Facial reflexology applies the principles of reflexology and Āyurvedic massage to the scalp, face and neck with particular focus on the face. It is a relaxing therapy involving massaging the face and neck, followed by working the marma points on the head, face, neck and chest and then a deeper face massage using a kansa wand and warm *tridoshic oil.**
What is Ayurveda? Ayurvedic medicine (“Ayurveda” for short) is one of the world's oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems. It was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India. It’s based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Its main goal is to promote good health, not fight disease. But treatments may be geared toward specific health problems.
What are Marma points? Marma points are energy points in the body used for healing in Ayurveda. They can be compared to acupuncture points I'm Chinese Medicine. There are said to be 107 marma points on the body, each serving a particular purpose, and each with its own name and specific way of activating it. Stimulation of these inner pathways signals the body to produce exactly what it needs, including hormones and neurochemicals that heal the body, mind and consciousness.
Those who practice Ayurveda believe every person is made of five basic elements found in the universe: space, air, fire, water, and earth. These combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies, called doshas. They control how your body works. They are Vata dosha (space and air); Pitta dosha (fire and water); and Kapha dosha (water and earth). Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas. But one is usually stronger than the others. Each one controls a different body function. It’s believed that your chances of getting sick -- and the health issues you develop -- are linked to the balance of your dosas.
*Tridoshic oil, balances all three doshas. It's made up of organic cold pressed sesame oil, which has a very high mineral content and contains iron, phosphorus, magnesium,copper,salicylic acid, calcium and trace elements; it's also rich in linoleic acid which nourishes the skin, lecithin which is beneficial for endocrine glands, nerves and brain cells, along with eight amino acids which are important for the brain. It is mixed with herbs that balance all three doshas.
How can Facial Reflexology help me? The treatment also helps give the client’s face a subtle “lift” providing a cosmetic advantage as the Kansa wand helps to revitalise and plump the skin, softening fine lines, de-puffing the eyes and firming the cheekbones and neck. "Ayurvedic skin-care is to look at skin holistically, from the inside out." Or, in the case of the Kansa wand, from the outside in. Just like jade rollers and gua shas, Kansa facial massage stimulates circulation, resulting in clearer, plumper, smoother skin. But the Kansa wand does so much more than that. Kansa, a metal blend of copper, tin and zinc, and therefore a conductor which can assist in balancing the chakras (the seven spiritual centres of the body) and the dosha's.
An added benefit to Ayurvedic facial massage is relaxation of the facial and jaw muscles and adjacent tissues and as a result, your face and jaw will feel less tense and more mobile. Your mental attitude will be positive. Headaches may disappear. Tension may melt away. There will be an improvement in the body’s energy flow and you will be left with a sense of general well-being ** This treatment involves using sesame oil so please indicate any allergies beforehand and an alternative oil will be used.. Removal of clothing is not necessary for this treatment however as the treatment involves working on your neck and shoulders, this may influence what you wear.