I tried an Abhyanga massage to relieve stress – here’s what happened

Show yourself some love with an Abhyanga massage – the ancient Ayurvedic massage technique to relax your body and calm your mind

Words: Katy Sunnassee & Angela Kennedy | Images: Shutterstock

Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest healing systems, combining ancient Indian wellbeing rituals for optimum health. Abhyanga, aka Ayurvedic self-massage, might be new to you, but it’s set to become a winter wellness staple. This Ayurvedic practice of self-massage involves warm oil being used for benefits such as reduced muscle tension, lymphatic drainage and nourished skin – and you can easily do it yourself at home.

‘Abhyanga, rooted in the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, is a luxurious daily self-care ritual involving the art of self-massage using warm, aromatic oils, often infused with herbs,’ says Dr Vijay Murthy, integrative medicine doctor and founder of The Murthy Clinic (murthyclinic.com). ‘Self-massage is a highly recommended daily ritual in Ayurveda as the act of touch, particularly when applied through self-massage, has a profound impact on balancing the nervous system and nurturing a positive attitude. This tactile self-care practice not only enhances physical wellbeing, but also fosters a deep sense of connection with oneself,’ Dr Murthy explains.

‘By gently touching your skin, you activate soothing neural pathways, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. This mindful touch cultivates a sense of self-compassion, helping to reshape our mindset towards positivity and self-care, ultimately leading to a harmonious and rejuvenated state of being,’ he says.

Apart from the doing-it-yourself aspect, how does Abhyanga differ from regular massage? ‘It involves marma points, which are energy areas in the body where life force, “prana” in Ayurveda, is concentrated. Marma are similar in concept to acupuncture points of traditional Chinese medicine but have unique characteristics in Ayurveda. There are 107 marma points and each of them corresponds to different organs, systems or energetic pathways, making Abhyanga a holistic practice that goes beyond physical benefits to create mental and emotional wellbeing too,’ he says.

‘When marma points are massaged with warm oils, it helps the flow of prana to promote wellbeing. Marma point massage relieves pain, stiffness, soreness and produces deeper relaxation,’ says Dr Murthy. ‘Be gentle over the heart but firm over the abdomen, massaging in a clockwise direction.’

How to prepare…

Choose an oil: To perform an ayurvedic oil massage, use an oil such as coconut for sensitive skin or sesame for dry skin. It should take at least 10 minutes and preferably longer, so be sure you’re spending adequate time on each body part and really showing yourself some love.

Brush your skin: Use a dry brush to remove dead skin and dirt from your skin’s surface as well as prepare your pores for receiving the oil.

Warm your oil: You can do this while dry brushing if warming your oil in a pot, or rub the oil between your palms if you are short on time.

Take your time

It’s important to let the oil sit on your skin for at least 10 minutes as Abhyanga’s deeper benefits depend on the body’s absorption of the oil and herbs, and it takes a few minutes for the oil to penetrate to the deepest layers. Dr Murthy suggests leaving the oil on for longer, for example during exercise, to really feel the benefits. Afterwards, take a hot shower as the heat will help the oil penetrate into your skin further, which is believed to help strengthen the connective skin tissues and keep them supple.

3 to try…

Maharishi Ayurveda Organic Vata Massage Oil

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Urban Veda Ayurvedic Dry Body Brush

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Holy Lama Ayurvedic Massage Oil Gift Set

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