Abhyanga, or Self-Massage with oil is an ancient Ayurvedic practice. It is believed that the effects of Abhyanga are similar to those received when one is saturated with love.
Daily Abyanga restores the balance of the doshas and enhances well-being and longevity.
How to Choose the Right Oil for You:
- Vata: Sesame or almond oil. Do self-massage at least 4-5 x a week.
- Pitta: Coconut or sunflower oil. Do self-massage 3-4 x week.
- Kapha: Safflower oil. Do self-massage 1-2 x a week.
- All body types like jojoba oil.
Instructions:
Warm the oil (pour approximately ¼ cup into a mug and warm using a coffee-cup warmer.) Test the temperature by putting a drop on your inner wrist, oil should be comfortably warm and not hot
Sit or stand comfortably in a warm room
Apply oil first to the crown of your head and work slowly out from there in circular strokes—spend a couple of minutes massaging your entire scalp.
Face: Massage in circular motion on your forehead, temples, cheeks, and jaws (always moving in a upward movement). Be sure to massage your ears, especially your ear-lobes.
Limbs: Use long strokes on the limbs (arms and legs) and circular strokes on the joints (elbows and knees). Always massage toward the direction of your heart
Abdomen: Massage the abdomen and chest in broad, clockwise, circular motions. On the abdomen, follow the path of the large intestine; moving up on the right side of the abdomen, then across, then down on the left side
Feet: Finish the massage by spending at least a couple of minutes massaging your feet. Feet are a very important part of the body with the nerve endings of essential organs.
Sit with the oil for 5-15 minutes if possible so that the oil can absorb and penetrate the deeper layers of the body
Enjoy a warm bath or shower. You can use a mild soap on the genital areas, avoid vigorously soaping and rubbing the body
When you get out of the bath, towel dry gently. Blot the towel on your body instead of rubbing vigorously
Enjoy the feeling of having nourished your body, mind, and spirit and carry that with you throughout your day.
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Dr. Keesha Ewers
Dr. Keesha Ewers, PhD, ARNP is a Doctor of Sexology, trauma informed therapist, is board certified in Functional medicine and holds an advanced certification in Ayurvedic medicine.
Dr. Keesha has been in the medical field for over 30 years. After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis—an incurable disease according to Western medicine—she discovered how to reverse autoimmunity using her Freedom Framework® Method, which she has now used with thousands of her own patients.
