Abhyanga: Ayurvedic self-massage
The Sanskrit word for oil is SNEHA. Another translation of sneha is LOVE or affection. As the essence of a plant is the oil it creates, the essence of who we are is love. When we massage our bodies with oil, we are literally coating it with a layer of our affection, as well as a healing touch. This love is known as abhyanga, a simple form of self-massage.
What Oil Should I Use?
Make sure to use chemical-free, organic, cold-pressed oils. Purchase them from the beauty section of the grocery store, not the cooking section. Do not use any mineral oils, such as baby oils.
VATA: Sesame, Almond | PITTA: Coconut, Sunflower | KAPHA: Sunflower, Safflower-infused
Take a moment to cleanse your space with sage, palo santo, or rosemary. Perhaps light a candle or turn on soothing music.
Warm up the oil on the stove. Warming the oil cures it, allowing the oil to be more easily absorbed by the skin and deeper tissue layers.
Remove all clothing and jewelry. Sit on an old towel to avoid making a mess.
Start at the top of the head and pour the oil directly onto the crown. You can skip this step if you do not want oily hair for the day.
Continue onto the face and the rest of the body. On the arms and legs, use back-and-forth strokes. On the joints, use circular strokes. On the belly, use circular strokes in a clockwise motion (if you are looking down at your belly) as this is direction in which our long intestine moves and will stimulate proper digestion.
For breast massage: Start with thumb above breast and fingers in armpit. Squeeze to pump lymph from this region. Perform circular strokes that move from the periphery to the center. Take at least 1-3 minutes per breast
A little bit about my Tri-doshic Abhyanga Oil:
LAVENDER: anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antimicrobial and detoxifying; reduces redness; soothes and calms the skin; can heal minor cuts and scrapes.
CALENDULA: anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and moisturizing; increases collagen production; speeds up the body's natural healing process; can soothe eczema and other rashes; protects skin from free radicals
SKULLCAP: impedes melanin synthesis which shields against sun damage and naturally brightens skin.
PLANTAIN: anti-bacterial & anti-aging; combats acne; promotes skin regeneration; heals small wounds/cuts and bug bites
YARROW: anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, supports hormonal balance, softens skin,
CHAMOMILE: treats mild skin irritations; address redness, hyperpigmentation, and acne; supports the absorption + assimilation of other herbs
SUNFLOWER OIL: highly absorbent and non-comedogenic, rich in antioxidants and vitamin E, helps your skin retain moisture; addresses premature aging + wrinkles,
