Palo Alto
Kati Vasti in Palo Alto
Warm herbal oil held over the lower back inside a dough ring, booked with a full Abhyanga massage — $258 for 75 minutes at Shanti Dhara Wellness.
- From
- $228
- Duration
- 75–90 min
- Location
- Palo Alto
Pricing & booking
Choose the option that fits, then pick a time that works for you.
Abhyanga + Kati-Vasti Body Treatment - 75mins
This lower back therapy combines Abhyanga massage with Kati Vasti, where warm herbal oil pools over the lumbar area to deeply nourish bones, nerves, and tissues. It relieves Vata-related tension and j
Abhyanga + Kati-Vasti Body Treatment - 90mins
This lower back therapy combines Abhyanga massage with Kati Vasti, where warm herbal oil pools over the lumbar area to deeply nourish bones, nerves, and tissues. It relieves Vata-related tension and j
Abhyanga + Podikizhi Body Treatment - 75mins
This treatment combines the Abhyanga warm oil massage with Podikizhi herbal poultice therapy. Warm herbal bundles are gently pressed across the body to ease Vata-related muscle stiffness, joint discom
Abhyanga Body Treatment -75mins
Uses a flowing warm herbal oil massage that balances Doshas, improves lymph flow, detoxifies the body (removing Ama), and enhances life force (Ojas).
Abhyanga Body Treatment -90mins
Uses a flowing warm herbal oil massage that balances Doshas, improves lymph flow, detoxifies the body (removing Ama), and enhances life force (Ojas).
What Kati Vasti is
A ring of dough is built on the lower back and warm herbal oil is poured inside it, then topped up as it cools so the area stays warm for an extended stretch. It is one of the localized treatments in Ayurveda — where Abhyanga moves oil across the whole body, Kati Vasti holds it still over one place.
It is booked together with Abhyanga rather than on its own, so the session starts with full-body warm oil massage and the pooled oil finishes it. It suits the kind of stiffness that builds from sitting all day, from driving, or from a training load the body has not caught up with.
What it is not
This is bodywork, not medical treatment. It does not treat a disc problem, sciatica, arthritis, or any diagnosed condition of the spine, and we would be doing you a disservice to imply otherwise. Treat it as something you add alongside medical care, not instead of it.
See a physician before booking if your back pain radiates down a leg, comes with numbness, tingling or weakness, followed a fall or injury, wakes you at night, or comes with a fever or unexplained weight loss — those patterns need a diagnosis, not a massage. If you have new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or numbness through the groin or inner thighs, do not wait for an appointment — go to urgent care or an emergency room today.
What to book
- Abhyanga with Kati Vasti — $258 for 75 minutes, $298 for 90. Full-body oil massage plus the warm oil held over the lower back. The extra fifteen minutes goes to a slower pace with more time on each area.
- Abhyanga alone — $228 for 75 minutes, $268 for 90. Grounding and slow rather than targeted — the choice when you want the whole system to settle rather than one area worked.
Kati Vasti or Podikizhi
Both combinations cost exactly the same — $258 for 75 minutes, $298 for 90 — so the choice is about the treatment rather than the budget.
- Kati Vasti holds warm oil still over the lower back. Traditionally it is chosen for sustained oiling of one area.
- Podikizhi works warm herbal poultices across a broader region. Traditionally it is chosen where there is stiffness or heaviness in the tissue.
That is a starting point rather than a rule. The two are not simply interchangeable by location, and the traditional choice is made on the quality of the tissue as much as on where it hurts. Tell us at booking if you are unsure — the therapist will look and may suggest the other one. Longer write-ups: Kati Vasti and Podikizhi.
Practical notes
- Come without lotion on the skin and avoid a heavy meal in the two hours before.
- You will leave thoroughly oiled — it continues to absorb. Wear clothes you do not mind, and plan a quiet rest of the day rather than a workout.
- Please do not come having had alcohol; it affects how accurately you can judge heat.
Where to find us
Shanti Dhara Wellness is at 2875 Middlefield Rd, Suite 8 (2nd floor) in Palo Alto, serving Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Mountain View and the mid-Peninsula.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does Kati Vasti cost in Palo Alto?
- At Shanti Dhara Wellness, Abhyanga with Kati Vasti is $258 for 75 minutes and $298 for 90 minutes. Abhyanga on its own is $228 and $268. Current pricing is listed above.
- Will this fix my back pain?
- No. It is bodywork for muscular tightness, not a treatment for a diagnosed condition — it does not address a disc problem, sciatica or arthritis. Sustained warmth and oil over muscle that has been holding is what the treatment offers; treat it as something you add alongside medical care, not instead of it.
- When should I see a doctor instead of booking this?
- If the pain radiates down a leg, comes with numbness, tingling or weakness, followed a fall, wakes you at night, or comes with a fever or unexplained weight loss. New trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or numbness through the groin or inner thighs, is an emergency — go to urgent care or an emergency room the same day rather than booking anything.
- What does Kati Vasti feel like?
- Warm and still. A dough ring holds oil over the lower back and the oil is topped up as it cools, so the area stays warm for an extended stretch while you lie still. It is unfamiliar for the first minute and generally settles into something very comfortable.
- Is there anyone who should not book this?
- Skip it if you have a fever, an acute infection, or broken or irritated skin. Tell us before booking if you are pregnant, take blood thinners, have high blood pressure, a circulatory condition or a history of blood clots, have had recent surgery, or have any reduced sensation in the skin — including from diabetes — since the oil is held warm against one area for an extended period. Our oils are sesame-based, so let us know about any sesame or nut allergy.
- Should I choose Kati Vasti or Podikizhi?
- Both are the same price, so choose on the treatment. Kati Vasti holds warm oil still over the lower back and is traditionally chosen for sustained oiling of one area. Podikizhi works warm herbal poultices across a broader region and is traditionally chosen where there is stiffness or heaviness. If you are unsure, say so at booking — the therapist may suggest the other one.
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