PINDA SWEDA

Pinda Sweda, Pottalī, Kizhi, or bolus massage, is a complete body detoxification therapy unique to Ayurveda. Fomentation, or the process of opening and cleansing your lymph and blood microchannels, is achieved using pottalī; little herb drums that encase herbal powder (churna), leaves (patra), rice (shali) or sand (valuka). Your Ayurvedic practitioner will decide which type of medicinal filling is best for you, your Prakriti (natural constitution), Vikriti (current health imbalances), and stage of disease.

The warmed pottalī are rhythmically tapped over the body in sequence, regulating the nervous system, then smoothed over the body with applied pressure. The scent of Ayurveda – of herbs and healing – fill the room as you zen-out to the tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, tap. Smooth, smooth, smooth. Repeat.

The treatment can be dry (rūksha) or oily (snigdha) depending on the imbalance, and are traditionally used in cases of:

• Lymphatic obstruction and swelling
• Heaviness, high Kapha and ama/toxin conditions
• Rheumatoid arthritis + osteoarthritis
• Bursitis
• Vata imbalances (e.g. insomnia, bloating)
• Body aches, pains, stiffness, strains
• Neuromuscular conditions
• Musculoskeletal conditions

This service is not for you if //

• You're pregnant
• You're menstruating

Each Modern Ayurvedic treatment is tailored to your constitution, needs or goals. These can change over the course of a series of treatments, so your herbal bolus ingredients may too.

The process //

• Constitution typing via e-Prakriti test emailed to with booking confirmation
• Assessment of your needs
• Formulation of your pottalī (usually the night before, or morning of, your treatment)
• Preparation of your body for treatment, with oil massage of head, face, hands and feet, and sometimes body (ailment dependent).

What to expect // 

The sequential tapping of pottalī begins with you laying on your back. We work from the centre of your body and intuition, the stomach, and travel up the side of the abdomen/chest and back down the arm.

The lower body is worked from the hip down the leg. Special attention is paid to each joint, the hinges that accumulate congestion.

You will then turn onto your stomach, and the sequence is repeated from the back of your body.

More localised treatment of specific injuries, pain, stiffness of joints is considered.

Note: according to ancient practice and traditional recipes, medicinal oils used may contain ghee or beeswax. You must let us know if you do not wish animal products to be used. We always have alternatives.

BOOKINGS

Book online by following this link.
Or call Madeleine on 1300 834 410.

PRICE + DURATION

$130 for 75mins

AFTERCARE

Bolus massage opens the channels of the body up. Every experience is a little different. It's important to go slow after your treatment, and minimise bodily contact with chemicals if possible. 

Do //

Go straight home

Maximise the treatment by delaying showering

Rest (though no napping)

Re-fuel with a simple, light, fresh, warm meal eg. basmati rice and vegetables

Re-hydrate (aim for 2L minimum) with tempered-warm water (not cold or carbonated)

Avoid //

Skin contact with chemicals (chlorine, unnatural skin care products or fake tans)

Excessive sun exposure

Unnecessary stresses; don't over commit yourself after treatment

Toxins (coffee, alcohol, processed foods)

Over-eating or cold, heavy (oily) and processed foods