Ayurveda is a "sister science" to yoga and an ancient healing system dating back 5,000 years. Ayurveda suggests an oil self-body massage as part of our daily hygiene.
I love the idea of adding another healing technique to my daily routine and I LOVE massage! And I hope this inspires you to take up a daily self-massage as well, as it’s very healing and therapeutic.
Self massage in Ayurveda is more than just mindlessly rubbing oil on body. Ayurveda recommends spending a minimum of fifteen minutes on self-massage each time you practice it, devoting love and attention to each of the tissue layers as you nourish them with warm oil.
Self massage with warm oil has many benefits from rejuvenating, nourishing and replenishing the skin to toning strong muscles, lubricating and supporting healthy joints, calming and soothing the nervous system, stimulating general circulation, revitalize and energize cells and healthy sleep patterns.
It’s recommended to take a warm bath or shower after an oil self-massage for even deeper benefits. You can use plain organic sesame oil or Vatta, Pitta, Kapha specific oils for your Ayurvedic dosha.
Here's a link to a video, which I found super helpful, on Ayurvedic Self-Massage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HQLsfZh5js
I hope I’ve inspired some of you to love yourself a little bit more today! Now enjoy a massage!
