ABHYANGAM: The Shiatsu of Ayurveda -- by Dr. G. Ravi Kumar

October 7, 2006

Sources : http://www.augustayurveda.com/showarticles1.asp?Id=224 ABHYANGAM: The Shiatsu of Ayurveda The term abhyanga literally means an oil bath. Ayurveda recommends that those who are desirous of a healthy body throughout life, should adopt massage as a daily practice. They should massage their body daily for at least thirty to forty-five minutes before having a bath. But the bath should

not be taken immediately after having the massage since during massage the body tends to become hot due to increased circulation of blood. Abhyangam is used to manipulate and correct disorders triggered by dosha imbalances, especially of the vata dosha, which includes curing orthopedic injuries, relieving malfunctioning tissue, and to promote regeneration of tissues and organs, as well as the internal functioning of the body. It also removes all muscular tensions – those strange pulls and pushes – and increases the circulation of lymph fluid, which provides more oxygen, glucose, proteins and other vitalizing nutrients essential for circulation in the entire human body. Vata-types are advised to have abhyangam daily, pitta-type on alternative days, and kapha-types on every fourth day. Self-massage or getting massage from someone each night helps those with insomnia have a good night’s sleep. Foot massage is good for people who are fatigued. Massage

is a form of induced exercise, in which you don’t actually have to exercise to get exercise. While actual exercise may sometime bring about exhaustion, massage relaxes and rejuvenates. It acts as an external therapeutic intervention bringing about internal cleansing. The secret of youth and beauty is in the proper circulation of vital fluids and also in the regular discharge of waste materials. Abhyangam makes both easier. Not only that, abhyangam is also said to increase sexual drive and performance. Vatsyanyana, who wrote kamasutra, emphasized the role of massage in love-making and the act. Some Western Ayurvedic practitioners use a couple of general oils for abhyangam, which is not a beneficial practice. The oil to be used depends on the body type you have. Or, in case of illness, the dosha imbalance or aggravation you are suffering from. For example, if you are a vata-type person, you would need to use medicated oils like ksheerabala,

balaguluchedi, and karpastyedi etc. For pitta, bringemelekadi, majistedi, and kayyanyadi etc., And for kapha, eladi, asenavilwadi, and marichedi etc. -- by Dr. G. Ravi KumarDr. G. Ravi Kumar is an Ayurvedic graduate from NTR University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada, India, and has a diploma in yoga to his credit. At present, he is Medical Officer with Santhigiri Ayurveda & Siddha Vaidya Sala. Dr Kumar specializes in kshar sutra therapy, nasya karma for migraine, use of kativasti in sciatica and herbal beauty therapies, prticularly Ayurvedic like face packs.

Find out what India is talking about on - Answers India Send FREE SMS to your friend's mobile from Messenger Version 8. Get it NOW