Training for professionals
Ayurvedic Massage Training for Spa and Massage Therapists
Abhyanga, shirodhara and kizhi have long been on spa menus, but usually in a simplified form. Learn the original where it's done every day: in a working Kerala clinic, from doctors and therapists. Including the contraindications that matter most in a spa with no doctor on hand.
Who it’s for
- Spa therapists and spa managers whose menu already lists “Ayurvedic massage” and who want to understand what they’re doing.
- Massage therapists looking for a premium treatment with a story of its own.
- Beauty therapists: oil massage of the face and head, shirodhara.
- Yoga teachers and bodywork practitioners who run retreats.
How the original differs from the spa version
In a spa, abhyanga is often just an oil massage with an Ayurvedic name. In a Kerala clinic it is a treatment with rules: seven body positions, direction and pressure adapted to the person, a warm medicated oil chosen for their condition, and clear cases where it must not be done. The same goes for shirodhara: the vessel, height, temperature and duration are not decoration here. More in the article Ayurvedic massage: abhyanga.
What you take back to work
- Treatments: abhyanga, head, face and foot massage, shirodhara, heat treatments; on the month-long course also kizhi, udvartana, pizhichil.
- Oils: which oils are used for what, and how to make a medicated oil with your own hands.
- Contraindications and red flags. There’s no doctor in a spa, so deciding whether a treatment is safe will be up to you.
- Client intake: interview, assessment, session plan, record card.
- Pricing and practice: how to fit the treatments into your menu without wearing out your back. We talk openly about the physical limits of hands-on work.
Which course to choose
- Two-week course: if you want to expand your menu with abhyanga and shirodhara.
- Month-long course: if you want the full set of Kerala treatments and client work.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a medical background?
No. The courses are open to people without medical training. If you already have massage experience, the first week goes faster because your hands are already trained.
Can I add these treatments to a spa menu after the course?
Massages and external treatments (abhyanga, head and foot massage, shirodhara, kizhi) a graduate performs independently, provided the contraindications are observed. Panchakarma cleansing procedures are only done on a doctor's prescription and are not for the spa. The rules for practicing depend on the laws of your country.
Which course should I choose: two weeks or a month?
Two weeks give you abhyanga, head, face and foot massage, shirodhara and oil making: enough to expand your menu. The month adds pizhichil, kizhi, udvartana and other Kerala treatments, client work and protocols.
What about the certificate?
The certificate is issued by the clinic where you trained: syllabus, hours and exam result.
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