The Ancient Art of Body Oiling

Why? and a Step by Step Guide.

Today, we live in a world where we can know so many things about something in a completely different part of the world with a few clicks of a button, which can be a little overstimulating at times, but a beautiful tool if used in the right way. My major in college was international studies- I’ve always loved to learn about cultures, and recently I’ve loved to learn about similarities across ancient cultures. I envision it as the ancients listening to the universe and the vital force of life in their own unique way and space and then coming up with a similar concept.

One of those concepts is Body Oiling- “referenced in many of the earliest medical texts, it’s one of the oldest known practices for supporting full body wellness.” (Kami McBride)

The cultures of Egypt, Greece and India are three ancient cultures that practiced the art of massaging oil into the bodies of kings, athletes, medical patients, partners and self.

Benefits of Body Oiling:

Nourishes the nervous system and aids sleep

Increases circulation

Assists in elimination of impurities from the body and moves lymph

Softens and smooths skin

Lubricating to joints and internal organs

Hydrates

Steps for Body Oiling the Self; based on the practice of abhyanga in Ayurveda

~Select your herbal body oil by the element that you would like to increase in your being. Earth, Air, Water, Fire (available in our Self-Care Shop!).

~ Gather a robe/clothes and socks ready that you don’t mind getting a little bit oily.

~ Place glass oil bottle in a cup or bowl of warm water or on a not too hot hot plate to warm the oil (make sure water doesn’t enter the oil bottle).

~ Brush skin with a dry brush- removes dead skin, increases circulation and prepares the skin for receiving oil. Brush towards the heart, covering the entire body, including top of head, palms of hands and soles of feet, brush very gently on the face.

~ Begin applying oil on the top of the head massaging in a circular motion, moving to the face and important to remember massaging the ears (I believe you will love the ear massage).

~ Moving down to the body massage the full body with oil, massaging in the direction of the heart. On the belly massage along the path of the large intestine, moving up on the right side, across and then down on the left side. Remember to massage the bottoms of the feet, each toe and in-between as well. The feet contain many nerve endings and conjunctions of prana or life force energy.

~ Let the oil sit for 5- 15 minutes. The deeper benefits of abhyanga depend on the body’s absorption of the oil and herbs, it takes a bit of time for the oil to penetrate the skin and the deeper tissues of the body. Put your socks on and your robe/clothes and let the herbal oil work its magic. Drink a cup of cosmic alignment tea (coming soon in our self- care shop!) while you relax.

~ Rinse off in the shower, being mindful that the bottom of your feet may be a bit slippery, and as you gently dry off, savor the feeling of being calm and fully nourished.

Abhyanga is traditionally practiced in the morning, but sometimes I love to practice in the evening as I unwind from my day. You choose! (just make sure to not go to bed with wet hair) Practice regularly to receive full benefits.