the third eye massage is ayurveda's best kept secret

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My best friend recently returned from a trip to Bangkok, Thailand and Calcutta, India with too many tales to recount here. However, one tale I want to recount is the wonderful spiritual wellness treatment she put me on to called “shirodhara”. She described a charming scene in her luxury hotel spa suite where a guest can luxuriate around from station to station in the suite, experiencing a number of incredible spa treatments ranging from purely indulgent to purely spiritual and everywhere in between. I was most intrigued by the treatment of shirodhara because it sounded deliciously indulgent, and mind clarifying all at the same time. For someone like me, who is both always looking to unwind and always looking to gain an edge in business and in life - this seemed intriguing indeed.


The name comes from the Sanskrit words “shiro” which means “head” and “dhara” which means “flow”. The name makes perfect sense given that shirodhara is a spiritual tuneup for the third eye; often regarded as the very seat of human consciousness. Shirodhara is the method of third eye massage, through either pouring drips of water, milk, or buttermilk... or by pouring drips of oil onto a laying patients third eye - located in the pineal gland within the forehead. The rhythmic nature of the drips - if administered by a particularly in tune practitioner or by a times device can be synced with the natural rhythm and wavelength that the third eye vibrates at. In addition to the rhythm, the central focus on the third eye helps the individual receiving the treatment to focus on their third eye which helps to strengthen it. This treatment can be offered alone, or can be part of a specific panchakarma treatment detoxification regimen. In Ayurveda it is also common place to select an oil for the treatment which has properties which balance the client's dosha.

According to Ayurveda Next Door's write up, "Stress, according to Ayurveda, is a state of imbalance of prana vayu, sadaka pitta, and tarpaka kapha. Shirodhara reestablishes the functional integrity between these three doshic subtypes and thus helps alleviate stress." 


Beyond just the metaphysical tuning this treatment provides, it also helps to regulate function between the hypothalamus, pineal gland, and pituitary glands. Disruptions in these areas of the body can lead to imbalances and afflictions commonly known in the Western world as shift worker sleep disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, and simple jet lag. As these disordered sleep or disordered fear response conditions are caused by disregulation of the hypothalamus, pineal gland, or pituitary glands...it stands to reason that oil massage of these areas can help regulate the body into a clock work cycle which provides relief from these conditions.


The massage is highly regarded as one of the most valuable treatments in Ayurveda because it calms the overworked mind. Calming the mind and relaxing the body is absolutely essential in terms of balancing the mind, body, and spirit to maintain their ecosystem and thusly their seamless connection. Although I have never had this treatment, I look forward to experiencing one soon. Here’s to manifesting that into my life!