How to do a Self Abhyanga (Self Massage)
Enjoy this Ayurvedic Ritual to help you stay warm and supple.
Massage is the oldest healing modality on the planet. In the ancient science of Ayurveda there is a practice of self-massage that helps to ground and nourish us. It is ‘Self Abhyanga’ or ‘Self Warm Oil Massage’ (massaging the body with large amounts of warm oil).
I really encourage you to try this as not only will it keep you feeling warm and looking young, it is also a delicious, calming and relaxing experience. It is a simple self-care exercise that you can introduce into your weekly or even daily routine.
There are numerous benefits to Self Abhyanga including the following:
Soothes Vata Dosha
Calms anxiety
Helps build resilience to stress
Increases energy and removes fatigue
Helps to eliminate toxins by stimulating strengthening lymphatic flow
Strengthens and tones skin and body
Grounding and nourishing
Helps with insomnia
Here’s how to do Self Abhyanga:
This massage is best done before your shower, either in the morning or before going to bed.
Select your oil – As a general rule of thumb go with Coconut oil in Summer and once the weather becomes cooler and coconut oil begins to solidify switch to Sesame (Melrose Organic is a good one) or Sunflower oil. Remember, Coconut oil is cooling to the body and Sesame oil will warm you up. For an extra dimension to the experience, you may like to add an essential oil of your choice to your massage oil.
Warm the room you are in and warm the bottle of oil in a bowl of hot water.
Stand on a towel that you don’t mind getting oily.
If you prefer the oil warm, sit the bottle in a bowl of […]