If you never had one you might be wondering what is an Ayurveda Massage Treatment and how is it different from a regular massage.
Abhaynga is a sanskrit ward mentioned in Ayurveda. It is an Ayurvedic Body Massage treatment with warm therapeutic herbal oils that are infused with medicinal properties. The application of herbal medicated oil to our skin, has for centuries played a significant part in Ayurvedic holistic and herbal health care.
How is Abhayanga Ayurvedic massage different from other massages?
Abhayanga, Ayurvedic Massage is a unique type of massage that works on the concepts of ayurveda, that everything is made of five basic elements - space, air, fire, water and earth. These five elements form the three basic body Doshas or humours, that are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Complete equilibrium and harmony between theses three body humours is a sign of good health and opposite is true for a disease. Lets discuss some of the special features of an ayurvedic massage or abhaynaga that makes it unique from other known massages:
A. Customised therapeutic Oils Ayurvedic Massage:
Ayurvedic massage focuses on balancing these three doshas. A careful consideration is given to the person’s imbalanced dosha, then based on that imbalance, an ayurvedic therapeutic oil is mindfully chosen from a stock of hundred different varieties of Ayurvedic oils. As all the ayurvedic oil have different properties.
That oil is warmed in a double boiler and applied in the copious amount on the body. The oil penetrates the pores of the epidermis and subcutaneous adipose tissues further layers and helps to loosens ama/toxins which have accumulated there.
B. Marma Points Energy Flow Ayurvedic Massage:
What is a marma massage?
Marmas are vital energy points mentioned in Ayurvedic medicine. There are 107 Marma points in our body. These marma points when function well leads to effective flow of vital energy in our body. Sometimes these marma points can get blocked due to a disease process in the body. Effective massage with right technique and pressure on these marma points helps to unblock any obstruction and promotes a healthy energy flow in the body.
A qualified and experienced Ayurvedic therapists focuses on clearing these energy channels or pathways and also focusing on seven chakras that are also closely related to marma points, hence helping to dislodge any obstruction during the marma abhayanga, ayurvedic body massage.
C. Specific Strokes and Movements Ayurvedic Massage:
The Ayurvedic massage therapist uses various dry and wet massage techniques including tapping, kneading, and squeezing, pinching, pounding etc as well as traditional massage strokes. Movement of the massage strokes is dependent of their illness and the amount of lymphatic blockages. A typical Ayurvedic massage that promotes lymphatic drainage is performed in an upward stroke and promotes the circulation towards the heart. The overall approach increases circulation and lymphatic drainage.
D. Incorporates whole body Ayurvedic massage:
Abhaynaga ayurvedic body massage has a significant role in promoting health. The massage is performed in supine as well as prone position and includes face, head, ears, feet and tummy massage, along with arm, legs, back, neck and shoulder like a typical massage. Oil is applied in all of these areas unless indicated otherwise.
E. Deep skin pores penetration Ayurveda massage:
Due to the extremely small size of the ayurvedic oil molecules, Ayurveda oils penetrate the skin easily and transport the healing properties of nature, directly to the cells in the body. Ayurveda texts have mentioned the duration for the oil to reach from the skin to various layers of the body.
Hair follicles in skin epidermis- 5 minutes
Dermis of skin - 9 minutes
Blood - 12 minutes
Muscles - 15 minutes
Fat adipose tissues - 18 Minutes
Bones - 24 Minutes
Bone marrow - 27 minutes
It is important for you to know that, a typical Ayurvedic massage is not heavy on actual pressure during massage, instead, it focuses on manipulating energy flow and promoting deep retention of Ayurvedic therapeutic oils in the body.
In addition to its moisturising effects, Ayurvedic massage also has significant therapeutic benefits. According to Ayurvedic Science, it alleviates Vata aggravation and reduces physical fatigue and mental stress. It helps to improve flexibility and promotes suppleness.
Abhyanga massage also aims to improve the skin health and makes it delicate, soft and tender, but stronger. It has rejuvenating effects, which helps to improve lifespan and reduce the signs of aging. All of its beneficial effects are generally attributed to its effects on blood circulation and relaxation. It tends to increase blood circulation and aims to induce deep relaxation, which is ultimately helpful in a number of diseases.
Acharaya Charak, (one of the principal academics of Ayurveda), in his main text book, Charak Samhita, Sutra Sthan Chapter 5, Shloka, 85-85, has mentioned the advantages of daily abhayanga, as servicing the body similar to a machine and he co-related it to oiling the machine for smoooth and strong operation. (See following Shloka).
Pure Herbal Ayurved Clinicuses customised herbal oils based on your ayurvedic pulse on the day and offers you individualised Ayurvedic massage treatment Therapy in Northcote, Melbourne.
Ayurvedic Body Massage treatment methods are good for the old and the young; it may help reverse the effects of over-indulgence, irregularity and loneliness.
In ayurvedic body massage warm, herbalised sesame oil is applied in a continuous flowing sequence. The oil penetrates the pores of the epidermis and subcutaneous adipose tissues and helps to loosens ama/toxins which have accumulated there.
The ayurvedic massage may last for over an hour depending on the speed and depth chosen to suit your Ayurvedic body-type.
