Self-Abhyanga: More than Skin Deep

A friend of mine sent an article about Ayurveda recently posted on the Yahoo site. She also mentioned that this was the fourth article she found in Yahoo on the similar subject. It seems that Ayurveda is becoming more mainstream. I rejoice to the news.

The particular article I read was about self-Abhyanga, an Ayurvedic self massage using natural, cooking grade oil. I have been doing self-Abhyanga for a few years and regularly advice my client especially those with Vata imbalance to do the same. My application method that I have refined over the years and perhaps the intention behind the practice may differ slightly from the article. Hence, I think it is worthwhile to share my thought on this topic.

Sure, the application of good quality, all natural oil is better than sticking petroleum based moisturizer or processed oil onto our body. But it is not enough for me to forgo the quick convenient, non-sticky, much less messy organic lotion I used to swear by. There is more to self-Abhyanga than moisturizing the skin.

The word Sneha in Sanskrit means love. It also means oil. When we give ourselves the nourishment of oil application we give love to our body, mind and connect to our spirit. Oil is said to pacify Vata Dosha which resides primarily in our nervous system, skin and bones. When we oil ourselves we sooth the nerves, calm the mind, lubricate and protect our physical tissues in the skin and joints. It strengthens body and mind and builds Ojas, the essence of our wellbeing and immunity.

Self-Abhyanga is a part of my morning ritual. If I cannot give myself at least ten minutes to do it properly I skip it and go for the organic lotion. I do so in order to alleviate any rush to come afterward which creates more stress in my life. In my last article I mentioned how Ayurvedic medicine is not a substitute for allopathic medicine. In the same way, self-Abhyanga is not a substitution for applying body lotion. If one wants to practice Ayurveda one needs to address the emotional and mental imbalance together with the physical condition. Ayurveda is the yogic medicine. Healing through Ayurveda is to yoke all aspect of self.

Nourishing self takes time. If you are pressed on time you should first examine your priority. You will either have to get up earlier or practice self-Abhyanga on the days that you have more time. You may also opt for an evening practice rather than the morning. To practice Self-Abhyanga, first you should find out your Dosha or imbalance. If you tend to have dry, flaky skin you are of a Vata type. If your skin is fine, sensitive and tends toward redness and inflammation you are of a Pitta type. If your skin is pale and tends to be cold and clammy you are of a Kapha type. Because of the skin condition Vata needs generous amount of oil, Pitta needs moderate amount and Kapha needs little amount and least frequent applications.

Choosing appropriate oil for your skin is simple as long as you know your Dosha. For Vata, use sesame or almond oil. I also recommend Mahanarayan oil which is warming and excellent for alleviating stiffness in the joints. For Pitta, use coconut or olive oil for the cooling property. You can also mix neem oil in to help pacify skin irritation and inflammation. For Kapha, use safflower or sunflower oils which are lighter. Mustard seed oil is also recommended for lightness and heating properties. Depending on the seasons, you may need to warm your oil in fall and winter but leave it room temperature during the summer. Vata needs to practice Self-Abhyanga the most and Kapha the least.

Next, choose an appropriate method of application. I like to massage my oil in and wait at least five minutes to let the oil get absorbed into the skin before taking a warm shower or bath. This is most beneficial for Vata. During this time I scrape my tongue, empty my bowel, brush my teeth and apply Neti (see an article on Spring Allergies for more info on Neti). In short, I waste no time while I let the oil get absorbed into my skin. For Vata, use gentle but firm pressure to sooth and calm the nerves while massaging. For Pitta, use moderate pressure and for Kapha use strong pressure to invigorate the whole body.

Massage the oil into the scalp if you plan to wash your hair afterward. Then massage in and around your ears, along your neck and the trunk of your body. If you are prone to acne on your face you may skip the oil as it can clog pores and escalate the condition. Otherwise, massage in circular motion on your forehead, temples, cheeks and jaws. Apply long strokes up and down on your arms and legs with more pressure upward toward the heart where there are major lymph drainages. Apply vigorous circular motion onto the joints to heat up and loosen up stiffness. Massage the oil well into the fingers, toes and the soles of your feet.

To take excess oil off, dampen your skin with water then apply chickpea flour and exfoliate your skin before showering. Or make a paste of chickpea flour and water and apply directly onto the skine. To keep more moisture on your skin skip the exfoliation and let a warm shower opens up the pores and carry the oil deeper into the tissues. Lightly towel yourself dried afterward.

I find that if I let the oil get absorbed before showering there is less oil on the surface of the skin and my towel gets very little or no oil. You will need to clean your shower floor or bathtub more frequent to avoid slippery floor. At the end it is worth all the effort and time. You will feel the nourishment deep within your soul as you take extra care of yourself further than skin deep.