Self Massage For Self Love
Your Guide to Abhyanga
Welcome to your invitation to slow down, soften, and return to your body.
In Ayurveda, self-massage known as Abhyanga is a daily practice of loving nourishment. Through warm oil and intentional touch, you reconnect with your nervous system, your skin, your inner clarity, and your sense of being at home in your body.
Whether you are here for the Forty Day Self Massage Challenge or simply curious about this ancient ritual, this is your guide to begin.
Why Abhyanga?
In Sanskrit, sneha means both oil and love. Abhyanga offers both.
Daily oil massage is one of the most grounding practices in Ayurveda. It calms excess Vata — dryness, cold, overactivity — supports the tissues (dhatus), improves circulation, and promotes longevity.
“Abhyanga should be used daily. It wards off old age, exertion, and aggravation of vata. It improves vision, nourishes the body, induces sleep, strengthens the skin, and increases longevity.”
— Ashtanga Hridayam, Sutrasthana 2.8 to 9
“Oil massage imparts a firmness to limbs, brings delight to the sense organs, and nourishes the body.”
— Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 5.88
Setting the Space
Warm the room
Lay down an old towel
Put on gentle music
Warm your oil in an oil warmer or simply boil the kettle and sit your oil bottle in a cup of hot water to heat.
Choosing Your Oil
A medicated oil is best. At this time of year a warming oil like the Vata oil is recommended. If you have skin sensitivity or are unsure you can start with black sesame. Classically, Ayurvedic massage oils are carefully cooked with a variety of herbs to enhance and support their overall effectiveness in promoting healing and balance within the body. Herbal oils are the superior choice.
Black Sesame Oil
Grounding, strengthening, warming base oil that is commonly used in Ayurvedic massage. It contains magnesium and calcium and trace minerals.
Buy Black Sesame Oil
Vata Oil
Black sesame oil infused with herbs to soothe the nervous system and support deep nourishment.
Buy Vata Oil
“Sesame oil is sweet, heavy, strengthening, unctuous, and beneficial for the skin. It alleviates Vata and is the best among oils for promoting health.”
— Bhavaprakasha, Taila Varga
When to Practice
The best time is in the morning before bathing.
Evening is also an option to support high vata and improve sleep quality.
• Start with three to four times per week
• Daily is part of the traditonal dinacharya and ideal.
• Even five minutes on your scalp, feet and navel makes a difference
“Oil applied to the skin reaches deep into the tissues, passes through the minute channels, and strengthens the entire body.”
— Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 5.93Strokes to Remember:
How to Do Abhyanga
1. Warm your oil
Place your oil bottle in a cup of boiled water until body temperature.
2. Begin at the crown and work down
Massage toward the heart with long strokes on limbs and circular strokes on joints.
Include part by part the whole body:
• Scalp
• Face and neck
• Chest and belly
• Arms and legs
• Joints
• Feet
After completing your massage take a shower in warm (not hot) water and enjoy the feeling of silky smooth skin. 💛
“Massage should be done gently, especially at the joints and marma points, for the proper flow of prana and nourishment of the tissues.”
— Sushruta Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana 24.24
Focus Points
If you are short on time, prioritise these five vital energy points:
• Brahma Randra — crown of the head
• Talahridya — centres of palms and soles
• Nabhi — navel
• Sthapani — third eye
• Hridya — heart
These areas influence the nervous system, digestion, and emotional wellbeing.
When Not to Do Abhyanga
Skip Abhyanga during:
• Fever, flu, or digestive issues
• First three to five days of menstruation
• Pregnancy (unless advised)
• After eating or with a full stomach
• Open wounds or active rashes
• Severe weakness or depletion
Abhyanga is not just oil on the skin. It is deeply therapeutic self care.
Feel how your nervous system responds to warmth and that even two minutes of loving attention can begin to shift everything.