Why is Abhyanga so amazing? The benefits of massage have been widely published in recent years; here’s a sampling of why you should pick up some oil, serum, or balm and start rubbing it into your skin!
Did you know if your skin organ fails you cannot live longer than 5 hours? Your skin has 640,000 sensory receptors that keep in constant contact with your brain; just one quarter-sized section of skin has three million cells, 400 sweat glands, and one yard of blood vessels. Add to that all the glands and lymph vessels that are affected by massaging the skin and it’s easy to see why touch is fundamental for health. By stimulating glands and blood and lymph flow massage purifies, nourishes, and tones the skin while contributing to stress relief and bolstering immune function.
But that’s not all. From an Ayurvedic perspective, the seven layers of the skin correspond to the seven dhatus (tissues) of the body. Consequently, nourishing the skin also has a positive affect on your blood, plasma, muscle, fat, bone, nerve, and reproductive tissues. When you apply and massage oils into the skin they will permeate all seven layers within 10 minutes.
Besides all the health benefits of massage it’s also fun and feels good, so why not give it a try? Here’s how to get started: Just like every individual is unique, all massage isn’t created equal. Using your results from the doshic/seasonal quiz on my website, or if you already know your predominant doshic imbalance, you can customize your massage. Vata or Autumn individuals benefit from light touch that is settling, grounded, and slow. These individuals need to come back down to their bodies and stay present in the moment. Pitta or Summer individuals benefit from moderate pressure and speed. A steady rhythm will keep these individuals engaged without aggravating their fire. Kapha or Winter/Spring individuals benefit from deep and vigorous massage; unlike Vata and Pitta types Kapha needs stimulation to wake up and invigorate their heavy nature.
The best time for self-massage is before you get in the shower in the morning or evening. Massage between joints using upward and downward friction, and massage joints using a clockwise circular pattern. Start with the ankles and legs, then the hands and arms, moving toward the heart. Massage from the belly button outward in a circular clockwise pattern then move to the other areas on the trunk of your body: buttocks, chest, shoulders, neck, and the best you can reach your back. Finally give yourself a loving scalp massage and end with the feet to ground yourself. Take your time and stay present – this is a gift to your body and yourself. When you do hop in the shower, go easy on the soap and allow whatever healthy product you have applied during massage to penetrate all seven layers of the skin. Of course if your hair is already naturally oily use a gentle shampoo to remove the excess oil. If you are sick or menstruating, skip the massage. If you are pregnant, have an ulcer, or have heart problems, skip massaging the stomach area. If you’re short on time, skip to the good stuff and just massage your scalp and feet, promising yourself to make time for a full body massage another day.
That’s it! It’s easy, fun, and the nicest thing you’ll do for yourself all week. Check out the Liquid Ember product line for serums and balms you can use for abhyanga, or use a product you already have if you know all the ingredients are healthy.