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HISTORY & PHILOSOPHY

Kusum Modak Method – Ayurvedic Yoga Therapeutic Massage was created by Master Kusum Modak, a very singular Indian woman who overcame the cultural challenges of her generation through the force of her work. Kusum was the very first to weave together Ayurvedic massage and yoga practice.

She had just graduated in Arts when she first met Mr Limaye, a wise and renowned massage therapist in Pune City. Limaye, seeing a lot of potential in Kusum, followed his intuition and spontaneously invited her to become his massage assistant.

Meanwhile, Kusum’s health was in poor condition, and she decided to embrace yoga to restore her health at the Ramamani Iyengar Yoga Institute, under the guidance of the venerated Guruji B.K.S. Iyengar. This practice lasted for more than two decades, during which she developed a unique knowledge through her own body of the ways yoga stretches could be integrated into the massages.

Her unique movements and stretches differentiate her technique from all other Indian traditions, and her teachings have spread worldwide, especially in Brazil.

I owe all of my gratitude, love and respect to Master Kusum.

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DESCRIPTION

P1030698Kusum Modak Method – Ayurvedic Yoga  Massage Therapy is a special bodywork therapy that combines ancient Indian massage with stretches inspired by Iyengar Yoga. It is a deep and vigorous treatment which uses the rhythms of one’s breath as a compass. This vast technique combines hundreds of movements that unlock sensations and energies, releasing tensions and eliminating toxins, acting as a powerful healer for posture alignment, fatigue, panic attack, distress or any kind of physical or emotional pain. Furthermore, it helps to return the body and mind to their natural equilibrium and state of well-being.

THE EXPERIENCE

cumbucas squareThe treatment takes place on a special mat set in a room scented with handpicked aromatherapy oils. Over the course of a one-hour session, Purnima works in a meditative state to connect with the body and intuitively guide her massage. She uses vegetable oil combined with a natural and medicinal root powder to warm up the muscles and exfoliate the skin. During the massage, she uses the rhythm of her breath combined with the client’s  breath to perform stretches using her hands, forearms, elbows and feet. This technique brings a beautiful awareness and flows within the body and a wholly cleansing peace and vitality.

KUSUM MODAK METHOD AND STRESS MANAGEMENT

Relaxing-Holistic-Massage-1Harmful stress is not always easy to pinpoint. It manifests itself in our breath, our sleep, our eating habits, our communication and most importantly, our presence. It often originates from a loss of control over accelerating areas in our lives. Taking actions such as short vacations, visits to the gym or a good night’s sleep might not be enough to resolve accumulated tensions when one has reached a state of unmanageable stress or distress that requires a deeper intervention.

Kusum Modak Method is an exceptional tool for stress management that surpasses many other types of therapies by virtue of its holistic approach. It addresses all levels of distress (physical, emotional and mental) through deep breathing and stretching. And the powerful connections that it creates within the body revive the patient’s sense of feeling.

Accumulating tensions in the physical body can block the free flow of vital energies and induce distress in the endocrine system, causing the glands to secrete unbalanced levels of hormones. By initiating deep relaxation, the Kusum Modak Method has delivered excellent results in readjusting neurotransmitters and restoring the flow of energies and hormone levels. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for the body’s ability to recuperate from stress.

These benefits will reflect in your mood, confidence, well-being, concentration, body awareness and vitality and be felt not only during the treatment but for days afterwards. Most importantly, the treatment will bring a lasting sense of security and integrity, which is essential to stress management.

THE BENEFITS

P1030841Kusum Modak Method embraces and helps to balance the movement of energies within the body. This treatment can be applied to all Doshas (our nature in Ayurveda science). Among many other benefits, it is reputed to:

–  Improve the lymphatic and blood circulation and pulmonary function;

–  Eliminate toxins;

–  Lubricate the joints and enhance the body’s mobility;

–  Tone the muscles;

–  Promote posture alignment;

–  Regulate hormonal levels; and

–  Strengthen the immune system.

 

Moreover, it has positive results on emotional and mental states. It can act as a powerful healer too, amongst others:

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– Release and let go of old memories and trauma;

–  Create awareness in the body;

–  Fight depression;

–  Relieve stress and its effects (sleep disorders, anxiety, fear and fatigue);

–  Complement conventional therapies in case of panic disorder;

–  Regain self-confidence and trust in life;

–  Soothe, relax and bring centeredness.

