Ayurvedic Abhyanga Massage Certification

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 are nearly 50% of the efficacy. The skin is a seven-level external organ with a continuous relationship with the gastrointestinal tract lining and internal organs.

Abhyanga helps maintain immunity, nourishes various body tissues, and cleanses impurities. It is also helpful for stiffness, fatigue, constipation, dry skin, nervous system diseases, tremors, misalignment, osteoarthritis, and improves lymphatic and cardiac circulation. Abhyanga relaxes the mind and promotes inner tranquility. When done correctly, it 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.  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 been 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 a significant positive effect on our mood and behavior. Using herbal sesame oils only enhances these effects, as the cooked herbs allow the oil to penetrate the skin better and ultimately deliver a more therapeutic result.

Abhyanga can be effectively performed as a stand-alone, independent massage therapy. 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.

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 nationwide. Over one quarter of the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork questions are based on Ayurvedic principles. It is now becoming mandatory to know about the science of Ayurveda 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 creativity. I am happy to share the concepts and theories I learned from The Ayurvedic Institute in NM as a student for 2 years in 1997-98.

Equipment Suggested

• Massage Table
• Tridoshic Massage Oil
• Neem Lavender Coconut Butter
• Nasya Oil for nasal application

Student Objectives

• How to anoint the skin with warm oil
• Benefits of an oil massage
• What oils are best for whom and when
• How to detox the entire body with lemon and salt on the feet
• Learn the direction of terminal clearance
• Implement vata soothing (anxiety reducing) movements
• How to work in tandem
• Learn the foundation, history, and value of Ayurveda
• Learn the massage moves taught at the Ayurvedic Institute in NM
• Active marma points on the body
• Learn over 20 different harmonious, tandem strokes
• Understand the basics of pancha karma: India’s ancient detox treatment

Click Here for a Sneak Preview of the Abhyanga Manual Table of Contents

Course Includes:

• Online enrollment
• Access to the student dashboard with explicit, helpful step-by-step instructions
• One 60-minute professional instructional MP4 eDVD that can be downloaded with unlimited viewing
• Two short videos of raw footage of one of Karyn’s classes on Abhyanga
• One PDF (digital) 58-page illustrated training manual (print or read online)
• Links and instructions on where to find oils, products, and the Ayurveda resource page
• Sample Abhyanga Client Profile Form
• Overview of the foundations of Ayurveda
• Online course forms
• Multiple-choice open-book exam with 48 questions
• Transcripts are automatically enabled for printing with a passing score
• Certification upon meeting the practicum material listed below
• This course allows students to download the eDVD(s) and PDF manual(s) to their computer, for viewing at any time and as often as they wish. Once you download your course materials, they are yours forever.
• We provide two ways to watch our MP4 E-DVDs:
  1. On our website, we use our FV Flow Player. No download needed
  2. Offline downloaded from our website to your computer

Steps to Complete the Course:

• View the e-DVD and read the PDF Manual on your student dashboard.
• Purchase Dr. John Doulliard’s book at this link: Encyclopedia of Ayurvedic Massage.  It costs approximately $7 for the used printed edition or $19 for the Kindle edition.
• Submit five Student Practicum Forms for your five practice sessions. Each practice session should take about 75 minutes. Sessions may be performed in the location of your choice. Choose five different clients/friends/family.
• Complete Five Critical Essays for your five practicum sessions, describing your favorite and least favorite parts of this therapy and how you executed it.
• Complete The Student Essay Course Form.
• Complete The Client Testimony & Evaluation Form.
• To earn “Certification” status, attend a “live” on-campus one-day practicum exam with a certified ABS instructor.
  OR: Submit a YouTube video link of your best “practice 75-minute session” from start to finish.

Important Details:

• Students have 1 year to complete, self-paced. We always allow extensions for extenuating circumstances.
• Everyone learns at a different rate, but most students complete this course within three months while working full-time.
• Practicum submissions will be graded as “Pass” or “Fail”.
• The multiple-choice exam requires a 75% passing grade. You can take the exam as many times as needed to achieve a passing score; no worries.
• All e-DVDs and webinars can be downloaded and viewed as often as needed.
• A “Document of Completion” will be awarded to all students who submit a Course Evaluation Form and meet the outlined criteria with passing scores; however, “certification” will only be awarded to e-Course students who either pass the in-person practicum exam in Newport, RI, or with another Sacred Stone ABS-certified instructor or submit a YouTube practicum video.