My Journey; Ayurveda and Indian Head Massage

Ayurveda, an ancient healing practice from India, emphasises the importance of balance and harmony in the body, mind and soul. Very often Ayurvedic practitioners use elements of the earth to nurture and heal holistically. Lightly translated Ayurveda means the ‘science of life’ and over the years, I have found myself more and more interested in its philosophy.

MORE INFO ON AYURVEDA FROM YOUR BOOK!

Resource | The link below is from a Ted talk given by Dr B.M Hedge.

Why I'm talking about Ayurveda?

After working in the fast paced Film and Television Industry, experiencing various burnout, working super long days, rarely prioritising sleep, nutrition or even basic rest, it seemed pretty obvious that I would be attracted to a more ‘Ayurvedic’ way of life.  

I’m fascinated by energy (Chakras), especially the energy between people and I'm definitely more than a little obsessed with the mind, body, soul connection.

Back in 2015 I spent some time in Nepal, trekking 3 weeks to arrive at Everest Base Camp. This was at the beginnging of my journey into self discovery, and visiting Nepal was the start of my interest into Ayurveda. Nepal was magical. Every place I visited was steeped in spirituality, and the energy around me was always consistently calm. At that point in my life, I needed physical rest and recovery but I hadn’t realised how much I also needed a simpler mindset. The trek to base camp wasn’t without its challenges, both physically and mentally, however, over all it was pretty simple – walk, eat, sleep, repeat! There wasn’t much room for complicated headspace. I needed that, and believe that particular trip changed me from the inside out. Nepal and the Ayurvedic philosophy have stayed with me to this day.

Ayurvedic Postpartum Traditions

When I first became a mother, and had a challenging time, I wanted to tell the world. I posted online a lot, desperate to connect and have my story and experienced witnessed. Whilst this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, my mindset was on some form of ‘world domination’ and that drove a very anxious and overwhelming energy inside of me. Today my mindset couldn’t be more different. I’m driven to serve my community and keep things simple whilst always staying true to myself.

When I began training as a postpartum doula, I wanted to eventually bring Ayurvedic postpartum traditions into my practice due to the beautiful way that they value motherhood and childbirth. By prioritising the well-being of new mothers, nurturing them with care, support, and traditional remedies, Ayurveda demonstrates a deep respect for the sacred journey of bringing new life into the world. These customs not only benefit the mother and child but also serve to strengthen the fabric of the mothers community, promoting unity, compassion, and a sense of shared responsibility for the well-being of all its members.  Sounds incredible, right!  The UK could learn a lot from Ayurveda.  

Honouring Postpartum

Ayurveda postpartum rituals and practices are deeply rooted in the belief that the well-being of a new mother is crucial for the health of both herself and her newborn child.   The traditions are not only about caring for the physical needs of the mother but also about nurturing her emotional and spiritual well-being, creating a holistic approach to childbirth and motherhood.   One of the key elements of the postpartum traditions is supporting the new mother to rest and recover at home, where her community takes care of household tasks, or cooking meals etc. During this time, the mother is encouraged to focus on herself and her baby, while her loved ones take care of household chores and provide nourishing meals to help her regain her strength.  This period of rest is believed to be essential in allowing the mother to heal both physically and emotionally, preparing her for the challenges of motherhood ahead.

Another important aspect of Arvyada post-partum traditions is the emphasis on herbal remedies and treatments to support the mother’s recovery. Herbal baths, massages, and special teas made from traditional herbs are commonly used to promote healing and relaxation. These remedies are believed to help balance the mother’s energy, improve circulation, and boost her overall well-being. The use of these natural treatments reflects the deep connection that Ayurvedic culture has to the land and the healing properties of plants that have been used for generations.  Another big focus of Ayurvedic postpartum traditions is the importance of emotional support; offering the mother encouragement, companionship, guidance and helping to create a network of support for her, that extends beyond her immediate family.  Having this support can help new mothers to feel less isolated during what can be a vulnerable time.  What I love about this particular aspect of Ayurveda, is the belief that raising a child is a shared responsibility.  

Ayurveda postpartum traditions often incorporate rituals and ceremonies to mark the transition into motherhood (Matrescence).   Blessing ceremonies, naming ceremonies, and other symbolic acts are performed to welcome the new baby into the community and to honour the mother’s journey into parenthood. These rituals strengthen the importance of the community that surrounds the new mother.  

