Abhyanga
The Abhyanga ( Sanskrit : अभ्यंग or अभ्यङ्ग, ABHYANGA ), in the Western world under the term "(ayurvedic) The Great oiling", is a form of Ayurvedic massage . It is mostly done with heated vegetable oil , but can also be done with teas or other substances. The Abhyanga is also used in medical treatments, for example, to bring herbal extracts into the body, but it is mainly a component of Dinacarya Adhyaya (recommendations for daily lifestyle), i.e. of so-called wellness applications.
In its country of origin, India, as well as in Sri Lanka , it is almost always used as a synchronous massage, with two masseurs performing the massage on one person simultaneously and in synchronous movements. In European countries, the massage is mostly done by a single person, often for cost reasons. However, many Ayurveda therapists can also book synchronized Abhyangas for an additional fee.
Abhyanga peculiarities
The oil massage is, for. B. in Ayurveda cures, regular basis of treatment. It is used in the ancient writings both to maintain health and for medical applications. According to the teachings of Ayurveda , Abhyanga has extremely positive effects and is already mentioned in Ashtanga Hridaya :
“The Abhyanga (oil massage and bath) should be done daily. It drives out age, tension and accumulations of Vata . It gives good eyesight, nutrition for the body, long life, good sleep, good and healthy skin. It should be done especially on the head, ears and feet. It should be avoided by those suffering from buildup of kapha , undergoing cleansing therapy (such as emetics or laxatives), or those suffering from indigestion. "
Effect of Abhyanga
The effects of Abhyanga can be divided into 3 principles:
- The general physical relaxation, warming and loosening of tissues from skin, muscles and tendons to the bones. By using more and higher quality oil than with classic massage, additional massage techniques are possible. This component corresponds to the classic massage .
- The massage with heated oil also has psychological effects. The enveloping in heated oil can give a strong feeling of security, which increases this component compared to other types of massage . According to the teachings of Ayurveda, "undigested" ( Ama ) is also "dissolved" on a psychological level.
- The medicinal effect through the inclusion of herbal essences in the oil and the effects of the selected base oil itself. Herbal mixtures are known from tropical to alpine India and are described in the Ashtanga Hridaya , for example.
Types of Abhyanga
The word Abhyanga generally describes the oiling of the whole body. There are a number of subspecies, partial massages, each of which has its own purpose.
- Mukabhyanga (facial massage ): “cooling” oils are used for the face. The Mukabhyanga should help problems in the emotional area. It is a traditional treatment for lovesickness. The Mukabhyanga extends from the face to the sternum.
- Padabhyanga (foot massage): The foot massage is used for strengthening in the event of physical exhaustion. The Padabhyanga extends over the knee joint.
- Udarabhyanga (abdominal massage): The abdominal massage takes place in the abdominal cavity over and on the organs there.
- Kumara Abhyanga (baby massage): In addition to the caring effects, the baby massage imparts intensive body contact with a toddler up to the age of several years.
- Synchronous Abhyanga (simultaneous massage by two masseurs): Also called the supreme Abhyanga discipline. The simultaneous attention of two masseurs emphasizes the relaxing and the medical aspects (using the same medicine).
Other types of massage in Ayurveda
In addition to Abhyanga, there are a few other forms of massage in Ayurveda, including:
- Garshan : dry massage with gloves made of wild silk
- Udgarshana: dry massage with finely grated herbs
- Upanahasveda: back massage (with Lepa herbal pad and a sweat cure)
- Udvartana: oil massage with skin peeling
- Jambira Pinda Sweda: Massage using hot lemon and coconut sachets
Choice of oils
Since the whole body or large parts of it are oiled, both the oil and the substances it contains are absorbed through the skin. The oils used are selected according to various criteria. Often oils are used that contain herbal extracts. The various base oils (e.g. sesame oil , mustard oil , coconut oil , castor oil ) are also selected according to therapeutic considerations.
The classic massage oil is sesame oil ( Thaila ). The Ashtanga Hridaya writes about this:
“Sesame oil has the property of penetrating deep into the tissue and quickly spreading throughout the body. It causes diseases of the skin, is bad for the eyes, is able to penetrate even the smallest pores, is hot, does not increase Kapha. It makes thin people fat and fat people thin. It's clogging, kills worms. Properly prepared, it cures all diseases. "
“Castor oil is bitter, pungent and sweet in taste, laxative, difficult to digest. It cures enlargement of the testicles (hernia), tumors in the abdomen, diseases caused by Vata or Kapha, enlargement of the abdomen, recurring fevers, pain and swelling of the abdomen, genitals, abdomen and back. It has the ability to penetrate deeply, has a hot effect and a bad smell. "
At the end of the Abhyanga, the remaining oil can be absorbed through a powder applied to the body (e.g. calamus powder , chickpea flour ).
Footnotes
- ↑ a b c K. R. Srikantha Murthy: Vagbhata's Astanga Hrdayam. Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi-1, ISBN 81-218-0018-8 .
- ↑ a b Scriptum of the School for Ayurvedic Massage here online ; Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ↑ massagearten.abhyanga.de here online ; Retrieved November 4, 2008.
- ↑ massagearten.abhyanga.de here online ; Retrieved November 4, 2008.
