go ahead, touch yourself

Go Ahead........... touch yourself........ and others

Translated Abhyanga means “Loving Hands”

Oil Massage Therepy

Abhyanga may be the best thing that has come from Ayurveda. It combines oils that are nutritive to your body with touch that soothes your mind and spirit. It is easy, inexpensive and totally ADDICTIVE. Once you begin an abhyanga practice, you will make it part of your daily routine with effortless ease.

An oil massage is the perfect way to start and end your day. It is a self-massage that can be performed to invigorate you in the morning and relax you in the evening. It only takes 2 to 10 minutes to perform and provides immeasurable healing benefits.

Oil is better for your skin than lotion. The difference between moisturizing with oil and lotion is that oil which is fat soluble is actually absorbed by your cells. The tiny capillaries on your skin absorb the oil into your bloodstream and distribute it throughout your nervous and lymphatic systems. That is why oils can have calming and soothing effect or an invigorating effect when treated with different herbs. For example, lavender infused oil would relax you. Mustard infused oil would invigorate you.

Your body is in constant dynamic exchange with the environment. You are quite literally digesting your environment. It is recommended to use products that you can actually eat.

Oils by Body Type

These oils are all wonderful carrier oils that can be used daily. If you wish, you may infuse them with other essential oils. Please notice that Sesame Seed Oil is the perfect oil for the cleanse, but for your skin as it is warming and grounding to the Wind element on your skin. If you want to play or do not like the smell of Sesame, play with the following.

Base Oils by Element

The Wind

Sesame, Avocado, Peanut, Walnut, Castor and Flax

The Fire

Coconut, Sunflower and Olive

The Earth

Almond, Safflower, Mustard, Corn, Canola and Soy

All elements

Jojaba, Primrose and Hazelnut

Essential Oils by Element

The Wind

(warming and nourishing)

Sandalwood, Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Rose, Jasmine, Rosewood, Cedarwood, Clary Sage, Cinnamon, Clove, Jasmine, Musk

The Fire

(cooling and soothing)

Sandalwood, lemon, orange, geranium, Chamomile, Gardenia, Jasmine, Mint, Lemon Grass

The Earth

(warming and stimulating)

Patchouli, Jasmine, Geranium, Frankincense, Lavendar, Cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Musk, Sage, Cedar, Pine

Herbal Additives by Element.

The Wind

Ashwagandha, Cinnamon, Brahmi, Tulsi, Shatavari, Haritaki, Fenugreek

The Fire

Chamomile, Amalaki, Coriander, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Mahabala

The Earth

Ashwagandha, Neem, Eucalyptus, Bibitaki, Haritaki, Fenugreek

The Massage

• The oil massage should be performed on a towel as it can be messy. You may warm the oil by simply running it in the bottle under hot water. You can perform the massage after your shower. Simply take the bottle into the shower with you and it will heat up there. (This conserves water too). You may consider purchasing an oil warmer. Simply put the oil on to heat before you get in your shower and it will be ready when you come out.
  
• Most people will prefer to perform the massage prior to showering to avoid feeling oily throughout the day. At bedtime, however, plan to leave the oil on to absorb and heal while you sleep.
  
• Start at your scalp. Use a couple of tablespoons of oil and vigorously massage your scalp in small circles. Work your way down to your ears and massage the inside and outside of your ears.
  
• Move to your face. Massage in little gentle circles going clockwise. The carrier oils are perfect for your face. Most oils, in fact, are anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory and can therefore benefit skin that is prone to eruptions. I use Sesame Oil to take off my make-up.

• Move to your arms and legs. Vigorously rub the oil in long strokes. Some say that if you rub upwards, it will break down cellulite... No proof on that... yet!
  
• Rub your torso in a clockwise circular motion. (you are the clock)
  
• Enlist a friend to do the hard to reach places!!! Remember this is healing touch therapy.
  
• The massage should take 5 – 10 minutes

When you use oils for massage, your body actually eats the oils. Think of the amazing nutritive benefits of Sesame Oil that your skin is eating!!

Amazing Results

The Touch Research Institute in conjunction with Duke Univerisity found that after massage, the human body secretes lower levels of the stress hormones corisol, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

1996 study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience, massaged subjects completed math problems in significantly less time - and with a whole lot fewer errors - than test subjects who were not massaged.