Abstract

ROLE OF SHIRODHARA IN STRESS MANAGEMENT

Pratiksha Ramdas Balki* and Dr. Pramod Mandalkar

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Abstract

The complexity of modern life has greatly challenged our ability to live healthier and fully in the present moment. Industrialization, globalization, and competition in each sector lead to emotional stress and strain in life which is dangerous at the physical and mental levels. These lifestyle changes vitiate doshas and ultimately cause various diseases. As per the classics of Ayurveda, chinta (stress and atichintan (overthinking) are the causes of Rasavaha srotodushti which lead to many diseases. Purification therapy is a unique feature of Ayurveda involvingthe complete cleansing of the body and thereby eliminating vitiated doshas. Shirodhara is one such purificating and rejuvenating therapy. The word Shirodhara breaks down into two ideas: Shiro, meaning head, and dhara which mean flow. Together they form a concept that aims to bring physicaland emotional balance by rejuvenating the spirit and preserving health by relieving stress. Shirodhara works primarily on the “Manomaya Kosha “as it is referred to in Ayurveda. It is traditionally used to calm the nerves, harmonize vata constitutions, restore the nerves, release stored emotions and free the mind from stress.

Keywords: Shirodhara, stress, purification, rejuvenation.