Journey into Spring - What will You Plant?

Abhyanga is a Sanskrit word that means massaging the limbs. In Ayurveda - the science of life, which originates from India self massage is a very important self love practice. 

Abhyanga is a fabulous practice to support your body in spring!  It helps get lymph and circulation flowing. It helps to move accumulated toxins out of the body and supports the immune system, reducing the impact of seasonal viruses. 

If you have oily skin, you can perform this practice BEFORE a shower. Dry skin folks will benefit from performing this massage AFTER a shower to insulate their skin. 

If you are typically a cold person, avoid coconut oil for massage. It stays frozen at 20° and tends to restrict flow in the body of people who run on the cool side. 

Olive oil is great for most body types!  If you like, add essential oils to your massage oil!  They can be chosen for fragrance and action. In spring, we are trying to encourage lymph and circulation. Warm oils like cinnamon or “opening” oils like eucalyptus are great for this purpose. 

The goal in this massage is to bring flow out to the fingers and toes. 

Begin massage at your chest, move down your arms, circle around the elbows and wrists and knuckles. 

Move from chest to tummy, massage the abdomen in clockwise circles, same with your back!

Move down to your legs and make sure to use a gentle pumping motion at the back of the knees to encourage lymph movement. 

Circle the ankles and make sure to oil between the toes. 

Really ENJOY this process with all of your senses. Let it be nourishing, loving and invigorating. This is self worship!

Dry Brushing

There are so many types of dry brushes on the market. Some have long handles so you can reach your back and shoulders!  

This is to be done before or independent of oil massage. Simply brush your entire body away from your core. Move down the body. You don’t need to apply intense pressure, the bristles will help exfoliate skin, increase circulation to the skin’s surface and encourage lymph drainage. You can dry brush in circular motion around the joints to loosen up dry hard skin. 

I always feel glowy and invigorated after dry brushing!

Gua Sha

Gua sha has its roots in China. It can be used over your entire body to help loosen surface fascia, encourage circulation and promote lymph flow. 

Follow the direction of the map above when using the gua sha tool. This helps bring clogged mucus and lymph to lymph nodes where it can be drained. 

It’s not necessary to use intense pressure. The lymph is right under the surface of the skin so gentle sweeping motions are adequate. 

Lymph nodes are located near organs and help drain lymph away from organs. 

Lymph massage helps prevent lymph build up in nodes, organs, sinuses and throughout the body. When the lymph system is draining properly, it prevents infections.  

Gua sha can be used on the entire body. Massage toward nodes in order to ensure circulation and remove blocks.