In the United States, we are just beginning to appreciate the hidden wisdom of this 5,000 year old medicine called Ayurveda. Ayurveda has been treating health ailments with the idea that mind, body and spirit are one rather than thinking of them separately. Ayurvedic massage is one element of the components that directly addresses the inseparable nature of mind, body and spirit.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Abhyanga involves using warm herbal oils and herbal steam in a specific rhythm to relieve much more than stress, relaxing tight muscles and reducing physical pain. Ayurvedic Abhyanga treatment helps balance the physical body and restore circulation through the srotas (or channels) to help balance Vata (Air & Space Principle), Pitta (Fire & Water Principle) and Kapha (Earth & Water Principle). Ayurvedic abhyanga moves Prana (or Life Energy) to both the physical and energetic bodies through the nadis (subtle energy points) of which there are 72,000 nadis in the human body! Nadis carry consciousness to the chakras and the brain, where body, mind and spirit are purified. The herbal oil used during the treatment (such as Mahanarayana Oil) is designed to deeply penetrate the skin, relax body & mind, remove impurities, stimulate both arterial and lymphatic circulation, enhance nutrients to starved cells and remove stagnant waste. Ultimately, the goal is to create consciousness in each and every cell, subtle body system, physical body and to begin to function as one, resulting in perfect physical, mental and spiritual health. Abhyanga is performed as part of a panchakarma therapy (detoxification procedure) or as a rejuvenating therapy (anti-aging) weekly or monthly.
Did You Know?
During an Ayurvedic massage, marma point activation is a natural result of which there are 107 of these points in the body and they are considered to be subtle junctions between consciousness and matter. By activating these points during marma chikitsa (marma therapy) it is said to enhance the awareness of pure consciousness in the body and initiates spontaneous healing response at the deepest level of imbalance.
How can an Abhyanga Help My Overall Health?
According to Ayurveda, the main cause of disease is the “mistake of the intellect”, when the intellect starts to think of itself (the body and mind) as separate from G-d, this separation breeds unfulfilling patterns of behavior and belief systems that create physical or emotional disease. Ayurvedic therapies and massages focus on restoring the pure consciousness in every cell of the body and removing the disease.
How can a Daily Routine Improve My Health?
Ayurveda discusses daily and seasonal routines to ensure maximal health and longevity. In Ayurvedic medicine, prevention starts with a lifestyle that is in harmony with the seasons. Doing a daily self-at-home abhyanga can be a great addition to your daily routine to ground you in the morning and nourish the skin. Please watch my video, How to do a Self At Home Abhyanga, on YouTube for directions.