Happy Wednesday!!
Whoa! Two posts in a row? Who is she? Well, I have a lot to share since my three-week hiatus! I rediscovered self-massage and let me tell you that there is nothing like it! Get you some body oil, lotion, coconut oil (yes, that one in the kitchen will work!), and let’s get this thousands of years old practice to work!
So, I made my own dandelion salve and had my masseuse use her magic fingers and hands to work this into my sore neck and legs and it was dramatically life changing. I decided to practice abhyanga or self-massage to tend to my sore muscles at home every night…. well, most nights.
I like to make me a hot tea and sit on a towel and rub away. I pay close attention to every inch of body. I feel like my endorphins are exploding with sheer pleasure when I practice my abhyanga. Especially when I’m sore. Plus, there are benefits of detoxification and preventing premature aging. My hand is raised, please sign me up!
I would love to try this before bathing so I can let the oil sit on my skin and penetrate the layers with detoxifying benefits of whatever herbs I decide to infuse. I’m thinking a lavender rose vanilla infusion with sunflower oil, jojoba, and coconut oil for its cooling benefits. I love, love, love floral scents with deep vanilla scents. I can’t wait to begin my infusion and it’ll be just in time for summer. I need to research more how this oil situation will be going down my drain. If it’s a no go I’ll just continue with my after shower/bath rub down. No biggie!
I like to concentrate on my head. I will use some vitamin E or jojoba oil and just a few drops and massage in with my fingers all over my scalp. I pay attention to my Marma points and stay firm with my movements. Next, I move onto my neck and shoulders then arms…you get the point. Think long up and down strokes on your bones and circles in both directions on your joints. I also “C” clamp my hands on my forearm and move in half circles back and forth up and down. I hope my night routine continues to support my self massage. I’m really feeling grounded and clear headed with my routine.
I hope this sparks some idea to begin your research on abhyanga. I truly appreciate my body and all it does for me. I want to treat it with all the respect and give my body the healing movements and treatments it needs to recharge. It gets me ready for bed which gives my body the rest it needs to begin another day. Please do not let not having organic, unrefined, cold pressed oil stop you from trying this today/tonight. Just get what you have on hand and explore. This is good medicine and I highly recommend.
Namaste!
Self-Diagnosed Yogi 