Abhyanga : Ayurvedic massage

Ayurvedic massage is so famous now-a-days. People pay so much in spas for this. It is not just to be done in spa or Ayurvedic center, but it is a part of daily routine that should be done at home as well. For many reasons we should know more about it and incorporate it in our daily lifestyle regimen.

The word Abhyanga means applying oil with movement and speed i.e. with massage.

Common properties of oil:

• Hot potency
• penetrating
• Strengthening
• pacifies vata and kapha
• Good for skin

Skin is a site of sparshanendriya, so contains more of Air element . Oil alleviates the vata dosha so oil massage is very beneficial and important for skin.

Oil massage should be specifically done on these 3 areas viz.

1. Head
2. Ears
3. Feet

Shiro-abhyanga (Head massage) :

• It removes dryness and makes scalp and hair soft.
• Helps in itchy scalp and good for hair and scalp health.
• Hair roots become strong so helps in hair fall.
• Facial skin becomes soft.
• It is very calming and sleep inducing.
• It improves strength of sense organs namely eyes, ears, skin, nose and nurtures skull bones and joints.
• Relieves the stiffness from neck joints and muscles.

Padabhyanga ( Foot massage):

Regular oil massage over feet is specifically advised as they carry our whole body weight and need extra attention.

• It cures the dryness, stiffness , numbness and fatigue in feet and sole.
• Makes feet look soft.
• Improves strength and stability.
• Oil massage  over sole is good for healthy  eyes.

Ear massage:

• It is considered as a site of Vata dosha , so putting oil and massage alleviates vata.
• It also improves the strength of sense organ.
• It nurtures the tempero-mandibular joint.

Benefits of doing abhyanga every day:

• Skin becomes more resilient so healing is faster.
• Body becomes strong.
• Person looks fresh and pleasant.
• Sign of ageing are delayed.

What is the effect of Abhyanga ?

• Massage with oil lubricates skin and forms a barrier between skin and environment, so helps keeping the skin hydrated. It prevents drying of skin and makes it look healthy.

• It improves the blood circulation so helps in quicker removal of metabolic toxins out of the body. 
• The medicated oils penetrate into the skin and calms the nerves. 
• The massage has deeply nourishing and relaxing effect on brain, nervous system, skin, muscles and joints.
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• It relaxes body and mind , so gives better sleep.
  
• It relieves muscle and joint pain.

Different medicated oils for massage:

According to the prominent dosha, oil can be chosen, to alleviate the doshas.

For Vata: 

• Sesame oil
• Bala oil
• Nirgundi oil
• Madhuyashti oil

For pitta:

• Chandana oil
• Cow's ghee
• Madhuyashti oil

Who should not do Abhyanga...?

1. One who has got any Kaphaja vikara e.g. cold.
2. Abhyanga should not be done on the same day when Vamana or Virechana has been done.
3. One who has got indigestion.

Different forms of Abhyanga: There are 15 forms of abhyanga. They are used according to the subjective need as all of then have specific effect and indications.

1. Applying oil over body
2. Mask (Lepa)
3. Udvartana-massage with herbal powders in oil
4. Oil massage 
5. Foot massage
6. Oil pouring
7. Light massage
8. Swishing oil in mouth
9. Oil pulling-Holding oil in mouth
10. Oil pulling over head (Shirobasti)
11. Netratarpana-oil pulling over eyes
12. Nasatarpana-oil pulling into nostrils
13. Karnapurana-oil pulling into ear
14. Head massage
15. oil bath

For healthy body and mind daily Abhyanga is highly recommended and everyone should incorporate it in daily regimen.