The Importance of Touch In Ayurveda

As the world continues to move forward, humanity has gotten used to social isolation, lacking in touch and sensory experiences. Recent studies have found that people need the sense of touch for their physical and mental health, stability and self-confidence. In traditional Ayurveda, a holistic system of healthcare is practised, covering all aspects of life, the environment, the body and mind, the emotions and our awareness. Ayurveda Parkschlossen has given us an insight into how Ayurveda exceeds the purely physical touch.

 Touch is used in a targeted manner in Ayurvedic health care, in diagnostics and therapy, in the partner discipline yoga, in the conscious use of the senses in nutrition and including mindful awareness of the whole environment. The holistic use of touch leads to a life in balance and stability, thereby supporting long-term health and satisfaction. 

Society's lack Of Touch 

A lack of physical affection which is commonly seen in elderly and single people can lead to feelings of loneliness, estrangement, helplessness as well as to physical and mental problems. The way in which the world has become reliant on digital platforms means that it has taken over priority status before human encounters. It is becoming more and more common that the body and mind have been sorely neglected due to a lack of time and stress at work. In other cases, repressed emotions and problems in the past can be the reason for avoiding physical contact. 

Why Touch Is Vital For Survival

Many studies have now confirmed that the human being needs physical contact for their physical and mental health. Through the use of touch, there are many benefits which include:

• Promotes discipline, satisfaction, a positive train of thought and courage
• Reduces anxiety and has a calming effect 
• Lowers the cortisol level and reduces stress
• Alleviates depression 
• Alleviates chronic arthritic pain
• Strengthens the immune system
• Lowers blood pressure
• Has a supportive and alleviative effect in cases of cancer

The Concept Of Touch In Ayurveda

The use of touch in Ayurveda has an extremely profound effect on the body, mind and emotions. Touch generates feelings of well-being, relaxation, emotional harmonisation, security, comfort, belonging and stability. Through contact with the skin, the largest sensory organ, Ayurveda therapy can strengthen the immune system and the psyche, restore balance and aid regeneration. Touch does not only involve various forms of massages and materials such as oils, decoctions, powdered herbs but also touch is necessary to balance various disorders. During the therapy, touch is used to reactivate the healing mechanisms in the body and mind. The mind-set of the performing therapist and their energetic quality play a significant role in the positive effect of every touch. 

Touch In Everyday Culture

Touch also plays a significant role in our daily routine to preserve good health, in the form of self-application. Even before conception, during pregnancy and in baby massage, touch belongs to Ayurveda for genesis and health maintenance. In the everyday environment is it essential to steer one’s attention to sensory perception, to consciously listen, sense, and feel, but also relax and be a part of the whole. 

Touch In Nutrition

All senses are addressed when eating, the sense of taste, smell, touch and hearing. Nutrition touches the person as a whole. Particularly the flavour of a substance (Rasa) has a direct effect on the Doshas. 

Touch In Yoga

Touch is used in Yoga to transmit information from the instructor to the student by means of physical contact. The use of touch deepens the Yoga student’s experience, improves their alignment and leads to deeper relaxation, increased stability and greater stretching in their individual exercises. 

Touch at the Ayurveda Parkschlösschen means

• Touch from the minute you enter the silence of the hotel, to the warm welcome and honest openness, to the diagnostics and detailed words, right up to your individual Ayurveda therapy 
• Rituals of touch during the treatments 
• Mindfulness of the therapist 
• Yoga with touch 
• Food for and with all your senses 
• Empathetic members of staff