Spa review: Shirodhara

This popular ayurvedic therapy rejuvenates the mind and body

By Manisha Almadi Midha

I decide to go for an ayurvedic therapy this time, to experience the difference. My obvious choice is Shirodhara, the most popularised ayurvedic therapy at spas. 

The spa is partly located on the upper level for Thai massages et al, while traditional Indian ayurvedic massages are offered on the lower level. I come across a few guests at the spa on a Wednesday morning, a rarity at five star hotels. Perhaps it’s got to do with the location; Suryaa is one of the few five star hotels located in South Delhi with an added advantage of being next to the posh New Friends Colony.

I am greeted by the spa manager Rajeev Sharma who introduces me to my therapist. She shows me my locker. I wish the washroom was not the changing room. As I enter the massage room, the first things that strike me (which I miss at the spa) are the aromas emanating from the oil burners. The brass lamp lit in the corner and the traditional wooden massage bed, create the ambience of an ayurveda spa in South. I only wish the facing massage room was separated by a plastered wall and not by a sliding glass door. 

I am allowed to pick my massage oil from four herbal oils. I choose the first one, Dhanvantaram Tailam (a mix of sesame seed oil and rose petals), for improving blood circulation, my therapist tells me it is the most commonly used oil. The oils are suggested according to your skin type and weather conditions. The therapist warms up the oil because it spreads easily (as it is thick) and lukewarm oil is more comforting on the body. Since ayurvedic massages do not include the use of thumbs and hands, I am assigned two therapists who can wrap up the two hour long massage in an hour with the use of pressure strokes.

The therapists begin with abhyanga (body massage) from bottom to top (as is the ritual in any massage to create a balance between the body and mind). Like always I have to tell them to reduce the pressure, as my body can’t take more than that, but the massage is extremely relaxing, good enough to put you to sleep, in the dimly lit room. 

The word Shirodhara means shiro (head) and dhara (flow). Shirodhara involves gentle pouring of liquids (it could be oil, coconut water, milk or buttermilk, for different benefits) over the forehead, above and between the eyebrows, at the chakra point, also known as the third eye (the centre of human consciousness). After abhyanga, the therapist places cool cotton balls on my eyes and ties a cloth under the forehead to avoid the oil from dripping onto the face when it is poured on the forehead. The lukewarm oil is put in the steel vessel hanging over the massage bed and filters through a thin cotton cloth, in continuous stream, onto my forehead, while I receive a massage on the forehead. It is the most relaxing experience I have had so far.

Every time the oil flows to my forehead, I feel a sense of calm because the nervous system is stilled. The brain waves slow down and become coherent. Once the brain is quieted, more life, oxygen and other nutrients flow freely to the brain, resulting in better brain function, mood stability and improved stress handling ability. It also increases blood circulation to the brain, improves memory, encourages sound sleep and calms the mind and body. According to ayurveda, shirodhara relaxes the nervous system, and integrates brain function.

From the forehead, the oil flows to my hair and my scalp gets a nice, herbal oil massage. The therapy helps with hair problems like hair loss, as the hair is nourished. I think my dry, coloured hair needed this treatment more than my body.

I head for sauna (it helps open up the pores). I realise the plastic cap I am wearing, to create warmth in the hair, might just melt in the heat of the sauna and I take it off, but within seconds, the hair becomes so hot that it could burn my skin. I can’t hold it together to put it under the cap. I leave sauna within minutes. A word of advice: do not take off your cap, or better still, give sauna a miss after this treatment, unless you want to burn or discolour your hair.

I head back to the massage room for a shower (luckily it has one attached). My therapist informs me that I have the option of using a Jacuzzi. After I use the comb from the steriliser, I realise that the oil hasn’t come off in the wash. I am not complaining—the longer the oil stays on my hair, the better! My skin feels moisturised and I, fresh. 

I am offered salted lime juice. As I prepare to leave, I hear some calming music. I wish it had played much before to avoid the ghastly sound of the AC during the session.

Verdict: This is one of the therapies that have left me really happy, my hair is more vibrant after the second wash at home the next day, my skin feels soft (so what if for a day), and my mind is full of fragrant oils. Ayurveda definitely gets thumbs up! Go for it...