Hello all!  Sorry for the delay on this one. Surprisingly, the information about ayurvedic massage on the internet is very limited.  I've had to really do some digging on this one!

At any rate, there are many different types of massage techniques practiced in ayurvedic medicine (and you can see a list of the types with a brief description of each here), but I'm going to focus on the benefits of abhyanga, a full-body oil massage that you can (and should) give yourself daily. It is performed using warm oil (usually something like organic sesame oil or herbalized massage oils, but any oil, including aromatherapy oils, that are designed specifically for massage will work fine).  It's best to store the oil in a flip top plastic container and warm the oil for a few minutes under hot running water.  Then you should apply the oil all over your body and wait a few minutes before beginning the massage in order to let the oil penetrate into your skin.  Next you massage your body using gentle strokes and circular motions.  There are more detailed instructions here.

Abhyanga massage pacifies the vata dosha and helps to balance the Kapha dosha.  It also improves overall circulation, helps lubricate your joints, makes your skin softer and smoother and helps aid in a restful nights sleep, just to name a few of the benefits. 

Below is a link to the first video in a series of "how to" instructions on giving this type of massage to another person. 


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And here is a link to the page with a list of the rest of the videos in the series.

Have a wonderful weekend and I will be back next week with a new topic!