Oil massage in the Ayurvedic daily routine
A glorious carpet of snow adorns our landscape and gives rise to anticipation of Christmas.
"Christmas stress" has a different dimension this year. While in recent years it was factors such as shopping stress, compulsive consumerism and the pre-Christmas rush, this year it is lockdown, economic insecurity, compulsory vaccinations and social division in all age groups that are weighing us down.
At the same time, the restricted social life offers enough space for self-reflection and a mindful approach to health.
Do not allow yourself to be overly burdened by external circumstances. Use the extra time you may now have to optimise your Ayurvedic daily routine. When did you have your last Ayurvedic self oil massage?
Ayurvedic daily routine
The ancient texts of Ayurvedic medicine give specific recommendations for the daily routine. The aim of these instructions is to repeatedly relax, purify and optimise the mind and body for the stresses of everyday life.
Some building blocks of the Ayurvedic recommendations for the daily routine apply throughout the year. These include oral hygiene, drinking enough, regular meals and getting enough sleep, especially before midnight. Some recommendations vary seasonally. These include, above all, a warming self-oil massage (abhyanga) in the Vata season (late autumn and winter).
Sesame oil has a particularly Vata-balancing effect.
Of all substances used for external application, sesame oil has the most Vata-balancing effect. This is true not only for pure sesame oil, but especially for all oil preparations based on sesame oil.
The most important properties of sesame oil are its warming and nourishing qualities. This is especially important in the Vata season when there is cold, dryness and lack of fresh food in nature.
Medicinal herbal oils based on sesame oil
Especially in South India, medicinal herbs are incorporated into sesame oil in high concentrations. The sages of the Ayurvedic tradition had obviously recognised thousands of years ago what is all the rage in modern medicine: the application of healing substances through the skin ("transdermal therapy"). Through the fine pores and channels of the skin, the body can absorb the valuable healing substances of the herbal oils and transport them to their destinations in the body.
Maharishi Ayurveda also favours the use of oils enriched with medicinal herbs over the use of pure sesame oil.
The massage oils for Vata, Pitta and Kapha are mainly selected according to the skin type (Vata dry, Pitta sensitive, Kapha oily).
The massage oil "MP1" contains the essence of 10 roots that are traditionally used in Ayurveda for regeneration after stressful situations.
The sesame oil with herbs MP4 contains the medicinal plant "Bala", which means power and energy. This oil helps to build up energy and balances Vata very well. It improves performance and concentration.
Coconut oil should only be used for massage in winter if sesame oil is not tolerated due to acute or chronic eczema.
About the right time
The original recommendation of the classical texts is to perform the oil massage very early in the morning. A morning abhyanga, followed by a warm bath or shower, wakes up the body, making it supple and resistant. These effects last throughout the day with more or less regular use.
The usual daily routine in our society with an early start to work does not allow many people to perform their Abhyanga in the morning. If this is also the case for you, why not postpone this beneficial treatment until the evening? An oil massage can not only be the optimal preparation for the day, but also for restful sleep. When doing it in the evening, make sure that the following bath is not too hot, so as not to agitate the body immediately before sleep.
The right way to do it
Abhyanga is a simple but very effective procedure. The most important principle is: work your way through your body from top to bottom. Start by applying your chosen oil, which you warm slightly in a water bath or by rubbing the palms of your hands, first to the head, then to the torso, arms and legs, finally to the feet, and then massage it in.
The oil should remain on the skin for at least 10 - 20 minutes before washing off with warm water and a little soap, shampoo or shower gel.
I do not have much time
If you have less time, massage just a little oil onto the forehead, ears, neck, sternum, navel, lower back and soles of the feet. If you have even less time, concentrate on the head, ears and soles of the feet.
Summary
Ayurvedic self-oil massage (Abhyanga) is one of the most proven and enjoyable methods of Ayurvedic medicine to balance Vata. It calms the mind and makes the body flexible and resilient.
Especially in the Vata season (late autumn and winter) Abhyanga is helpful to neutralise climatic influences that can cause diseases.
Abhyanga can be used both as a preparation for a successful day and as a reward after work is done. Well-being always helps!
When will you do your next Abhyanga?
We look forward to your feedback!