Ayurvedic Abhyanga
Abhyanga is a traditional Ayurvedic treatment used to help remove metabolic waste, reduce pain and swelling, improve complexion and texture of the skin. It is a soothing and healing process of self-application of oil that offers grounding and balance for vata dosha. This practice is deeply calming for your nervous system with the healing power of oils and touch into your muscles and skin to help move out toxins and promote lymphatic drainage.
Use only organic, raw and unrefined oils as the properties go directly into your largest organ – your skin.
Sesame oil is most commonly used for its tridoshic properties and is great for colder times of year or to calm excess vata. Coconut oil is great for warmer times of year or to cool pitta dosha. For kapha, try a lighter oil, such as sunflower. Carrier oils can be infused with herbs or essential oils for a deeper therapeutic effect or to treat a specific concern.
Be sure to carve out enough time to practice abhyanga so you can keep your movements slow and consistent and leave the oil on your skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Even if you can only relax for 5 to 10 minutes with the oil on your skin, you will get a big benefit over not doing it at all.
As you cover your body with oil, you’ll follow a specific pattern that works with the vayus, five vital airs in the body, which are the subdoshas of vata. Moving in circular motions, always massage towards the heart.
Here’s how to practice abhyanga:
1. Lay a towel on the floor beneath you that you have designated to be your “oil towel.” It will get oily!
2. Warm oil in a stainless steel, copper, cast iron, or glass pan. Some people use butter or tea warmers and warm the oil over the candlelight.
3. Using the palms of your hands, apply the oil first to the front side of your pelvic area including the low belly and pubic bone, using very slow up and down movements. Move around to the sides of the hips, then the sacrum and buttocks in the back. Use a circular motion on all joints, the hip joints in this case, starting with the left hip first.
4. Next, work down your left leg and foot with long strokes on the muscles and circular movements on the joints. Repeat on your right leg and foot.
5. Moving up to the navel, apply oil in a circular motion starting from the naval spiraling out, moving the hand up the right side and down the left side of the torso. Finish down the left side of the belly. Then work in vertical movements around the left side of your chest, including the breast area, and along the side of the torso. Do the same for the right side.
6. As much as your flexibility will allow, apply oil to your back, using up and down movements from the waist to the upper back, working on the spine as much as possible. You might like to get assistance with your upper back. Do your best to cover the entire body.
7. Next, work the oil from the navel, spiraling clockwise very slowly. Move up the right side and down the left side as you spiral out. Finish down the left side of the belly.
8. Move up to your left shoulder and work down your left arm and hand. Work long movements on the muscles and circular on the joints. Do the same for the right side.
9. Finally, apply oil to your neck, face and scalp using smooth, even strokes. Be sure to give your scalp a good amount of oil, as it will revive its strength and vitality and increase the quality of your hair. If you opt out of oiling your scalp and hair, do everything else anyway as you will still get good benefit. Aim to include your scalp at least once per week.
10. When you are finished, you can cover with an “oil towel” or clothes you have designated for this purpose and relax for 15 to 20 minutes before taking a hot bath or shower without soap. You can also remain without clothes as long as the room is warm.
Daily practice of abhyanga will bring a sense of peace and calm to your life. Even if you can only practice a few times a week, you will certainly notice the difference in how you feel.
