Ancient Oil Massage for Modern People Part 3 – Ayurvedic Self Massage (Abhyanga)

Ayurveda has several self care procedures to assist in maintaining good health. One of these procedures is called Abhyanga or warm oil massage. Abhyanga is actually part of a procedure called Panchakarma which involves five procedures to assist in the maintenance and restoration of good health.

Panchakarma may be done on a seasonal basis or more frequently but it is recommended that abhyanga be done daily and can be done as a part of the morning bathing routine and only takes a few minutes. It uses the warm, cured sesame oil that is used in oil pulling posted previously.

Abhyanga moves the toxins from all over the body to the the centre of the body so that they can be eliminated. It makes the various life precesses such as digestion, elimination, metabolism, respiration, growth, more efficient and balanced, thereby helping to make us healthier. It stimulates the circulation and loosens the joints and reduces stress and softens the skin. It leaves you feeling loose and light afterwards.

You would begin abhyanga by preparing the oil as previously posted. You would first bathe, preferably with warm water to open the pores. Starting with the head you would you would gently rub the oil into your whole in an up and down motion all the way to your feet after which you would go back up to the head and do the procedure as detailed below.

Abhyanga is not a deep tissue massage but is done rapidly with light pressure. Most of the movements are long or straight back and forth movements except around the joints where it is circular, this includes the hip joints. It is good to use both hands simultaneously wherever possible to massage the corresponding opposite sides of the body. You can do each stroke eight times.

1. Massage the crown of the head in a back and forth and clockwise direction.
2. Massage the face with both hands in small circles, horizontall across the lips and forehead upward over the cheeks.
3. Massage the back of both ears simultaneously with long up and down strokes.
4. Working from the neck and shoulders massage in long strokes. Remember to do circular motions around the joints as you move down the body.
5. Do the front of the upper body, clockwise circles on the chest and abdomen. then the back vertically as much as you can.
6. The Thighs and Lower legs, the ankle joints.
7. Use both hands on each foot, one hand on the sole and the other on the instep, move the hands in a rapid back and forth motion.

You can let the oil stay on for about 15 minutes and then rinse with warm water. There is no need to use soap at this time, the skin won’t feel oily.

Hints:
If it can’t be done daily then once a week is OK.
If you are pressed for time, do the head, the ears and the feet.
Ladies may not find it convenient to do their hair daily but try for once per week. I recommend doing your shampoo and conditioning before doing abhyanga.