The Abhyanga Technique 

Ayurveda teaches us many different bodywork modalities, including an oil massage technique called Abhyanga. Abyhanga is a Sanskrit word meaning “to rub the limbs”, usually with warm herbal oil. Abhyanga massage soothes, softens and lubricates the bodily tissues so that toxins are released. It involves the external application of therapeutic and rejuvenating herbal and medicinal oils with effleurage and other gliding strokes that respect the energetic direction of the physiology and the flow of digestion, assimilation and elimination.

This modality becomes a medium for divine grace and healing when the practitioner brings attention to their third eye and the moment-to-moment flow of their prana. This course will teach students that the skin is an organ of assimilation and elimination, therefore the types of oils used is nearly 50% of the efficacy. The skin is a seven-level external organ that has a continuous relationship with the lining of the gastro-intestinal tract and internal organs.

Abhyanga is useful in maintaining immunity, nourishing various tissues of the body and cleansing impurities. It is also useful for stiffness, fatigue, constipation, dry skin, diseases of the nervous system, tremors, misalignment, osteoarthritis, improves lymphatic and cardiac circulation. Abyhanga relaxes the mind and promotes inner tranquility. When done properly, abhyanga can bring about feelings of calm acceptance and gratitude.

This course will cover sacred and valuable information about the healing properties of herbal oils, the application, sequence and benefits of detoxification and rejuvenation as a result.  A base oil of sesame is generally the traditional oil of choice, according to the ancient scriptures of Ayurvedic medicine. In addition, sesame oil is a powerful delivery system for vitamin E through your skin, which is deficient in 27% of the population and critical for healthy skin and skin protection. Studies show that self-massage produces oxytocin, which has shown to balance our immune system and hormones, increase our overall fitness, provide a “glow of health” as seen in our skin and hair, increase our skin wound-healing capability, and even have significant positive effect upon our mood and behavior. Using herbal sesame oils only enhance these effects, as the cooked herbs allow the oil to better penetrate the skin and ultimately deliver a more therapeutic result.

Abhyanga can be effectively performed as a stand-alone independent massage therapist. In honor of the Vedic lineage, the instructional video depicts two therapists harmoniously in tandem. However, anyone can use the information delivered and  demonstrated in this course. Graduates are eligible for certification regardless of whether they demonstrate their techniques in tandem or alone. The principles, theories and concepts taught in this course are valuable for any massage therapist or healer, regardless.

Ayurvedic massage is becoming a standard 

Abhyanga can be effectively performed as a stand-alone independent massage therapist. In honor of the Vedic lineage, the instructional video depicts two therapists harmoniously in tandem. However, anyone can use the information delivered and  demonstrated in this course. Graduates are eligible for certification regardless of whether they demonstrate their techniques in tandem or alone. The principles, theories and concepts taught in this course are valuable for any massage therapist or healer, regardless.

Ayurvedic massage is becoming a standard on some of the most elite spa menus and is taught in some of the most progressive massage schools across the country. Over one quarter of the questions on the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork are on based ayurvedic principles. It is now becoming mandatory to know about the science of Ayurveda in order to be a nationally certified massage therapist.

The women on the cover of our homestudy course material are identical twins, but any two people can do this therapy. You don’t have to be a “twin”. This ancient therapy is practical and understandable. My commentary offers many good tips on healing, using marma point therapy, oil application, directional flow, depth of pressure and creative styles that will ignite your own creativity. I am happy to share the concepts and theories I learned from The Ayurvedic Institute in NM when I was a student for 2 years in 1997-98.

Student Objectives

• History of Ayurveda and pancha karma
• Discover the 5 great elements, the gunas and the doshas
• Ayurvedic self-massage
• Seven sacred tissues in the body
• Benefits of oil massage and all Ayurvedic bodywork
• Precautionary measures
• What oils are best for who and when
• How to detox the entire body with lemon and salt on the feet
• Learn the direction of terminal clearance
• Overview of karna purna therapy (oil application in the ears)
• Overview of nasya therapy (oil application in nose)

• Overview of shirodhara therapy (oil/substances flowing over the head)
• Overview of garshana therapy (raw silk glove friction modality)
• Overview of swedhana therapy (steam tent thermo-hydrotherapy)
• Overview of abhyana therapy (warm oil massage)
• Overview of Shila abhyanga (hot stone massage)
• Learn the massage moves taught at the Ayurvedic Institute in NM
• Discover the marma points on the body
• Learn about mudras and chakras
• Ayurvedic nutrition and a purification recipe called kitchadi
• Discover the 5 koshas (energy bodies)

Graduation from this home-study course with a grade of 75% or higher through the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork signifies that you have professional training in Ayurvedic Bodywork. To qualify as a Registered Ayurvedic Health Counselor, you might be interested in enrolling in our online 1-year program found by clicking here.