Why touch is really good for you
Have you already enjoyed one of our treatments at the European Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof? Then you surely remember the Ayurvedic treatments tailored to you. These include various massages that help balance the bioenergies of the body, mind, and soul. In addition to their pain-relieving and relaxing effects, touch benefits you and your psyche. The different massage techniques affect the doshas in various ways and help you detoxify and recharge with new energy. Not only at our hotel but also at home, you can enhance your well-being with the right technique and self-massages.
How touch affects the psyche
The skin is our largest sensory organ. Through it, we perceive all touch and external influences like warmth or cold on our bodies. Touch also shapes our self-perception. It forms our identity and our inner self. That's why it's important, for example, for newborns and children to be hugged, cuddled, and touched frequently. It strengthens resilience, builds trust and deepens interpersonal connections. Touch also helps to strengthen the psyche in cases of depression - for example, this can be achieved through massages.
In European Ayurveda®, massages are an essential component of various treatments, such as the Detox treatment or the Panchakarma treatment. The traditional Ayurvedic massage Abhyanga is a full-body massage that is good for health. The foot massage Padabhyanga enhances energy flow and promotes healthy sleep.
Massages have rejuvenating, relaxing, pain-relieving, digestion-promoting effects, and they strengthen the tissue. To fully unfold their effects, the appropriate oil is particularly important. Sesame oil, ghee, or a body oil adapted to your constitution type are well-suited for this purpose.
Strengthening inner balance with self-massages
You can do yourself something really good with massages even at home. Do you live in a partnership? Then integrate a massage into your shared routine. It strengthens trust, libido, and satisfaction. But also self-massages have a positive effect on the body, mind, and soul.
Massage your body with oil every morning. Take your time for it. Gently stroke over your arms and legs - this relieves tension. Use a high-quality oil for the application. It has a rejuvenating effect and keeps the skin supple.
To keep the digestive fire going, you can massage your abdomen with flat, clockwise circular movements. Make sure the pressure on your gastrointestinal tract is not too strong.
You can relieve tension in your neck by smoothing out the shoulder area with gentle pressure. Gently move your hand from the neck to the shoulder.
Fully focus on yourself during self-massages. What do you feel when you do something good for your body? Try to consciously feel every inch of yourself: Your body is your temple!
Elisabeth Naschberger-Mauracher
Elisabeth Naschberger-Mauracher is the managing director and Ayurveda expert at the European Ayurveda Resort Sonnhof in Thiersee, Tyrol. Since 2019, she and her husband have jointly managed the Ayurveda resort, which has received numerous awards, including: Global Winner: Detox Program, Best Medical Spa Award, and World Luxury Hotel & Spa Award.
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Ayurveda Massages: Overview of All Approaches
Ayurveda massages have a positive effect on health and are therefore primarily used for medical applications. Incidentally, there is also a feel-good effect. Depending on individual customization, an Ayurveda massage can be relaxing, invigorating, or strengthening – or all of these combined. Through treatment appropriate to the type, Ayurveda massages are good for a healthy body and mind. Here are all the important types at a glance.
European Ayurveda® Massage: Abhyanga Self-Massage
It is one of the most soothing treatments in European Ayurveda®: The Abhyanga massage uses gentle touches to put you in a state of deep relaxation. Healing oil frees your skin from toxins and ensures a radiant complexion. Treat yourself by regularly nurturing and massaging yourself with high-quality oils at home. Taking a break, consciously turning your attention inward, and bringing your body and soul into harmony: This is what the self-care ritual of an Abhyanga self-massage achieves. This traditional massage technique is deeply rooted in Ayurvedic and Indian healing arts.
Ayurveda and Acupressure: Marma Points and Their Effects
They connect the central energy pathways in our body. When stimulated, they influence our nervous system, individual organs, and our psyche: Ayurvedic Marma points have always symbolized the connection between the external world and your body and consciousness. Targeted acupressure and Ayurvedic massage allow the Marma points to unfold their healing effects.