Beauty is all in the head!

Feeling stressed out? Tense & nervous headache?

Well reach for the 'Indian Head Massage' book by Narendra Mehta.

You may not have realised amidst the sleazy image the word "massage" invokes that Indian head massages are a real stress-busting treat. OK, so you might remember being massaged with oil as a baby; or remember your granny asking you to give her head or feet a massage, but this book is new science applied to ancient body healing. Technically it has even got its own name - "Champissage". Why a French word I wondered? Perhaps because the French terms sound better?

Indian Head Massage
Published by Thorsons
ISBN 0 7225 3940 1
150 pages
Price £12.99
Reviewed by Lopa Patel.

Still champissage is dubbed "a wonderfully relaxing therapy based on the ancient Ayurvedic healing system". Being "champi-ed" means having your head massaged. An art that has been practised in India for over a thousand years and lately in my own home, although I'm told that my neck champissage is more akin to a throttling!

Narendra Mehta's book is beautifully illustrated and will guarantee you instant popularity among friends and colleagues if you can learn the techniques. The books outlines in plain English the development of Indian Head Massage; it explains stress with some cute case histories (do we need stress explained one wonders?) and then launches into basic massage techniques.

Photographs, combined with skeletal drawings and sketches ensure that even a novice will get a hang of champissage very quickly. Terms like 'windscreen wiper', 'ruffling', 'plucking', 'hacking', 'heel roll' and 'tabla player' when applied to massage add a touch of wry humour to the art.

There is a whole chapter devoted to sensual massage, among consenting adults no doubt, that is guaranteed to bring you closer. "By reciprocal indulgence their love endures" it quotes from the Kama Sutra. Rest assured that a hacking action will revive your partner should sleep endure more than love!

For those who are "folliclely challenged" there is a section explaining how massage can help hair growth. There is also a chapter devoted to the relief of muscular strain injuries which massage can undoubtedly alleviate. The book ends with techniques for self-massage (Uni-champissage peut être?) and cautions on when Indian Head Massage should be avoided.

A definite treat to read even if you don't get a massage out if it!

Narendra Mehta is an osteopath and massage therapist. He runs the London Centre of Indian Champissage at The Eastern Health & Beauty Centre, 136 Holloway Road, London N7 8DD Tel: 020 7609 3590 & Fax: 020 7607 4228

Click here to buy this book now!

Indian Head Massage - Discover the power of touch. Published by Thorsons. ISBN 0 7225 3940 1 150 pages, Price £12.99