Abhyanga: Your Next Self-Care Practice
Since the body is the most prized possession that we have, we should treat it with the same care and nourishment as we would an infant.
An abhyanga is a self massage that we should give ourselves at least once a week. In Ayurveda, practicing abhyanga is intuitive and simple for our bodies. This is similar to applying lotion or cream to the body, but intentionally loving on our body at the same time.
For an abhyanga, instead of using lotion or cream, warm oil is applied. Ideally, sesame oil, jojoba oil, almond oil or coconut oil, are great choices for the body. The touch of your self massage is dependent on what your body needs in the current state. If you’re feeling lethargic or sluggish, try using faster and vigorous strokes that get the muscles loose and not stiff. Similarly, if you’re feeling tense and stressed, using slower and deliberate strokes would be best.
Practicing Abhyanga
Warm up the oil of your choice either on the stove or with a crockpot. Add water to a pot/crockpot, place the container of oil in the water, and warm for 15 minutes (not too hot).
Pour oil into the hands and rub palms together. Begin oiling your arms, paying attention to the elbows, wrists, fingers and dry spots (the body is dehydrated in these areas)
Add more oil to your hands and begin gently massaging the belly. This area is to be worked in a counterclockwise direction following the flow of digestion and elimination.
Continue this technique throughout the whole body until you reach the feet. Once at your feet, be sure to put socks on and pajamas you don’t mind an oil residue on to retain the oil.
Pouring into ourselves doesn’t always require a spa date. We can bring the spa to us in the comfort of our homes.