Abhyanga is an ancient Indian Ayurvedic warm oil massage therapy for healing and detoxifying Body, Mind and Spirit. This type of massage is the most popular massage in Ayurveda, which is a traditional type of medicine system from India. The main point of Ayurveda is to help you maintain your health through natural ways, such as through massage and improved eating habits, and daily rhythm. During the massage, your massage therapist will rub warm herb-infused oils into your body using rhythmic and relaxing motions.
What is an Abhyanga Massage?
As briefly mentioned earlier, an Abhyanga massage is a traditional Ayurvedic massage. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical practices, dating back all the way to ancient India. It incorporates an aromatic combination of oils prepared with herbs blended and warmed. A variety of Ayurvedic techniques are applied to work along the energy channels of your body in a synchronized manner to restore the flow of vital energy where it has become blocked.
One of the greatest ways to express self-love is through anointing your body with warm, calming oils. This practice of massaging yourself with oils is called Abhyanga or Snehana. The Sanskrit word for “Sneha” can be translated into “oil” and “love”. Therefore, it makes sense that Abhyanga is a therapeutic way of using warm oils and massages to feel loved and cared for. In general, after receiving your first Abhyanga massage, you will want to keep coming back for more, since you will always be left feeling a sense of stability, warmth, and relaxation.
Abhyanga benefits
There is a reason why Abhyanga massages and Ayurvedic medicine have been around for such a long time. Clearly, the ancient Indians knew how to practice healing with Ayurvedic medicine. The anecdotal benefits of Abhyanga massage have been vast. Many people have reported various therapeutic benefits that come with receiving Abhyanga massages. Here are some of the main benefits of getting Abhyanga massages on a regular basis.
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Reduces stress
In a 2011 study, researchers looked at the relationship between Abhyanga massages and stress in 20 healthy adults. Before receiving the hour long Abhyanga massage, participants in the study filled out a questionnaire about stress and got their heart rates measured. After receiving the Abhyanga massage, participants went through the same stress-related questionnaire and had their heart rates measured again. The purpose of this study was to see if the participants felt less stressed out after receiving their hour long Abhyanga massages.
Through this study, researchers found that the participants’ stress levels and heart rates decreased after receiving their Abhyanga massages. In other larger scale studies, researches received similar results, showing that Abhyanga massages definitely help decrease a person’s stress levels.
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Stimulates internal organs and energy channels
Similar to how practicing yoga stimulates internal organ health and functionality, Abhyanga helps stimulate the internal organs, particularly the digestive tract. In addition, Abhyanga massages include energy and reflexology. Your massage therapist will pinpoint the different energy points that are on your body, which are connected to different parts of your internal organs. By massaging and stimulating these energy points, your massage therapist is unblocking your energy channels. Essentially, they are allowing the energy inside of you to flow freely throughout your body.
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Lowers blood pressure
In the same study, researchers focused on the relationship between Abhyanga massages and blood pressure levels. After participants in the study received their massages, those with prehypertension had decreased blood pressure levels. This result can be explained through the fact that Abhyanga massages affect the circulatory system. Massages can cause blood vessels to expand, resulting in a faster blood flow and a decrease in resistance within the arteries. Although this study found that Abhyanga massages can lower blood pressure, there still needs to be additional research done to see how exactly Abhyanga massages affect blood pressure.
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Improves skin health
According to Abhyanga massage professionals, one of the main benefits of the massage is healthy skin. The oils that are used on your body are used to nourish your skin. There are many different oils that can be used for your Abhyanga massage based on the doshas.
There are three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These three doshas are believed to be present in each person’s body. The Vata Dosha is characterized as being energetic, creative, and flexible. The Pitta Dosha is characterized as being precise, sharp-witted, and direct. The Kapha Dosha is characterized as being loyal, patient, and supportive. For your Vata Dosha, the recommended oils are sesame, almond, or Vata-balancing oil. For your Pitta Dosha, the recommended oils are coconut, sunflower, or Pitta-balancing oil. For your Kapha Dosha, the recommended oils are safflower or Kapha-balancing oil. If you want a three in one oil, Jojoba oil is good for all three of the doshas.
Once you find a type of oil that works best for your Dosha, you should see a positive improvement in your skin. It’s not just about the type of oil that is applied, your skin’s health also has to do with the massage strokes. The massage strokes should help increase blood flow, get rid of wrinkles, cellulite, and scars, make your skin smoother and softer, and decrease hyperpigmentation. Although people have reportedly seen skin benefits due to Abhyanga massages, there still needs to be further research to prove that massages actually help skin.
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Acts as a lymphatic massage
A lymphatic massage is a type of gentle massage that helps increase the movement of lymph fluids in your body. These lymph fluids help get rid of waste and toxins that are found in your bodily tissues. When you receive an Abhyanga massage, the gentle oil massages that you receive will act as a lymphatic massage.
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Reduces muscle stiffness
People believe that Abhyanga massages decrease muscle stiffness by loosening tight muscles. A 2017 study found that ankle massages improve ankle flexibility. In a similar study, a 2019 study found that giving yourself a massage before stretching helped increase the range of motion in your lower legs. In addition, massages have been known to help heal sore muscles after intense workouts. Because Abhyanga is a type of massage, it would definitely make sense for Abhyanga massages to produce similar benefits of increasing a person’s mobility and flexibility.
Abhyanga massage near me
Abhyanga is one of the popular healing services that is offered. Through this hour long massage for $100, you will come out feeling less-stressed and energized. We have a number of amazing and qualified healers who will make sure you get the best and most relaxing treatment possible. During your Abhyanga massage, you will receive the following: an Indian scalp and head oil massage, and a face, neck, shoulder, feet, legs, hands, palms, back, and belly oil massage.
Now that you know what an Abhyanga massage consists of and the many health and wellness benefits, book your appointment today or contact us with any questions, comments, or concerns that you might have regarding an Abhyanga massage or any of our other healing services.