Namaste! Today, we decided to combine the traditions of Maundy Thursday with the Ayurvedic practice of abhyanga, a procedure that has been used for thousands of years in healing and rejuvenation techniques.
From Sanskrit, “abhyanga” translates as “applying oil to the body”. During the massage, the body is actually oiled (oil consumption varies from 100 ml to 0.5 l per procedure).
According to Ayurvedic practices, the effect of oiling is complex:
- null
- deep cleansing of all organs and systems
- improvement of blood circulation
- benefits for the nervous system – relaxation, elimination of chronic fatigue, relief from depression, improvement of sleep
- moisturizing the epidermis, eliminating stretch marks, reducing the appearance of cellulite
- rejuvenation, prevention of aging
People with a vata constitution should do this procedure every day, for a pitta constitution – once every two days, but people with a kapha constitution should apply oil once every three days.
The skin is the largest organ and everything that gets on our skin must be edible in order to heal. Tell me, would you be able to eat a body cream or gel? The answer is obvious.
In Ayurveda, first cold-pressed natural oils are used for Abhyanga:
- sesame
- coconut
- olive
- mustard
- corn
For healing uses both pure whole oils and prepared ones from by adding spices, herbs and aromatic oils. However, such mixtures are worth it use with caution if you do not know how one or the other will affect you ingredient.
The only one thoughts on when it is better to perform Ayurvedic body anointing no, but at home we usually have enough time for ourselves only in the evening. In addition, abhyanga relaxes, after which you should rest or sleep.
It is not recommended to carry out this procedure in a cold room (in this case, it is more difficult to achieve a relaxing effect, besides, the oil will simply clog the pores), and abhyanga is contraindicated for people with elevated body temperature and inflammatory processes on the skin.
So, abhyanga
- Before starting the application, the oil is heated in a steam bath to an optimally pleasant warm temperature.
- Oiling starts from the bottom of the feet. If there is an opportunity and time, lightly massage the feet, lower legs and thighs.
- Particular attention is paid to problem areas, for example, joints or ligaments, or stretch marks on the skin.
- The upper part of the body begins to be processed from the fingers, moving to the shoulders.
- Abhyanga also includes holding oil in the mouth or rinsing the oral cavity with oil for 5-15 minutes. Then the oil must be spit out.
The oil mixture for abhyanga is recommended to be kept on the skin from the moment of application for up to half an hour or longer, then the excess is washed off, but not with ordinary chemical means for showering, of course, and warm water does not help here either. Finely ground grains and seeds are preferred in Ayurveda. At home, you can grind, for example, oatmeal or use coconut, chickpea, almond flour – all that do not contain gluten, otherwise washing the oil from the body will turn into kneading the dough – the process can be exciting, but it is long and unnecessary;)
For to wash off the oil at home, stand in bath or shower cabin, run warm water and light circular movements apply the powder on the body, rolling the oil with skin Then pour the body with pleasant water temperature and wipe with a soft cloth. And even if a little mixture for Abhyangas will remain on your skin – it will only bring benefits.
Be healthy and beautiful and stay with MASALE!
