Benefits of Ayurvedic Self Massage Abhyanga

The practice of anointing ourselves from head to toe with warm oi is called Abhyanga. Abhyanga practice restores the balance of the doshas and enhances well-being and longevity. Abhyanga can give a deep feeling of stability and warmth.

Here are some benefits of Abhyanga.

• Nourishing the entire body will eventually help in natural anti-aging.
• Imparts muscle tone and vigor to the dhatus (tissues) of the body
• Imparts a firmness to the limbs
• Lubricates the joints, joints are important for fluid movements, stiff joints mean rusty movements, Abhyanga helps in lubricating these joints to ensure smooth movements.
• Increases circulation, for better blood flow.
• Stimulates the internal organs of the body, this will enhance your body’s activities and help you live a healthy life due to enhanced function and efficiency of your internal organs.
• Assists in the elimination of impurities from the body
• Moves the lymph, aiding in detoxification, an important function of Abhyanga. This will help your body stay clean and pure.
• Increases stamina
• Calms the nerves.
• Benefits sleep—better, deeper sleep
• Enhances vision
• Makes hair (scalp) grow luxuriantly, thick, soft, and glossy
• Softens and smoothes skin; wrinkles are reduced and disappear
• Pacifies Vata and Pitta and stimulates Kapha

How to practice Abhyanga.

Massage your body with love and patience for 15-20 minutes, with help of an oil of your preference, here are some options:

• Vata Dosha: 3-4 times a week using sesame, almond, or a Vata-balancing oil, such as the relaxing Abhy Oil.
• Pitta Dosha: 3-4 times a week using a coconut, sunflower, or a Pitta-balancing oil, such as the soothing Abhy Oil.
• Kapha Dosha: 2-3 times a week using safflower or a Kapha-balancing oil, such as the invigorating Abhy Oil.
• Good for all Three Doshas: Jojoba oil

The standard way to practice Abhyanga

• take half a cup of oil and warm it till you find it soothing.
• Once the oil is warm enough, get into a comfortable room, and stand/sit comfortably for the next 20 mins.
• Start with your head and make your way down to all the places you want to massage yourself. It may go like, head-neck-abdomen-arms-thighs-knee-feet.
• Always apply oil first and massage in a circular direction for maximum effects.
• While massaging your abdomen starts clockwise and then continues counterclockwise to ensure proper passage and attain maximum health benefits.

Over to you.
Abhyanga is an Ayurvedic practice of self-massage with natural oils which helps in multiple ways. You may try this yourself at home for the above-mentioned benefits by following the above mentioned standard procedure.