The Complete Guide to Ayurvedic Self-Massage
It is always the season for Self-Massage! (called Abhyanga in Ayurveda)
Ok, so truly - self-massage is the bomb. It has to be up there in my top 3 Ayurvedic practises. And, it’s something that you can do at home, yourself! That to me is the ideal way to incorporate Ayurveda, practically, into your life.
Self-massage can be beneficial for all constitutions (types of people, or doshas), however is particularly beneficial for the Vata & Pitta types.
Why Practise Self-Massage?
Practicing daily self-massage helps to tone your bodies tissues, firms and strengthens your limbs and joints. Self-massage increases blood circulation, lymph drainage, and improves your digestion by promoting your digestive fire (Agni).
When practised in the morning, it helps warm up your body and prepare yourself for the day ahead, pre-exercise / yoga to avoid injuries. When practised in the evening before dinner or post-workout, it helps in tissue and muscle recovery.
Self-massage can facilitate the feeling of being nourished, creating a space of calm and attention towards your body and is one of the ultimate self-love practises for body connection, especially for women (although men definitely benefit, too!).
The Seasons, Stages of Life & Self-Massage
Like I mentioned, there’s immense benefits for practising self-massage regularly, throughout the seasons. However if you notice your skin become particularly dry during the cooler months, that’s because there’s is a little more Vata in the air.
Vata is the dosha which governs the bones and joints and all movement in the body. It’s imperative to support Vata as she is the dosha which facilitates the other doshas and systems in your body to function - if there isn’t movement happening, then there’s likely stagnation and accumulation of ama, or toxins.
Well, you probably already guessed by now that my top tip to balance Vata is to practise self-massage.
Since Vata is the dosha which is also most easily disturbed during the seasons of winter, as well as summer and rainy seasons, the change of the seasons (six times per year) and during any big life transition such as moving house, country, extensive travel, splitting up with a partner, during pregnancy and post-partum, as well as for women transitioning menopause.. this makes for an exhaustive list of times when self-massage can offer you immense support as a self-care ritual you can practise at home.
Oils For Your Dosha
I’m going to mention some oils here that are most easily accessible so that you can get started with self-massage right away!
However, in Ayurveda there is an incredible array of ayurvedic oils for external use (oils can be used internally, too) which are made with herbs - sometimes called herbal or medicated oils. For more specific ayurvedic oils to target any imbalances, please book an Initial Ayurveda Consultation.
If you are unsure of your dosha, or natural constitution then the best oil to use is cold-pressed black sesame oil.
Vata
Black Sesame Oil & Almond Oils (or a blend!)
These oils are also great to use in the winter season.
Pitta
Black Sesame Oil & Coconut Oils (or a blend!)
These oils are also great to use in the summer & rainy seasons.
Kapha
Black Sesame Oil & Mustard Oil (or a blend!)
These oils are also great to use in the spring & late winter seasons.
When To Practise Self-Massage
It’s best to practise self-massage on an empty stomach, which is why I recommend in the morning before breakfast, or in the later afternoon before dinner. These times also align with our meal times so that you are eating after you practise self-massage (you don’t want to practise on a full stomach or it will disturb your digestion).
Now - how long to leave the oil on for? Whilst it is the ideal to leave the oil on for 40 minutes, my personal perspective is that it’s better to do the self-massage and receive the benefits, rather than not doing it! Yes, the longer you can leave it on the better. However in our busy day and age, leaving the oil on for even 5-10 minutes before showering is still a great option. Perhaps once a week you can enjoy a more luxurious self-massage routine and read a book or do some cooking whilst the oil fully absorbs.
It’s very important that you don’t get cold whilst with the massage oil absorbing into your skin, so this is an important consideration as to how long you leave the oil on, too. Some people like to put some purpose-dedicated ‘oily’ clothes on and then practise some light yoga or go for walk before showering and rinsing the oil off. You may prefer to shower to rinse the oil off before your movement or exercise practise. The choice is yours!
I personally follow my warm oil self-massage with a shower before practising some light yoga and stretches before breakfast. A perfect way to start the day!
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For more guidance on self-massage, to receive a self-massage video guide to learn some techniques, when it’s sometimes best to avoid self-massage, as well as prescriptive medicated oils - book in for a consultation today.