Like yoga, AYM treatments can look very different, as we adjust the treatments to the needs of different clients on different days. The style of each session is adjusted to serve client needs, so sessions can be more or less dynamic, deep, energetic, slow, nurturing and soothing. The aim of the sessions is to help the client feel more centred, and the energy to flow more freely through the body. This might include some deep oil massage, and stretches if appropriate for the client, like something that might be included in a sports massage, physio or osteo treatment. But, in the tradition of Ayurveda, we recognise that it is not only the quality of the soft tissues that we need to work with. Our state of mind and our feelings are not independent of how we feel in our physical bodies. So our primary objective is always to work in a way that allows the client to feel relaxed and safe in their body, and able to breathe deeply. As part of that process, we work to create a safe and nurturing space for the client, and we also try to activate the breathing muscles, relax the tissues around the rib cage, abdomen and pelvis, and promote awareness of the breath. Then we focus on physically softening any tension in the muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia, and to promote healthy joint mobility, by encouraging the nervous system to relax, as well as by physically manipulating tissues with oil massage, passive stretches, tractions and mobilisations as appropriate. By helping clients feel more safe, supported and well in their bodies we can also help reduce stress levels, and promote the healthy function of all the body’s systems.
Treatments are sometimes focused on the area where there is an injury or pain, but generally we do tend to work with the whole body, as everything is interconnected through the nervous system, fascia, circulation and through our movement patterns. So depending on what the client’s priorities are, we usually recommend a series of treatments to help promote the health of the whole body, and to help work on the causes of the issues that the client wants to work on.
Regular treatments can also help to promote our physical and mental health, so we can work towards being as healthy and well as we can. Prevention is always better than cure, and by working on our wellness we can really start seeing the benefits in our life, relationships and our work, as well as on our physical and mental health.
AYM is always adjusted to the needs of the client on the day, but it is usually a deep tissue oil massage followed by assisted yoga stretches, tractions and mobilisations.
