Abhyanga is the art of self love. 

There is nothing more luxurious and loving than anointing yourself from head to toe with warm oil.

This Ayurvedic therapy deeply penetrates your pores and stimulates your organs.

Don’t forget, your skin is your largest organ and removes one third of your bodies toxins.

As well as showering your body in the self love of touch, there are so many other health benefits.  Abhyanga is magnificent with stimulating your lymphatic drainage, alleviating sore muscles, calming your Adrenals, lubricating the joints, nourishing the entire body, hydrating your skin cells and slowing the aging process.

As mentioned in Oil Pulling, the type of oil you use depends on your Dosha. If you are Kapha or Vata you should use raw organic sesame oil, it will counterbalance the cold body and digestive fire.  If you are Pitta you should use extra virgin organic coconut oil, it will counterbalance the overheated body and digestive fire.

It’s also very important to remember you shouldn't put anything on your skin that you wouldn't eat; after all it ends up in the same place in your body : your bloodstream.

Only use natural, cold-pressed, organic oils on your skin to prevent toxic overload.

The frequency of this process is also based on your Dosha.  Vata is recommended 4-5 times a week, Pitta 3-4 times a week and Kapha 1-2 times a week.

Abhyanga can be practised after Dry Brushing and before your shower or Dry Brush, shower and then Abhyanga.  This is more a personal preference, if you have the time to allow the oil to be absorbed and dry before dressing, this is the best way to deeply penetrate your pores.

The process of Abhyanga normally takes around 10-15 minutes.

How to practice Abhyanga

Place a small bottle of oil in hot water and allow it time to heat up.  I find if I do this prior to going in the shower, it is warm when I am ready to use it.

Sit in a warm room.

Start from your head and work down to your toes.

If you are practising Abhyanga prior to a shower I recommend applying to the crown of your head and slowly working out in circular motions.

Follow with circular motions over your forehead, temples, cheeks, jaw and move out to your ears and lobes.

Just as you do with Dry Brushing, work in long sweeping strokes over your arms and legs towards your heart.

Each area should be given several minutes massage to allow the oil to be deeply absorbed.

When it comes to boney areas like your elbows, knees, ankles and heels rub in circular motions.

Your stomach should be massaged from right to left in a circular motion, always in an upside down U pattern to help stimulate your digestive system.  Please be sure to not practice any stomach massage within 2 hours of eating as it could cause problems with your digestion.

Don’t forget your back and the backs of your legs and you bottom.  One of the reasons cellulite appears is because of lack of circulation, this could be helped with daily massage.

As you may be aware through my Energy & Soul Medicine practice, emotions get trapped within our body. 

Upon starting the process of Abhyanga you may notice some of these emotions coming to the surface, please don’t worry, this is all part of your body’s healing process. 

The more you work with your body and allow the trapped trauma to be acknowledged and released, the less stored emotions there will be and your body will run in a more harmonious state.