| Traditionally, abhyanga massage is performed in | | | | should be used, and what sort of ingredients |
| the morning, to clarify the mind and stimulate the | | | | should be added. |
| client for the day. According to the principles of | | | | Traditionally, abhyanga massage is performed in |
| ayurveda, everyone has a specific body type | | | | the morning, to clarify the mind and stimulate the |
| known as a dosha. The oil is allowed to soak in | | | | client for the day. Sesame and coconut oils are |
| for several minutes before the massage therapist | | | | commonly used, along with an assortment of |
| begins, using rhythmic, gentle strokes with the | | | | herbs. The oil is allowed to soak in for several |
| whole palm. | | | | minutes before the massage therapist begins, |
| Ayurvedic practitioners recommend that people | | | | using rhythmic, gentle strokes with the whole |
| receive abhyanga massage every day to keep | | | | palm. |
| their bodies balanced, healthy, and focused. Some | | | | It is meant to nourish the body with touch and |
| schools in India offer certification in abhyanga | | | | rich oil, and while it certainly promotes healthy |
| massage, and some Western massage schools | | | | circulation and and joints, it does not deeply |
| may offer brief courses which go over abhyanga | | | | penetrate the soft tissues of the body. Abhyanga |
| techniques. | | | | massage may also be paired with shirodhara, an |
| According to the principles of ayurveda, everyone | | | | Ayurvedic treatment which involves dripping |
| has a specific body type known as a dosha. | | | | warm oil or milk onto the forehead. |
| There are three doshas pitta, kapha, and vata, | | | | An abhyanga massage can last up to an hour. |
| and everyone has a specific balance of doshas | | | | After the massage is over, the client is |
| which must be addressed in ayurvedic therapy. | | | | encouraged to shower to take a steamy bath to |
| The idea of specific body types appears in many | | | | encourage absorption of the oil. A regular routine |
| Eastern healing techniques, and it requires | | | | of abhyanga massage can be very beneficial for |
| practitioners to be extremely flexible, as they | | | | the skin. For people who cannot manage a daily |
| must be able to formulate treatments on an | | | | massage, practitioners of Ayurveda recommend |
| individual basis for their clients; in abhyanga | | | | that people oil their feet, hands, and heads daily |
| massage, your dosha determines what kind of oil | | | | with an oil formulated for their dosha. |