Ganesh Ayurvedic Massage Therapy

Traditional Indian Ayurvedic massage, Abhyanga, is a special therapeutic full body massage that uses warm herbal oils according to your therapeutic needs.

Cida Macedo is a professional trained as an Ayurvedic Therapist (in 2007) with the recognised and world-respected Master Swami Narayanananda (Dr. Rugue), by the Sri Vájera Foundation - Brahma Vidyalaya School. Course accredited by the International Academy of Ayurveda – India.

Abhyanga is a special therapeutic full body massage that uses warm herbal oils, prepared according to the ancient Ayurvedic texts and selected according to your dosha /constitution or your therapeutic needs and practiced with an acute awareness of the marmas (energy points in the body). The type of oil used is specific to each individual, depending on each body constitution. It can also vary according to the seasons. Oils used for Abhyanga massage include sesame, coconut, sunflower, mustard and almond. Oil medicated with herbs is used for specific conditions.

This massage moves energy into your body while removing toxins. The treatment benefits both your nervous and endocrine systems, enhances blood and lymphatic circulation, improves muscle tone and reduces free radical activity within your body. It also helps to loosen any deep seated tissue toxins and stimulates your body’s natural ability to heal.

Dryness of the skin and tissues is one of the main reasons for premature ageing and, as our skin is our largest sense organ and is exposed to all the elements, it makes sense to protect it.

Abhyanga has a positive impact on the whole body physically, mentally and emotionally while balancing the individual doshas. Its rhythmic motion helps to relieve joints and muscles from stiffness and makes all body movements free.

Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old system of natural healing that has its origins in the Vedic culture of India. It has been enjoying a major resurgence in both its native land and throughout the world. More than a mere system of treating illness, Ayurveda is a Science of Life (AYUR, meaning LIFE and VEDA, meaning SCIENCE or KNOWLEDGE). It helps people stay energetic while realising their full human potential. Ayurveda reminds us that health is the balanced and dynamic integration between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, the environment in which we live is made of five elements – earth, air, fire, ether and water. When the five elements in our bodies are in harmony with our outside environment, we are healthy. When we are not in balance with our environment, our health deteriorates and disease can occur. The five elements are present in our bodies as the three bodily intelligences, or what we call ‘doshas’, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Recognizing that human beings are part of nature, Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our inner and outer environments: movement, transformation, and structure. These primary forces are responsible for the characteristics of our mind and body. Each of us has a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature.

Vata formed by Air and Ether
Vata in our bodies behaves with the same characteristics of Air and Ether: it is dry, cool, light and it is responsible for movement including circulation, toxins elimination, nerve impulses and breathing. Mentally it can be seen in the flow of thoughts.

Pitta formed by Fire and Water
Pitta is represented with the characteristics of Fire and Water, but the Fire element is mostly dominant. It is hot and dry and it is responsible for our metabolism and for transformation of food into nutrients and waste as well as the metabolic functions in all our organs and tissues. Mentally, Pitta represents a fiery temperament with passion and drive.

Kapha formed by Earth and Water
Kapha is present in our bodies with the same characteristics of Earth and Water – moist, heavy and cool. Kapha gives stability, structure, growth, protection, endurance, calmness and cohesion. Examples of Kapha within our body are the cerebral-spinal fluid, the structure of all our cell walls and the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract.
Mentally, Kapha represents tolerance and loving-kindness. It can also be seen as attached and possessive.

An important goal of Ayurveda is to identify a person’s ideal state of balance, determining whether they are out of balance, and offer interventions to re-establish balance.