MASSAGE IN AYURVEDA: THE PRACTICE AND SUPPORTS

(ABHYANGA)
Dr. Anurag Dikshit, M.D. (Ayu); Keraleeya Panchakarma, Yoga & Marma Chikitsa Specialist,
Ayurvedicremedies, Lucknow, India.
Injeet Singh, Indian body massagist, Santiago, Chile.
Dr. Miguel Crdova. PhD (U. de Chile), Santiago, Chile.
Programa Ayurveda-Today. http://www.ayurveda-today.com Version: 30.Oct.2010
INTRODUCTION
Ayurveda Medicine is a science whose main strength lies in identifying health imbalaces of
people, before they manifest as disease symptoms as defined by the Western concept. This
means that the emergence of a disease can be detected as an imbalance in a Western healthy
individual, then it is possible to "cure" him by Ayurvedic methods, avoiding the consumption of
allopathic drugs would be needed because overflow on the alternative channels causing onset
of symptoms. Hence, Ayurveda is a medicine which, seen from a Western perspective, is
preventive and his methods and therapies could be considered part of a Health Promotion
Programme.
In this perspective, Ayurveda-Today Programme has been laying the groundwork for
approaching the definition of a Program of Ayurveda Health Promotion, through studies
published in Ayurveda Tutor, starting with the definition of values pillars on which rests
Ayurveda, which are Humility, Integrity and Non-violence. With these values highlights the
importance of addressing the science of health as an integral practice, starting by Panchakarma,
whose main objective is the detoxification of the physical or gross body, and which massage
plays a major role.
The future of humanity and Mother Earth, depends heavily on a paradigm shift on the goal of
life and the role of women, to facilitate the seizure of power in all areas necessary to confront
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the radical solutions are needed today, leading the changes to ensure the permanence of
species. Ayurveda states a pathway to consider her as a subject of attention, in order to
strengthen her role and contribute to social and spiritual change needs for humanity. See The
Role of Women, according to Ayurveda.
On this analysis, we must now define how to propose the addition of Ayurveda in Chilean
society, from which it follows priority attention to women, starting with the development of
Ayurveda massage or Abhyanga services.
ABHYANGA
Abhyanga is an ancient Indian art used for: healing, relaxation and for treatment of various
diseases. It is highly praised and one of the day today activities of life, as you brush your teeths,
so you do Abhyanga yourself daily. Saint Charak in his treaties Charak samhita has described
that this procedure is beneficial in skin tone and beauty, more over the disease due to deranged
Vata are controlled, and person develops strength for physical and mental stress.
According to Vagbhatta, a writer of a famous treatise on Ayurveda, those who are desirous of
health and happiness should massage the body, and they should use oils for massage according
to the seasons. According to Sushrut Samhita (another valuable and famous scripture on
Ayurveda), oil, butter or any other lubricant best suited for the body (As per Body Constitution)
should be used. The atmosphere and the season are also important factors for consideration.
For persons suffering from a disorder caused by the Vata, massage is one of the best doctors.
In Sushrut Samhita Marma and its principles
has been described in details. According to
this, our body is having 108 Marma Points. In
these Points Prana (Life energy) resides. An
injury on this part or to its adjacent part
produce death or immobility of part or whole
body but that depends on intensity of injury.
While doing therapeutic Ayurveda massage,
the massager should try to rejuvenate these
points producing positive energy and
preventing unnecessary pressure causing
injury. It provides definite curative impact if
done properly.
Now it is scientifically proved that massage
increases the production of white blood
corpuscles and antibodies, which provide
more resistance against viruses and diseases.
This helps the defense mechanism in the body
and
increases
immunity
towards
environmental changes. In this way massage
is a protector, preserver and a rejuvenator,
increasing self-confidence and will power.

