Abhyanga, the self-massage oil ritual that healed my skin

Stress has an aggressive way of making its presence felt. You know, the type of stress that seems to permeate your cells, becoming part of you. It settles there, all bloody-knuckled and cortisol-rich, fighting off the good vibes and not allowing anything nice or decent to flourish. Exhausting and unsettling, it eventually becomes impossible to ignore.

Like many of us, I can relate to that state of being. A few years ago, the effects of grief and a difficult year began shouting at me, quite unexpectedly, from a bed of very dry and neglected skin. Admittedly, dry skin may seem like a strange place to notice sadness and tension, but there is something vulnerable about an unloved epidermis, something that needs intervention and extra care. Blame the stress hormones racing around our bodies that can cause skin to become dehydrated and inflamed. The result is our outer layer gets compromised and is unable to fully protect us, or keep our skin barrier strong and supple. We become physically and emotionally exposed, making us more prone to irritation and unshielded from day- to-day stressors. On second thought, perhaps dry, flaking skin isn’t the strangest red alert after all.

Having acknowledged that my shaky chakras also needed some nourishing, I turned to Abhyanga, a massage ritual that I’d long been interested in but hadn’t yet tried. The best bit was I could do it myself. Abhyanga means self-massage using warm oil and stems from the Ayurvedic tradition – an Indian healing system based on the belief that wellness relies on the balance between mind, body and spirit. I was suitably intrigued by what I’d read about the relaxing and restorative benefits of Abhyanga and decided to give it a go.

No fancy spa or weekend-break hotel, just me in the family bathroom, moisturising with more intention than usual and trying to heal myself from the outside in.

A few times a week, just before my shower, I would heat a bottle of body oil slightly in a cup of warmed water and start the massage. (I used whatever oil I had to hand, but sesame seed oil is the type generally recommended.) Then, beginning at the crown of the head, I massaged my skin in broad circular strokes towards the heart, over the limbs, clockwise around the chest and abdomen, and all the way down to the toes – giving the feet special attention due to the myriad of nerve endings. The long-suffering earlobes are also important in Abhyanga – do not ignore them; they are rich in energy points and linked to every organ in the body.

The process felt like a comforting and familiar act. That ritual of anointing with warm oil has long been part of the human experience across different cultures and religions. However, Ayurvedic medicine in particular extolls its virtues, as it is believed to enhance wellbeing and longevity. Dr Rajvinder Kaur of the Ayurveda Centre in Drogheda is an advocate of including the practice in our daily routine, whether we can spare two minutes or 20 minutes in the day: “Massaging your body daily with warm oil helps to soothe the entire nervous system and get rid of mental and physical tiredness.” She also cites other impressive benefits such as increased circulation, detoxification and better sleep.

Setting aside those extra minutes in the day to nurture my skin (and earlobes) was definitely worth my time and patience. I felt steadied afterwards. A little more at peace, even. It was a big ol’ hug for my tired and saddened body. Showing myself some tenderness and care for a few minutes of the day helped me think more clearly and calmed the edgy hormones. Over time, it also helped me recalibrate after the loss of my mother. This very simple act of placing my hands on myself was mind-blowing in the positive effects my skin and nervous system enjoyed. No fancy spa, or weekend-break hotel, just me in the family bathroom, moisturising with more intention than usual and trying to heal myself from the outside in. Then step by step, I started to feel better. The shield was restoring. My skin felt good. I was coming back to me.

Regular self-massage wasn’t my only ticket back to a less inflammatory state (I’m a big fan of acupuncture, too) but it’s been a great addition to the tool kit. Abhyanga, sometimes aptly referred to as an “act of love”, is easy to do, costs nothing, and taught me to be my own healer. It’s a keeper.

• The direction of the massage should be towards the heart.
• Use long strokes over muscles and circles over the joints.
• No need to use soap to get rid of the oil after the massage. Keep old towels to gently pat the skin dry after a shower.
•Do not use too much oil and let it be absorbed by the skin like a body lotion. Warm sesame oil absorbs faster than cold oil.
• Be careful in the shower. Use a paper or kitchen towel beforehand to remove excess oil from the soles of the feet.
• Feel free to add an essential oil of your choice to the sesame oil, e.g. lavender, sandalwood and rose. Avoid contact with the eyes if using essential oil.
• Sesame oil is fine to use on the scalp and you can even use a tiny amount on the face.

ayurveda.ie

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