What is abhyanga?
Quick answer: it is a warm oil friction massage based in the ancient Ayurvedic medicine practices of India. Fun answer: imagine being lathered with warmth that penetrates into your core. Ayurvedic bodywork gradually, gently and deeply cleanses your skin and muscle tissues. It is designed to support the immune system and to balance, awaken and nourish your whole being. These treatments profoundly settle the nervous system. Because the treatment is done in silence it is a very meditative treatment. Abhyanga enhances communication between your body and mind. You will leave the treatments feeling so deeply relaxed followed by a sense of clarity.
the dish on doshas
Dosha is an Ayurvedic term in Sanskrit which translates as “that which causes defect”. In Ayurvedic medicine all of us are made up of a unique combination of the elements: Air, Ether, Water, Fire and Earth. The doshas are three blends of these universal elements called Tridosha. The three doshas are Vata: Air and Ether, Pitta: Fire and Water, and Kapha: Water and Earth. Each person is made up of their unique tridosha where one dosha maybe more dominant. They each have their own physical, mental and emotional qualities. The doshas affect your health, energy level, and general mood and as they move in and out of balance, due to the seasons, nutrition, lifestyle, stress levels, or even time of day. There are many dosha surveys you can take that will determine what your special dosha blend is and which is your most dominant dosha, see what your may be here!
Why is abhyanga so important?
The winter months are brutal, especially for those of us in climates where sun and warmth are just a wish and a dream. Colder months bring dry, cold, winds that seem to penetrate the very marrow of our bones. It’s hard to get and stay warm, the wind frazzles us and unsettles our minds. Most people not only suffer from seasonal affective disorder but also get bullied by the relentless cold wind sending us into an anxious and ungrounded state. Vata represents the late fall and winter months. During this time, people who have more vata in their constitution may experience more dryness of the skin, hair, and nails, constipation, bloating, and potentially anxiety or restlessness. All of us, regardless of our dosha, will experience some of these symptoms to a degree during vata season.
It’s not only in the colder months that Abhyanga is important however. Vata dosha is the dosha that is most likely to be out of balance for most of us most regardless of the season because of our connection to screens and the internet, multitasking and general life stress. Regular Abhyanga is so critical to bringing yourself back to a state of ease.
What to expect
Warm organic sesame oil is slowly poured over the entire body from head to toes, each section of the body receives a choreographed friction massage starting with a slow head and scalp massage moving down the body and to the other side. Then a warm towel is used to remove excess oil and set the oil deeper in the tissues. The final Vishesh section is a deeper tissue massage over the whole body. We end the whole session with deeper head and neck massage. There are two turns in the whole session, starting and ending in the face up position on the table. The Abhyanga is meant to be performed in silence as this is a yogic and meditative process for you to reconnect to yourself. However, at any point we can discuss your needs or comforts throughout the session. Please let me know also if you do not want certain areas massaged such as the abdomen or head.
Post massage effects
During the 24 to 48 hours after the session you may experience gentle detoxification symptoms such as mild headache, muscle soreness and or fatigue. Be sure to hydrate thoroughly with water and tea and be easy on your body with gentle movement, breathwork and/or yoga. The oil can leave your skin feeling silky for days so no need to excessively remove the oil from skin. However, to remove it from your hair: massage shampoo directly to DRY hair, work up a scanty lather and then rinse. Repeat shampoo process once more and you’re done!
Come enjoy this unique and beautiful massage! You will leave feeling refreshed, calmed, nourished and more attuned with your body, mind and spirit. Contact me today for your first Abhyanga experience.