Abhyanga is defined as rubbing of the oil on certain part or on the whole body in the direction of
hair. Daily performing of Abhyanga of the whole body makes the skin strong, prevents Vata
disorders, makes the body firm and enables the skin to withstand the stress and physical
exercise. The skin becomes soft, charming, and well nourished, the muscles become strong and
overall personality becomes attractive. It is both Vata and Kapha Hara and relieves fatigue,
promotes the eyesight, longevity, sleep and nourishes the body.
Method of Abhyanga
Abhyanga can be done even on the floor
covered with a carpet but a table may be
preferred for this purpose. A wooden table
measuring six and half feet in length, two and
half feet in breadth and about three feet in
height may be used.
Abhyanga is done in a ventilated room but
direct air entry should not be there. It is
advisable to perform massage in the morning
(after responding to the natural urges) on
empty stomach.
The patient is asked to lie down or sit on the
table. Luke warm oil is taken in a bowl and its
small quantity is put on the palm of the left
hand of the masseur and is applied with right
hand on the parts of the person to be
massaged using long strokes.
Thereafter massage should be done in the direction of hair with the palms by keeping fingers
firmly on the part. The friction strokes should be applied with adequate pressure and repeated
continuously. The oil is applied again as soon as the earlier oil is absorbed in the skin. The
strokes of Abhyanga should start from proximal part and off at the distal part covering lateral,
medial, ventral and dorsal sides of the body alternatively. At the joints the movement should be
circular. The painful part must be handled very gently and if tender they should be avoided
during Abhyanga, here lies the role of Marma Massage. On the other hand paralyzed muscle
should be stimulated during the process to provide maximum benefit to the patient.

Post Massage Procedures

After completion of Abhyanga patient should remain in waiting room having no access to direct
air for about 15 minutes. Thereafter the oil should be sponged with a thick cloth or towel or
with dry herbal powder and patient is allowed to take meal after hot water bath. If required,
person can be given medicated steam for 15-20 min.

Contra Indications of Abhyanga

Abhyanga is contraindicated in Kapha dominating disorders, indigestion, Ama (Toxic) condition,
acute fever, disorders due to over nutrition and just after performing Shodhana (BioPurification).
If Abhyanga is done in Ama Dosha or in acute fever (Nava Jvara) then the disease becomes
incurable. After performing Niruha (Decoction Enema) or Shodhana, the Abhyanga should not
be done on the same day and if done, it may lead to impairment of digestion and allied
disorders.
Indication of Abhyanga
Before taking Svedana (Fomentation) it is necessary to perform Abhyanga. Similarly just before
performing any Panchakarma procedure massage along with Svedana has to be performed.
Abhyanga is indicated daily in healthy persons and in all the conditions except where it is
contraindicated.
Various Forms of Abhyanga
Mardana: In this process first oil is applied on the required parts and then both the hands are
kept adjacent to each other. The part is pressed with the palm while keeping firm grip with the
fingers. With each stroke the proximal hand is moved upward while other hand occupying its
place. This process is done while the person is lying down in the supine and prone positions
alternatively.
Unmardan (Plucking Massage): In this process the affected muscles are gently pulled upwards
or stimulated by hand after application of oil.
Padaghata (Massage with Feet): In this process the masseur presses the parts of the patient by
using his feet after applying the oil on the body of the patient.
Samvahana (Feathering Massage): After the application of oil, the hands are gently and
repeatedly moved on the body of a person as done on the furs of the pet animal.
Udvartana (Powder Massage): It differs from Abhyanga that in this process the powder of the
drugs is used and the strokes are applied with more pressure and friction in the opposite
direction of the hairs. The process is done continuously for about 15-30 minutes depending on
the condition of the patient. It provides relief in Vata and Kapha disorders, causes liquefaction of
Kapha and Meda (fat), and promotes the metabolism and complexion of the skin.
Abhyanga done in one or two affected parts is termed as Ekanga (local) and done all over the
body is Known as Sarvanga (Whole body). For whole body (Sarvanga) Abhyanga it should be
done in the following sequence of seven positions:
1. Sitting position with fully extended lower limbs
2. Lying down on the back with fully extended limbs.
3. Lying down on the left lateral position with right arm fully extended and kept on the
right side
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4. Lying down on the abdomen with fully extended limbs

