Abhyaṅga is the application of oil to the whole body using a simple, gentle self-massage – “oil bath”. This practice of Abhyaṅga is commonly seen in India and has many wonderful benefits.
A daily abhyaṅga practice restores balance of the doṣas, enhances well-being, longevity, soothes the nervous system, creating a supple body and calmness of mind. Regular practice of abhyaṅga is especially grounding and relaxing for vāta doṣa imbalances, however, everyone can benefit from this practice.
When vāta is imbalanced, it can quickly push pitta and kapha doṣa out of balance. Sometimes calming vāta is enough to make symptoms, regardless of their doṣa origin, fall away.
BENEFITS OF ABHYAṄGA
Abhyaṅga reduces ageing problems – Jarā. Tiredness, wrinkles, eye problems, grey hair, are all considered ageing problems. Practising abhyaṅga brings rejuvenation and supports well-maintained body parts, meaning, longevity will be found.
All type of vāta aggravations, which may be provoked due to our thoughts, actions, food, etc., are brought into normal condition. Rigidity caused by the dryness of vāta will be reduced. Abhyaṅga’s main benefit is that it reduces vāta in the whole body, keeping the body supple and decreasing aches and pains.
Abhyaṅga, when done as a regular practice, improves the quality of sleep.
This practice strongly supports the eyes, keeping the eyes perfect – dṛṣṭi prasāda. Those who practise abhyaṅga from an early age, will not experience eyesight problems, while others may experience imbalances.
Puṣṭi – prosperity, completeness, well-nourished, development, growth. Abhyaṅga nourishes the limbs and muscular growth in the body. It promotes a proportionate body.
Āyuḥ – longevity of life. Through this practice, the lifespan will be increased. Any increase in lifespan is considered precious.
WHICH OILS TO USE
It is best to use only good quality, unrefined organic oil when applying to the body.
Oils such as sesame oil, castor oil, coconut oil, or olive oil may be used. Sesame is considered the best, then ghee and then castor oil. These gradations are based on the influence, relevant to each person’s constitution, seen on the body..
A variety of medicated oils can also be used, which may eliminate different types of health disorders and pains. As a regular practice, there is no need for medicated oil. Sesame oil is recommended, it should be fresh (not rancid) and unrefined.
HOW TO DO ABHYAṄGA
After rising in the morning and completing some of the preliminary natural requirements; urination, bowel movement, rinsing the mouth, washing face, hands and feet, then sitting for silence practice, and preferably when hunger starts, have an oil bath.
Warm the oil in a stainless steel, copper, cast iron, or glass pan.
Sitting comfortably in a warm room, pour a little oil into the palm of your hand and apply in soft, gentle, slow movements. Start at the crown of the head, then the earlobes, the eyes, and continue working your way down to the soles of the feet and off the toes. This sequence is working from sattva – tip of the head, to tamas – soles of feet. Never work from the feet up. Use gentle, slow, long downward strokes on the limbs.
Once you have applied the oil, cover yourself with a towel or clothes, designated especially for this purpose. Then you might complete menial chores or sit quietly resting for 30 minutes, allowing the oil to absorb into the skin layers. You may also do some physical exercise which helps create heat in the body and facilitates proper absorption of the oil. The feet are primarily vāta dominant, so special attention should be given to massaging them.
After the set time is complete, have a bath/shower.
HOW TO REMOVE THE OIL
Snāna – Bath
To remove the oil, take a warm/cold (mainly cold) shower. If hot water is desired due to the season, it is recommended to use cold water on the head first and then warmer water on the lower body. Hot water to the head causes hair loss and eyesight problems and is not recommended.
A powder of ground dal flour, mud, or a mild soap can be used to help remove the oil. Avoid vigorously soaping or rubbing the body, as this can aggravate vāta. To dry yourself, blot a towel on your body rather than rubbing vigorously. Have an allocated towel for your abhyaṅga practice, as oil accumulation will eventually ruin it.
BENEFITS OF A BATH
Dīpanam – a daily bath kindles the digestive fire, as a result, proper appetite and digestion will be evident.
Vṛṣya – a daily bath keeps the potency high. In each male and female, there should be a sexual potency which needs to be kept at a proper level.
A daily bath extends the lifespan.
It also increases physical strength.
Itching or burning sensations on the skin will be eliminated. Waste particles at the skin level will be cleansed, every minute our sweat glands produce sweat which should be eliminated, so it is a cleaning technique as well.
A bath where the water is flowing from the head downwards, reduces vāta and pitta, bringing calmness and quietness. It also eliminates some of our sins, or impressions of wrong deeds from previous and current births. This is considered the most important benefit by many scholars. Some of our wrong-doings, which bring impressions to our mind are considered sins. If sin is found in the mind, it brings some kind of pain, disease, dispute, loss of wealth and other types of losses. A bath may eliminate that source of pain, the sin.
IF YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO APPLY OIL TO THE WHOLE BODY
Though oil massage is a technique meant for the whole body, four areas are regarded as most important. The first is the tip of the head; next, the ears, the navel region; then the soles of the feet. These are four important centres of the body. If you have limited time or materials, applying oil to these four places will bring the basic benefits of abhyanga and ageing problems will be reduced.
WHEN NOT TO DO ABHYAṄGA
- During the first three days of menstruation.
- Having just eaten food. Abhyaṅga should be done on an empty stomach; otherwise, it can interfere with digestion, causing problems.
- During any sort of illness, fever, flu, cold, cough or times of excess kapha.
- Facial paralysis, disorders of the eye, ear, or suffering from diarrhoea or indigestion.
Abhyaṅga practice brings the intention of slowing down, moving slowly, calming the mind, supporting us in our daily activities and helping us to move forward on this yogic path.
Abhyaṅga is suggested for married couples and children 1-year-old. It is suggested to alternate days, or once weekly from 2 to the age of 5. From 5 to 24, or up to marriage it is not recommended. Abhyaṅga is prohibited for monks and nuns. During the Dīpāvali festival, it is suggested for all.
WHEN NOT TO DO ABHYAṄGA
- During the first three days of menstruation.
- Having just eaten food. Abhyaṅga should be done on an empty stomach; otherwise, it can interfere with digestion, causing problems.
- During any sort of illness, fever, flu, cold, cough or times of excess kapha.
- Facial paralysis, disorders of the eye, ear, or suffering from diarrhoea or indigestion.
Abhyaṅga practice brings the intention of slowing down, moving slowly, calming the mind, supporting us in our daily activities and helping us to move forward on this yogic path.
Abhyaṅga is suggested for married couples and children 1-year-old. It is suggested to alternate days, or once weekly from 2 to the age of 5. From 5 to 24, or up to marriage it is not recommended. Abhyaṅga is prohibited for monks and nuns. During the Dīpāvali festival, it is suggested for all.
