I'm writing to share a little medicine to counter winter's dryness, coldness, dampness and heaviness. Sometimes we think we need to carve out a whole day and book a spa to relax and take care of ourselves during the gloomiest of seasons but Ayurveda teaches us that at any moment we can indulge our senses and reawaken the body by using a simple 15 minute ancient massage practice you can do in the comfort of your home. In fact our skin is our largest organ and it is vital to keep it healthy, replenished and balanced. We must nurture it just like we nurture our mind/body and soul when we are on the mat.
The practice of abhyanga...
If you have never heard about abhyanga now is the time! All it takes is 15 minutes a day to indulge in this self massage practice and reap so many of its benefits. For years, I honestly thought massages were a luxurious way to simply spoil ourselves. But I have come to realize that they are integral for holistic health and only take a few moments out of our busy lives to do so.
To mention a few perks of self massages; human touch is a basic human need. It sends the message throughout the body of care and love while lubricating our skin. Most of the day our skin suffers in silence by feeling dry, dull and neglected. A regular oil massage replenishes it with sheen, moisture and warmth. Self massage is an almost instant healer; oils penetrate deep into body tissues nourishing you from within while also helping you feel relaxed. Self-massage sends the message of rest and relaxation to the entire body lowering your defenses and inducing the parasympathetic nervous system that stimulates rest and digestion. Moreover massage is an excellent way to detoxify your system. By rubbing and stroking your body you are dislodging blockages, releasing muscular tension, and moving toxins through the digestive system. In the long run, a regular self massage practice will keep you looking healthy and youthful.
Select the right oil for you self-massage...
A few words on selecting the correct oil now and then we will get into the actual process of giving yourselves a massage. If you are new to Ayurveda: Ayurvedic medicine (“Ayurveda” for short) is one of the world's oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems. It was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India. It’s based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Its main goal is to promote good health and re-equilibrate your body throughout the seasons and life. According to the philosophy, universal life force manifests as three different energies, or doshas, known as vata, pitta, and kapha. We’re all made up of a unique combination of these three forces.
Though everyone has some of each, most people tend to have an abundance of one or two of the doshas. This is important to note, as depending on your unique dosha combination which is referred to as your prakriti (nature) you will select a specific oil to use for your massage. There are a few ways to do this of course. The most thorough would be receiving an Ayurvedic certified consultation but as a starter it is possible to take an online quiz to get a tentative reading of your dosha makeup. All the oils we use in Ayurveda are edible, food being the preventive medicine of the Ayurvedic system and as the skin is our largest organ it is never recommended to use a lotion or oil which is not 100% edible and biodegradable. To name a few, depending on your combination, you might use sesame, coconut, olive, avocado or almond oil. As a rule of thumb, sesame or coconut oil are recommended for most dosha combinations and a good starting point if you are a beginner to the practice of abhyanga.
The Secret of Change Is to Focus All of Your Energy, Not on Fighting the Old, But on Building the New
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Use warm oil to detoxify the body!
ABHYANGA: the practice of Ayurvedic self massage:
Begin by heating your chosen massage oil to purify it (process called curing).
Cool the oil slightly and pour it into an easy squeeze bottle.
When you are ready remove all clothing and jewelry and sit down on a towel in the shower/bath to not stain anything.
Start at the top: massage your head first by pouring a small quantity of oil into your cupped palm and raise it to your scalp.
Next move your palm in circles rubbing oil over your head, massaging your scalp. (Ayurvedic healers recommend spending maximum time on head massage as there are many vital points here called marmas).
After massaging your head move down to your face including ears, temples, neck making your way down to your shoulders and upper back.
Then start on your arms using long back and forth strokes. Don't forget your elbows and knuckles.
Next rub your chest, breasts and abdomen, making sure to rub in a clockwise motion (moving in the same direction as your large intestine).
Massage your glutes and legs as you did your arms.
Lavish some time on your feet (I like to sit down for this to be careful not to slip!)
By now you should be experiencing a unique sense of calm. You might want to allow the oil to soak a few more minutes before showering with a mild herbal or natural soap to wash away the excess oil with warm water. If you have the time a warm bath is even more replenishing and relaxing. This massage should be done year round but there is nothing like combatting the dryness of winter and these vata months by regularly massaging and moisturizing your skin.
Keep in mind that even if you don't have 15 minutes every day even a 5 minute massage is better than skipping the ritual altogether! Your body will thank you.
Choose a massage oil right for you!
"Slowing down is the precursor to Yoga practice because this simple act allows us to consider our thoughts, feelings and actions more carefully in the light of our desire to live peacefully.” Donna Farhi
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