5. Lying down on the right lateral position with left arm fully extended and kept on left
side.
6. Lying down on the back with fully extended limbs
7. Sitting position with fully extended lower limbs.
Strokes of Massage
1. Friction
2. Kneading
3. Rounding
4. Twisting
5. Stroking
6. Cupping
7. Pounding
8. Joint movement
Effect of Abhyanga (massage):
1. Jarahar (anti-aging)
2. Shram Har (fatigue reliever)
3. Vata Har (pacifies Vata)
4. Drishti Prasad Kar (Improve sight)
5. Pushti Kar (makes one strong)
6. Ayu Kar (provides longevity)
7. Swapna Kar (induces sleep)
8. Twak Dridh Kar (strengthens the skin)
9. Klesh Sahatwa (provides resistance against disease and disharmony)
10. Abhighat Sahatwa (resistance to injuries & power to recover quickly)
Massage for Balance Dosha, Increase Circulation and Nutrition, Remove Toxins, Panchkarma
Massaging helps balance the body & mind in many ways. It increases circulation to bring more
nutrition to the cells and helps to remove metabolic wastes and toxins built up in the system.
Using oils specific to doshas, one can bring each of the deranged doshas into alignment,
especially the Vata dosha which is balanced by oil in general and the healing aspects of all the
essential oils that we use in all our massage oil adds another dimension to the effectiveness of
these ayurvedic aromatherapy.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF AYURVEDIC MASSAGE
Abhyanga is based on the principles of Five basic elements (Panchamahabhutas), Biological
humors (Tri Doshas or Vata Pitta - Kapha), Concept of Agni (Digestive Fire) and Pitta, Marma
therapy, Status of toxins (Ama) in the body.
Use of Abhyanga for Treatment Purpose
General weakness.
Disorders of joints.
Diseases of muscles.
Disorders of nervous system.
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Gynecological problems.
Disorders of Cardio-vascular system.
Metabolic disorders.
Psychological problems.
Musculo-skeletal problems of sportsmen etc.
Substances Used for Ayurveda Massage
Simple oils.
Medicated oils.
Aromatic oils.
Powder of food substances.
Powder of various herbs.
Conditions to Be Considered Before Performing the Massage
Constitution
Age
Season
Atmosphere
particular disease (if any)
Time of Massage
Preferably in the early morning
In the evening (2-4 hrs after lunch)
Selection of Oil
A. VATA CONSTITUTION PERSON
Time : Early morning or evening ( before a warm bath).
Oil (warm): Sesame oil , Dashmoola oil, Ginger oil, Basil oil, Camphor oil, Eucalyptus oil
B. PITTA CONSTITUTION PERSON
Use cool oil: Coconut oil, Sandal wood oil, Sunflower oil.
Essential oils: Lemon grass, Lavender, Jasmine, sandalwood etc.
C. KAPHA CONSTITUTION PERSON
Prefer dry, vigorous and deep massage.
Best media: Powder of dry & high potency herbs + little mustard or sesame oil.
Powder of Vacha (Acorus calamus), Dashamoola (10 roots) etc.
Essential oils: Basil , Ginger,Clove, Eucalyptus.
D. FOR PERSONS OF MIXED DOSHA CONSTITUTION
VATA - PITTA: Use less oil than pure Vata.
PITTA - KAPHA : Sunflower oil.
VATA- KAPHA : Dry powder of various herbs like Vacha + small amount of mustard oil.
SUPPORTS FOR ABHYANGA MASSAGE SERVICE
We all are human and most probably the best creativity of god. In ancient time mostly people
were having good health and peace of mind but, with the development of science, in many
things our life style has changed a lot. Now we all are living in a world of luxury with all the
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facilities around us, on our finger tips. But on the other side, this change in life style is creating
many unseen problems and many of us are suffering this way, physically and psicologically.
With this life style and in a world of computers and luxury cars our needs are also increasingly
day by day and, to maintain this status and style, mostly of us are working like machines. We do
not have little time to give rest to our body and mind, so in some ways unintentionally, we are
losing something that is the most important and it is our health. Its curious that we all keep
records of servicing of our things like computers and cars, bikes and home but we never care
that our body also need services time to time.
