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Abyahgan – Oil Massage
#1. Step-By-Step Instructions For Your Super Power Abhyanga Practice
Modern yogis say there is no greater expression of self-love than lovingly anointing ourselves from head to toe with warm oil — this practice is called Abyanga. It can take as little as 3 minutes before you shower, to as long as you want (20-30 minutes when you really need to calm and soothe). All you need is a towel and oil. You can use Almond Oil or Sesame Oil which you can get at most grocery stores.
Below is a step-by-step three-minute video + written instructions, from the Chopra Center, explaining the steps involved with Abhyanga self massage.
Steps to Follow for Self-Massage:
- Warm the oil (pour approximately ¼ cup into a mug and warm using a coffee-cup warmer.) Test the temperature by putting a drop on your inner wrist, oil should be comfortably warm and not hot.
- Sit or stand comfortably in a warm room.
- Apply oil first to the crown of your head (adhipati marma) and work slowly out from there in circular strokes—spend a couple of minutes massaging your entire scalp (home to many other important marma points—points of concentrated vital energy).
- Face: Massage in circular motion on your forehead, temples, cheeks, and jaws (always moving in a upward movement). Be sure to massage your ears, especially your ear-lobes—home to essential marma points and nerve endings.
- Use long strokes on the limbs (arms and legs) and circular strokes on the joints (elbows and knees). Always massage toward the direction of your heart.
- Massage the abdomen and chest in broad, clockwise, circular motions. On the abdomen, follow the path of the large intestine; moving up on the right side of the abdomen, then across, then down on the left side.
- Finish the massage by spending at least a couple of minutes massaging your feet. Feet are a very important part of the body with the nerve endings of essential organs and vital marma points.
- Sit with the oil for 5-15 minutes if possible so that the oil can absorb and penetrate into the deeper layers of the body.
- Enjoy a warm bath or shower. You can use a mild soap on the “strategic” areas, avoid vigorously soaping and rubbing the body.
- When you get out of the bath, towel dry gently. Blot the towel on your body instead of rubbing vigorously.
- Enjoy the feeling of having nourished your body, mind, and spirit and carry that with you throughout your day.
For more details, go here.
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