I'm still exploring alternative health, and after Deepak Chopra's book "Perfect Health", I've begun to include certain ayurvedic activities into my daily routines. The first of them being abhyanga.
Abhyanga is basically a self-massage done with warm oil shortly after waking up. At first, I thought it was ridiculous. I mean, who has the time to heat up oil and massage themselves EVERY morning? I'm not a morning person and getting up early to do something like this seemed insane.
I finally tried it on one of my days off (so I didn't have to get up any earlier than I wanted to) and I immediately felt a change. I felt happier, less physically irritated and absolutely calm throughout the day.
I begrudgingly started waking up early enough to add an extra half an hour to my morning routine so I could begin practicing abhyanga regularly.
It's weird at first, but it is absolutely worth it! Once you get past the creepy new age feeling of doing something outside of the norm, abhyanga can be exhilarating!
In addition to decreasing inflammation and improving disposition abhyanga is also believed to:
-Increase circulation
-Tone muscles
-Calm nerves
-Eliminate impurities from the body
-Increase stamina
-Increase mental alertness
There are all kinds of specific oils which you can use if you are well versed in ayurveda or aromatherapy but for the most part, sesame oil seems to do the trick.
There is a specific order and direction which an abhyanga needs to be done. I watched a few videos on Youtube until I found one that seemed reasonable:
I'm totally aware that this is really far out of a lot of folks comfort zones, but it really did make a difference for me! If even just one of you give this a shot then this post will have been worth my time.
Would you try abhyanga? Have you experimented with any alternative health practices?
6 comments:
I've never heard of it but it definitely couldn't have any bad effects, that's for sure. Besides the getting up early, it sounds great! That photo is great too.
interesting. i have been doing lymphatic massage on my face when i wash it for the last few days and have been really loving it. maybe i'll try this on my next day off! i'm really into alternative health (it's my job so i kind of have to be) and it is amazing how simple stuff can really change how you feel.
Hmmm. I can't see anything but good things from doing this every morning. My only issue is the discipline. I can barely stick to a cleanse, let alone get up early just to do this. But color me fascinated.
This is very interesting. I used to do some relaxation techniques for my nerves and it worked.. but this sounds better.. going to have to try it!
very interesting, thanks for sharing :)
I have never heard of this - but it sounds interesting, I am so not a morning person
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