Ayurvedic self-massage.

In Living Seasonally Spring I wrote about the changes you can make in your life to fully transition into being aligned with Spring, in body and mind, by gradually moving away from the unctuous, cool, heavy, slow qualities to light, active, and warm qualities. This movement can be further supported by dry brushing, followed by Abhyanga, the tender and loving act of self-massaging.

Start with Dry Brushing

Dry brushing (Garshana) is an Ayurvedic detoxifying and energising practice to stimulate and clear toxins from the body. Garshana translates to “rubbing or polishing”, and it is this friction that stimulates the lymphatic system while refreshing your skin and invigorating the mind. The lymphatic system is part of the body’s immune system which carries a clear, watery fluid called lymph. It also contains white blood cells, which help fight infections. The lymphatic system may have an excessive buildup of fluids due to allergies and congestion from the release of pollen in the air, which can further affect how your body and mind function. Therefore, it is important to rid yourself of toxins.

As the toxins are removed, your body and mind gain:

  • Helps remove stagnation

  • An increase in muscle tone

  • Enhanced lymphatic circulation

  • A reduction of stress

  • An improved skin texture, exfoliates the skin

  • Improved digestion and kidney function

  • Prepares the skin for self-massage

It is important to note that dry brushing should not be done if you have a skin condition, very sensitive skin, or an illness.

How to do it

Before you engage in dry brushing, be sure to choose the right brush. It should be natural, preferably vegetable-derived. The bristles should be slightly stiff and not too hard— the goal is to be gentle with your skin. Alternatively, you can use something that almost everyone of us has at home, the wash cloth, which is a better option for people with sensitive skin. The best time to perform dry brushing is in the morning upon waking. This is Kapha time, and thus the stimulation from dry brushing will help to kick-start your day.

Step 1. Choose a warm and comfortable space to do this, and set your towels down to collect the dead skin flakes during the process. Or you can opt to do it in the bathtub/shower.

Step 2. It is best to dry brush daily or even twice a day as it opens up the pores on your skin. This can be done in the morning before your shower on dry skin that is free from oil or lotion. This also means that the brush should always remain dry.

Step 3. As a rule of thumb, each stroke and brush you make should be in the direction of your heart. Use circular clockwise motions on your stomach, bottom, and joint areas, and long sweeping strokes on your arms and legs. Always moving towards the heart, massage from your feet up to your torso and on to your neck, and from your hands to your shoulders.

Step 4. Alternate the pressure you apply. Light pressure on thin or sensitive skin areas and firm pressure on thicker areas such as the bottom of your feet.

Once you have removed the dead skins cells - old stagnant energy - you should follow up with a shower. You can either simply apply lotion to your body to restore hydration, or you can have a Ayurvedic self-massage to not only calm your mind and body but also restore nourishment using warming herbal oils.

Continue with the tender and loving act of self-massaging (Abhyanga)

Rituals are a great way to invoke the ancient wisdom of those who came before us, and to give ourselves the permission and the space to accept and embody the sacred. The ritual of daily routine is a great way to infuse intentionality into your daily practices. One of those staple practices in Ayurveda is that of Abhyangha.

Abhyangha is a practice that involves lovingly applying warm, medicated oil to oneself. It is effective in so many ways as we are applying the oil to the largest organ of the body; the skin. The daily practice of abhyangha gives us a space to open ourselves up to receiving the nourishment of the oil and to connect with your body and practice self-love. When applied with a purposeful touch, balance is restored and strengthened in the body and the mind.

It is important to note that dry brushing has a different effect than abhyanga. Abhyanga is calming and soothing to the nervous system, while dry brushing is stimulating and activating. They both balance each other nicely.

There is a multitude of benefits associated with Abhyanga, namely:

  • Emotional balance

  • Improved body awareness

  • Pain and stress relief

  • Blood pressure modulation

  • Nourishes the body and adds an additional layer of protection to preserve your energy

It can be seen as a protector of sorts, shielding you from environmental changes and preserving and strengthening your self-confidence and will power in the process.

Spring Kapha Abhyanga

Some of the best oils to use in springtime are mustard, corn, and almond as they are warming oils that are best for Kapha. However, you are not limited to these oils, Abhyanga can also be done with herbal oils such as tulsi, eucalyptus, and rosemary, as these add more Kapha pacifying properties. In terms of the amount of oil you should use, less oil is needed for Kapha Abhyanga.

In my personal Kapha Abhyanga routine, I use almond oil which I warm up in a hot cup to which I add a few drops of either rosemary or orange essential oils to stimulate the senses with a bit of aromatherapy as well. I also like to just leave it on my skin for 15-30 min on days when I’m not in a rush or working from home, letting the skin absorb the oils deeply while I’m warmly covered in a bathrobe.

Abhyanga Routine

When you create your Abhyanga routine, there are some things to be aware of before you begin. Because this will become a regular weekly habit, it is important to put careful thought into setting it up.

  1. As with dry brushing, find a spot that is warm (not cold), private, and comfortable as it is recommended to use the same spot each time you oil massage. When your body calls for a massage, it will feel naturally pulled to the regular area you have chosen for this act of self-care.

  2. Always warm the oil bottle before you begin your massage by placing it in a tea mug of hot water, for example.

  3. You can oil massage daily, but ideally you would set aside 10 - 20 min once a week for a good and deep session. It’s not something you want to rush through, you want to take your time and enjoy it.

  4. Your body will intuitively know where to start, so give your hands free rein as they shape and explore what needs to get back into circulation. They will naturally sense what needs to be soothed, rubbed, or kneaded. If self-touch is foreign to you, start by oil massaging your feet before bed. Over time, you can work up to your hands and head, and then your limbs. And eventually, you might feel ready to do a full-body massage.

  5. Leave oil on at least 7 minutes, but 20-30 minutes on days that you have time is even more luxurious. You may not want to oil your scalp every time as it requires extra shampooing, but it’s nice to do it once a week or so.

  6. If you’d like, you can make it a family affair. It will become a habit for your children if they also engage in occasional oil massage. By doing this, they will learn that self-massage is an important part of caring for and maintaining your body.

  7. After the oil has spent some time on the skin, take a hot shower or bath. The oil will absorb as the steam opens the pores. You only need to use soap on areas of concern, otherwise the oil has cleansing properties and should be left on to nourish the skin.

If you’re tempted but not sure how to do it, watch this short video with a few massaging tips.

This act of self-care and love to the temple that is your body is invaluable during the Kapha season, so please be sure to do it with an attentive mind and heart. Regular practice will also balance doshas and help to contain energy in the body, enhancing energetic resilience.

Let me know how it was for you. x