 

FAQs

A: There are three main differences between AYTM and other forms of massages. First, it is a therapeutic massage with a holistic approach, which addresses all physical, emotional and mental levels. Secondly, the therapist performs the massage on a mat whilst using not only her hands but also her feet. And finally, the client should breathe consciously and actively during the sessions, as the breathwork helps to relax and extend the yoga stretches.

A: The massage demands your presence in order to feel the work and changes taking place within your body. Your conscious breaths help you stay in the present moment and relax during the stretches whilst your pulsation guides the therapist’s movements. It is best to approach the massage as a collaborative effort where your breath helps the therapist perform his technique. Therefore, there is no value in being completely passive in receiving the massage and stopping the conscious breathing means resisting the therapist’s work.  Breath is life and should always be taken into consideration, especially during deep treatments such as these!

A: I use pure carrier organic oil, often blended with 100% pure essential oils. A combination of the oil and natural root power is used on the entire body, which gives it a nice scrub. The massage does not leave the skin oily, and a shower is unnecessary after the treatment.

A: The original name of the powder is Vekhand, often called calamus in English. It is a natural antiseptic root from the same family as ginger. I use it to warm up the muscles for the massage stretches. It is also great for stimulating blood circulation and draining toxins out of the body.

A: Shorts or underwear are best advised since the treatment is performed directly onto the skin. Towels are used to cover the body and moved around so that the areas currently massaged are the only exposed.

A: During the first session, I will be learning about the particularities of your body and your body’s reaction to the treatment. You should already notice a difference in your everyday posture. As you progress with the sessions, the stretches will go deeper, and you will feel great physical and emotional benefits. You should always trust and listen to your body’s responses. In some cases, I recommend that patients schedule a few sessions in succession at the beginning of treatment.

A: During the session, but especially at the end, you will feel a very intense relaxation that will last for days afterwards. If we are able to work together with the breathing and your sense of feeling, and you are able to unleash your resistance, you should be able to feel a sensation of switching off at the end of the treatment, similar to the feeling of getting a perfect night of deep restorative sleep.
The massage does not create any pain in the body, but working on tensions that have been accumulating for a long time might make you experience some temporary discomfort. This is a step-by-step process, and you should soon feel its great benefits.

A: If you have any sort of infection, fever or cancer, it is not advisable to receive the massage. You should also get the approval of your doctor to receive treatment after surgery or childbirth. Any other health circumstance can be handled by giving special consideration to each patient’s situation and adjusting the massage accordingly.

A: Absolutely! Provided that your health is well and that you have completed at least three months of pregnancy. Also, once the baby is born, the massage is really effective in releasing fatigue, shoulder pain from carrying and feeding the baby and regaining quality sleep. In the emotional realm, the massage can help recover from postpartum depression and ’empty feelings’.

A: I recommend a specific massage for babies and children called Shantala. I have prepared a special section on this website for this purpose.

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“Purnima is a very gifted and skilled Kusum Modak Metodh practitioner. I am always impressed with her ability to instruct you through the motions and positions whilst maintaining complete relaxation. The feeling during and after an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapeutic Massage is like nothing else I have experienced with other massages. Ayurvedic Yoga Therapeutic Massage is now a regular routine in my life, and I always look forward to the next session with Purnima.”
John Reid, IT Engineer
“Getting a massage with Purnima is a unique and powerful experience. She is a truly gifted massage therapist and she beautifully communicates her holistic view of the body and mind. Her every gesture, from the initial chat, to the carefully chosen oils, massage and final relaxation/mediation, are filled with love, warmth and care. The breathing technique that she uses during the entire massage is singular but accessible to everyone, and adds to the richness of the experience. During the massage, she engages with the body organically and somehow finds a way to let your energy flow naturally. She has taught me to listen, recognize and cherish the true sensations in my body and find responses to emotions and pain. She is also full of amazing health tips. But what I appreciate the most is that I can come to her in any given state of mind or physical disposition. She embraces it and finds the perfect way to invigorate, cleanse and release my energy, and it always feels so right. I would not trade my massages with Purnima for anything; they are this world’s best-kept secret! And she is herself one of the kindest and most loving and authentic person I have met.”
Catherine Métayer, Magazine Designer
“I’ve got to recommend my dear friend and therapist  Purnima Lílian Cordeiro. She gave me a Ayurvedic Yoga Therapeutico Massage yesterday that really sorted me out. I love our sessions, Pur. You are fabulous!!! Thank you”
Carolyne Ratund, naturopath nutritionist