Cultivating Individual Health

Abhyanga

Abhyanga

Abhyanga is the term for Ayurvedic massage. Abhyanga is oil, oil, oil! Abhyanga is massage where oil is respected not just as a lubricant for pleasantness, but as a vital, active component in rejuvenation. When oil is applied to the body it is actually absorbed and ingested by the skin. Because the oil can be applied and absorbed locally it makes for a very effective treatment for chronic conditions (like arthritis) or acute conditions (like injuries).

The Ashtanga Hridayam, an ancient Ayurvedic text recommends abhyanga daily to help prevent and heal many illnesses. Some of the purported benefits stated in “The Ayurvedic Encyclopedia” of daily abhyanga are:

· Reverses/Prevents Aging · Reduces Fatigue

· Heals/Prevents Nervous System Issues

· Promotes Good Vision · Promotes Sturdiness

· Remedies Insomnia

· Creates Electro-chemical balance in the body

· Prevents dehydration

· Stimulates the immune system

Performing abhyanga the night before a strenuous day can be potentizing, aiding in sound sleep and rest, giving stamina to muscles and bounce to the step. After a strenuous day oiling of the body can help mitigate rebounding soreness, nourish joints, and diminish fatigue.

Individuals who tend toward dryness, coldness and stiffness do best with Sesame oil because it is warming and nourishing.

Individuals who tend to be warm blooded, ruddy and more oily skin do best with Coconut or Sunflower oil because they are cooling and light.

Individuals who tend toward heaviness, coolness and congestion do best with sesame or mustard oil because they are warming and enlivening.

Application: Especially healthful during the dry season, which is so long in California. During summer cool oils (Coconut and Sunflower) are recommend for most people. But with the drying effects of air conditioning/heating during autumn and winter warming oil (such as sesame) is equally important.

Timing: Best done when can allow the oil about 20-30 minutes to absorb. It can be done following a shower, or bath, when the body is warm and pores are open. Try to remain warm after applying the oil so the pores do not close up. It is great to do abhyanga and take a sauna, if such is available.

Strokes: Circular with enough pressure to create friction. Like rubbing sticks together to make a fire, one is trying to create heat with the strokes to open the pores and foster the absorption of the oil into the body. Generally paint the body with oil, then come back and like waxing a car, part by part, rub the oil into the body. Just keep rubbing and kneading until the oil is well absorbed.

Notes: One can towel off the excess oil thereafter or take a shower (if showering don’t use much soap—it is redundant to strip away that nourishing and protective layer with soap immediately). Oiling the feet is especially calming to unsettled energy. This can help greatly with things like insomnia and anxiety. If feeling out of sorts, make the oil even more effective by preheating it. Simply put the oil container/bottle in hot water, so the heat is transferred into the oil; this makes the experience even more pleasant and relaxing. Because the oil is such a defining feature in Abhyanga high quality oils and selecting the appropriate kind are very important. Blue Oak Ayurveda makes several kinds of oils that can be used in different ways.