One Litre of Warm Oil = Indian Massage Bliss

There are a couple of healing systems that have been perpetually in use over the past several thousand years. Can you name them?

If you guessed Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda you would be correct. But did you know that both consider massage treatment to be an integral part of these two respective healing arts?

This image shows a similar setting to
the massage I experienced in India.

While I was in India last year I experience Ayurvedic massage a couple of times for relaxation. The process involved a lot of warm sesame oil and some massage principals I was not accustomed to. The result, however, was delightfully oily and blissfully soothing.

Ayurveda, or Science of Life, as it translates from the Sanskrit, is understood as the art of living harmony with nature and has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years. Ayurvedic practices are known to restore balance and harmony in the individual, resulting in self-healing, good health, and longevity. 

Ayurvedic treatments aim to treat the root of the cause of the ailment, not just to suppress the symptoms. The use of medicinal herbs, diet, pranayama (breathing exercises), spiritual and bodily cleansing, asanas (yoga postures) and abhyanga (oil massage) are some of the common modalities used in achieving wellness under the supervision of an Ayurvedic doctor.

Ayurvedic theory asserts that each human possesses a unique combination of doshas which are mind/body constitutions that define a person's temperament and characteristics. When a person is ill, it is thought that one of their doshas is overly dominant, causing an imbalance of the three constitutions. A perfectly healthy person is thought to have an evenly balanced Vata-Pitta-Kapha doshic constitution. It is very common to have a dual constitution, or have your constitution change depending on the time of year or time of life.

Discover your dosha by taking an online quiz here or here.

When working with an Ayurvedic doctor practitioner, your doshic constitution is always carefully considered before choosing herbal, dietary, exercise, and lifestyle prescriptions. Ayurvedic practitioners regard physical and mental existence a unit, each element having the capacity to influence the others. 

Abhyanga, 'Oil Massage' in Sanskrit, is a form of Ayurvedic medicine that involves massage of the body with large amounts of warm oil - up to a litre - and the oil is often pre-medicated with herbs for specific conditions.  Abhyanga can be done as part of the steps of a greater therapeutic plan or as its own therapy. Abhyanga is often performed by two or more practitioners working in sync. Oils used can vary depending on the season and the individual's constitution. Commonly used oils include sesame, coconut, sunflower, mustard, and almond. In addition to the copious application of oil, abhyanga massage differs from many Western therapeutic massage techniques in that it is not very deep or specific, but achieves influence with long rhythmic, repetitive strokes.

With Ayurveda being the oldest recorded healing system I am inspired to learn more about these methods. But don't worry, I won't suddenly don my turban or sari and pour warm oil all over you with out warning. For now, my clinical practice is safely harboured in the realms of western therapeutic massage.

If you are interested in experiencing Ayurvedic style massage in Vancouver, Vida Spa offers a selection of luxurious Ayurvedic massage treatments in their downtown locations. The dosha-specific all natural aromatherapy products used are manufactured in Richmond. Keeping it local is always good.

See you in the clinic or the spa,
Dana

A Peek at my Mumbai-Udaipur Adventure in 2012

Our kind eyed veggie wallah ensured daily fresh papaya for our lunch.

My Mumbikar glass bangle wallah.
With over-sized hands, I required the enormous-sized bangles be hauled from secret storage.
Read more about my giant hands here.

Who knew that curb-side holy cows had such a resemblance to Mick Jagger?

The lovely ladies who made the very best pakoras I've ever tasted.

Be-decked in farewell garlands from our new friends
my traveling companion and I head to the airport in a tuk-tuk.

 

Ayurvedic Practitioners I have the pleasure of knowing: 

• Asrael Zemenick lives on Vancouver Island and introduced me to abhayanga many years ago. She has dedicated many years to learning this ancient healing system in it's motherland, India. Visit Ananda Ayurveda to learn more about her services and expertise.
• Angie Inglis is a Vancouver Ayurvedic practitioner, yoga instructor and singer/songwriter. She's a really awesome and talented chick and you should visit her website: Rediscovery Vitality.

 Recommended reading on Ayurveda:

• Dr. David Frawley, Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide
• Vasant Lad, Textbook of Ayurveda

Sources:
http://www.greennbrown.com/eco-friendly/ayurveda-did-you-know-this/
http://www.sexyradiantlife.com/stay-cool-in-the-summer-heat/
http://www.temptingplaces.com/travel-magazine-en/culture-guide-india/medecine-ayurveda/