Ayurvedic Self Massage: Abhyanga
/Abhyanga is the Ayurvedic practice of self-massage, which can nourish and cleanse our external body just as we cleanse and nourish internally with clean foods and new eating habits. To maximize your health, self-massage your body daily with a high-quality oil – such as sesame, almond, coconut, or an Ayurvedic-blend massage oil. Here are some tips for getting started:
Set aside 20-30 minutes for this practice.
Begin by warming the oil. Pour ¼ cup of oil into a pan and warm gently on low heat or float your bottle of oil in a sink full of hot water. Oil should be warm, not hot.
Stand in a warm room on a towel.
Apply oil to the crown of your head and work in circular strokes, spending a few minutes massaging the entire scalp.
Massage your face in an upward motion.
Massage ears, especially earlobes.
Use long strokes toward the heart to massage the limbs and circular strokes on the elbows and knees.
Massage abdomen and chest in large, clockwise motions.
End the massage with your feet and be sure to spend plenty of time here!
Allow the oil to absorb for 5-15 minutes before enjoying a warm bath or shower. Avoid vigorous rubbing and use a mild soap only where needed.
Blot dry with a soft towel - again, avoided vigorous rubbing.