In spite of body service time to time we prefer to spend time and money on medicines in time of
any problem but when we take some allopathy medicines we never care that it may put bad
effect on other parts of body , we simply ignore side effects and always prefer to get rid of
physical pain or problem just by taking medicines, so here i would like to put your attention on
some ancient techniques of India in body massage with acu pressure and physiotherapy, such
techniques are more then 5000 years old and we are grateful to our rishis and masters of that
time and all other people too who were preserving all this from that time.
Over time, the body requires services but with any problem, people usually prefer to spend time
and money in allopathic drugs without paying attention to the harmful side effects that may
occur in other parts of the body, simply ignore the effects side and always prefer to end the
physical pain or problem, taking drugs and adopting a passive role compared with established
disease.
Illnesses in Chile, especially by work in front of computers are body aches, especially back, neck
and shoulders, some people feel neck pain, others have problems in the legs and feet. Many
people have problems of stress and overwork, but everyone is still running, without thinking
about the result and without doing any service to the body and mind.
Against this background, the Ayurveda-Today Program pays attention to the wisdom of ancient
India and body massage techniques, thanking his rishis, teachers of that time and also all others
who have taken pains to preserve this wisdom to modern times.
Therefore, attention Program is focused to reintroduce vedic and originary spirituality and
wisdom, essentially communitarian, in Chilean society, with emphasis on urban and rural
communities, linked to nature through the practice of organic farming of vegetables, flowers
and medicinal plants in orchards with artistic and spiritual celebrations and seasonal rhythms.
Item was included in the conclusions of the International Workshop on Local and Current
Methods of Plant Protection in Crop Basket Andean Family, held from October 20 to 21, 2010,
in Santiago, organized by FAO.
The orientation towards organically farming of the Herbs in gardens in the long run will help to
provide the necessary medicinal plants required for Ayurvedic massages and treatments.
Objectives that deserve proper planning, to decide how to form a pilot garden with Ayurvedic
medicinal plants in small spaces available for organic farming. Item is in Research and
Development in Huertas Orgnicas Municipales de la Corporacin Aldea del Encuentro belongs
to the Municipality of La Reina, Santiago, Chile, where thanks to a social program funded by the
municipality, the residents of the community can access land of approximately 16 square meters
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for organic farming contributing to food self-sustainability. The importance of these herbs are
grown organically is that it ensures that none exist in toxic waste product of pesticide residues
and / or chemically produced pesticides or fertilizers. See Huertas Orgnicas Municipales.

Abhyanga Massage Service, which is being

designed, including a massage Sarvanga and
Marma massage, pressure on certain points of
our body, especially the feet and hands,
related to internal body parts. With duration
of 1 to 2 hours body massage, the service
includes a frequency every 15 days to achieve
a feeling of freshness and freedom from
physical and emotional problems.
Naturally, the above requires the formation of community therapists with transcendent values
that provide the purity and spirituality necessary for the service, plus a knowledgeable
Ayurvedic medical support to enable it to determine the Technical Specifications of Ayurvedic
Massage, which is required for each patient. Outreach support offered by the National
Women's Service (SERNAM) in the Metropolitan Region (MR), will be crucial in defining the
Community Care Centres where this service can be inserted as a pilot, both MR and other
Regions of Chile.
Acknowledgments: The authors thank Julia Franco, Coordinator of the Programa Huertas
Orgnicas Municipales de La Reina.
Refers to the authors: contact@ayurveda-today.com