Ayurveda Tips Week Three – Abhyanga

One of the core daily routines in following a Yogic and Āyurvedic (they are sister sciences) lifestyle is the practice of daily self-oil massage known as abhyanga.

This practice protects the skin, stimulates the nervous and immune systems, lubricates the joints, aids in sleep and relaxation and promotes general well being. In my holistic practice, this is one of the first prescriptions I give to my clients and yoga students to support their health as well as their yogic practice.

With four days of Kundalini Yoga kriyas, sitting in meditation as well as sleeping in a bed you are not use to, your body can start to get a little achy. Add to that the toll of long distance travel for those of us flying to the festival or taking a road trip, the body will need a little help. I encourage you to start this practice today.

Either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day, take a little oil (sesame, almond or a medicated Āyurvedic oil), warm it up and apply to the whole body with vigorous strokes. Let the oil sit on your body for 30 minutes to 1 hour whilst you take care of the rest of your morning/evening routine, do your practice or simply relax. You can put on some old clothes to keep you covered and warm.

Then take a warm shower to wash off any excess. Your skin, muscles and joints will appreciate the love.

For those of you travelling a long distance before and after the festival, I highly recommend that you do this the morning of travel and again when you arrive at the other end. It will keep your skin protected whilst moving through airports, in planes or whilst on the road and will help keep the nervous system settled.

You can find our pre-festival Āyurvedic Tips on our facebook page on Sundays, on the Kundalini Yoga Festival website blog and newsletter. Subscribe to our mailing list here

These tips have been shared by Namo Dev of Conscious Living, our community’s Āyurvedic and Homeopathic practitioner. Namo Dev will also be presenting at the festival as well as offering Āyurvedic tongue diagnosis and Sat Nam Rasayan healing with the Sat Nam Rasayan team. Be sure to drop in and say hello. [/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]