One of my New Year’s blog resolutions is to feature more content focused outside of central London, and so one chilly morning last week I found myself on the way to Greenwich to indulge in a little Ayurveda and try something new…
The Ayurveda Pura day spa, five minutes from North Greenwich station, bases all of their treatments on Ayurveda, the ancient Indian holistic medical system. Practiced for more than 5000 years, it is based on achieving physical and mental harmony through nature. As a holistic health system comprising diet, Yoga, massage, detoxification, herbal remedies, meditation and daily lifestyle, Ayurveda improves not only a person's health, but also their well being, behaviour and state of mind.
Ayurveda sees everything in the universe, including human beings, as composed of five basic elements (or Panchamahabhutas): space, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements in turn combine with each other to give rise to three bio-physical forces (or Doshas) within the human body; Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (water and earth). Together they are known as Tridosha and govern all the biological, physiological and psychological functions of the mind and body, both, physical and emotional, as well as effecting how an individual interacts with everything around them. Every individual has within them all three bio-physical forces, but it is the dominance of any one or two or all three that makes up a person's individual constitution or Prakriti. Ayurveda seeks to treat the mind and body according to a person's Dosha using a system combining diet, herbal remedies, detoxification, Yoga, Ayurvedic massage, lifestyle routine and behaviours.
The first part of my treatment was for my practitioner to determine which force was most dominant in me. What I found totally fascinating was that through a few short questions (for example my sleep patterns, sensitivity to certain weather etc) she could tell me things like what kind of personality I have and what kind of illnesses I am susceptible too (all correct…). My combination of Vata and Kapha decided on which oils and pressure to use for my Ayurvedic massage.
Following the ‘diagnosis’ I was indulged for an hour. Ayuverdic massage differs from traditional techniques in that it uses long, gentle, flowing movements along the whole length of the body to completely relax, improve lymph flow, stimulate the immune system, and detoxify, strengthen and revitalise the entire nervous system. The main aim was for it to help improve my erratic sleep patterns, which interestingly enough it seems to have done – in the last week I have definitely noticed I have been sleeping deeper and not waking up so much in the night.
Ayurveda Pura offers a vast array of treatments for the whoe body, as well as yoga classes, complementary therapies, a retail space and café, and a training academy for those who may wish to learn the principles and techniques of Ayurveda for themselves. I left my treatment relaxed and revived, with a selection of products to help carry on the good work at home, including a de-stressing herbal tea, exfoliator and facial moisturiser, all of which were tailored to suit my particular Vata constitution. In the ideal location for anyone situated in south east London, or those working at Canary Wharf (being a mere tube stop away…), Ayurveda Pura is worth a visit; it was fascinating to discover Ayurveda and its principles, it’s worth seeing what it could do for you…
1 hour full body massage £55. For more information or to book visit www.ayurvedapura.com
Love Laurel x
