my care2
make a difference

healthy & green living

more than 4,000 ways to enhance your life

customize your free newsletter

Customize your Healthy & Green Living newsletter now


Gaiam_weight-loss_160x133
Pet Promise
hagl_da

Ayurvedic Oil Massage

posted by Deepak Chopra Nov 27, 2007 7:22 am
Ayurvedic Oil Massage
17 comments

Adapted from Perfect Weight by Deepak Chopra, M.D. (Three Rivers Press, 1994).

Ayurvedic oil massage helps strengthen and balance your whole body, improves circulation and vitality, and rejuvenates your skin.

This massage uses sesame oil, and it is recommended as part of any daily routine because it rejuvenates and revitalizes the physiology.

It produces a youthful influence for the skin and helps to balance.

1. Start with cold-pressed sesame oil, available from your health food store. Ideally, the oil should be “cured” before using (by heating slowly to the boiling temperature of water, 212 degrees F, and cooling). The oil should be warmed each time you use it.

2. Use the open part of your hand (rather than your fingertips) to massage your entire body. In general, use circular motions over rounded areas (joints, head) and straight strokes over straight areas (neck, long bones). Apply moderate pressure over most of your body and light pressure over your abdomen and heart.

3. Start with your head. Pour a small amount of oil on your hands and vigorously massage it into your scalp. With the flat part of your hands, use circular strokes to cover your whole head. Spend more time massaging your head than other parts of your body.

4. Next, massage your face and outer ears, remembering to apply a small amount of oil as you move from one part of your body to the next. Massage this area more gently.

5. Massage the front and back of your neck and the upper part of your spine. At this point you may want to cover the rest of your body with a thin layer of oil to give maximum time for the oil to soak in.

6. Vigorously massage your arms, using a circular motion on your shoulders and elbows and long, back-and-forth strokes on your upper arms and forearms.

7. Now massage your chest and stomach. Use a very gentle, circular motion over your heart and abdomen. You can start in the lower right part of your abdomen and move clockwise, ending up at the lower left part. This gently massages your intestines.

8. Massage your back and spine. You may have trouble reaching your entire back.

9. Massage your legs, vigorously, making circular motions over your hips, knees, and ankles. Use long, straight strokes over your thighs and calves.

10. Finally, massage the bottoms of your feet. As with your head, this important area of your body deserves more time. Use the palm of your hand to massage your soles vigorously.

11. Follow your oil massage with a warm bath or shower, using a mild soap.

More on Ayurvedic Beauty (7 articles available)
More from Deepak Chopra (233 articles available)

17 comments

Go to the Source

Perfect Weight

The Complete Mind/Body Program for Achieving and Maintaining Your Ideal Weightbuy now

17 comments

add your comment »
17 Comments       add a comment »
Mary Walsh

I agree with you there Matthew!!!


Hugh M.
  • Hugh M. says
  • Jul 29, 2008 6:53 AM

I love the typo in item nine. Maybe you should change it to thighs and calves! (Ain't life funny and lovely?)

Matthew Nash

I would imagine this would be better done by someone else. I can't imagine stretching to reach areas like your back as very relaxing! And how exactly are you going to massage your head with a full head of hair???

Rajendar Menen

A weekly massage with any oil is amazing. Can be done at home and is not expensive. Much better than all the fancy and expensive spas. It is an old tradition in India.

S v.
  • S v. says
  • Jul 28, 2008 8:02 PM

Reserve an hour or two for this on a saturday. After your morning coffee or tea massage yourself well and rest for an hour(you can read or meditate or do light work). after that have your bath in warm water. Keep your food quite light and easy to digest that day. That will rejuvenate your system. (This is traditional)
acharya,Bangalore

Jean King

where do you get the sesame oil?

Jean King

where do you get the sesame oil?

Emerald Jordan

Aah...how sweet it is!

Mary Walsh

I have had this type of massage and it is brilliant...keeping the skin supple and nourished helps it to breath better.

Patti G.

I've been doing self-massages for years, and they are well worth it. They only take about 25 minutes from start to finish. 5 minutes to warm the oil, and you want the oil on your body for about 20 minutes. Apply the oil over your whole body, then go back and massage. Some days I spend more time massaging than others. Sometimes I read a magazine or meditate. Patti http://www.BlissKitchen.com

Please enter your comment.
1500 characters remaining

who's talking about this story?

Adapted from Perfect Weight by Deepak Chopra, M.D. (Three Rivers Press, 1994). Reprinted by permission of the author.

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

16502

Gaiam_weight-loss_300x250
Copyright © 2008 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved