Abhyanga (self-Massage) is an ancient technique that is basically massaging the body for several priceless benefits and in order to improve overall well-being and health. It is one of the prominent topics in Ayurvedic texts, where it is described in the form of morning dinacharya healthy habit.
It is a term used to describe Ayurvedic massage of the entire body. The practice involves massaging the body with the head and working downwards by using oil infused herbs specifically chosen to balance your doshas. These constitute the source of energy inside your body.
Although abhyanga is a technique that can be performed by a professional ayurveda massage It's a simple and self-loving method you can do at home.
What Is Abhyanga Massage?
One of the most famous traditional Ayurvedic therapies that is used to ensure proper rejuvenation of body, soul, and mind is Abhyanga Ayurveda Massage. Abhyanga Therapeutic Massage is one of the most authentic practices used by Ayurvedic practitioners to help people with various physical and mental disorders.
Abhyanga not only provides physical benefits but also helps you in reducing stress, anxiety, and other emotional and mental imbalances. This method involves the application of warm Ayurvedic oil, which is applied to the body.
This oil penetrates deep into the skin with the help of massage to ensure better skin texture and detoxification. This reviving therapy helps in balancing the energy of the body, improving the blood circulation, calming the nervous system, and thereby ensuring overall relaxation. This holistic detoxification method stimulates the lymphatic system, improves the tone of muscles, and repairs skin.
People who are dealing with problems like chronic stress, anxiety, pain, and depression should go for Abhyanga sessions either by a professional or self-administered. Regular Abhyanga helps in improving flexibility, reducing joint pain, and providing better immunity. In short, Abhyanga is a wonderful virtue of Ayurveda that heals your overall health naturally.
Therefore, everyone must savour the serene benefits of Abhyanga by including it in the lifestyle.
Abhyanga in Ayurveda
Ayurveda is widely known for its numerous holistic massages and therapies used in treating physical, emotional, and mental issues for ages. Abhyanga is a therapeutic massage that involves the application of medicated Ayurvedic oil on the body.
This oil is chosen on the basis of an individual's body constitution, also known as the constitution of 3 doshas, i.e., Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha reflects a unique quality that determines the individual's emotional and physical traits.
Therefore, Abhyanga uses oil based on the Tridosha constitution of a person, ensuring a personalized massage and treatment. Abhyanga helps in bringing the body energies back to balance and restoring harmony of body, soul, and mind. Abhyanga is a kind of Ayurvedic ritual that focuses on nourishing the body, fighting the physical, emotional, and mental ailments naturally.
As per Ayurveda, any ailment arises when the srotas or body's channels are blocked by accumulation of excess toxins or imbalances of dosha. Abhyanga helps in opening such channels and balancing the dosha constitution in our body. The benefits of Abhyanga are numerous.
It not only heals us superficially but also rejuvenates us from within. Not only this, Abhyanga is also known as a method of reversing aging. Thus, this powerful massage should be an essential part of everyone's self-care.
Abhyanga Massage Procedure
The Abhyanga Massage, when administered by an Ayurvedic practitioner, begins by diagnosing the cause of ailments. If there are no ailments, then the individual’s doshas will be assessed to find the body constitution. This assessment is done to select the most suitable Ayurvedic oil for Abhyangam Massage.
For the people having the body type of Vata and Kapha, Sesame or Coconut oil is used. While for Pitta types, lighter oils are used. Massage’s effectiveness depends on the environment in which it is being given.
Therefore, Ayurvedic practitioners make sure that the environment while performing Abhyangam Massage should be relaxing. Therefore, the massage area is decorated with warm lighting, peaceful music, and relaxing aromas. The client is reclined on the massage table or mat, and the therapist starts the massage therapy by applying the selected herbal oil at a comfortable temperature.
The therapist applies oil using rhythmic strokes. Techniques involved in practitioner-administered Abhyanga include sweeping strokes, rhythmic kneading, gentle friction, and more. These are the expert techniques that ensure deep relaxation, penetration of the oil to the deepest layer of the skin, stimulation of the body's marma points, and enhancing the lymphatic drainage.
After the full body massage, the massage is focused on those areas of the body where the muscles are tightened or energy blockages are diagnosed. Once the Abhyanga Ayurveda Massage is done, the client is made to rest for a few minutes, after which the excess oil is removed from the skin, followed by a steam bath.
Similarly, the abhyanga self massage technique is also based on the same principle as Practitioner-Administered Abhyanga. To start your Abhyanga Self Massage, you can begin by massaging your scalp with circular motions with the help of your fingertips. Massage your limbs and torso using longer strokes.
You can also put some firm pressure for releasing the tension from the muscles and softer strokes for ensuring deep relaxation. After performing the massage, let the oil rest on the skin for at least 15-20 minutes for proper absorption. Then you can clean the excess oil from the body.
This abhyanga self-massage technique is a self-care ritual that not only helps in beautifying your skin but also detoxes your body, leading to a disease-free lifestyle.
How Can Abhyanga Massage Benefit all Body Doshas?
- Vata Dosha: Abhyanga is helpful in Vata dosha in decreasing their dryness, slim body type rough skin texture and a soft body. It is recommended to perform Abhyanga with sesame, almond or any other vata-balancing oil. It is suggested to do Abhyanga at least five times a week according to the siddha saints.
- Pitta Dosha: For Pitta-dominant individuals, abhyanga can reduce the body's temperature by providing an impression of cooling. This is why they must utilize sunflower, coconut or Pitta-balancing oils. It is recommended to practice abhyanga three or four times per week.
- Kapha Dosha: The people who are affected already have a lot of body oils and moisture. They require an oil that will energize their bodies and create a feeling of rejuvenation to their bodies. This is the reason why the kapha dominant should take sunflower oil just 2 times each week. If you do not know their body's type, you could use jajoba oils that will suit all.
Also Read: A Perfect Guide to Ayurvedic Detox Treatment In Rishikesh
What are the Advantages of Abhyanga Technique?
- It slows down the process of aging.
- Reduces fatigue
- Stimulates Vata and Pitta and boosts Kapha
- It increases circulation.
- Strengthens the tissues of the body
- Extends the life of your loved ones
- Promotes better sleep Reduces stress
- Helps improve the complexion and skin tone.
- Firmness for legs. It also helps in lubricating joints.
- It assists in eliminating impurities out of the body.
- Strengthens endurance
- Enhances vision
- (Scalp) to develop in a lush silky smooth shiny, and soft
Contraindications of Abhyanga Full Body Massage
However, no adverse reaction can be observed in any person in the event that the oil is prescribed by Ayurveda and applied correctly on the body. But, Abhyanga is not recommended for people who have kapha-aggravating symptoms and not during the first 3 days of menstrual cycle or in the intense menstrual cycle.
What is the most appropriate moment to Abhyanga be avoided?
Abhyanga is best done in the early morning, following you've had a bath before putting on the clothes. In the present hectic morning routines, you can perform it later in the evening after cleansing your limbs and face.
We at Haritha Ayurveda the best Ayurvedic treatment in Rishikesh, have a team of expert therapists and doctors to serve you best. We believe in providing the real ancient ayurveda to you through our services. Feel freely to contact us and ask your queries.
Comments (0)