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Shirodhara (शिरोधारा) comes from two Sanskrit words: shiro (head) and dhara (flow). During the therapy, warm herbal oil flows in a thin, steady stream onto your forehead for 30 to 45 minutes.
Step by step
- You lie on your back on a wooden Ayurvedic table, with your eyes covered by soft cotton.
- A brass pot (the dhara patra) hangs above your head.
- Warm oil flows onto the forehead, moving slowly from side to side.
- The session often begins or ends with a gentle head and shoulder massage.
What does it feel like?
Most people describe the first few minutes as "strange but nice". Within ten minutes the steady warmth and rhythm usually bring a deep, dream-like calm. Some guests fall asleep.
Why people book Shirodhara
In Ayurveda, Shirodhara is traditionally used to calm an overactive mind. Guests commonly book it for:
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Work or exam stress
- Tension headaches
- Feeling mentally "wired and tired"
It is a relaxation therapy, not a medical treatment. If you have a diagnosed sleep or anxiety condition, keep following your doctor's advice and use Shirodhara as support.
Aftercare
Keep the oil in your hair for a few hours, cover your head if it is cold or windy, and wash with warm (not hot) water. Avoid screens and loud places for the rest of the evening if you can; it helps the calm last longer.
Shirodhara needs our special table and brass pot, so it is available at the Boring Road spa only. It is also part of our popular Shanti Ritual.
This article is for general wellness information only and is not medical advice. Please consult a doctor for any health concern.
