About Abhyanga
Abhyanga is the foundation of Ayurvedic bodywork. Warm herbal oil is applied over the whole body and worked in with slow, rhythmic strokes that follow the natural direction of the muscles and joints. The oil is chosen for your constitution rather than picked from a standard menu, and that is what separates Abhyanga from a conventional massage.
What a session involves
Your therapist begins with a short conversation about how you have been sleeping, digesting and feeling. The oil is warmed to body temperature and applied from the scalp downward. Most of the session is spent on the back, limbs and joints, finishing at the feet. A typical session runs 45 to 60 minutes, after which you are advised to rest briefly and take a warm bath.
Who it suits
Abhyanga is gentle and widely suitable, which makes it a common starting point for people new to Ayurveda. It is often chosen by those with physically demanding routines, disturbed sleep, or dryness and stiffness that worsen in cold weather.
