I heard that Shirodhara facilitates a deep state of relaxation and profoundly impacts the nervous system. Here is my review.
I've been feeling so exhausted lately, so I decided to try something new. I made an appointment with Lori Satter, an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach and Esthetician, at her sister location in a nearby town. When I scheduled the appointment, Lori warned me that I would feel very relaxed afterward and advised me not to return to work or engage in any strenuous activities. She explained the treatment process, but once it began, I felt like I was in another world.
This therapy is known to be highly effective for conditions related to high vata and pitta, particularly those affecting the mind and nervous system, such as a busy mind, difficulty focusing, anxiety, stress, and fatigue. Given the challenges I've faced in recent years, including starting a new business, franchising the concept, and losing both of my parents to cancer, I was physically and emotionally depleted. I could relate to the vata/pitta profile.
The treatment took place on a comfortable, heated table in a softly lit room, creating a peaceful ambiance. I had to undress to avoid getting oil on my clothes and was then wrapped in beautiful blankets. Gentle THETA* music played in the background.
As the treatment progressed, I felt a sensation on my forehead that brought vivid memories to my mind. I was suddenly transported back to my home state of Washington, standing on the shore of the Pacific Ocean with cool waves washing over me. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of peace.
I remember Lori asking me to try to remain silent for 20 minutes, which felt like an eternity. I'll admit that I couldn't resist the urge to speak. Once I felt my body completely relax, I wanted to share this incredible experience with everyone, as my troubles seemed to fade into the background.
After the treatment, Lori wrapped my hair in a plastic cap and asked me to slowly get up and put on a cozy robe. She gave me a jar of the remaining oil to use at home and offered me a snack while we chatted for a bit. Then, we went for a walk by the San Marcos river. Here's the funny part - I completely forgot that I was in Texas. In my mind, I was still in Washington State until we stepped outside and I realized where we actually were. I was so confused! I'm grateful that Lori had advised me not to work or exert myself after the treatment, and just go home and relax.
After our walk, I thanked Lori and headed home. I then decided to stop by Walgreens to pick up a few items, as there isn't one in my small village. At the checkout counter, I struggled to remember how to use my credit card because I was still in a state of bliss. It took me a few seconds to realize that the cashier might question whether the card was really mine. I explained that I had just had a very relaxing treatment, hoping that the oil in my hair would be a giveaway.
Then, I did something I shouldn't have - I stopped by my workplace before going home. What was I thinking? I wanted to share my experience right away, but I hadn't fully returned to my normal state. As I was explaining the incredible experience to my colleagues, I apparently stopped talking mid-sentence and just walked away! I was convinced that I had finished my thought. It was quite an embarrassing moment!
The moral of the story is simple: follow the instructions and try this treatment, or better yet, make it a regular practice. But definitely don't make the mistake I did. Take the time for yourself. I am living proof that this treatment can reset your nervous system, whether you talk or not. It's an amazing gift to give yourself.
Read Lori's experience;
It was 2008, I had just quit working at Kruger’s Jewelers on Congress Ave, in downtown Austin, so that I could work at YogaYoga. I had recently read the book Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda and it sent me on a path to truly find myself and what made me happy. Don’t get me wrong, I loved selling diamonds and jewelry and I was pretty good at it, but I wanted more. I easily got hired on at YogaYoga and started working at their spa location, that offered yoga and spa treatments at the same location. For my birthday that first year I decided to try a treatment I had never heard of before called Shirodhara. I had also started learning about Ayurveda, the science of light, which is the Indian way of health and healing. I learned that I was Vata in nature and that the Shirodhara treatment would be very soothing and healing for me. Shiro means head in Sanskrit and dhara means flow, which in essence is what this treatment is all about, a flow of warm medicated oil over the head. Shirodhara is helpful for people that experience insomnia, neck stiffness, helps you “get out of your head” and into your body as it is extremely grounding. That is one of the reasons Vata type people find it helpful because we tend to be very mental and stuck in the mind, however many people have experience this regardless. It has the potential (especially with repeat treatments) to improve mental clarity, lowers anxiety, aids in meditation. It is a total relax & reset moment in time, that you are offering to yourself as a gift. There is a concept in Ayurveda called ojas, it is the nectar and juiciness, this gets depleted through daily life choices. We are like gardeners, and must take care of the garden that is our mind, body & spirit, just as a garden has many components, so do our selves. Shirodhara aims to help knit all those parts back together, restoring ojas, calming the nervous system, grounding our being. I often refer to it as a warm oil blanket on the nervous system, it is a magical and special experience, that you do not realize you needed until after you had it.
Contraindications include pregnancy, unmanaged low blood pressure, acute neck injury & head tumors.
Lori
Trainings:
Certified Shakti School Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach, Certified Helena Pahava Signature Manual Facelift Method, Certified Neo-lifting & Buccal Massage by Pro-Age Academy, Certified Sculptural Facelifting by Yakov Gershkovich, Certified Hatha & Kundalini Yoga Teacher, Certified Aromatherapist.
Schedule with Lori at MISSION Day Spa here
(Theta music is music that is set to a theta pattern, which is a brain wave pattern with a frequency of 4–7 Hz. Theta music can help improve meditation, creativity, and sleep.)
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