Serenity
Indulge in a range of unique Ayurvedic relaxation massages in a serene ambiance for your mind body and soul. These services are designed with a holistic approach to your total health and well-being. From releasing energy blockages to stress management through relaxation.... there is something for everyone.
We begin all Serenity massages with a foot soak in warm/hot water followed by a 30 min Purna Deha Abhyanga to prepare your body for these heavenly sessions.
Shirodhara is a luxuriant way to achieve calmness and rejuvenation. The term Shirodhara is derived from a couple of Sanskrit words: Shiro means ‘head’ and Dhara means ‘flow'. During this meditative and relaxing massage, a soothing stream of warm oil/milk is poured over the forehead. The oil flows over, nourishing the scalp and though the hair, creating a blissful sensation, calming the central nervous system and integrating the mind and body.
Shirodhara is known to promote rejuvenation and revitalization of the mind and body, while slowing the effects of ageing. It is also effective in easing insomnia, stress and improving functions of the five sensory organs: eyes, ears, nose, tongue and skin. This technique provides complete calmness and aids with anger, anxiety or fear. Your mind is lulled into a state of serenity and may even experience a state of expanded consciousness. As the oil flows on to the forehead, it is said to have a balancing effect on the deepest recesses of the brain, while stimulating the pituitary and pineal glands in the endocrine system. In addition, it improves blood circulation to the brain and enhances mental clarity and releases trapped toxins.
At Serene A’veda we offer Shirodhara in a tranquil environment with soft background music and a comfortable special table. You will be lying on your back with your head positioned directly under the Shirodhara pot – a vessel with a slow flowing spout from which the oil streams gently on to your forehead. This oil flows in a continuous stream for about 30 minutes and you quickly go into a deep relaxation - ultimate bliss is Shanti !
60 min NZ$
Shanti (Shirodhara)
all balanced dosha
It is believed that Pizhichil massage was mostly used by Maharajas in the olden days and it’s popularly known as a massage for aristocrats. It tones and rejuvenates the skin and helps to slow the ageing process. This technique also helps to relieve muscle pain.
This massage involves changing into various positions, starting in a sitting position, moving to lying on back and on stomach. A cotton cloth is dipped in lukewarm herbal oil and squeezed to drip oil along the thumb in a single uninterrupted flow over the body while being gently massaged into the skin.
After the massage, we recommend a warm shower using chickpea powder in place of soap or shower gel. The powder cuts through dirt and ‘excess’ oil on the skin, allowing the goodness of the oil to continue penetrating your skin.
90 min NZ$
Tranquil Oil Bath (Pizhichil)
Vata & healthy Pitta/Kapha
Floral Body Bath
all balanced dosha
In ancient India, bathing represented cleansing of the physical body and the spiritual self. Princesses and queens in ancient India were bathed in milk mixed with fresh herbs to moisturise their skin to perfection. It is believed that ritual bathing in the Ganges River purifies one’s soul. Ayurveda also tells us that bathing improves sleep, appetite and enthusiasm.
30 min NZ$
Ingredients: Warm/Hot water with Coconut milk, Honey, Rose, Jasmine or Rosemary
The tradition of bathing in milk was begun by queens in ancient India. Here at Serene A’veda we use coconut milk that takes on a double duty for your skin. It acts as a gentle exfoliator and moisturiser to hydrate Vata skin that is dry, adding protein and vitamins such as A & C. Honey in this bath also hydrates dry skin and provides antibacterial benefits. We add rose, jasmine, lavender flower petals together with rosemary or mint leaves either fresh or dry depending on the seasonal availability.
Choose your favorite essential oil from:
Rose, Rosemary, Jasmine or Sandalwood
Ingredients: Warm/Hot water with Coconut milk, Rose, Jasmine, Mint or Lavender
A herb and flower bath is perfect for soothing those who are Pitta natured. This is especially good in summertime, when Pitta influence is at its peak. Herbs such as mint and coriander are combined with rose or jasmine petals before being added to warm bathwater.
