Ayurveda. Kim Inglis

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      abhyangam

      Traditional Ayurvedic Massage

      The Charaka Samhita, one of the foremost Ayurvedic texts, advises that every person should have an Ayurvedic massage or abhyangam on a daily basis, preferably in the morning. “It is nourishing, pacifies the doshas, relieves fatigue, provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep, enhances the complexion and the luster of the skin, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body,” it says. A therapeutic massage, not a relaxation tool, abhyangam ’s primary aim is to encourage the movement of toxins from the deeper tissues into the gastrointestinal tract where they can be efficiently eliminated. It is also given to stimulate circulation of the blood and lymph.

      Abhyangam is traditionally performed with lashings of medicated herbal oil chosen according to one’s dosha, and is meant to be performed by one, two, four, or more therapists simultaneously. It employs long strokes, mainly with full palm involved, and all the pressure movements are in the direction of blood circulation, from the trunk to the extremities and up to down. The reverse hand movements are passive (without pressure).

      The classic texts outline five different positions that the client should adopt during abhyangam, with the first two postures being repeated at the end, thus making a total of seven. These are: 1) Seated with both legs extended. 2) Lying on the back. 3) Lying on the left side. 4) Lying on the stomach. 5) Lying on the right side. 6) Seated with both legs extended (a repeat of 1). 7) Lying on the back (a repeat of 2).

      Dr Renja Raphel, the Keralan-trained Ayurvedic doctor at the spa at Rajvilas in Rajasthan, prepares an oil mix with medicated herbs for a client.

      Therapists generally spend an equal amount of time on each posture, but if there are particular areas that need more attention, they will take precedence.

      If you have abhyangam at one of the Oberoi Spas, the therapist soon gets a feel for your body, and concentrates on repeated strain injured areas (RSIs) to increase benefits. The idea is that the physical therapy has a direct connection to the mental and the spiritual: by the end, you should be physically and mentally relaxed — yet alert and rejuvenated also. Benefits of good abhyanga massage include increased circulation, improvement in muscle tone, calming of the nerves, increased mental alertness, soft, smooth skin and, of course, the elimination of impurities and toxins from the body.

      The Ayurvedic center called Ayurmana at Kumarakom Lake Resort in Kerala was believed to have been bestowed with the grace of the both Kodungalloor goddesses and Narasimhamoorthy — so is as close to a sacred structure (barring a temple) as you are likely to get. Therapy rooms including this prayer room glow with polished wood and the sanctity that comes with total peace and seclusion.

      Ayurveda tends to advocate the use of brass vessels for oils, although clay containers are also used. As metal was considered extremely pure as well as hard-wearing, it is a sensible choice.

      Abhyanga massage is traditionally performed by two, four or more therapists simultaneously and follows strict guidelines from Ayurvedic texts. Massage is first mentioned in the 6,000-year-old Atharva Upaveda, although was almost certainly practiced before this. Later, in the two major Ayurvedic treatises, the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita, believed to have been written at the turn of the first millennium BC in Sanskrit verse, it is discussed in depth with exhaustive listings of positions of the body and measurements of oils, pastes and powders. In the Charaka Samhita, discussion of massage as a purification means to alter the chemical processes in cells is detailed and comprehensive. This comes in the chapter on panchakarma (see pages 46–49), whereby methods for the evacuation of toxins and the restoration of prana or cosmic energy to the body via lymphatic drainage are outlined. The Sushruta Samhita, on the other hand, is a treatise on surgery; it is here that methods of acupressure on the Meridian points, magnetism on the chakras and the positive spiritual and mental effects of massage are covered.

      chavitti thirumal

      Pressure Point Massage with Feet

      Ayurvedic texts indicate that exercise, be it cardiovascular, involving stretching and breathing, or therapy, must be practiced on a daily basis for total wellbeing. Exercise is necessary to raise the metabolism, increase oxygenation, improve the function of the heart and circulatory system, and expel toxins.

      For martial art and dance pupils, exercise and body conditioning are particularly important. In the past, pupils were taught (often individually) by gurus in what is known as the guru -shishya tradition; their education didn’t just include the one particular activity, but involved a thorough grounding in the classical texts, as well as such disciplines as yoga and pranayama. СКАЧАТЬ