Basic Abhyanga Massage

We introduce you to this wonderful Abhyanga (oil massage) practice, which can be practiced daily to greatly enhance your well being. We discuss the principles of Abhyanga, the scientific evidence of the effects of Abhyanga and the role of Abhyanga in promoting good health. We also demonstrate how to self administer Abhyanga for your daily life.

Head massage plays an important role in Abhyanga Massage, along with foot massage. It is stated in Abhyanga ancient texts that if the whole body cannot be massaged every day then at the very least the head, ears and feet should be massaged. This workshop shows you how to effectively massage your own head and how to administer head massage to others using appropriate oils and techniques.

There are however, five general strokes that are used in traditional massage. These are sweeping, tapping, kneading, rubbing, and squeezing.1 sweeping is applied from the navel out toward the distal areas of the body in brisk, straight strokes. On the upper body, sweeping starts at the navel, sweeping up to the shoulder and then sweeping down to the hands. Sweeping is used to open and close a body area and are repeated up to twenty five times on one area. Sweeping warms the tissue and revitalizes the limbs and feel invigorating.

Tapping is used to awaken the body, alert the nerve endings, and increase circulation. It is done with open palms and relaxed fingers. After the area has received the tapping technique, it is kneaded at a depth that is tolerable to the client. The area is kneaded thoroughly and completely before the therapist moves on to the fourth technique, which is rubbing. Rubbing can be done on dry skin or performed with oil. It can be deep or light and superficial. Although some specific techniques rub in a counterclockwise direction, most often the rubbing is in clockwise circles.

The fifth step in the massage sequence is squeezing. Using both hands, the therapist lifts an area of muscle with a squeezing and crossing torque-like motion. In bony areas such as the fingers and toes, a combination of squeezing and twisting are used to mobilize the area. To finish the fingers and toes, a drop of oil is placed on the finger so that it fills the gap between the nail and the flesh. The massage sequence ends for each body area just as it began with straight sweeps working out from the navel to the distal areas of the body. For more details http://www.ayurvedasbeautycare.com

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