Choose your favorite essential oil from:
Rose, Lavender, Jasmine or Sandalwood
Ingredients: Warm/Hot water with Rose, Jasmine or Rosemary
This combination of herbs is traditional in the cold winter. Use year-round, but especially during the late winter and through spring, when Kapha influence is at its peak. A combination of ground mustard and fenugreek is added to bathwater together with rose & jasmine, flower petals together with rosemary leaves either fresh or dry depending on the seasonal availability.
Choose your favorite essential oil from:
Rose, Rosemary or Sandalwood
NOTE
Essential oils are potent substances. Please make sure you are not sensitive or allergic to the essential oils given above. These oils are for external use only.
Those with heart problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, inflammations, pregnant and other medical conditions should consult their doctor before taking a flower/herb bath.
Scrumptious Rice Pouch (Navara Kizhi)
Vata & healthy Pitta/Kapha
Navara is a native variety of red rice that has medicinal properties. Kizhi (pronounced kidee) is the name for little pouches or bundles of red rice. The rice is cooked in milk and tied into a pouch to massage your body. The warm pouch is rubbed on the body to generate heat and cause the whole body is made to perspire. This provides relief to stiff or sore muscles. It nourishes tissues, strengthens body muscles, reduces joint stiffness and improves digestion.
This massage involves changing into various positions and starts with a sitting position. Then we change to lying on back and on stomach.
Navara Kizhi, rejuvenates your skin, enhancing the complexion leaving it soft and glowing. Navara Kizhi is highly rejuvenating, nourishing and prepares the individual to bear the stresses of modern lifestyles.
After the massage, proceed to having a shower. We recommend using chickpea powder in place of soap or shower gel as it cuts through the dirt and the ‘excess’ oil on the skin. Therefore, the goodness of the oil will continue to penetrate through your skin.
90 min NZ$
Luxurious Exfoliation (Udavartana)
Dry: Kapha Wet: Vata
Udavartana is the Ayurveda body scrub that helps with clearing, conditioning and toning the skin, providing a glow and making the skin softer. It also stimulates the hair follicles and releases stagnant lymphatic toxins out of the body.
The whole body will then be massaged (scrubbed) with herbal powders (various herbs) which are mildly heated and massaged using upward strokes. This refreshing yet powerful treatment can be performed both dry and wet.
After the scrub, proceed to having a shower. We recommend using chickpea powder in place of soap or shower gel as it cuts through the dirt and the ‘excess’ oil on the skin. Therefore, the goodness of the oil will continue to penetrate through your skin.
90 min NZ$
Vasti
Vata dosha
Vasti is a special massage in which a small well is created over specific parts of your body to retain warm oil. This is profoundly penetrating for releasing pain, stiffness and muscle tension. A donut that is made out of wheat flour is used in this technique.
At Serene A’veda, we look at 3 areas to perform Vasti:
Kadi vasti – lower back
Greeva vast – upper back
Janu vasti – knees
Single vasti: 30 min NZ$
Upper & Lower back vasti: 30 min NZ$
I M P O R T A N T
We require 7 days prior notice for preparation.
We provide you with disposable underwear to use during the session. However, we recommend wearing old clothes and old underwear that you don’t mind getting oil on.
Allow a minimum of additional 30 minutes to re-connect after your Serenity massage. It is vital that you allow this time with yourself, so your body will be fully 'rekindled' and refreshed before you head home. During this time you will continue to absorb all that nourishment through the skin while enjoying some green porridge (kale, coconut milk, red rice, seasoning) and jaggery with a cup of herbal tea, green tea or a glass of coconut water (not suitable after Shanti) or simply a glass of warm water and the choice is yours!
Once you've had your Serenity massage, we recommend that you don't:
- drive more than 15km immediately after your session.
- get exposed to cold, windy and moist environment soon after your session.