Abhyanga

The word for oil in Sanskrit is sneha. Another translation of the same word is “love” or “affection”. In Ayurvedic tradition, massage is considered just as essential to health and beauty as good diet and other lifestyle habits. As we all know, age naturally shrinks our body, creating dryness in our joints and loss of sharpness to our mind. Ayurveda says this process can be dramatically slowed down, keeping us young and vital for longer periods of time. “Either pay the oil man today, or you will be paying the doctor tomorrow,” a common phrase in traditional Indian healthcare.

The simple practice of oiling our physical being is one of the best things we can do for our body and nervous system. When we take the time to massage our body with oil, we are literally coating it with a layer of our love, as well as a healing touch. Practicing abhyanga regularly provides a profound feeling of stability, strength, and well-being. It detoxifies the body’s tissues, massages the lymphatic system, increases circulation, nourishes the skin, calms the mind, regulates the dosha, improves joint mobility, enhances immune function and cultivates self-love.

“The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes stronger, charming, and least affect by old age.”  

Caraka Samhita (Vol. 1, V:88-89)

Benefits of self-massage with essential oils

  • Rejuvenates the skin, promoting softness, luster and a radiant glow

  • Improves tone and hydration of skin

  • Lubricates and promotes flexibility of joints, muscles, and tissues

  • Reduces inflammation and stiffness of joints

  • Calms and soothes the nervous and endocrine systems

  • Increases vitality by flushing out waste products throughout the body

  • Nourishes the skin, remedies insomnia, and restores balance in the body and mind

  • Increase the body’s resistance to disease by stimulating our immune system to promote healthy aging

  • Makes the spine supple, improving nerve supply to the organs and all parts of the body

  • Reduce and improve the appearance of scars and prevents stretch marks

  • Promotes free flow of prana to the tissues, increases stamina, and preserves youthful qualities

Ayurvedic abhyanga is traditionally done prior to bathing. Ideally, every morning you would spend 5 to 15 minutes on the massage routine, rest for about 15 minutes, then shower. Most of us do not have this time in the morning, so apply following your shower, or aim to do it at night, after you shower and before you go to sleep.

Abyanga is worked from the center of the body outward to the extremites. This follows natural energy patterns, thus regulating tissue metabalism and providing for maximum distruburtion of ojas. Movements are either linear= encourage the natural flow of vata energy througout the physical and emotional body, circular movements- help release energy in areas where it can become “stuck”, leading to pitta or kapha imbalances.

How to oil your body

  • Heat up your massage oil. Warm the oil in its container in a sink full of warm water or a large Pyrex measuring cup filled with warm water. Fill a glass bottle with the amount of oil, (1-2 ounces usually works), and submerge it in a pot of hot water on the stove. The second way is to hold the glass bottle under hot running water until it is warm, which will take longer and also wastes water. Another way, (if time is an issue), is to pour a tablespoon of oil in your palm and rub your palms in circular motions for 20-30 seconds, or until heat is generated between your hands. Remember you are anointing your body with oil as a way of loving yourself and to increase your state of health in your mind, body and spirit. Take your time, be gentle and soft with yourself.

  • Begin by applying a small amount of oil to the top of your head. Massage the top of the head in a clockwise manner with the center of your palm. This is the Maha (great) Marma point and regulates the amount of prana that moves throughout the body. Next, apply the oil to the entire body beginning at the hands and feet and moving inward to the middle of the body. Use long massage strokes on the arm and legs and more circular motions on the joints. For the abdominal area massage in a clockwise direction, beginning on the lower right area and moving upwards to just below the ribs and then across and then downwards on the left side. Pay particular attention to any dry spots on the back of arms, elbows, and, wrists.  Ideally, you want to spend 15-20 minutes ( or less if time is an issue), massaging your body.

  • Next apply oil to the entire body beginning with the neck and arms. Remember to do circular motions over the joints and long strokes on the limbs.

  • Clockwise circular strokes will be performed around the breast area and on the abdominal area.

  • Continue sequence to hips, buttocks, legs and ending on the feet.

  • Let the oil soak in for 15-20 minutes for maximum benefit.

  • Take a warm bath or shower. Use gentle soap (if any), it is good if a little oil remains on the skin. This encourages the penetration of the oils deeper into the skin. An Ayurveda, abhyanga is typically followed  either by a yoga practice and then showering or bathing with warm water (Pitta types should lean toward cool showers).

  • Repeat daily.