Ayurveda and Massage Therapy
About Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. The word itself means “science of life” in Sanskrit — a reminder that health is more than the absence of illness; it’s about living in harmony with nature, your environment, and yourself.
Ayurveda offers an integrative approach to wellbeing that embraces the mind, body, and spirit. Rooted in a deep understanding of natural rhythms, it teaches us how to live in balance, prevent illness, and restore health when imbalance arises.
Key principles of Ayurveda
Ayurvedic medicine is based on the idea that everything — including our bodies — is made up of five elements: space, air, fire, water, and earth. These combine to form the three doshas:
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Vata (space + air)
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Pitta (fire + water)
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Kapha (earth + water)
We each have a unique doshic makeup, and when this balance is disturbed — through diet, stress, environment or trauma — disease can emerge.
Some defining features of Ayurvedic therapy include:
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A whole-person approach, recognising that the mind, body and spirit are deeply interconnected
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A focus on treating the root cause of illness, not just the symptoms
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An understanding of all illness as psychosomatic, shaped by emotional and mental states
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An emphasis on preventative care, seasonal practices and lifestyle awareness
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The integration of practices like yoga, meditation, diet, herbal support and massage
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Compatibility with modern and traditional systems — Ayurveda can complement other therapies
The role of massage in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic massage therapy (known as Abhyanga) is considered essential for maintaining health, aiding detoxification, and supporting the nervous system.
It’s a deeply nourishing treatment that involves warm, herbal oils selected for your doshic makeup or presenting energetic imbalance. Massage in this tradition is more than a physical technique — it’s energetic, spiritual, and relational. It’s not unusual to begin with a silent blessing or to anoint the seven sacred points of the body: head, ears, hands, and feet.
Through this process, the body’s natural intelligence is supported, the mind is calmed, and the spirit is gently held.
Receiving Ayurvedic treatments with me
I offer the below Ayurvedic treatments in Edinburgh only after you’ve had a consultation with a qualified Ayurvedic medical doctor. This ensures that your treatment is safe, tailored, and aligned with classical principles.
Your Ayurvedic doctor will determine:
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The type of treatment/massage most appropriate for you
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The herbal oils to be used
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The length and frequency of sessions
I follow this guidance and provide your prescribed treatments in a calm, nurturing space.
Please note: I am not currently able to refer you to an Ayurvedic doctor, but there are several trusted Ayurvedic institutes and clinics in the UK offering online and in-person consultations.
Prices
£85 per treatment which can vary from 50 to 90 minutes, depending on treatment duration recommended by your Ayurvedic doctor.
Ayurvedic Treatments Available
*These treatments are available only after you’ve had a consultation with an Ayurvedic doctor.*
Abhyanga - External Oleation Massage
Abhyanga is a deeply nourishing full-body massage using warm, herbalised oils prescribed for your specific doshic imbalance. The oil is applied generously over the body — including the head, palms, and soles of the feet — and absorbed through the skin to support detoxification, tissue repair, and nervous system balance. This form of external oleation therapy helps to restore harmony to the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), calm the mind, and support the immune system. The type of oil used and the frequency of treatments will be guided by your Ayurvedic doctor’s recommendations.
Vasti - Hot Oil and Dough Therapy
Vasti therapy is a unique localised oil treatment used in classical Ayurveda to target specific areas of discomfort or chronic tension. Warm, medicated oil is carefully poured and contained within a well of dough placed on the body.
Common forms include:
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Kati Vasti – applied to the lower back for back pain and spinal support
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Janu Vasti – applied to the knees for joint pain and stiffness
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Greeva Vasti – applied to the neck and cervical area for mobility and muscular tension
You’ll lie either face-up or face-down, depending on the treatment area. Once the body has absorbed the oil, the session concludes with a gentle local massage. As with all Ayurvedic oil therapies, the oils and duration will be prescribed by your Ayurvedic doctor.
Shiroabhyanga & Mukhabhyanga - Ayurvedic Head & Face Massage
In Ayurveda, the head is considered the seat of the senses and consciousness. Shiroabhyanga is a traditional Indian head massage using warm oils selected for your constitution. This therapy is used to calm the nervous system, reduce tension headaches, promote restful sleep, and stimulate the scalp — often supporting hair growth and reduced hair fall.
Mukhabhyanga is a soothing Ayurvedic face massage involving herbal oils or pastes (such as turmeric or saffron cream), gently worked into the skin to stimulate lymphatic flow, and support emotional release through marma (vital) points.
Together, these treatments can leave you feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply grounded in your body.