Ayurvedic Indian Head Massage

I recently became an Indian Head Massage Practitioner. I initially trained in this specific form of massage so I could offer my Doula clients a non intrusive treatment.

As soon as I began to practice, I fell deeply in love and knew instantly that this was my path - hands on body work. I haven't looked back. In both Indian and Nepalese culture, massage in the postpartum period is seen as a necessity, not a luxury and this is the energy I now bring into my new business.

It became crystal clear ;-) that creating a safe space for mothers to step away from the noise of daily life mattered to me deeply, probably because it was something I had longed for myself. And so I dove head first into setting up my home studio where clients can truly let go and come back to themselves.

Setting up a nurturing home studio was really important to me; I wanted a place that felt warm, held, and protective, where women could soften the minute they walked through the door. And the more I worked with my hands; easing stress, loosening tension, melting fear, and helping someone find their way back to themselves, the more I realised this wasn’t just a skill.

This is my life’s purpose.

What is it?

Indian Head Massage, also known as Champissage, is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment that originated in India over 5,000 thousands of years ago. This form of massage therapy focuses on the head, neck, and shoulders, and offers a range of physical, emotional and mental health benefits (I have listed some of them below)

The gentle massage techniques used in Indian Head Massage promotes relaxation, improves blood circulation and sleep. It can relieve headaches and muscle tension. And in case you are like me and want to know the science behind HOW it helps with this, here you go :-)

Promotes Relaxation

Indian Head Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system, the body’s natural “rest and digest” mode. This lowers cortisol, slows the heart rate, and signals to the whole system that it’s safe to let go. That’s why people can drop into a deep, almost meditative calm state.

Improves Blood Circulation

The gentle, rhythmic movements stimulate blood flow to the scalp, neck, and shoulders. Better circulation means more oxygen and nutrients reach the brain and surrounding tissues, which can improve clarity, ease heaviness, and support overall wellbeing.

Supports Better Sleep

Because the massage calms the nervous system and reduces cortisol, the body is able to shift into a more restful state. It also boosts serotonin and melatonin, those amazing hormones connected to sleep, which will help you fall asleep more easily and stay asleep more deeply.

Relieves Headaches + Muscle Tension

Tension in the scalp, jaw, neck, and shoulders can restrict blood flow and irritate nerves, which often triggers headaches. Indian Head Massage releases these tight muscles, reduces pressure, and improves circulation, easing pain and preventing tension from building up again.

I have a video on my IG which goes through an Ayurvedic facial, check it out here;

Heather Newman Wellness

For a mother post-childbirth, an Indian Head Massage is deeply valuable in the healing and recovery process because it can help alleviate tension and stress which, as we all know, are common problem areas for many mothers, due to the demands of caring for a newborn, struggling from sleep deprivation and the constant chaos, and uncertainty, that comes from that newborn stage.

The great news is....I don’t just treat new mothers. My treatments are for any mother, at any stage of her journey; the exhausted ones, the overwhelmed ones, the ones rediscovering themselves years later, the ones who’ve carried far more than they ever admit out loud. Every mother deserves to be cared for, not just in the early days, but through every version of herself she grows into.

And even better news...I treat men too. Stress, tension, fear, emotional load, they don’t discriminate. Anyone who walks through my door is met with the same grounding presence, the same warmth, and the same intention: to support them in softening, releasing, and coming back home to themselves.

In Conclusion

Becoming a postpartum doula was never a straight line for me, it was a path carved by my own postpartum experience, the unraveling and rebuilding, the ache for support I didn’t know how to ask for, and the fierce clarity that came after. That journey is what eventually led me to Indian Head Massage and hands-on healing work. It showed me how powerful it is when someone meets you where you are, holds space for you, and helps you come back into your body.

Now, I treat anyone who needs that kind of reset, mothers at every stage of their journey, and men too, because stress, overwhelm, and emotional load don’t belong to just one group. But at the heart of it all, my work will always honour women/mothers. They are the root of my healing, my purpose, and the reason I stepped into this path with so much intention. Supporting mothers will always be the thread that runs through everything I do.

Indian Head Massage offers a beautiful moment of rejuvenation for mothers after childbirth. It softens tension, restores depleted energy, and brings a sense of calm back into a time that can feel so chaotic. And the truth is super simple: when a mother feels content, supported, relaxed, and confident, everyone around her benefits.

When a mother thrives, EVERYONE thrives!