Traditional Indian Wellness and Beauty Treatments

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Cape Town's top health spas offer a range of traditional Indian beauty therapies designed to restore balance and rejuvenate the body.

The revitalising qualities of Indian beauty treatments have been recognised for hundreds of years, and today, these centuries-old therapies are offered at a few of Cape Town's top health spas.

Known as Ayurveda, this system of traditional Indian therapy uses massage and herbs to relax the body, helping to restore the natural balance, improve circulation and eliminate toxins. These therapies also stimulate the body's cells and endocrine system, encouraging the secretion of naturally produced "medicines", which help to heal the body from the inside out.

Whilst many beauty practitioners claim to be familiar with Ayuredic practices, it's only trained therapists who are able to administer these massages effectively. To gain the greatest health benefits from Indian massages, be sure to visit a genuine Ayurvedic health spa. There are a number of these in Cape Town, operating independently or as part of the health spa offerings at upmarket hotels.

Read on to learn more about Ayurvedic massage, or book your preferred Indian massage therapy to experience the healing, restorative powers of Ayurvedic massage.

What is Ayurvedic massage?

An ancient Indian wellness practice, Ayurveda aims to create harmony within the body. It does this by addressing several important lifestyle factors, including diet, exercise, massage, meditation and detoxification. By ensuring that each of these elements matches an individual's unique life energy, Ayurveda promotes balance, serenity and relaxation of the body and mind.

Ayurvedic massages and wellness therapies

Massage is a vital element of Ayurveda, helping to purify the body, soothe the muscles, joints and bones, and improve circulation. A variety of essential oils are used in Ayurvedic massage, and these oils are chosen to match an individual's unique energy. Trained Ayurvedic masseurs are able to assess clients to determine their bodies' needs, and hence the right oils for their massages and beauty therapies.

Ayurvedic massage therapies, too, must be matched to individuals' specific needs. Along with traditional massage techniques that most people are familiar with, Indian massage also includes a variety of techniques specific to Ayurveda massage.

These include tapping, squeezing and kneading, and are used in conjunction with conventional techniques. Once again, Ayurvedic therapists will use techniques, combinations and rhythms that work in harmony with clients' individual energies, and with the particular needs of their bodies.



Ayurvedia: Helping your body to produce exactly what it needs to heal

Similar to other types of massage therapies, such as reflexology and acupuncture, Ayurveda targets certain pressure points on the body - known as marma points - that stimulate the body's biochemistry. This encourages it to produce the hormones, neurochemicals and other natural secretions that are needed to heal the mind, body and consciousness. It's almost like tapping into the body's natural pharmacy!

Ayurvedia is thus greatly beneficial for a variety of reasons. It helps to improve the functioning of the immune system, cleanse and detoxify the body, and boost one's general health. For those who are ill or suffer from chronic ailments, it offers relief from symptoms and an overall improvement in their level of health.

And of course, Indian massage therapies bring calm and relaxation to the body and mind, helping individuals to recover from the effects of daily life.

Types of Ayurvedic massages and Indian wellness treatments

The most well-known type of Indian wellness treatment is the Indian head massage, but there are many other kinds of Ayurvedic massages and treatments, including:

• Sammatva, which balances the energy centres,

• Detoxification treatments

• Deep muscle massage

• Soothing relaxation treatments

• Individually-prepared oil massages

• Lymphatic skin brushing and massage

• Indian cupping therapies

• Foot massages

• Deep facial, head, neck and shoulder massages

• Facials using steam, individually-prepared oils and herbal masks

• Scrubs and wraps

Ayurvedic massage and Indian wellness therapies in Cape Town

A number of health spas in Cape Town offer Ayurvedic massage therapies, tailored to the specific wellness needs of men, women, young mothers and even babies. Be sure to select a qualified practitioner to reap maximum benefit from your Ayurvedic massage - or better yet, choose a health spa at one of the city's 5-star hotels.

At these spas, qualified therapists use the finest products during massage therapies, treating clients to a superior massage experience that offers effective healing, rejuvenation and relaxation. Indulge in an Indian health treatment, or visit the spa at your Cape Town hotel to discover the wellness therapies on offer.

About the Author:

Taj Cape Town is a luxury hotel in Cape Town's city centre featuring an exclusive Ayurveda spa - the Grande Jiva spa in Cape Town. It offers a range of Indian wellness and beauty treatments to both hotel guests and private clients. Book now.