Oil. Lots of it. And getting naked. Almost.
We’re talking about the oldest form of healthcare in the world, folks! My research tells me that ayurveda dates back an estimated 5,000-10,000 years. In Sanskrit, ayu means life and veda, science or wisdom. This wisdom was initially passed down orally through generations, and then written down in the Vedas, the oldest writings in the world, in Sanskrit language. The tale of how it truly began is spellbinding and as old as the cosmos, interweaving fact and fantasy, myth and matter, science and sagas.
During those ancient times, ayurvedic clinics did not normally just offer massage because everybody knew how to give one. It was only when someone needed a particular treatment did the clinics offer consultations with specialists, who then used appropriate ayurvedic techniques.
In modern day India, however, there are countless practitioners that give head and body massage for a few rupees; even that barber at the tiny shop around the corner will offer you a shoulder massage to de-stress those sore muscles. It’s ayurveda, he’ll claim. They may have little knowledge of ayurveda, but they do know how to work and sooth the muscles.
Certified practitioners of ayurveda use special techniques and oils which are designed for individual doshas, or body types, and marmas, or pressure points. Ayurvedic massage practitioners can keep the body in a balanced state of homeostasis that allows the immune system to function properly and is therapeutic for the entire body.
You can’t achieve this blissful state of homeostasis in one session, however. It usually costs a lot because normally they’d suggest a complete massage therapy session that spans 5 to 15 days. And each session costs approximately USD 40-50.
Ayurvedic massage is basically tailored to your body’s specific needs. The style and the flow of the massage is determined by who you are, and what your body needs for it to be balanced. There are four main kinds of massage offered by ayurvedic massage therapists, each with a specific purpose in hand. The massage can either be performed with the intention to eliminate toxins though purification, relax the body, strengthen the muscle tone or rejuvenate the body.
Despite my great curiosity and interest on experiencing this traditional, ancient massage firsthand, I chickened out at the last moment. The thought of exposing my fats to another person, albeit a female, makes me shudder. But I’ve managed to convince Masood. I made him realize how stressed out he is from all the responsibilities, his work obligations, the traveling…
The man who has hated oil since he was a fetus finally agrees to have an ayurvedic massage!
It takes me an entire day of coaxing and cajoling, so by the time he says yes, it is almost dinner time, and the ayurveda consultant has left. So we really don’t know his doshas and such, but the masseur agreed to give him abhyangam, an exotic-sounding word that promises a relaxing treatment meant to quiet the nervous system, produce a feeling of deep relaxation, and aid sleep.
The massage is offered at the resort we’re staying at. I stay back in our room and watch lions kill a buffalo on Animal Planet, while Masood leaves for his massage treatment. The entire process takes 60 to 75 minutes.
The masseur first takes out three or four bottles containing different types of oil, takes out a measured quantity of oil from each of them, then heats the oil until it’s warm. He asks Masood to undress and wear a langot, something that probably resembled a diaper. I wouldn’t know since I am not there during the massage process. Then he pours a generous amount of oil on Masood’s head.
“This is water, not oil. This is water, not oil. This is pure, clear, odorless water,” Masood repeats to himself as the viscous oil—the composition of which has been carefully formulated thousands of years ago—glides gracefully from his head to his shoulders, and down his body. The masseur works on massaging the head first.
Masood is then asked to lay on a wooden bed, facing down; the masseur starts massaging his shoulder, arms, and back. In finely coordinated strokes he would do this swiping movement on a muscle area with a fair amount of pressure but not painful. Then he turns to lay on his back so that the masseur works on the chest and thigh muscles.
He then shows Masood into a room that has a steam/sauna box. He sits in it with his head sticking out of the box, a towel wrapped around his neck. He detects a hint of menthol in the steam. He stays in there until his pores open up and release all the toxins from his body.
He then proceeds to take a warm shower. He finishes two bars of soap and a bottle of shampoo. And yet the oil still clings on faithfully.
He takes another shower upon reaching our room.
Then it rains heavily. It’s 11 PM and we’re sitting in the front porch enjoying the cool breeze and the freshness of our surroundings.
He sleeps like a log. And wakes up completely refreshed and rejuvenated the next day.
Have you ever experienced an ayurvedic massage? How did it work for you?
Oh, and by the way, you can also indulge yourself in ayurvedic self-massage by following these simple steps.
Went for simple massage therapy (physio, not ayur) and it was great. They really work those tensed muscles!
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Mezba, try ayurveda next time you visit India.
very powerful opening lines as usual .. oils and lots of it !! loved it ….
poor Masood bhai … i also hate the thought of oil trickling down from head to toe so hats off to him for going on this adventure ….
finishing 2 bars of soaps and a bottle of shampoo !!! LOLZ thats additional expense by the way ..
)
sounds very tempting for relaxing muscles and all … i surely wanna try my hand BUT …. still a little skeptical about clothes thing ..
Thanks, Joveria!
The soap and shampoo came as part of the package
Yeah, all you’ll get is a thin diaper-like thing for your lower half part.
Back a few years ago in the Friday magazine of Gulf News, there was an article of a couple that went in for an ayurvedic massage…I have always wanted to get one since reading that article but have yet to do so. Awww, I wish that you would not have chickened out and would have been able to write about your experience, LOL
maybe then I wouldn’t be so chicken to try it myself, hehehe 
LOL, MaryAnn! Why don’t you try it yourself first and then inspire me?
LOLz.It was a pure and hot water, not oil. Let me assume this for the rest of my life.
