Abhyanga – Ayurvedic Self Massage

What is an Abhyanga Massage

Abhyanga is a firm but gentle whole-body massage which incorporates the 107 marma points of the body.  This ayurvedic massage is prescribed to be performed everyday right before your shower.  Herb infused oils are poured over the body and massaged in a rhythmic motion with firm but gentle strokes then followed by a warm bath or shower.  Leaving you feeling energized and rejuvenated for the rest of the day.  If your schedule doesn’t allow for a daily massage, try and squeeze it in a least 3 or 4 times a week.

How Does it work

This helps the skin, the largest organ in the body, perform its diverse functions efficiently – whether that’s allowing toxins to be released from the body, or nourishment to be absorbed by the tissues. Abhyanga allows the skin to absorb the healing qualities of the oils and facilitates the release of toxins that may have accumulated during the night.

This wonderfully unique experience is also well adept at treating certain disorders and diseases, nourishing the body, extending your lifespan, promoting good sleep, enhancing skin texture, sharpening your vision, regulates body temperature, clears blocked  energy and blocked senses,  and finally fortifying physical stability and balance.

The Benefits of Self-Abhyanga

Feel recharged, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world by dedicating 10 minutes a day before your showers/baths.  Listed below are the benefits self-abhyanga massage are listed below.  that will leave you rejuvenated, recharged and ready to take on the world.

1. Increases circulation of the whole body, especially the nerve endings
2. Tones and strengthens the muscles of your whole physiology
3. Calms nerves throughout the body and mind and increases your stamina throughout the day
4. Lubricates joints
5. Increases mental alertness by reliving stress and fatigue
6. Improves elimination of waste from the body
7. Detoxifies muscle tissue, organs and blood
8. Smooths, softens and prevents aging of the skin
9. Sounder and deeper sleep
10. Balances mind, body and soul by balancing the constitutions

Diseases treated by Professional Abhyanga Massage

Alongside the receiving the benefits listed above, the Abhyanga is very successful in treating disorders and diseases listed below:

1. Heart Disease
2. Eczema and Psoriasis
3. Glaucoma, eye infections and poor eyesight
4. Arthritis
5. Weight Control/Imbalance and Obesity
6. Spondylosis (lumbar and cervical)
7. Various Rheumatic conditions
8. Asthma
9. Diabetes
10. Hypertension
11. Disc Prolapse
12. Parkinson’s Disease
13. Migraines and headaches
14. Insomnia
15. Allergies and Sinus blocks
16. Sciatica and back pain
17. Epilepsy
18. ADD, Autism and ADHD
19. Digestive problems
20. Kidney diseases

When treating an imbalance in the body, the massage is performed using specifically medicated oils and ended with a herbal tea.  This can be carried out by 1 practitioner massaging the whole body, or two practitioners simultaneous and in synchrony.  Either way, the practitioners should be well versed in Ayurveda and the marma points.

Infant Massage – The Magic Touch

Baby massage is an art and a science that connect you to your babies mind, body and soul. This magical massage is a combination of Indian and Swedish massage strokes, reflexology and yoga.  It is practiced in most of the world today, tho it is an ancient parenting skill of 5000 years.

I love this time with my daughter as we both learn through playing, touching and making sounds.  I started her massage the day after her birth, with gentle strokes with my fingertips and today she is receiving full Abhyanga baby massages with warm home made herbal oil.  She has already become accustomed to our ritual which includes a small feeding followed by a 20-25 minute massage, which we then transition into a bath, the second half of the feeding.  After this she sleeps for a full 4 hours, waking up with a smile.  I have witnessed her muscles gain strength, at 4 weeks, she can already lift her head and move it side to side, she has rolled over a few times and already smiles at us when we smile at her.

In 2005, The Touch Research Institute concluded baby massage benefits both parents and babies in ways such as:

For Babies

• Relieves baby’s discomfort from Gas (colic), teething, chest and sinus congestion, emotional stress
• Builds circulatory, immune and GI system
• Enhances  Neurological growth and development of the Nervous system
• Strengthens muscle tone,  mid-line orientation, body awareness and sensory integration
• Deepens respiration and relaxation promoting  sounder and longer sleep and calmer and happier babies
• Sets the stage for healthier relationship and social interaction in adulthood
• Builds trust and communication between the parent and child

For Parents

• Increases confidence and competence in your relationship and parenting skills;  reinforces parents role and builds child’s trust
• Therapeutic, Relaxing and fortifies bonding; great healing for Postpartum Depression
• Encourages pre-verbal communication and cue recognition; especially helpful for working parents who are away from their child all day
• Creates a regular time of intimacy and can assist in setting up a bedtime ritual
• Is great way to include family interaction;  a positive way for fathers to bond

Besides all these benefits, its a fun play time and a pleasure to cuddle and caress the delicate, soft and tender skin of their newborns.  Infant Massage should be given to newborns midway between feedings while older babies should be massaged a little more than an hour after meals.