The History Behind Champissage

              by Laurie English

Ever been homesick? Nostalgic? Wanting that special something you remember vividly and fondly from your past? Well, that’s the story behind the creation of Champissage:Indian Head Massage. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

HINDU ROOTS

Herbal Essences Shampoo got it right – the pure bliss of lathering, caressing and stimulating our locks to a gleaming lustrous shine. ‘Shampoo’ comes from the Hindi word “champi” meaning head massage and is the root of the aptly named therapy – Champissage (a type of Indian head massage).

AN OLD TRADITION

 
From Grandmothers to mothers to children, weekly head massages afforded close social intimacy and beautification.  And, aren’t Indian women renowned for their beautifully thick and long hair?

An ancient technique, head massage is done privately in homes by women and done publicly at the beaches and barbershops of India by the men.  There are different styles of head massage.  Women tend to practice head massage with the intent of beautifying, strengthening and growing the hair.  Men, typically barbers, practice head massage as an invigorating and therapeutic stress-reliever for their clients.

Everyone did it differently.  As well they should. But what would you have done? Thousands of miles away from your native home and missing something you took for granted – that familiar, mind-melting touch you’d experienced since childhood.

While getting bodywork, therapists told him the “body” was from the neck down.  Hair dressers didn’t know what he was talking about.  Homesick and abroad, Narendra Mehta made a decision: he’d bring India to him.  People didn’t even know what they were missing.

Studying Indian Head Massage

Narendra missed his regular head massages. In 1978, he returned to India to research the ancient art of head massage. He studied it wherever it was practiced. And although he enjoyed being worked on, he felt that there was something missing -- the effects were too short lived.

Barbers focused on the scalp and women focused on the hair. In addition, everyone who worked with Narendra had his or her own individual technique, which had been handed down and developed through the generations. He decided that he would systematize the techniques and introduce an Ayurvedic balancing component using work with the three higher chakras (energy vortices): ¬ Vishuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara.

Narendra knew that working on the head brings tremendous relaxation and stress-relief . Plus, head massage with oil serves as an excellent hair conditioner. Thus, Indian Champissage™ was developed from an ancient practice to become an excellent contemporary therapy designed to treat the whole person.

Champissage was introduced by Narendra at the 1981 ‘Mind, Body and Spirit’ exhibition at Olympia, England. One hundred and seventy-nine stressed clients came to Narendra’s stand; 179 recharged and relaxed clients left. For the next several years, the Champissage routine was modified and enhanced thanks to client feedback.Today, Champissage is a set routine lasting 30 minutes. Champissage Training is now provided worldwide.

Narendra Mehta founded the London Centre of Indian Champissage International (LCICI) to promote his technique. Champissage USA is one of three national trainers in the United States representing the LCICI.

Laurie English is the founder of SpaNomad: Traveling Spa and International Training and Champissage USA. She is a nationally recognized expert of Indian head massage having written several published articles, appeared on radio programs and is featured in Ayurvedic books. To contact her regarding Champissage trainings, call 505-490-0591.