Ayurvedic Self-Massage Abhyanga

You may have heard of Ayurveda. I became interested in it a number of years ago. While I've never studied it formally, I've read a number of books on the subject.

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian healing art. It's the oldest healing art known. Ayurveda originates with the four Veda's or four ancient Holy Books. These four books were written in Sanskrit text and date back five thousand years. Traditional mythology teaches that the information contained in these books was given to people by the creator at the time the world was created. It is believed that the tradition of Ayurveda existed orally before these texts were ever written. Known as the “Mother of Medicine,” Ayurveda is believed to have influenced many traditional healing practices from the East. Traditional Chinese Medicine is just one example.

In Ayurveda it's believed that all people contain three forces or doshas. These doshas represent different elements found in nature.

Vata = air and ether

Pitta = fire and water

Kapha = water and earth

You can take a quiz to find out which dosha is most dominant in you at this site. A person with all three doshas in equal balance is a healthy person. A person with a dosha imbalance is unhealthy. Ayurveda helps you create a healthy lifestyle to balance your doshas. It involves diet, mediation, exercise and self-massage.

Ayurvedic self-massage is called Abhyanga. In Ayurvedic medicine, it's an important part of your daily routine.

This form of self-massage is done with oil. You can use whichever type of oil that is appropriate for your dominate dosha.

Vata = Sesame Oil

Pitta = Coconut Oil

Kapha = Olive or Mustard Seed Oil

Sesame oil is the most commonly used oil for Abhyanga. It is full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. Don't use roasted sesame oil. The antioxidants in the oil are destroyed in the roasting process and the smell is strong. You can use any type of natural massage oil if you can't find these specific oils. Make sure the whatever oil you use is cold pressed.

Ayurvedic massage calls for the purification of the oil. I usually don't do this, but you may want to try purifying your oil. You can purify up to 1 quart of oil at a time.

Place oil in large pan and heat it to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the oil is heated to that temperature remove it from the heat and let it cool. Please be careful when heating oil. It can be dangerous. Never leave it unattended. My clumsiness is why I don't do it.

Traditionally, Ayurvedic massage oils are infused with herbs and flowers that have medicinal properties. You can purchase Ayurvedic massage oils online.

You can add your favorite essential oils to the massage oil. Add oils to soothe or energize.Remember that certain oils aren't good to use with certain conditions. Check out a list of oils and their benefits on Massage-Therapy-Benefits.net' s essentials oils page.

I put my massage oil in a small squeeze bottle. This helps me control how much I put on my hand more easily. You may want to heat your oil by placing your bottle of oil in a bowl of warm water before your massage. If not, you can just warm it by placing some in the palm of your hand and rubbing your hands together before putting the oil on your body.

Place a towel down where you'll do the massage. For Abhyanga, you should use a

generous amount of oil. The towel will get oily so choose a towel that you

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don't care about. You can use the same one again and again for your massage.

 

Do your massage in a warm room where there is no draft. It's best to do the massage in the morning before you shower. I usually do my massage in the bathroom.

Abhayanga consists of long fluid strokes like effluerage, but done more briskly and circular strokes around the joints. Yous should start by massaging your scalp. This way you don't have to worry about getting oil in your hair. If you're going to wash your hair anyway you may want to be oil in it. Oil can help condition and soften the hair. Once you finish massaging your scalp work your your down the rest of your body. Pay close attention to places where you feel sore and do some petrissage or friction on those areas.

Once your all oiled up sit on your towel and close your eyes and relax for a few minute. This lets the oil soak into your skin. Then take your shower or bath. Don't slip. If you've massaged the soles of your feet they're slippery. I skip the soles of my feel so I don't break my neck in the shower.

For the few extra minutes you spend in the bathroom every morning giving yourself a massage, you'll get a number of benefits.

 

smoother softer skin

increased alertness

improved circulation

stimulation of nerve endings

I really notice the increased alertness. I'm not a morning person, but doing my selfmassage helps wake me up.