Abhyanga: The Ayurvedic Oil Massage
by Patricia Tedeschi
Owner & Director of Education, Better Botanicals
Wonderfully relaxing and energizing at the same time, a daily oil massage with warm oil is easy to do and takes only about 30 minutes. You can do it at home in the morning and reap the benefits all day or linger at night and count on getting a good night’s sleep!
In Ayurveda, it is believed that an oil massage helps pacify the Vata dosha. Because of our hectic 24/7 lives, most of us have high levels of stress, anxiety, and a feeling of being overwhelmed and spaced-out, all indications of an aggravated Vata dosha. Soothing touch with a warm oil is very pacifying.
Oil massage also helps balance the Kapha dosha. It enhances circulation and revitalizes a lethargic body and mind.
With regular massage, deep-seated toxins in the joints and tissues are loosened and released into the system for elimination. The warm oil lubricates the joints, making them more resilient to wear and tear.
As Americans, we are sometimes oil phobic. There is no need to be, and as we become more aware of the amazing properties of plant-based oils, whether for daily massage or even in cleansing, this trepidation dissipates.
As we age, moisture levels in the skin drop, causing it to become dry and dehydrated, in turn making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Oil is an emollient which fills in the spaces between the cells in the upper levels of the skin. By replacing the essential lipids, oil-based products smooth and lubricate the skin. Oils are more easily absorbed into the skin, as opposed to water-based moisturizers, because of their chemical structure.
One of the most effective treatments available to slow the skin’s aging process and achieve softness and luster, Better Botanicals’ Ayurvedic Body Oil nourishes and tones the body on a deep cellular level.
When applying the oil, use upward strokes on your legs and arms, circular strokes around joint areas and small circles on your face (if desired). The optimum use is to leave the oil on, but if pressed for time, the oil can become a wonderful cleanser by adding water from your shower or bath thereby washing your skin without drying or harming it. No worries about Better Botanicals Ayurvedic Body Oil staining your clothes.
Namaste,
Patricia |
