The Magic of Abhyanga
As many of you know, February has been a month of serious self care. Morning epsom salt baths, really gentle and mindful yoga, reduced coffee intake, increased hot tea intake, lots of journaling, extra reading and a whole lot of evaluating my daily routine.
Getting back into my Ayurveda studies this month has been so beneficial to create a more personalized self care protocol. The same routine isn’t for everyone just like the same exercise regime won’t work for everyone.
In Ayurveda there is a concept that there are three doshas (think body and personality types). Usually we have two predominant ones, though all three are present. Out of those two, you typically have one that dominates your mind and another your body.
Your dominant dosha can change with the seasons and your lifestyle, this is why a self care routine that used to work for you may not be as beneficial different times of the year or your life. For instance, warming foods and liquids feel great in cooler weather, while cooler foods feel better in warmer weather. Hot epsom salt baths during summer might not be best, while cooling teas aren’t as nourishing in the winter. You get my drift.
One of the Ayurvedic practices I started in February is Abhyanga, or self oil massage (no not that kind, but hey that’s self care too!). I do this every morning after my shower and aside from the physical benefits (which I’ll share in a link at the bottom of this post), I’ve noticed some mental ones as well. THIS is the reason I wanted to share my experience today.
I know many of us are struggling with mental health right now. Especially as it pertains to our physical bodies. We aren’t as active, the stress of the world is felt in our bodies (trust me on this, there is scientific proof) and I know I’ve mentioned before that I feel like I’ve aged A LOT in just one year. So anything I can do physically that also helps my mental state and doesn’t involve yet more exercise is worth trying. At least in my opinion.
Each morning I created an Abhyanga routine. I sit at the edge of my bathtub, rub some oil in my palms and start with my left arm. As I massage my arm I look at my Durga tattoo and honor all the aspects of Durga… I send gratitude to my arm, my muscles and my hands, then repeat on the other side.
I move to my chest and massage in circular way imaging my heart chakra energy building and sending love deeper to myself so that I may give more to others.
Next, my stomach…this is where I spend extra time. At first I didn’t want to linger here…I didn’t want to spend time focused on all the negative feelings I have on my belly (don’t we all?). But then I watched a video earlier in the month by Lizzo that was SO inspiring that I started spending extra time on my belly. All the wonderful things it does for me. All the people I’ve met while showing it and all the years of negative self-talk I needed to offset. It’s not easy, but I’ve noticed such a benefit in the relationship I have with my stomach.
From there I move on to my legs and feet, again focusing extra time on my tattoos and what the symbolism means as a way to honor that.
The mindset shift is beginning to settle in. Focusing on honoring my body each day, part by part and sending love while has quickly become a self care routine that I look forward to every day! Not to mention the physical benefits I’ve already noticed which include softer skin and feeling less dehydrated throughout the day just to name a couple.
So I want to challenge you all to take a moment, grab some lotion or even do this with soap in the shower. Spend some mindfulness moments paying attention and sending gratitude to each part of your body. Spend extra time with the areas that are harder to love. Make this a habit and I promise you’ll notice a mindset shift.
For more information about Abhyanga, Doshas and oil types check out this website