Higher Qualification News – Advanced Diploma in Indian Champissage
LCICI – London Centre for Indian Champissage International
May – August 2016
Indian Champissage is traditionally passed down the generations as a way of caring & maintaining social bonds
Indian Head Massage (IHM) is one of my absolute favourite treatments to receive so was naturally the first training I took after qualifying professionally. This initial course at Neal’s Yard Remedies is very highly regarded, but is a slightly more Westernized version of more traditional Indian Champissage, using oils & requiring the client to partially undress. So two years on I decided to advance my skills & take the original course with the school that first bought the treatment to the Western World back in the 1970’s.
History
Traditionally head massage in India has a very ancient history. As a part of the much wider holistic practice of Ayurvedic medicine it was first mentioned in texts a staggering 4,000 years ago. Ayurveda is defined as ‘a way of life, aiming to bring spiritual, mental and physical health’, coming from the Sanskrit words ‘Ayur’ meaning life and ‘veda’ meaning knowledge.
In India it has a rich & varied heritage, it being traditional for the bride & groom to receive Champissage before their wedding. Amongst women it is often passed down the generations as a way of caring & maintaining social bonds, with oils being applied to the scalp, & particularly the hair to keep it strong, healthy, luxuriant & lustrous. Amongst men the ‘champi’ (from which we derive the word ‘shampoo’) is a regular part of grooming at the barbers – a stimulating massage to invigorate & revive.
Champissage in the West – The Birth of Indian Head Massage
Narendra Mehta MBE – founder of the London Centre of Indian Champissage International
Blind since the age of one, Narendra Mehta MBE came to the UK in 1973 to learn physiotherapy, Britain being one of the few countries offering such training. Dismayed to find his favourite type of massage simply did not exist here he went back to India to study it in detail so that he could introduce it to the West. Strictly speaking there is no one type of ‘Indian Head Massage’ (a Western term) in India but many forms of ‘Champissage’ are practised. Narendra spent years researching them in order to devise a routine for the entire upper body & energy centres. He then established the London Centre for Indian Champissage International (LCICI) in order to teach Indian Champissage, Facial Rejuvenation (which I also offer, please click here for more details) & Ayurvedic Foot Massage.
Head Massage vs. Champissage – just what is the difference?
The two treatments have a lot of similarities, but still differ in essentials. Both are seated & focus on the shoulders, neck, scalp & face, inducing a sense of deep relaxation. However, whereas IHM involves undressing, the use of oil & predominant use of effleurage strokes, Champissage is a dry treatment, employing a much wider range of techniques, such as hacking, cupping & a wide use of frictions; it also has a much deeper focus on the balancing of the chakras & energy centres of the upper body
‘Indian Champissage is incredibly relaxing – I literally had to stop a client from falling out of their chair with sleep only the other day!’
Indian Champissage – The Easy Treatment
Indian Champissage can be incredibly relaxing
Treatments are very easy:
- Seated
- No need to undress
- No oils or specialist equipment
- Can be quick if required: 20 – 30 minutes
- Physical treatment: covers upper body – shoulders; upper arms; neck, head, scalp, face
- Mental treatment: balancing – can stimulate & energize or deeply relax
- Energy treatment: comforts & rebalances the flow of energy, promoting feelings of calmness
Length of treatment can vary to clients taste & can last 45 minutes-1 hour, but are also easily managed in 20-30 minutes so are ideal if you don’t have much time, need to fit it in around work, care or children or just fancy a quick treatment at lunchtime to de-stress.
Benefits
There are so many! Just a few are listed below but for the full & extensive range please click here
- Reduction of aches, pains & joint stiffness in upper body
- Increased range of movement
- Relief of facial/jaw tension, tension & cluster headaches
- Increases blood supply & improves circulation – especially to scalp & hair follicles
- Hair can become more lustrous, rich & shiny with regular treatments
- Decrease stress – can enter deep states of tranquility & relaxation. Clients can feel renewed, refreshed & recharged
- Aids removal of waste products, excess fluids & toxins
- Percussion/tapotement techniques e.g cupping, hacking & champi – can help to clear lungs
- Frequently reported better quality & quantity of sleep
- Designed to work with chakras (subtle energy centres of the body) balancing & aligning them to help restore balance & equilibrium
Indian Champissage increases the circulation to the scalp & stimulate the hair follicles improving the condition of hair
On-Site Treatments & Taster Sessions
Many of us experience what are known as 21st century problems: stress, tension, headaches, fatigue, neck & shoulder aches & pains. Indian Champissage offers an excellent & highly effective way to help with these issues. Due to the ease of treatments given above it makes it ideal for use in public spaces such as offices, care homes, community centres, events, for taster sessions & pamper parties – for more information please click here
If you feel that you would be interested trying Indian Champissage on-site please contact me
Special Offer
In order to celebrate my higher Diploma qualification I am now offering Indian Champissage special introductory offers – book now to take advantage before they expire!
£20 for 30 minutes or £30 for 45 minutes (shorter or longer available on request)
(For first treatment take £10 off for the special introductory rate)
Book a course of 5 treatments – Receive 6th Free!
Please contact me to book – you just need to find half an hour of your time 🙂
