I love my new bath and body oils I blended for this season’s Vata-Pitta-Kapha Balancing, now at Sana Vida and soon available at the AyurYogaSpa store.
As part of Dina Charya or Morning Self-Care there is something called Self-Abhyanga or Warm Oil Massage. I practice this daily and have a short and long version.
The short version is that I simply massage a light application all over as if I were moisturizing, it takes a minute or so. If you have little time or are of oily constitution just your feet before bed is great. Be sure to remove excess oil with an old cloth or paper towel.
A longer more traditional version is that I begin with body brushing my entire body with a loofa like glove. I then apply a generous amount of warm oil with long strokes along muscle and circular strokes around joints. Sometimes I’ll include hair and face, then sit on an old towel and finish with a foot massage. I’ll wrap in an old robe, sit and meditate 10-20 minutes.
It may sound sensual and in part it is because self-care is a powerful form of self -love. In fact in sanskrit the word for oil is sneha and means affection or love. Here a sweet quote from an ancient text regarding abhyanga:
The body of one who uses oil massage regularly does not become affected much even if subjected to accidental injuries, or strenuous work. By using oil massage daily, a person is endowed with pleasant touch, trimmed body parts and becomes strong, charming and least affected by old age.
Charaka Samhita Vol. 1, V: 88-89
Abhyanga is the anointing of the body with oil. Often medicated and usually warm, the oil is massaged into the entire body before bathing. For thousands of years people have used abhyanga to maintain health, benefit sleep patterns and increase longevity. It has also been used as a medicine for certain disorders. Abhyanga can be incorporated into a routine appropriate for almost anyone.
The Sanskrit word sneha can be translated as both “oil” and “love”. It is believed that the effects of abhyanga are similar to those received when one is saturated with love. Like the experience of being loved, abhyanga can give a deep feeling of stability and warmth. Sneha is subtle; this allows the oil/love to pass through minute channels in the body and penetrate deep layers of tissue. Enjoy these benefits of abhyanga.
- Produces softness, strength and color to the body
- Decreases the effects of aging
- Bestows good vision
- Nourishes the body
- Increases longevity
- Benefits sleep patterns
- Benefits, rejuvenates and beautifies skin
- Strengthens the body’s tolerance
- Imparts a firmness to the limbs
- Imparts tone and vigor to the dhatus (tissues) of the body
- Stimulates the internal organs of the body, including circulation
- Soothes the nervous and endocrine/hormonal system
AyurYogaSpa's Blog by Gina 
This is wonderful. I will give it a try.