How to Do an Indian Head Massage

Indian head massage is based on the ayurvedic system of healing which has been practiced in India for over a thousand years.

It provides Indian families with relaxation and healing on a daily basis, as well as playing a part in rituals such as weddings and births, not to mention everyday events like a trip to the barber.

How does it work?
The aim of Indian head massage is to release the stress that has accumulated in the tissues, muscles and joints of the head, face, neck and shoulders.

What is it good for?
Indian head massage is especially good for relieving stress, tension, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, migraine and sinusitis. Clients report that the experience is deeply calming and relaxing, leaving them feeling energised and revitalised and better able to concentrate.

What are the benefits?
Indian head massage helps increase joint mobility and flexibility in the neck and shoulders, improves blood circulation and lymphatic flow, frees knots of muscular tension, relaxes connective tissue, and aids in the elimination of accumulated toxins and waste products. It is particularly good for reducing the effects of stress and tension.

Your At Home Spa

If you’re as busy and stressed as most of us, you may not take time out for self care very often. However, personal pampering has many stress relieving benefits, and should be incorporated as part of a low stress lifestyle. If you don’t have the budget for a high end spa, you can create a relaxing home spa experience for yourself.

Get ready to pamper yourself (or a loved one) with the gift of relaxation and cared-for skin -- all over!

Face - Papaya Rejuvenation Home Spa Skin Refresher

Exfoliate your skin gently with natural papaya enzymes, and leave the house with a gentle glow.

Wash face thoroughly.

Bring large pot of water to a boil.

While water is heating, mash 1/2 of a papaya into a paste.

Move pot to table and place face over steam, holding a bath towel over your head. Adjust to be sure skin is at a comfortable temperature.

Steam face for 5-8 minutes.

Apply papaya mixture, carefully avoiding the eye area.

Lie down and relax for 5-10 minutes.

When you feel fully rejuvenated, rinse your face and apply moisturizer for a radiant complexion.

Body - Relaxing Bath Salts
A good soak in the tub is not just relaxing: it can also be detoxifying, restorative, and downright blissful. In her previous post on the topic, Bethany helped us create the perfect ambiance for a bath; now let's make the perfect bath salts.

1 c. sea salt (I like Orsa Pink Mineral Salt or Dead Sea Salt)
1 c. Epsom salts
1 Tbsp. jojoba
30 drops lavender essential oil
5 drops ylang ylang essential oil
5 drops sandalwood essential oil

Mix all the ingredients together well. Use anywhere from 2 Tbsp. to 1/2 c. for your bath. Store in an airtight container: maybe a tin tie bag, or a pretty glass jar or bottle.Not what you were looking for? Maybe green bath salts are more your style.Detoxifying Body Scrub

Now that your skin is hydrated, and you're feeling soothed, try scrubbing off some dead skin. While you're at it, you could stimulate your circulation and try to make that cellulite disappear, too!

1/2 c. sea salt
1/2 c. raw sugar (the big crystals)
1 Tbsp. coffee grounds (not kidding, caffeine reputedly helps cellulite disappear)
4-6 oz. rice bran oil or olive oil
2 oz. shea butter (optional)
25 drops lemon essential oil
25 drops grapefruit essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil
10 drops cypress essential oil
10 drops geranium essential oil

Mix the dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately, then combine them; you are trying for a moist yet somewhat crumbly texture, nothing too goopy. If you choose to add the shea butter, melt it first, then add it to the liquids. If you leave out the shea, you may want to increase the oil.

Find the consistency you like, then store the scrub in an air-tight container, like a blue plastic jar. Glass jars may not be a safe choice if you will have this in the shower with you.Relaxing Body Oil

After a bath and a scrub, you'll want to slather some body oil onto moist skin to keep it soft and supple. This blend will complement the bath salt blend, but add some deeper notes.

3 oz. rice bran oil
1 oz. jojoba oil
25 drops lavender essential oil
8 drops sandalwood essential oil
8 drops patchouli essential oil
10 drops grapefruit essential oil
5 drops vanilla infusion

Mix the ingredients well, and store the mixture in a disc-top-bottle. You can also use this body oil for massage.Soothing Hand Scrub

You can use the body scrub on your hands as well, but you may just want a little something special -- and more gentle -- to give love to your hard-working hands.

1/2 c. granulated sugar (raw is best due to a higher content of glycolic acid)
1 tsp. ground herbs (any combination of chamomile, rose, mint, lemon rind)
3 oz. rice bran oil
1 oz. shea butter (optional)
20 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops lemon
5 drops chamomile

Make sure the herbs are finely ground in a spice mill, then combine the dry ingredients. Follow the directions above for the body scrub.After you use the scrub, follow with a hand massage with the body oil, then clean and polish your nails; your hands will be manicure-perfect. You've now given yourself -- or someone you love -- the gift of relaxation and pampering. Ahhhhhh....