The power of Shirodhara

  • 2009-06-18
  • By TBT Staff

INDIA WAY: Ilona Abele, owner of salon Aparmita, now practices the anciet arts of Shirodhara in Riga.

RIGA - The 5,000 year old Ayurvedic medical practices have come to Latvia and are quickly gaining popularity as a natural, homeopathic solution to life's ailments. Aparmita Medical Center, as part of its non-traditional medical offerings, presents Shirodhara 's combining ancient wisdom and modern spa techniques.

The word Shirodhara comes from the words "shiro," meaning "head," and "dara," meaning "to flow." The process of slowly pouring warm oil on the forehead has been shown to rejuvenate the spirit and strengthen the persons' health.

After this simple yet powerfully spiritual process, the entire body is wrapped in warm blankets. A doctor is also available to talk about any concerns you might have.
A typical Shirodhara session at Aparmita Medical Center is very relaxing. After lying down on a warm massage table, the head is lowered and soft, gentle music begins to play. The room is dimly lit with candles and the warmth brings out the aromatic smell of sesame oil. In this dim, relaxing atmosphere, the process can begin.

The warm sesame oil is gently poured on the "third eye," located on the forehead. The oil itself has many antioxidants that are useful for flushing free radicals out of the body. One session uses about three liters of sesame oil, poured over the client's head slowly for about an hour. A feeling of complete peace permeates the body while the oil feels like it's dripping through your head, removing all negative thoughts.

The Shirodhara process can be used as a medical treatment as part of the Panchakarma course, which purifies the body of toxins that have collected and lead to imbalance in the body's systems.
The method is also recommended for people who suffer from depression, or as a part of a depression treatment program together with therapy.

Shirodhara is also a recommended treatment for stress from work, or just a treat to pamper oneself.
The goal of the treatment is to stimulate blood flow and circulation as well as rid the body of impurities and improve the condition of skin and hair, adding moisture through the oils.
After a 20 minute period of relaxation in the warm room, most people will not want to leave, but when they do, they leave feeling relaxed, renewed and radiant.

The only downside to the wholly relaxing treatment is that it comes to an end all too soon.

Deglava 26,
Tomsona 39,
371 67298039, 37167371515.
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