Have you ever dreamt of a massage that not only relaxes your body but also rejuvenates your mind and spirit? Enter Ayurvedic Yoga Massage. In this interview, Mystic Mag delves into the world of this transformative therapy with James Winstanley, a passionate practitioner and educator.
When did you first know that Ayurvedic Yoga Massage was your calling and how did it come about?
After graduating with a degree in Massage Therapy from the Swedish Institute in NYC in 2003, I worked at a medical center in Manhattan, where I honed my skills by working with people who had various injuries and conditions. Although the work was very interesting, I felt a desire to learn more techniques, which I believed must be out there.
I had visited India before in my early twenties and felt a strong calling to return to explore Ayurvedic massage. So, I flew from NYC to Delhi and found a few schools in India that taught traditional Ayurvedic treatments, such as Abhyanga, Marma Point Massage, and Shirodhara. These treatments were entirely new to me and vastly different from the Western medical massage techniques I had learned in NYC, but they still didn’t quite satisfy what my hands (and soon-to-be feet) were craving.
By chance (though nothing happens by chance), I met someone on that trip who was practicing Ayurvedic Yoga Massage, a technique I had never heard of before.
I booked a session and immediately realized that this was exactly what I had been searching for.
What services do you offer?
Accredited Ayurvedic Yoga Massage ( AYM) therapist trainings , Accredited Table Yoga Massage ( TYM ) therapist trainings & AYM + TYM private sessions.
What exactly is Ayurvedic Yoga Massage and how different it is compared to the conventional one?
Ayurvedic Yoga Massage (AYM) combines deep tissue massage with coordinated breath and assisted yoga stretching.
Similar to Thai massage, it is performed on a mat allowing for a full range of stretching.
The deep tissue massage dissolves physical tension, while the assisted stretches and breath realign the body and stimulate the natural flow of energy.
AYM brings together deep tissue massage, given with both the hands and the feet and delivered on the floor, with passive yoga asana to create a totally unique all-encompassing treatment.
How did you manage to fuse Yoga with Massage into one singular treatment?
Master Kusum Modak, the creator of Ayurvedic Yoga Massage and my teacher, studied under BKS Iyengar for many years. She combined the yoga master’s approach to the setup of asanas and adjustments with her own knowledge of traditional Ayurvedic massage, which she learned from an Ayurvedic doctor in her town, to create this unique bodywork modality. In 2009 I set up my own school, the Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Institute with a friend & fellow student, to share this dynamic and hard to find massage technique in the UK & Europe.
What can a person expect from your sessions?
An AYM session begins with a deep tissue massage using a small amount of sesame oil. Unlike traditional Ayurvedic massages, which generally use a larger quantity of medicated oils, the therapist employs both hands and feet to utilize their body weight, delivering long, flowing strokes that warm up the fascia and larger muscle groups of the back, arms, and legs.
After the oil application, Acorus calamus, a topical Ayurvedic herb, is applied to the skin to stimulate blood circulation and eliminate toxins from the body. In India, calamus is widely used with newborn babies as an infant nerve tonic, while in adults, it is known to stimulate circulation and detoxify the system. In Ayurveda, it is also recognized for its ability to help with concentration, often referred to as aiding in the ‘digestion of the mind,’ which is essential for managing the overstimulation and hyperactivity of modern life.
Once the muscles are massaged and softened, the session systematically progresses to assisted yoga stretches. These stretches help lengthen the muscles, soft tissues, ligaments, and tendons, further increasing blood flow. This promotes a healing response as fresh blood carries nutrients and delivers synovial fluid to the targeted areas, lubricating the joints.
Throughout an AYM session, the therapist encourages coordinated breathing with each deep stroke and stretch. This practice helps to dissolve physical and emotional blocks, eliminate toxins, promote correct posture, improve respiratory patterns, enhance energy levels, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system, leaving the receiver with a profound sense of well-being. This powerful modality effectively addresses the imbalances experienced in modern life, where many people are living in a near-constant state of sympathetic nervous system activation, the fight-or-flight response.
The Ayurvedic Yoga Massage Institute UK offers an accredited bodywork qualification that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to confidently deliver a full-body, holistic, floor-based massage that honors its heritage and roots in India, connecting to the original masters. The institute offers workshops and diploma training for both beginners and those with prior experience who want to learn the authentic Indian AYM techniques to incorporate into their professions or share with family and friends.
This training can serve as an alternative path for those looking to start a career in massage or for yoga teachers who wish to develop a deeper understanding and confidence in making adjustments during yoga classes.
What do you love most about your profession?
Wow, so much, where to start !
As a teacher It brings me immense joy to share knowledge that has an immediate impact on my students’ bodies and energy during classes.
It’s truly an honor to witness the personal transformations, both physical and energetic in the groups and to see how friendships form during the classes.
Hearing how students directly apply the skills they’ve learned, to give their own massage sessions, helping everyone they work with, and how this also benefits them financially through their clients, is incredibly rewarding. I love all of the above
As a therapist giving massage treatments comes from a genuine wish to help people to feel better,
On a personal level it stimulates me mentally, physically and spiritually. I love that.
The AYM Institute offers an accredited bodywork qualification that equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to confidently deliver a full-body, holistic, floor-based massage that honors its heritage and roots in India, connecting to the original masters. The institute offers workshops and diploma training for both beginners and those with prior experience who want to learn the authentic Indian AYM techniques to incorporate into their professions or share with family and friends.
This training can serve as an alternative path for those looking to start a career in massage or for yoga teachers who wish to develop a deeper understanding and confidence in making adjustments during yoga classes.
