Tried & Tested

WHAT: SHIRODHARA WHERE: VIBRANT AYURVEDA, GOLD COAST COST: FROM $110

Shirodhara is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s an Ayurvedic therapy that’s part of a full-body cleansing system called Panchakarma (which means five purifications), but it can also be experienced as a standalone treatment. The day I visited Vibrant Ayurveda, I only had time for a single treatment, which luckily included 30 minutes of reflexology (bliss!). After my feet and legs were massaged, the therapist placed two moistened cotton pads over my eyes and let me know the shirodhara was about to begin. During the course of 45 minutes, up to 1.5 litres of warm sesame oil (not the type you cook with – this one had no smell), was gently dripped over my forehead. It might sound bizarre but it felt so relaxing. Within the first few seconds as the drips touched my hairline, my thoughts seemed to stop and I instantly felt calmer. It was like I was meditating without trying. Ayurvedic medicine doctor Ram Bhandari, owner of Vibrant Ayurveda, explained this gentle form of ‘massage’ sends messages to the nervous system via the brain telling it to slow down. I can definitely vouch for that!

The oil was lovely and warm as it swayed from one side of my forehead to the other. Depending on the day and how you’re feeling, your practitioner will determine the required quantity of oil and how fast or slow it should be dripped. The more stressed you are the slower the drips. Either way, your hair will be drenched in oil so this isn’t appropriate for a lunch break. What it’s great for is if you’re feeling strung out or anxious and want to feel calmer. To me, shirodhara felt like a passive form of meditation and I loved every blissful second.