Abhyanga Practice
Abhyanga should be resorted to daily. It wards off old age, exertion, and aggravation of vata.— Ashtanga Hrdayam: Sutrasthana: II: 8-9
Ayurvedic Self-Massage is a daily massage tecnhique that literally builds self-esteem and self-love. The basics are simple the act of massage itself melts away tension and stress from your body. In abhyanga, you will use a lot of oil. It’s important. In Sanskrit, the word sneha can be translated as both “oil” and “love.” So in Ayurveda, there is an intuitive connection between enveloping the body in oil and enveloping it in love. Both experiences can give a deep feeling of stability, warmth, and comfort. Sneha—oil and love—is sukshma, or “subtle.” This allows it to pass through minute channels in the body and penetrate deep layers of tissue (dhatus). Inherent within the practice of self-massage is mindfulness and thoughtfulness, gratitude even, for the physical body and its role in your life. During your Abhyanga massage is not the time to be watching youtube!
Ayurveda recommends spending a minimum of fifteen minutes on self-massage each time you practice it, devoting love and attention to each of the tissue layers as you nourish them with a warm Ayurvedic oil.
Types of oil for each dosha use:
Vata imbalance use Untoasted Sesame Oil
Pitta imbalance use Coconut or Neem Oil
Kapha use Sesame, Almond, or Corn Oil
Steps:
Warm about half a cup of oil
Sit or stand in a warm room- use a towel you don’t mind absolutely destroying with oil.
Oil your entire body. Begin at the extremities and work toward your torso. On long bones use long strokes, on joints use circular strikes. On the abdomen follow the path of the large intestine, move up on the right side across, then down the left side.
Massage with love, with gratitude, and patience.
Massage your scalp, ears and feet.
Enjoy a warm bath or shower after.
Practice abhyanga daily for best restults. Sometimes I only have 5 minutes, and I’m always surprised at how well I feel for the rest of the day, or how well I sleep at night.
Try it or the Saturday Ashtanga Oil Bath!
Ashtanga Oil Bath
Same as above, but use castor oil instead. This type of oil is much thicker than the oils listed above and you will need a heavy duty soap to remove. I use Dr. Bronner’s soap after my Ashtanga oil baths. Castor oil is said to remove excess heat from the body, this means inflammation or pain that can come after a 6 day a week practice. Prepare in advance to practice this castor oil bath on non-practice days, and consider leaving time after your castor oil bath to rest, relax, and enjoy life. Stay warm for the rest of the day, drink warm teas and soups…
Steps:
Sit on a towel you don’t mind destroying with excess oil. It’s going to get messy!
Pour the warm oil over your body and gently, patiently and with gratitude for your strong and capable body massage the castor oil in.
Long strokes on long bones, circular strokes on joints. Give extra love to any areas that would appreciate it.
Enjoy savasana or easy sitting position for 5 minutes, if your new, or 10-15 if you are more aquainted with the effects of the castor oil bath.
Wash the oil off, be aware that it may take a few tries! Use hot water when washing the oil off, as you will want to put heat back in and not cool off too much.
Clean the tub after so the next person doesn’t slip and fall.
Enjoy the sense of well being that comes from castor oil bathing and take rest.