Ayurveda employs a variety of powerful massage techniques to help instability within the body.
Most Ayurvedic massages are luxuriously relaxing, to soothe the body and calm the brain, while others are more stimulating, to energise the body and mobilise toxins.
Treatment plans are usually individually tailored, so whether you need to rest the brain or purify and revitalise the body, a suitable treatment package is prescribed to help carry the body back into stability.
However, each and every day you can also carry out your own ‘mini-massage’ at home– it is simple to do and impressive in delaying the ravages of time, toning your epidermis layer and helping strengthen the defence mechanisms.
Ayurvedic Oil Massage In Melbourne
Your ayurvedic massage therapist will use ayurvedic herbal oil and specific strokes relevant to your body’s constitution which aid the body in the systematic elimination of ama/toxins by moving them into the excretory channels.
Your ayurveda practitioner will aim to unblock stagnated energy flow by massaging 107 marma factors (energy points) which induces a more rhythmic power circulation and leaves you feeling more relaxed and rejuvenated.
The Ayurvedic massage finishes with the head being massaged with the treated oils as well. This enables you to take stability between the brain and our bodies and stabilise the neurological program.
An Ayurvedic massage also helps counter combined stiffness, arthritis, physical and mental fatigue and aids with sleep.
It also aids to slow down the ageing process by enhancing epidermis texture and complexion.
Abhaynaga benefits and indications have been mentioned in Ayurvedic texts as following two sanskrit shlokas and explianed in English below.
In the above shloka from Acharya Vagbhatt in his text Ashtang Hridya Sutra Sthan Chapter 2 and Shloka 8 and 9, following benefits of Abhayanga are mentioned in sanskrit (translated in English for easy interpretation):
Jara haram: Reverses ageing
Shram haram: Rejuvenates body from any exertion
Drishti prasadanam: Promotes eye eight
Pushtya: Nourishing for the body
Ayushya: Promotes longevity
Swapnya: Induces sleep
Twakya: strengthen and nourishes the skin
Above Shloka also mentions special emphasis on the massage of head, ear and feet to get best results.
In the above sanskrit shloka from Sushrut Samhita, Chikitsa Sthan, Chaper 24, Versus 30-33, Acharya Sushruta (ancient guru of Ayurveda), has also mentioned the benefits of Abhayanga as following:
Mardavkar: Promotes softness of skin
Kapha vata nirodhan: Alleviates Kapha and Vata disorders.
Dhatu Pushti: Nourishes seven body organs namely plamsa, blood, muscle, fat adipose tissue, bone, bone marrow, reproductive organs.
Mrija varna bala pradah: Offers cleansing, lustre and strength to skin
Shram Ghan: Heals exhaustion
Hridya: Good for healthy heart
Asthi prasadak: Nourishes bones
Sandhi prasadak: Nourishes joints
Ruja Har: Reduces pain
Sharir Bala: Offers strength and support to whole body
Traditional benefits of Ayurvedic Abhyanga Complete Oil Body Massage are:
Balances all three doshas; vata, pitta and kapha.
Promotes flexibility and suppleness.
Promotes immune strength, power and vitality.
Promotes the rest quality.
Promotes softness and lustre of the skin.
Improves the quality of skin by making it tender, delicate and strong.
Aids to reduce stress, anxiety and fear and levels out the brain and emotions.
Relieves exertion, tiredness, and weakness due to various exercises.
Improves the power circulation throughout the channels
Improves the lymphatic and circulatory program thus enhancing our defence mechanisms.
Aids to relieve from poor concentration, insomnia, everyday wear & tear of body.
Good for chronic headaches & migraines, pain, bloating etc.
Combination of Therapies:
Abhaynaga is combined with Swedanam (Herbal Steam bath) to augment the effects of abhayanga and ensure deep penetration of the oil.
Abhayanga can also be accompanied by Shirodhara (Third eye oil drip) or shiroabhayanga (Indian head massage) etc.
Duration of abhayanga: Typically abhayanga is done for one hour or 90 min.
Before and after care:
Things to consider before Abhayanga:
Abhayanga is ideally done empty stomach or at-least two hours after food.
Sometimes Ayurvedic oils can leave a specific odour on the body or may stain light coloured clothes. So It it advisable, not to wear your favourite clothing before abhayanga or bring a spare pair of undergarments or clothes to change after abhayanga.
Give yourself enough time, accomodating travel and parking time etc and 15 min rest after treatment. So ideally for one hour therapy, allow yourself one and a half hour.
Things to consider after Abhayanga:
Keep appropriate hydration all day by drinking warm herbal teas or water.
Avoid loud noise, bright flashing colours.
Avoid strong winds or rain.
Avoid heavy meals.
Take appropriate rest.
Avoid immediate urge to have a shower.
When having shower in the evening, avoid the use of soap and shampoo to promote deeper and longer penetration of ayurvedic oils.
Who should avoid abhayanga?
Person who just finished panchkarma detox program
Person with indigestion problems.
Person with excessive kapha aggravation.
Those on a wellness program structured by an Ayurvedic practitioner should ideally have a massage at least once a month. If you are looking for Ayurveda Massage near me in Melbourne, contact us today.
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