Shirodhara
Shirodhara is a form of Ayurveda medicine that involves gently flowing liquids over the forehead (the 'third eye'). It was developed by vaidyas (practitionars of Ayurveda) in Kerala, India for use in sukhachikitsa (restorative therapy) and can be one of the steps involved in Panchakarma. The name comes from the Sanskrit words shiras 'head' and dhara 'flow'. The liquids used in Shirodhara depend on what is being treated, but can include oil, milk, buttermilk, coconut water, or even plain water. At Sarah Yapp Therapies we use only the best Organic oils in Shirodhara treatments.
Shirodhara has been used in efforts to treat a variety of conditions including eye diseases, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, greying of hair, neurological disorders, memory loss, insomnia, hearing impairment, tinnitus, vertigo, Ménière's disease and certain types of skin diseases like psoriasis. It is also used non-medicinally at spas for its relaxing properties, which is the treatment which we do here at Sarah Yapp Therapies.
Shirodhara is a perfect way to end a massage treatment especially an Ayurvedic head massage.
During a treatment one litre of warmed herbal oil is poured very gently in a steady stream from a beautiful copper vessel onto the forehead and third eye, whilst you relax and fall into a deep state of tranquility. You need to make the appointment at a time when you can go straight home, wash the oil from your hair and relax.
“Shirodhara should be on everyone’s health regime, it is a must and a great way to get into the deepest relaxation possible” – A very happy patient!
My teacher Ravi calls it “Hot Sesame Bliss!”

Abhayanga Ayurvedic Body Massage
This treatment is aimed at rejuvenating the whole body. It uses warm herbal oils which are made to thousand year-old recipes to specifically target the balancing of the Doshas. Massage with these oils helps build healthy body tissue, rids the body of toxins thereby reducing stress and relaxing the muscles. This massage tones the skin and muscles, improves circulation, repairs worn out tissues, and helps to reduce an accumulation of fat.  A lot of oil is used in this massage, which is absorbed into the skin and underlying muscle tissues.  Sometimes the oil may have a strong aroma which comes from the herbs that have been infused into the oil.

At Sarah Yapp Therapies Abhayanga is normally administered by one therapist, but by special appointment this can also be performed by two experienced massage therapists, which is traditional in Kerala.

Shirobhyanga
The head is the focal point of the nervous system. Every day stress, strain and environmental pollutants have a direct impact on the scalp and hair. Insufficient circulation is the root cause of any hair disorder. The scalp has to be well nourished and taken care of to avoid formation of scaly and itchy dead cells which can become breeding grounds for bacteria. The ideal way to retain a good healthy scalp and head of hair is to massage it regularly with herbal oils. The oil gets absorbed into the hair roots and soothe the nerve cells below. At Sarah Yapp Therapies this treatment also includes a neck and shoulder massage to ensure that there is good blood supply to the head and brain. After treatment you will need to return home to wash oil from hair and rest. This treatment is excellent for greying hair, brain fag, tinnitus and sinus problems, and of course helps with headaches migraines and eye-strain due to excessive computer use.