Have you ever heard of Abhyanga massage?
This self-care practice, taken from Ayurveda, uses warm oil massage as a way to relax your body, initiate healing, and strengthen your mind.
Ayurveda practices Abhyanga massage as a tool for maintaining good health, balancing the doshas, and encouraging long-term vitality.
While it’s possible to arrange for an Abhyanga massage with a massage therapist, you can also learn how to perform your own massage in the comfort of your own home.
All it takes to discover the benefits of Abhyanga massage yourself is a little patience, the right oil, and some helpful Ayurvedic guidance.
What is Abhyanga massage? A Guide to Ayurveda massage
Ayurvedic self-massage is a commonly recommended practice in holistic medicine. The act of massage is fantastic for promoting healing and relaxation, supporting musculoskeletal and nervous system health, improved circulation, and even improved sleep patterns.
Abhyanga massage is a little different to basic massage, as it focuses heavily on the use of warm Ayurvedic oil. Choosing the right oil is crucial for a successful Abhyanga massage. Ayurveda practice tells us the correct oil should consider your current Ayurvedic balance or imbalance.
If you have a specific high dosha for the time of the massage, it’s best to choose an oil to pacify the dosha. For instance, a high Vata dosha will benefit from warm oil in a warm environment. A high Pitta dosha benefits most from coolness, while high Kapha doshas benefit from less oil.
Take some time to research the kind of ayurvedic oil, which makes the most sense to your situation.
Which oil is best for abhyanga?
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing ayurvedic oil for Abhyanga massage. Some professionals believe Ayurveda sesame oil massage options are best, while others prefer to use specific Pitta, Kapha, or Vata massage oil.
Plain, untoasted sesame oil is the traditional Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage oil. Common oils for each dosha include:
- Vata: Vata massage oil usually contains a combination of nine herbs, including shatavari, bala, and ashwagandha for nourishment, strength, and revitalization. Vata oil alternatives may include ghee for hydration and nourishment in specific areas.
- Pitta: Sunflower oil, coconut oil, and other herb infused oils with cooling effects are common for the Pitta dosha. These oils may include herbs like guduchi and licorice to soothe and cool the body, while relaxing the mind.
- Kapha: Warming and revitalizing blends with herbs like calamus, rosemary, and chitrak are common in Kapha massage oil. Almond, mustard, corn, flaxseed, canola, safflower or sesame oils are often a good base, encouraging vigorous, self-energizing results.
Ashwagandha infused oil or Bala oil can also be an option on its own if you have sore joints or you’re looking to increase stamina and strength with your self-massage practice.
Both products are known for promoting strong and healthy muscles, as well as nourishing the body after intense periods of activity.
If you have particular issues with your muscles and joints after exercise, try Mahanarayan oil in the affected area.
When should abhyanga massage be done?
Research into the various benefits of Ayurveda massage and Abhyanga massage are still ongoing. This practice has been going on for thousands of years, and some of the most common benefits of the warm oil massage include:
- Stress reduction: Studies prove abhyanga massage to be effective at reducing heart rate and stress levels in people with regular experiences of stress. Further research also indicates rhymical massage with aromatic oil influences the autonomic nervous system, affecting everything from heart rate to relaxation.
- Low blood pressure: Researchers have noted abhyanga massage can reduce participant blood pressure. Warm oil massage has a direct impact on the circulatory system, and supports the expansion of blood cells for better flow.
- Improved skin health: Healthy skin is a key benefit of Ayurveda massage. The oil you choose will nourish your skin, and improve the softness and smoothness of your skin. As well as potentially reduce the appearance of scars, cellulite and wrinkles.
- Reduced muscle stiffness: Another benefit of ayurvedic self-massage is improved flexibility and reduced muscle stiffness. Studies have shown warm oil massage can improve the range of motion in our muscles.
- Enhanced lymphatic drainage: An established benefit of all Ayurveda massage, lymphatic drainage, can help with the removal of toxins in the body and reduce swelling. Massage is commonly used to reduce lymphedema and other issues after injury or surgery.
When should you not use abhyanga?
Most Ayurveda practitioners advise using Abhyanga massage on a daily basis, as part of your morning or evening self-care routine.
However, there are times when this form of massage might not be suitable for your needs. The most common times to skip Abhyanga include:
- During illness: If you’re unwell with signs of fever and chills, the digestive fire (Agni) in your body is affected, and massage can make this issue even worse.
- After eating: After eating you need to ensure all of your digestive energy is where it should be. Wait until the morning (before breakfast), or just before bed for your massage treatment.
- During menstruation: Abhyanga can stimulate detoxification in your body, but menstruation is a form of cleansing on its own. It’s best to take extra rest in this time.
- While pregnant: It’s always best to seek advice from a medical professional about the safety of your self-care routine when pregnant.
How to do Ayurvedic self-massage
If you decide to explore the benefits of warm oil massage yourself, you can practice at home, or have a trained professional help you. During ayurvedic self-massage, you’ll need to wear minimal clothing. Sit comfortably in a welcoming and warm room.
To begin:
- Pour your oil into a clean, empty bottle so it’s easy to handle, and place the bottle in a pot of hot water until warm.
- Apply the oil carefully to your body, including the top of your head, and begin to massage into your scalp, using circular motions.
- Continue moving the ayurvedic massage oil over your body, covering your forehead, cheeks and jawline. Don’t forget the ears.
- Massage your abdomen, chest, and your stomach.
- Continue to your back and bottom, then continue with straight, long motions on your arms and legs, taking a second to pause with circular motions on the joints.
- Massage your feet and toes, including the very soles of your feet, and relax for about ten minutes to let the oil soak in.
- Have a short warm bath or shower to remove the oil.
At first, the experience might feel a little odd, but you’ll get used to being able to perform your own massages over time.
Remember, you can always reach out to an Ayurveda massage professional for the first massage if you need a little guidance. During this first session, ask for advice on how you can master the art of warm oil massage yourself.
Making the most of Abhyanga massage
Abhyanga massage is an amazing way to improve your health and wellness naturally each day. It’s also a fantastic solution for self-care, when you need a little extra something special to make you feel your best.
When preparing for your Ayurveda massage, remember to ensure the oil is warm (but not hot). Consider using an electronic oil warmer, if you don’t have a pot of hot water you can warm your oil in. It’s also worth laying down a towel so you don’t end up with oil stains.
Try and take your time when performing your Abhyanga massage, focusing particularly on the knees, joints, and other parts of your body, which may need extra care.
After massaging your soles, make sure you’re cautious in your trip to the bathroom, it’s easy to slip with oily feet.
If you’re particularly busy some days, choose just to massage the face, hands and feet. You decide the length of your warm oil massage.
Use a clean towel after getting out of the shower and take a moment to yourself in silence to relax or meditate. You can perform this same practice on a daily basis to get the best results.
Alternatively, you can mix Abhyanga massage with other forms of Ayurveda massage if you don’t want to apply oil to your scalp and body every day.
