Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to gather client information, prepare equipment for treatment, and then provide Ayurvedic therapeutic treatments such as abhyanga, shirodhara and kati basti.
This unit applies to individuals who provide Ayurvedic massage, either as part of their work as a dedicated Ayurvedic practitioner, or in conjunction with other treatment modalities.
The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State/Territory legislation, Australian/New Zealand standards and industry codes of practice.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements define the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Gather client information | 1.1 Collect and document information about client general health according to legal requirements and Ayurvedic framework 1.2 Review information to inform massage approach 1.3 Manage information and records in a confidential and secure manner |
2. Prepare client, self and environment | 2.1 Prepare the client for treatment following infection control procedures and with appropriate draping and confirm comfort levels 2.2 Advise client of possible physical or emotional reactions both during and after treatment 2.3 Access and organise appropriate equipment and materials for treatment 2.4 Select and safely prepare Ayurvedic massage oils, pastes and powders according to assessment 2.5 Check room ambience and temperature following Ayurvedic principles 2.6 Maintain own health through use of self care pre treatment routines |
3. Select and use Ayurvedic techniques and sequences | 3.1 Determine appropriate techniques based on Ayurvedic health assessment 3.2 Follow therapeutic protocols according to Ayurvedic practice 3.3 Recognise reactions to treatment and provide appropriate response |
4. Finalise treatment and advise client | 4.1 End the treatment using appropriate protocols 4.2 Provide client with information on recommended follow up activities 4.3 Answer client queries with clarity, using appropriate language |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must show evidence of the ability to complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the job role. There must be evidence that the candidate has:
performed the activities outlined in the performance criteria of this unit during a period of at least 200 hours of Ayurvedic client consultation work
prepared for and managed at least 25 different Ayurvedic bodywork sessions. Clients must include males and females from different stages of life
provided Ayurvedic therapeutic treatment according to the Ayurvedic framework:
obtained required client information prior to treatment
evaluated and responded appropriately to any contraindications
selected and used herbalised oils appropriate to the client
selected and used techniques and sequences according to established Ayurvedice practice, including:
abyhanga
shirodhara
kati basti
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must be able to demonstrate essential knowledge required to effectively complete tasks outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage tasks and manage contingencies in the context of the work role. This includes knowledge of:
principles of Ayurvedic framework and therapies
legal and ethical considerations (national and state/territory) for bodywork therapies:
codes of conduct
duty of care
infection control
informed consent
mandatory reporting
practitioner/client boundaries
privacy, confidentiality and disclosure
records management
work role boundaries
working within scope of practice
presenting symptoms that require referral to a medical practitioner
work health and safety
client information required prior to relaxation treatment
stress
allergies
current prescription medication/self medication/supplementation
vikruti (inherited and congenital)
general appetite and sleep patterns
aches and pains
recent emotional/physical trauma
influence of alcohol/drugs
self care routines and when to use them:
chanting mantras
prayer
meditation
music
yoga
pranayama
factors to consider in assessment and how to respond:
age - infants, children, young adult, adults, elders
demographic
gender specific issues
physical/mental strength, gunas, vikruti
agni
dosha
vikruti (including inherited and congenital)
features of Ayuredic abhyanga
definitions
history of massage
types of massage
time, frequency and duration
types of touch e.g. heavy, light, friction
massage and constitution
fomentation, swedana
use of oils
curing oils
types of abhyanga/snehana (the application of base or medicated oil, herbal paste, decoction, herbal chooranas, ubtans and lepas to the body)
protocols for conducting Ayurvedic therapeutic techniques in relation to:
environment
equipment
massage oils and powders
protocol
client privacy
responding to client instructions
precautions to be taken in Ayurvedic massage
basic structure and function of systems and regions of the body within Ayurvedic framework:
agni, ama, vikruti, srotarodha, saptadhatu, updhatus
mental gunas (emotional states in response to stress, trauma and pain)
possible reactions and contra-indications and when to refer to a medical practitioner:
physical, emotional, mental trauma or illness
intoxication
pain
Assessment Conditions
Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated clinical environment that reflects workplace conditions. The following conditions must be met for this unit:
use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
Ayruvedic base, essential and herbal oils, herbal pastes and powders and equipment to process, decant, mix, stir, measure, apply, remove and dispense the same
suitable droni, massage table where these therapies may be provided
shiridhara and other snehna therapy equipment
Ayurvedic reference texts and notes on therapies and products used
modelling of industry operating conditions, including provision of services to the general public
clinic supervision by a person who meets the assessor requirements outlined below
Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
In addition, assessors must:
have at least 3 years current clinical experience working as an Ayurvedic practitioner providing services to the general public
hold practising membership of an Australian professional body that represents Ayurvedic practitioners
fulfil the continuing professional development requirements of the professional body to which they belong
Foundation Skills
The Foundation Skills describe those required skills (language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency