'Thank you for a lovely 2 training days, very informative and practical sessions which I know I will soon be using in my own Massage Practice.'

Lorna MacLean, www.reiki-glasgow.com, Sept 2011

'I thoroughly enjoyed the Ayurvedic Massage Course.  Diana has been great, and her knowledge is fantastic.'

Sharon Henry, March 2011

Pre-Session - Introduction to Ayurveda – Saturday, 2-5pm, 11th August 2012

A short session for those with no formal massage training, who are learning this for non-commercial use with family & friends, and those who are new to Ayurvedic principles and diagnosis.

Session 1 - Sunday, 1 - 5pm, 12th August 2012

A brief explanation of the effects of various oils used in Ayurveda, the marma points, the basic Ayurvedic massage techniques,  the stroke types and sequences.

Marma massage is a traditional Ayurvedic technique used to stimulate vital marma points on the body. This massage uses herb-infused ayurvedic oils and is performed using the hands, applying appropriate pressure to specific areas. Marma abhyanga not only relieves back pain, stiffness and sports injuries but also stimulates various bodily organs and systems. Duration can vary within the region of 45-90 minutes.

Session 2 - 3hrs,   1 - 5pm, Sun 19th August 2012

A review  of the Ayurvedic relaxation massage which may be added to a trained massage therapist’s repertoire of techniques and advertised as such (‘Relaxation massage’ or ‘Marma therapy massage’). This is followed by practical application of techniques by the participants and instructions for home practice.

Demonstration of other simple procedures which can be incorporated into massage practice, including a basic knowledge of topical applications (lepas), as well as kati basti (for lower back), janu basti (knee problems) and greeva basti (spondilosis, neck problems).  The individual prescriptions for lepas and bastis may vary from client to client and are only to be prescribed by a fully qualified Ayurvedic medical practitioner.

• Kati Basti for lower back pain, chronic and acute backaches, prolapsed disc, lumbar spondylosis, osteoporosis, sciatica. A special technique aimed at providing pain relief using warm medicated oils or herbal decoctions when bathing the lower back for 20 to 30 minutes followed by a heat treatment for 10 to 15 minutes to ensure proper penetration of oils to affected areas.
  
  • "What a great experience!  I really benefitted from the treatment - it helped with the pain, but I also felt it reached other parts of my body too."  Rose Robertston, Dumbarton.
• Janu Basti for knee or joint pain. In this treatment the knee is bathed in warm medicated oils or herbal decoctions, taking 20 to 30 minutes, followed by a heat treatment for 10 minutes. It promotes the strength of the knee joint by improving the circulation.
• Greeva Basti for neck pain and discomfort, cervical spondylosis, chronic pain in the neck region and compression fractures. The back of the neck is bathed using warm medicated oil or herbal decoction for 20 to 30 minutes and then heat treated to ensure penetration of the oils to the affected areas.

Normally clients would attend a course of at least 3 treatment sessions, ideally on consecutive days. Usually a short (5 min) massage would be performed before this basti treatment.

Session 3 – Sunday, 11am – 1pm, 2nd  September  2012 (TBC)

Review and final questions followed by a written paper is sent to the College of Ayurveda (UK) for assessment along with your application form and copies of both your massage certificates and insurance documents.

After successful completion of this training, a professional certificate from the College of Ayurveda (UK) is awarded. They are the able to add this certificate to their professional insurance. (Balans CThA etc.) Those who are not insured qualified therapists and are attending for non-commercial purposes will be awarded a certificate of completion by Ayurveda4all.

For best results clients may receive their personalised herbal prescription from a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.  Practitioners may refer clients to qualified therapists as appropriate.