Abhyanga
One of the most nourishing Ayurvedic self-care practices is abhyanga, or self-massage. It feels so luxurious to devote this loving attention to yourself.
Ayurveda recommends spending 10 - 15 minutes applying oil to each part of your body, exploring the layers of tissue, stimulating circulation and movement of lymph fluids, and toning the tissues of the body.
It’s often recommended that abhyanga be part of the morning dinacharya, however, I’ve found that an extra 10 - 15 minutes in the morning is not practical for most modern practitioners of Ayurveda. Instead, I like to practice abhyanga in the evening before bed to help with a restful night’s sleep.
As someone with more pitta in my constitution I limit abhyanga to just a few times per week when it’s warm outside, as the oil create a warming barrier for the skin. But if you have more vata or kapha in your constitution you could oil every day! As we are making the transition in to the cooler months of Autumn even the pittas can increase their oiling frequency.
Abhyanga helps to pacify the dry, rough, and airy qualities of vata and is an important practice to begin incorporating once you start to see those leaves turning colors and falling from the trees.
Organic sesame oil is a good choice for fall abhyanga, as sesame oil has more warming properties. If you find that you still have an abundance of pitta you could use organic coconut oil.
A few tips for abhyanga:
Warm the oil first. You can do this by holding the bottle of oil under hot running water. I have an electric candle warmer that I keep in my bathroom. I put the amount of oil I’ll need in a small glass jar and place it on the warmer while I’m getting things ready for my bath or shower.
Stand or sit, near the shower or bath, on an old towel. You’ll want to make sure you are near your shower or bath before you begin, and use an old towel that you do not mind getting oil residue on. You don’t want to put your bare, oily feet on the floor!!
Begin with the extremities. Start with your hands and feet and work your way toward the center of your body. Spend extra time on your fingers, toes, palms and soles of your feet. Use circular motions around your joints, and long strokes toward your heart on your long limbs. Massage your belly in a clockwise circle from right to left.
Shower or Bathe. After you’ve completed your self-massage head directly to the shower or bath — careful not to slip. Do not wash the oil off of your body with soap, simply let the water wash it away. Use mild soap only on your critical areas!
Dry off with a special towel. Keep a special towel just for the times you self-massage, as oil residue will rub off onto your towel. When you are ready to wash your abhyanga towels, wash in the machine as usual, but hang to dry (do not place them in the dryer, as any oil build up could start a fire)
Wear socks. After your shower dress for bed and put on a pair of cotton socks to protect your floors from any remaining oil on your feet.
