Ayurvedic massage: what it is

The Abyangam is the term used to describe Ayurvedic massage .

In the tradition of ancient Indian medicine, which is the basis of Ayurveda, Abyangam is one of the five Panchakarma purification techniques.

The Ayurvedic massage is a real treatment that deals with rebalancing the "constitutions" of belonging according to Ayurvedic medicine.

In the Ayurveda inside the body there are three main energies, which are called Doshas, distributed in a variable way, the predominance or combination of these creates the constitution of belonging .

Each constitution corresponds to physical, emotional, and also particular and different imbalances, which can determine the state of health and / or illness.

Doshabyangam is divided into three different techniques depending on whether it goes to rebalance Vata, Pitta, or Kapha :

> Vatabyangam balances Vata, and is warming, energetic, strong, concentrating mainly on the back;

> Pittabyangam rebalances Pitta, it is sweet and calming, and concentrates mainly on the head;

> Kaphabyangam balances Kapha, starts from the feet and is energetic and stimulating.

Besides these main types of ayurvedic massage there are also head massages, those for the sense organs: nose, eyes, ears; specific massages for feet, back, face, hands.

Massages are performed with special oils specially packaged for each area to be treated or with a set of herbs .

Then there are the Ayurvedic massage performed with the feet and the Marma points massage. A special treatment that combines massage with the use of oils, for purifying purposes, is Shirodhara .

Techniques and benefits of Ayurvedic massage

Ayurvedic massage techniques are many, and each one deals with a particular imbalance and a specific part of the body.

In general the ayurvedic massage involves the whole body, using frictions, kneading, pressures with the palms of the hands.

The benefits of Ayurvedic massage are many, and concern :

> The rebalancing of body and mind : the ayurvedic massage is part of Ayurvedic medicine, and as such is used as a real tool for prevention and treatment of many diseases related to constitutions and Doshas; as such it does not deal only with the body, but with the whole set up of the physical mental and emotional planes of the human being;

> improvement of blood and lymphatic circulation, with removal of waste and toxins;

> an increase in joint flexibility and in general an improvement in painful states due to back pain and cervical pain ;

> the regularization of the digestive processes and the functioning of the liver and kidneys ;

> intestinal balance ;

> resistance to stress and physical fatigue ;

> strengthening the immune system ;

> stimulation of metabolism ;

> the attenuation of emotions and moods;

> the health and beauty of the skin, which is directly stimulated and nourished by the oils.

The benefits deriving from regularly undergoing ayurvedic massage do not end, therefore, with a relaxation or a deep stimulation of muscles and organs, but they also concern the thinnest and most energetic part .

Thus massages can calm an emotional state of anxiety, or tone up mental and physical energies, finally unblocking certain behavioral mechanisms that are protracted and harmful over time.

Each Ayurvedic massage, beyond the techniques, which are very physical and contact, if performed by an operator adequately informed of the principles of Ayurveda, is specific and unique for each person : it adapts to the distinctive characteristics of the subject.