by Majo Perez
What Abhyanga is
Abhyanga is an Āyurvedic Practice where the person is being lovely anointed from head to toe with warm oil. It is considered a practice of Self- Respect and Self -Love. Through massage we experience the greatest form of the sense of touch via our largest organ: The skin. By doing it we provide nourishment to the physical, mental & emotional bodies. Abhyanga is a medical treatment & a daily Preventive practice as per Āyurveda. The use of touch has an extremely profound effect on the body, mind & emotions. Touch generates great feelings of: relaxation, emotional harmonization, security, comfort, belonging and stability. Abhyanga can: strengthen our immune system, our psyche, bring us back to balance, stimulate our vascular & lymphatic systems and aid regeneration. According to the Charaka Samhita, one of the Brihat Trayi/Grater Trio of Āyurvedic Texts: " The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes: strong, charming & least affected by old age" Ch. Sam. Vol I, V:88-89
The reason why Abhyanga is such an essential part of our Dinacharya/ Ayurvedic daily routine is because Ayurveda believes that pain and aches are caused by an obstruction of the flow of Prana or Vayu (the Air & Ether elements in our body) in the siras or conducts. Through massage, heat is generated which makes the Prana expand ans flow freely. This flow will calm and relieve tension and pain. The deblockage will immediately bring a benefice in the quality of our breathing pattern.
What makes Ābhyanga special among all the other types of massage?
This therapy is different because of the unique experience it offers – Ayurveda is known by it’s unique kind of approach to the individual- Each oil and technique implemented will be customized to the individual’s needs. Some unique features of Abhyanga/ Ayurvedic Massage are:
Strokes are selected and applied according to the clients constitution and imbalances.
Through Abhyanga we activate the Marma Points. Energy points where Prāna is concentrated.
Our Lymphatic system is stimulated & strengthened. Our Lymphatic system plays an important role in building Immunity, stabilizing hormones and improving our physical and mental state.
Nervous System Pacifier. Because skin has lots of nerve endings, through the right strokes it will provide a grounded state. Specially great for people with sleeping problems, overthinking and/or over-all stress.
Nurtures our microbiome. Yes skin has many microbes!
Promotes a glowing skin because of its anti-aging effects.
PLUS The use of medicated oils which have the power to permeate into the 7 dhātus/body tissues to boost their functioning.
Benefits and contraindications of Abhyanga
Benefits:
Jarahar/ Removes old age
Shram Har/ Removes Fatigue
Vata Har/ Removes excess Vayu
Drishti Prasad Kar/ Improves Eyesight
Pushti Kar/ Strenghtens the Body
Ayus Kar/ Increases Longevity
Swapna Kar/ Induces sleep & good dreams
Twak Dridh Kar/ Strenghtens the Skin
Klesh Sahattwa/ Aids Resistance to Disharmony & Disease
Vata-Kapha Nirodhak/ Soothes Ailments caused by Wind & Mucus
Mrija Varn Bal Prad/ Improves Color & Texture of Skin
Contraindications:
Better to be avoided by
Those suffering from vitiation of Kapha Dosha
Women during menses
Those suffering from dyspepsia
Those suffering from fever
Those who had just overgone Panchakarma treatment
What Allopathic Medicine says about Massage Therapy:
- Soothes people with Hypertension & Depression. - Appears to decrease cortisol production - Helps to know ease dopamine. - Altern Ther Health Med.2012;18;960;11-18
Resources:
Charkha Samhita. Vol I
Ashtanga Hdraya. Sutrasthana 1.
Harish Johari. Ayurvedic Massage.Healing Arts Press.1996
Vasant Lad. Textbook of Ayurveda, Vol III. The Ayurvedic Press. 2012
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