Self Massage
Self-massage is a health and wellness therapy you can do for and by yourself. It can be done every day and is considered part of the Ayurvedic approach known as Snehana or oiling, which in Sanskrit translates to “loving your own body.”
Self-massage really is self-love. And self-love is necessary if you want to be truly happy, be your best self, and make and experience the most out of your life. In Ayurveda, everything we experience is characterized by a set of qualities. Most oils are considered heavy, unctuous (think wet or gooey in a good way), liquid, and warm. These correspond to nourishing, building, and nurturing actions.. When choosing oils for massage, you'll want to consider a few things, including your primary dosha, your state of imbalance, and the time of year. Here are some suggestions for oils based on those things.
- For vata dosha – Vata imbalance or vata time of year (autumn), choose sesame oil or almond oil
- For kapha dosha – Kapha imbalance or kapha time of year (late winter/spring), choose sesame oil or sunflower oil
- For pitta dosha – Pitta imbalance or pitta time of year (summer) choose coconut oil or sunflower oil
Health Benefits and Uses of Self Massage
Here are some other great reasons to practice self-massage.
- Relieves pain
- Tones the muscles and tissues
- Lubricates the joints
- Increases circulation
- Moves the lymph, boosting immune function and aiding detoxification
- Stimulates the internal organs and digestion
- Calms the nerves
- Softens and moisturizes skin
- Balances the doshas or the three energies governing physiological activity in the body
- Nourishes the entire body—decreases the effects of aging
