Top
Tibetan
Acupressure Head Massage...
History of Tibetan Medicine...
Ayurvedic
principles...
What
happens in a treatment...
History...
Although
Tibetan Medicine has undoubtedly been practiced for thousands of years, the
earliest written accounts appear to date back to about 300BC. 'Xiepu
Chixi' the
physician to the Tibetan King 'Niechi
Zanpu', formally
recorded this tradition in 126BC.
With a visit
from two Indian physicians in 245AD, the medicine of India was introduced to
Tibet. In 641 a Tang Dynasty Princess 'Weng
Cheng' married the
Tibetan leader 'Songzan
Ganbu', and brought
with her many Chinese books, including medical ones.
In the 8th
Century, Tibetan born 'Yuthog
Yonten Gonpo' made
several trips to India and studied both Buddhism and Ayurvedic Medicine. He
wrote approximately 30 medical works, incorporating local, Indian and Chinese
medical theories. In 762 he founded the first Tibetan Medical Institute
'Tanadug' at Kongpo, Man lung and became a Monk at the Samye Monastery. Around
this time a medical conference was held in Samye, bringing together accomplished
physicians from India, Nepal, China, Persia and Greece. In about 770, Yuthog
received the forerunner to the Four Medical Tantra's - rGud-bzhi. The original
it is thought was written in Sanskrit around the 4th Century. Yuthog reorganised
this work and added to it material that he had gathered, including that of the
Samye conference.
In the 12th
Century, a descendant of Yuthog's wrote a further 18 supplementary works, the
teaching of which, Tibetan Medicine has been based upon since. Sadly many of the
original works and books were destroyed during the Chinese invasion of Tibet in
1959.
Back to
top
Ayurveda...
'The science of life'
In Tibetan
Medicine and Ayurveda, good health is maintained by applying certain principles
and philosophies to our everyday life.
In Ayurveda
it is believed that we are all made up of the three Dosha's.~ Vata
(Wind) ~ Pitta
(Bile) ~ Kapha
(Phlegm). The
three Dosha's in turn are made up of the five elements: Air,
Fire, Water, Earth + Ether. Vata
~ the elements of Air and Ether, Pitta ~ Fire and Water, and Kapha ~ Water and
Earth. Although we are all a combination of the three Dosha's, we hold a
pre-dominance in one or two, which attributes to our personality, physical make
up and outlook on life. An imbalance of the Dosha's can be created by an
unhealthy diet, negative thought, the environment or a spirit influence. The
Tibetans believe that the root of disease stems from 3 mental poisons ~ desire,
hatred and confusion. Desire ~ in the form of attachment, greed or pride, will
disturb the balance of Wind. Hatred, as anger, aggression, spite will imbalance
Bile. Confusion in the form of indecision, mental lethargy, uncertainty, will
affect Phlegm.
Ayurvedic
physicians evaluate their patients by a combination of discussion, observation,
pulse diagnosis and urine analysis. The treatment prescribed may be dietary,
herbal recommendations, cleansing and detoxifying advice, meditation, spiritual
guidance or massage.
Back to
top
Tibetan
Acupressure Head Massage...
Unlike
Indian head massage which can be quite vigorous and stimulating, TAHM is a slow,
deeply relaxing experience. It combines Western massage techniques with specific
pressure points and movements unique to Tibet, while retaining the principles
and theories of Ancient Tibetan Medicine. The principle aim with TAHM is to calm
and stabilise the 'life sustaining wind' and to create harmony in the flow of
energy throughout the body. This treatment brings an immense feeling of
tranquillity and peace. Perfect for stilling an unquiet mind.
To receive
this treatment you will remain fully clothed and relax on a couch or reclining
chair. TAHM incorporates the upper arms, shoulders, neck, face and scalp. Oils
that may be used can be either those such as Sesame, Olive or Coconut, or
traditional herbal hair oils. Although oil is optional it does have the
advantage of intensely moisturising the scalp and hair, and aiding the release
of tension.
Back to
top
