The Importance of the Head and Face in Ayurveda

Ayurveda describes a more extensive system of natural medicine originating in India over 5,000 years ago. While Ayurveda takes a holistic approach to personal energy and wellness, the head and the face play a vital role in the practice.

​The head and face represent the first point of entry for Prana, which is the life force that circulates throughout the rest of the body. One of the pillars of Ayurveda focuses on the health of the five senses, sight, taste, scent, sound, and touch – all located in the head and the face.

The head, neck, and face are home to two of the most important energy centres, or chakras, in the body – the Ajna, the third eye, and the Sahasrara, the crown. These chakras control the other five chakras found throughout the body and are essential to your well-being.

In short, the head and face lead the energy in your body, as your head is the centre of your nervous system. Massage is a highly-celebrated practice in Ayurveda as it helps create and maintain electromagnetic balance within the body, promoting longevity and better overall health.

How Can Ayurvedic Head and Face Massage Improve Your Health?

There are 107 vital energy (marma) points in the body; 37 of which are located in the head and face. Each marma point represents a place in the body where veins, bones, blood vessels, joints, and ligaments meet in harmony. The marma points are connected to the chakras via energetic channels called nadis. When functioning correctly, energy moves through these points without interruption – allowing for a proactive approach to health and wellness.

Stimulating marma points helps calm the mind and strengthen the nervous system. Nourishing oils start working at the hair’s roots to strengthen hair and prevent dryness-related issues. Massaging these energy centres on the head and face improves the function and health of many organs throughout your body while increasing blood flow. However, many external factors block or disrupt the flow of energy throughout our bodies, including:
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• Stress
• Exhaustion
• Tension
• Life events
• And so much more

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​When energy cannot pass freely throughout these points, it affects your health and overall wellness – especially in ways that accelerate the ageing process. Luckily, massage and stimulation at these vital energy points promote balance, uninterrupted energy flow, and the many benefits of Ayurvedic massage for the face and head. This is especially helpful if you experience grief, overwhelming emotions, anxiety, long-term stress, a change in your physiology, and other emotions that invoke negativity.

What Are The Benefits of Ayurvedic Face and Head Massage?

Beyond balancing your energy and creating a more harmonious flow throughout your body, Ayurvedic head and face massage promotes many visible and physical benefits that increase your health and well-being. The most simple and initial benefits include physical relief to your head and neck regions. This incredibly relaxing experience immediately relieves the tension and stress you naturally hold in your face and head. But beyond that, there are many incredible benefits to experience. 

After an Ayurvedic head massage, benefits include:

• Improved complexion
• Creating a sense of balance
• Enhanced concentration
• Improved eyesight
• Clarifies the senses
• Decreased hair loss and greying
• Improved memory and intelligence
• Relax your whole body by massaging the eyebrows
• Oils can cool the head and promote a meditative state
• Reduced pain and tension in the head, neck, and shoulders
• Soothe your nervous system by massaging your forehead
• Increased flow of hormones and fluids throughout the body
• Relaxing the mind and quieting intrusive thoughts
• Helping manage pain caused by headaches and migraines
• Unwinding after a long day, or week, at work with an evening massage promotes restful sleep

​Benefits of an Ayurvedic face massage include:

• Stimulates blood circulation
• Increases oxygen and nutrients to skin cells
• Relieves headaches, facial and jaw tension
• Reduces puffiness and fluid retention
• Anti-ageing
• Healing dryness
• Plumps, lifts, and firms skin
• Decreases sagging
• Clears complexion
• Enhances muscle tone
• Supports immunity
• Promotes lymphatic drainage
• Boosts your brain power by increasing oxygen and glucose supply
• Improves cerebrospinal fluid circulation for optimal brain function
• Relaxes your nervous system and reduce fatigue caused by mental stress
• Enhances pranic energy levels in the brain
• Promotes brain cell growth and development with increased secretion of growth hormones and enzymes

Revitalise your mind and body with a nourishing oil massage for your head, neck, and face. With these treatments, consistency is key. The more often and regularly you incorporate these massages into your health and wellness routine, the better the results.