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LOL … theek hai…it was WATER.
Wow, this sounds crazy good! I got a massage at a massage therapy clinic recently, and while they were really good, I’m sure it was no comparison to being massaged by oils and in steam and all that other good stuff. I would gladly take your husband’s place!
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Misha, yeah, besides the massage techniques, the oils certainly do play a big part in these ayurvedic treatments.
I have always wanted to give ayuverdic a go . I am such a massage girl but never tried, I am so going to after reading how relaxing it sounds , too bad you chicken out Nadia Im sure you would have enjoyed yourself, the way I look at it is the masseus would have seen all sorts of body shapes they are totally immuned .
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Adla, I did try to explain to myself that the masseuse has probably seen a thousand shapes, but I’m still a very shy person.
You should have done it!
Like Mezba, I’ve only been for physiotherapy messages after an accident, and I loved that lol.. but this must have been 10 times nicer!
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‘liya, physio after an accident would be entirely different than a rejuvenating ayurvedic massage. OK, will try to be brave next time
Why didn’t you follow Masood,Nadia! You too must have tensed muscles esp around your eyes and hands
Not that the lion killing a buffalo isn’t interesting….
I’m a sensitive freak esp around foot massages.The only times I had full body massage was during my confinement and massage ladies use lots of oil,and I can’t even take a bath after that! Imagine that! Yucks!:)
I’m so in the mood for a massage myself.Sigh…..
Lat, my muscles are in a perfectly rejuvenated and relaxed state, thank you
No bath after an oil massage?! Eww.
Hmm… your post got me intrigued. However, I have some questions for Masood though:
1. How tight was the langot ? Did it prevent oil from getting inside? (Men are very picky about what drips where)
2. Did all the oil wash off after the second shower?
3. Can we see some before and after pictures?
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Behbood, Masood is pretty busy these days, so I’m taking the liberty to answer on his behalf:
1. He said the langot was tight enough to not come off at any point during the massage. No oil got in.
2. The oil washed off completely after the third shower.
3. There are only after pictures
I love having massages! Its very relaxing and I feel pampered having someone massage me. Once I tried traditional Thai massage. It was nice but also painful when the lady kept kneading at my shoulder claiming its “stiff”! But the feeling after a good massage always is worth it
Ayurveda….I have heard of it but never tried. Maybe someday….
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Thanks for sharing your experience, Tien. It seems like you all have experienced massages and I’m the only one left! :S
hello, nadia.
hmm… ayurveda seems like the traditional hilot in the philippines… although i’d say that ayurveda is older.
hey, the green fruit above in the flower cluster is the young fruit of coconut, ‘no?
and why didn’t you go for a massage, you silly woman!?! masarap magpamasahe, pramis. it’s very relaxing. never mind the oil or whatever it is they put on your body – usually, it has a very good scant or aroma.
you should go, get massage the next time, no question about that. this is your older sister speaking. pay attention, huh.
btw, i’ve tried being massaged with nothing on. hindi naman naasiwa ang nagmamasahe. maski ako, ahaha.
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Hello, San.
I did experience the traditional hilot once; I had twisted my ankle then. And boy, was it a painful experience! But I had a friend who regularly had hilot sessions after giving birth, and she said it helped her a lot.
Yes, it’s a young coconut. Very young, in fact. It’s still pretty much premature. The poor thing fell off from its branch and got separated from its family.
Sige na nga, pag-iisipan ko! I’ll try to be bolder next time around
Nadia, I made the time for an Ayurvedic massage during a trip to Cochin in Kerala state in India. Amazing! Now back in USA and I have to soothe my dominant Pitta! It is summer! By the way I buy Nature’s Formulary Cooling Ayurvedic Massage Oil and take it with my for my massage every 4 weeks. Here is where I buy it: http://www.naturesformulary.com/Products/58-cooling-ayurvedic-massage-oil.aspx
Also have you ever tried Chavutti Thirumal massage? It is an amazing experience.
Hello, Pieter. I have absolutely no idea what a Chavutti Thirumal massage is, but it sounds interesting and I’ll surely look that up.
Very beautifully written piece. Award winning post, not for its content but for your way of writing it so beautifully. Keep up the amazing writing.
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Thank you so much, Aiman! You made my day
Why, thank you, Mrs Umer! Maybe I should consider approaching an editor for a writing gig. The idea of getting paid to travel and write is a dream
Yeah, you go for a massage! Maybe you can ask Jus who gave hers…I remember reading about her having a massage sometime back.
Oh, that peacock lamp thing is so cool! When we arrived at the resort, we were asked to lit the lamp as a welcome gesture. I loved it!
…. finally it was all tested and done !! true – ayurvedic treatment is the best way to heal …. physically n spritually (i m sure it helps spritually as well).
p.s. if it’s water – why did it take some much of soap to wash it off
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Sharmila, it takes a lot more than a massage to heal spiritually, but physically, yes, the ayurvedic massage helps tremendously.
It’s ayurvedic water, not your ordinary H2O, hence the need for that much soap and shampoo
I am going to try that
Don’t forget to blog about your experience, US
Please don’t destroy the image of the MIGHTY young NAdia masood in my eyes n heart! I cant imagine the great nadia chickening out at the spa.
Go back n get the massage for your fans sake! lol…
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Welcome back, Pervisha! LOL @ mighty and young … It’s too late to go back now – both to the spa and at being mighty and young
haha! Thanks for the warm welcome. I thought of you wheneva I started clicking my camera like crazy.
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