Bliss at Your Fingertips - The Daily Ayurvedic Oil Massage
by Vasu Nargundkar / Maharashi Ayurveda
How can a ritual so luxuriously relaxing, so blissfully comforting as a
full-body warm oil massage rev up your body and mind, gearing them up for
peak performance? Ayurveda, the 5,000-year-old holistic healing tradition
from India, has an explanation for the seeming contradiction. "Accumulated
stress and toxins in the mind and body dissolve during the daily massage,"
says Rama Kant Mishra, Ayurvedic expert. "A daily full-body warm oil massage
therefore acts as a powerful recharger and rejuvenator of mind and body."
"Abhyanga" - the Ayurvedic oil massage - is an integral part of the daily
routine recommended by this healing system for overall health and well-being.
Traditional Ayurvedic texts wax eloquent on the benefits. Here's what one
says - "Give yourself a full body oil massage on a daily basis. It is
nourishing, pacifies Vata and Kapha, relieves fatigue, provides stamina,
pleasure and perfect sleep, enhances the complexion and the luster of the
skin, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body." When the
views expressed in the different Ayurvedic texts are put together, here are
the benefits that can be expected from regular performance of this pleasant
daily ritual:
Increased circulation, especially to nerve endings
Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology
Calming for the nerves
Lubrication of the joints
Increased mental alertness
Improved elimination of impurities from the body
Softer, smoother skin
Increased levels of stamina through the day
Better, deeper sleep at night
The Ayurvedic massage is traditionally performed in the morning, before your
bath or shower. You can use cured sesame oil, an herbalized massage oil, or
an aroma massage oil.
If you choose sesame oil, look for cold-pressed, chemical-free organic sesame
oil for the best results from your massage therapy. To "cure" or purify the
sesame oil, heat the oil to 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove from heat once
this temperature is reached, cool and store for use as needed. Up to a quart
of oil can be cured at a time. Of course, you should observe safety
precautions when curing oil. All oils are highly flammable. Use low heat,
and don't leave the oil on heat unattended. You can look for professionally
cured sesame oil at stores that sell Ayurvedic products if you'd rather not
do the curing yourself.
Healing herbs are important in Ayurveda. Herbalized massage oils contain a
blend of carefully chosen herbs known for their ability to strengthen the
physiology and balance the mind. So the daily massage with an herbalized
massage oil has twice the beneficial power - the benefits from the massage
and the wisdom of the herbs. Country Mallow, Winter Cherry and Sensitive
Plant are some Ayurvedic herbs you'll find in herbalized massage oils.
Country Mallow is renowned for its nourishing effect on the physiology.
Winter Cherry, a powerful adaptogenic, aids the body's natural ability to
withstand stress, and helps balance the mind and emotions. Sensitive Plant
helps nerve regeneration.
Aroma massage oils also deliver double the benefit - the healing aromas in
the massage oil blend, if properly chosen, are particularly effective in
balancing the mind and emotions while the act of the massage works on both
body and mind. Ayurveda recommends different base oils and aroma blends
depending on what you are attempting to balance. Coconut oil, for example,
is a cooling base oil. When combined with a relaxing aroma oil such as
lavender, this massage oil will be effective in cooling down the mind, body
and emotions. Sweet Orange or Geranium Rose aroma oils are fragrant and
relaxing, Basil or Rosemary are vibrant pick-me-ups. If you have a favorite
aroma oil or blend, try making your own aroma massage oil by adding 5-10
drops of the essential oil or blend in 4 fl. oz. of the base oil. Almond
oil, a light olive oil or jojoba oil can all work as base oils.
So how is the massage done? Use comfortably warm massage oil. (Store your
massage oil in a plastic flip-top and warm it by holding the container under
running hot water for a few minutes) Dip your fingertips into the warm oil
and apply it lightly to the entire body. Wait for 4-5 minutes to let some of
the oil be absorbed by your skin. Then massage the entire body, applying
even pressure with the whole hand - palm and fingers. Apply light pressure
on sensitive areas such as the abdomen or the heart. Use more oil and spend
more time where nerve endings are concentrated, such as the soles of feet,
palms of hands and along the base of the fingernails. Circular motions over
rounded areas such as your head or joints, and straight strokes on straight
areas such as your arms and legs, work best. After you're done, relax for
10-15 minutes, letting the oil and the massage do their magic. Follow with a
relaxing warm bath or shower.
If your schedule doesn't allow for a daily massage, try and squeeze it in at
least 3 or 4 times a week. You'll find it's worth it!
Vata, Pitta and Kapha are ayurvedic operators that govern the activities of
the mind and body. Each is made up of a combination of some of five elements
- air, space, earth, fire and water. Vata, for example, is mainly air and
space and governs all movement in the body. For more information on
balancing Vata, Pitta and Kapha,
click here.
Note - Information provided in this article is solely to provide education on
Ayurveda, and is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or mitigate any disease.
If you have a medical condition, please consult a health professional.
Vasu Nargundkar is an enthusiastic chef, avid
gardener, and very interested in holistic healing. She works for Maharishi
Ayurveda Products International, a health foods and herbal supplements
distributor located in Colorado Springs. Ayurveda is Earth's original health
science. She is the editor of Total Health News, a monthly newsletter on
Ayurveda published at www.mapi.com. For more information on Maharishi
Ayurveda, recipes using all-natural foods and other practical advice on
living in harmony with nature, please visit www.mapi.com.
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