you did at the beginning
4. Mold your hands to the shape of your leg, rest your foot flat, and bend
your knee up. Gliding up with one hand on each side of the leg, begin at the
foot and stroke smoothly up the calf, over the knee and up to the top of the
thigh. Repeat five times.5. Stroke clockwise around your abdomen with one hand following the other
in a circle, using the whole surface of your hands.
6. Glide up and down your sides from your hip bone to your rib cage
7. Reach around your body and firmly glide hands upward from the hip to
the bottom of your shoulder blades. Glide down with a gentle pressure.
8. Make fists and glide from hip to the bottom of your shoulder blade with
your knuckles.
9. Reach your left hand over your right shoulder as far as you can. Pull with
your fingers from in between the shoulder blades, up over the shoulder,
ending on the front of your chest. 10. Starting with the left hand on the right shoulder glide over the top of
the collar bone, across the chest to the underarm. Do the same with the
right hand on the left shoulder. Alternate like this, repeating four times
each hand.
11. With fingers pointing toward the head, glide in an upward motion on
each side of the breast/pectoral muscle. Repeat five times on each side.
12. Place your left hand on your right shoulder . Mold your hand to the
curve of your neck. Starting at the base of your skull, stroke down the side
of your neck, over your shoulder and down your arm to the elbow. Glideback to your neck and repeat at least three times. Then do the other side.
13. Work up the neck and around the base of the skull, making circular
pressures with your fingertips on both sides of the spine.
14. Knead each shoulder; squeeze and release the flesh on your shoulders
and at the top of your arms.
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15. Smooth your whole arm by stroking from the wrist to the shoulder.
Stroke firmly as you move up the arm, then glide gently back and repeat.16. Knead all the way up your arm, squeezing and releasing the muscles.
Pay particular attention to the fleshy part at the back of the upper arm.
17. Stroke in between each bone in the hand from knuckle to wrist using
your thumb.
18. Turn your hand over and support the back with your fingers. Do firm cir-
cular and static pressures with your thumb, working all over the palm and
around the wrist.
19 Tilt your head to one side, mold your hand to the shape of your neck,
and stroke from the collarbone to the chin, one hand following the other. Re-
peat on the other side.20. Make small circular pressures all over your chin and around your mouth
with the index and middle fingers of each hand.
21. Stroke from the corners of your mouth to your ears. Use one hand on
each cheek and move them both out together. Then, stroke from your
mouth to your ear, using the tips of your fingers.
22. Mold your hands to the shape of your forehead. Stroke up from the
bridge of your nose to your hairline with one hand following the other.
23. Place both index fingers on the bridge of your nose and make short,
firm strokes upward first, then across.
24. Make circular pressures all over your forehead, working in lines from the
bridge of your nose to your temples, to cover the whole forehead up to your
hairline. Press firmly, but do not drag your skin. Then stroke your forehead
gently with your fingertips to soothe it after the last circular movement.
25. Stroke from the center of your forehead to your temples. Then, circle
slowly and steadily on the temples to stimulate the muscle.
26. Stroke in a circle around your eyes with your middle fingers. Stroke
firmly and evenly from the bridge of your nose out over your eyebrows, press
on your temples, then glide lightly under your eyes, barely touching the skin.
27 Massage your scalp by pressing firmly with your fingers. Start with yourfingers spread out, then bring them in toward each other. Most scalp mas-
sage feels best with deep pressure.
28 Slide your fingers through the roots of your hair. Gripping large
amounts of hair gently make a fist and pull outward. Do this all over your
entire scalp.
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Resources
From Nature With LovePO Box 201Haleyville CT 06440
USAPhone: 203.267.6061
Fax: 203.267.6065www.FromNatureWith Love.com
Carries Dead Sea water by theGallon as well as many hydrosols
and aloe liquid.
Bottles
SKS Bottle Companywww.sks-bottle.com2600 7th Avenue
Building 60 WestWatervliet, NY 12189
Phone: 518.880.6980Fax: 518.880.6990
Sunburst Bottle Company4500 Beloit DriveSacramento, CA 95838
www.sunburstbottle.comPhone: 916.929.4500
Fax: 916.929.3604
ED Luce Packaging13422 Alondra BlvdCerritos, CA 90703
www.essentialsupplies.com
Phone: 562.802.0515Fax: 562.802.0501
Sacred Stone Healing554 E Main RdMiddletown RI 02842
USAPhone: 401.846.6380
www.sacredstonehealing.com
Shirodhara Equipment and Training
Page 51 Shirodhara Manual for Practitioners
Shirodhara Oils and other Substances
Banyan Botanicals6705 Eagle Rock Ave, NEAlbuquerque NM 87113
USAPhone: 1800.953.6424
www.BanyanBotanicals.com
Ajara Ayurvedic Beauty3303 S New York AveMilwaukee WI 53207
Phone: 414.559.2299Fax: 623.433.3772
www.AjaraSkinCare.com
A Muzda Enterprises Albuquerque NM
Phone: 505.269.5409Email: [email protected]
Carries essential oils, anduniquely blended oil as well as base oils. Check here for all
the rare ingredients you need.
Diamond Way AyurvedaPO Box 13753
San Luis Obispo, CA 93406Phone: 805.453.9291
www.diamondwayayurveda.com
Ajara Ayurvedic Beauty3303 S New York AveMilwaukee WI 53207
Phone: 414.559.2299Fax: 623.433.3772
www.AjaraSkinCare.com
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About Ajara Ayurvedic Beauty
Our Humble Beginnings
Nicole Hinterstocker founded Ajara AyurvedicBeauty in January of 2002. As a Massage Thera-pist and Ayurvedic Practitioner at the AyurvedicInstitute in Albuquerque, NM, she became inter-ested in the use of herbs for skin care. After do-ing research based upon suggestions from Dr.Vasant Lad (a leading Ayurvedic Physician andfounder of the Ayurvedic Institute) the parameters
were clear: the products must be all natural, theymust be dosha specific, and they must containpotent (but gentle) ayurvedic herbs. From theseguidelines Ajara was born, starting out only with acleanser and oil for each dosha. The Ajara prod-uct line continues to grow steadily by continuallyworking on new skin, body, hair care items andshirodhara equipment based on traditional ay-urvedic values.
Our Mission
To provide affordable, effective skin care for-mulas using the most natural and ethicallygrown ingredients possible while staying trueto real Ayurvedic Principles.
Our Vision
Combining Ayurveda with sound
skin care methods to promotehealth and happiness in peoplefrom all over the globe.
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