What is a Shirodhara?

Ayurveda - the “science of long life” - applies ancient Indian wisdom to restore and maintain good health, based on the belief that wellness depends on balance.  Shirodhara is a modern therapy based on Ayurvedic purification teachings.  “Shirodhara” is made up of two Sanskrit words, “shiro” – meaning head, and “dhara” – meaning flow and is used to purify and rejuvenate the mind, through removing blockages and optimising the circulation of blood and nutrients to the brain. 

Shirodhara is traditionally used to calm and restore the nerves, harmonize excessive constitutions, release stored emotions, and purify the mind. It also helps to reduce fatigue, mental exhaustion, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, excessive thinking, nervousness, and improve memory.   It deeply relaxes the nervous system, lowers metabolism, integrates brain function, and creates brain wave coherence and an alpha state. Shirodhara is deeply stimulating, strengthening and calming to the entire nervous system, releasing endorphins, which create feelings of relaxation. In Ayurvedic Medicine, it is considered an important tool in the pursuit of higher states of consciousness. (Shirodhara should not be performed on people who have blood pressure concerns or in their third trimester of pregnancy.)

At Red Hill Spa we have two forms of Shirodhara, both 90 minutes in duration, and each have the “Shirodhara” – warm herbal oil streaming slowly over the "Ajana" or third eye chakra and continues to flow down the "Sahashra" or crown chakra, though one is a spa based therapy and the other a Panchakarma therapy. 

The “Shiva Shirodhara” is a modern spa therapy based on ancient Indian teachings. This treatment is mainly for relaxation and utilizes fragrant essential oils, The Shirodhara runs for approx 10 – 15 minutes. 

In this treatment, the body and mind are put in an appropriate state of calm with specific Ayurvedic massage of the hands and feet.  Now the body is released to receive Shirodhara.  A marma point scalp massage is followed to enhance the release, as well as to nourish the hair and scalp.  Then you are gradually reawakened with a gentle hair and facial ritual. 

The “Dhara” treatment a completely traditional Ayurvedic therapy as Practiced in India. This treatment is a very relaxing and healing treatment and utilises ayurvedic herbal medicated oils. The Shirodhara runs for approximately 30 minutes.  In this treatment, the body and mind are put in an appropriate state of calm with a full body ayurvedic marma massage.  Now the body is released to receive Shirodhara.

No matter which Shirodhara you choose this treatment leaves you feeling totally relaxed and connected, there is no other treatment like it! It is healing and totally uplifting, a pure treatment to calm the body, mind and spirit!